Here's a change of pace to begin the new year at the Metropolitan Room — with plenty of liquid refreshment supplied for toasting it: a variety show the afternoon after New Year's Day, mixing mixed drinks and comedy.  Pianist Nate Buccieri and guitarist Sean Harkness, no strangers to the venue, were dubbed the "Cocktail Shakers," gamely adding to the spirits during and between musical segments. Stirring things up, in more ways than one, was Eddie Jacques who works there behind the bar, with a behind-the-scenes look at his work on a video-suitable work-in-progress, The Basement Bartender. It's still finding its tone, but has promise.

It's no secret that the serving staff at NYC's cabarets are often talented performers.  As glimpsed in a prior staff show, Eddie is a stand-up comedian with an edge and a wink who can whip up some attitude and zingers, exploding in comic frustration.  He also sang quite effectively portraying with comic zeal the villainous literally cold-hearted "Snow Miser" from the holiday favorite for kids (sez who??), The Year Without a Santa Claus.  Ho, ho, ho! Here he was joined by talented fellow staffer Darren Cardoza who brought giggles with facial expressions and detail to nail the characterization of  his polar opposite, The Heat Miser. Eddie's demo of making specialty holiday drinks could have used more of the splash of his wit, it was too straight-up, too-time-consuming. However, the crowd got to consume the samples and sing along merrily to "The 12 Days of Christmas" with the drink names substituting for the usual lyrics.  Another Eddie was the subject of wacky story-song, "Eddie Got a Color TV," letting knockout Lorinda Lisitza raise the bar. (Its composer Joe Iconis sat in on piano for this showpiece he wrote with lyricist Robert Maddock.) Cheers!   (PS — Yes, there was a two-drink minimum — but with more informed choices!)

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
January 2, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org