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Wednesday, January 8, 2020

The 77th "Musical Mondays" at LUSH, January 2020

What better way to celebrate the beginning of the 2020s than to look back at some great musical theater songs from the 1920s? For their 77th show, Musical Mondays did just that. Hosted by talented #TCTheater artists and BFFs Sheena Janson Kelley and Max Wojtanowicz, this popular monthly cabaret series at LUSH Bar in Northeast Minneapolis showcases different local talent every month. Also different every month is the theme, which gives musical theater fans like myself the chance to take a deep dive into a specific genre and learn a little bit more about musical theater history, while enjoying a fun and entertaining night, at the cost of a suggested $5 donation (which goes directly to the artists). This series should definitely be on the radar of every local music-theater fan. Their next show is on February 3; follow their Facebook page for the announcement of theme and performers.

The '20s themed show this week featured lots of Gerswhin, with a little Berlin, Porter, and Weill thrown in. Not being an expert on musicals of the '20s, I was surprised at just how many songs were familiar to me. It made me wonder what musical theater and/or popular songs of this decade will stand the test of time and be celebrated at the 1277th Musical Mondays 100 years from now?

Making my job easier, they post the songlist and performer details on the Musical Mondays Facebook page the day after the show. It was a strong cast this month, with many great solos, duets, and group numbers (plus German!). Here's a list of performers (and where you can see them next), as well as the songlist:

ACT I
  • Puttin’ on the Ritz (by Irving Berlin) - all
  • It All Belongs to Me (Ziegfeld Follies of 1927) - Christina
  • You’re the Cream in My Coffee (Hold Everything) - Ryan
  • How Long Has This Been Going On? (Funny Face) - Marty
  • Solomon Song (The Threepenny Opera) - Natalie
  • Pirate Jenny (The Threepenny Opera) - Christina
  • Embraceable You (Girl Crazy) - Vaughn
  • Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man (Show Boat) - Corissa
  • Bill (Show Boat) - Corissa
  • Fascinating Rhythm (Lady Be Good) - Marty
  • Tea for Two (No, No, Nanette) - Natalie & Ryan

ACT II
  • Feature of Gentleman’s Guide (Old Log cast)
  • I’ve Got a Crush on You (Treasure Girl) - Corissa & Vaughn
  • Someone to Watch over Me (Oh, Kay!) - Natalie
  • The Birth of the Blues (George White’s Scandals of 1926) - Marty
  • Meine Lippen (Giuditta) - Christina
  • Berlin im Licht-Song (by Kurt Weill) - Corissa
  • Singin’ in the Rain (The Hollywood Music Box Revue) - Ryan
  • If Love Were All (Bitter Sweet) - Christina
  • Blue Skies (Betsy) - Natalie
  • Lover, Come Back to Me (The New Moon) - Ryan
  • Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) (Paris) - Christina/Marty
  • Will You Remember Me? (cut from Lady Be Good) - Vaughn
  • I Want to Be Happy (No, No, Nanette) - all

the lovely and talented cast of Musical Mondays
(photo courtesy of the Musical Mondays Facebook page)