Singer Joyce Moody will return to Don’t Tell Mama for three more performances of VAMPIN’ LADY: THE MUSIC OF MILTON AGER on consecutive Thursdays beginning Thursday, January 24, at 6:30 pm.  (Additional shows are scheduled for Thursday, January 31 at 6:30 pm and Thursday, February 7, at 6:30 pm.) VAMPIN’ LADY initially played the Restaurant Row nightspot for three performances in December after a sold-out premiere at Bob Egan’s Cosmopolitan Club in New Hope, PA on Thursday, October 25, 2007. 

 

The one-hour premiere marked Moody’s solo cabaret debut as well as the release of her new CD “Vampin’ Lady” by Sixpence, Inc., and is the latest entry in New York City-based Wenhelm Productions’ ongoing American Composer Series.  Musical director Earl Wentz, who crafted this fast-paced, funny, and sentimental hour-long revue of Milton Ager’s music, will accompany Joyce Moody on the piano again. 

Rob Lester, writing in Cabaret Scenes, said about the December shows, “Joyce is sly, spry, and eager to wink an eye. And that’s why the lady is a vamp!” and praised Moody’s vocal abilities: “Revealing a legit soprano and prominent vibrato on sentimental ballads like her dignified Trust in Me, a bombastic belt for Hard-Hearted Hannah, and light comedy-cute characterization on Crazy Words, Crazy Tune, there’s variety in Joyce’s choices and voices....Fun...it becomes contagious.”  Lester went on to say, “With her sunny side up and at ’em, Joyce ebulliently sashays and struts and smiles or sobs her way through the songbook of Ager...” and lauded the wide range of songs included in the show: “A major part of the pleasure is hearing the lesser-known numbers...they are ripe for the dusting off and admirers of old-time tunes (like me) are grateful for Joyce and Earl’s way with the feather duster and the feather boa.”                                                 

Lester echoed the sentiments of noted performer and club owner Bob Egan who raved: “Joyce and Earl's Vampin’ Lady was a total treat—polished, professionally presented, and entertaining in every way.  Even I didn’t know almost half the songs, but they were presented in such a delightful way that I was totally engaged the entire show. What fun material!  Bravo!”

VAMPIN’ LADY is produced by Wenhelm Productions’ American Composer Series in association with Sixpence, Inc., a New York City-based theatre producer and publisher of books, music, and CDs.  Don’t Tell Mama is on New York City’s Restaurant Row at 343 W. 46^th Street.  (Reservations: 212-757-0788.)

Songwriters’ Hall of Famer Milton Ager (1893-1979) would qualify as one of America’s musical treasures had he only penned one of his trove of songs—Happy Days Are Here Again.  Instead, he penned over 130, including Ain’t She Sweet—which has been recorded by artists as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Welk, and The Beatles; Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah)—which scored successes for Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Ray Charles among others; the Judy Garland weepie I’m Nobody’s Baby; and I’m the Last of the Red Hot Mammas, Sophie Tucker’s signature tune.  

All of these songs—and 23 more—are included in Moody’s VAMPIN’ LADY show, which takes its title not just from Ager’s keenly-focused ear for songs about seductive sirens, but more specifically from Ager’s 1923 hit Louisville Lou (That Vampin’ Lady).  The “Vampin’ Lady” CD features 24 songs from the show and will be available at the performances.  Heirs of the composer call the recording “wonderful” and praise it for preserving Ager’s legacy.  Ager family archivist Laurence Rubenstein, of UCLA notes, “It’s good that most of the verses are included, as well as the usual choruses.  In fact, for one or two of the more uncommon songs, this might be the first time the verse lyrics have been recorded” and applauds the performances:  “Joyce really puts a lot of spirit and feeling into the music.  Earl's arrangements are very creative and fun to listen to. They are both really talented...” For more information on the CD, including online ordering and local availability, see the Sixpence, Inc. web site at www.sixpenceinc.com.