A Party with Phyllis (and Betty & Adolph)

Phyllis Newman (Mrs. Adolph Green) wrote and  hosted the final concert in the 92Y Lyrics and Lyricists series, CARRIED AWAY: BEING COMDEN & GREEN, and today's audience was studded with the jewels of the cabaret world paying tribute: Julie Wilson, Steve Ross, Billy Stritch, Lea De Laria, K.T. Sullivan and Christine Ebersole were some of the faces we recognised. With a five piece band led by Lawrence Yurman and a treasure trove of historic photos, sheet music, playbills and posters projected behind the performers, Ms Newman effortlessly transported us back to Broadway's Golden Age.

Special guest star was the astonishing Leslie Uggams who recreated three of her Tony-winning numbers from HALLELUJAH, BABY! after 43 years. Her voice and presence are still matchless and her performance of "My Own Morning" was a master class.

Mary Testa looks like Patti LuPone, sings like Kaye Ballard and clowns like Nancy Walker so this material was tailor made for her. She was especially effective on "Lonely Town" (ON THE TOWN), "A Hundred Easy Ways" (WONDERFUL TOWN) and "Waiting, Waiting" (from DO RE MI ).

Josh Grisetti combined a glorious light baritone voice with a sly sense of comedy, nailing "I Rise Again" from ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and "Simple Little System" from BELLS ARE RINGING.

Sarah Uriarte Berry brought her rich soprano to a variety of material including "Long Before I Knew You" (BELLS ARE RINGING) and "Ride Through The Night" (SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING)

Zakiya Young (who recently played Lois Lane in IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN with Matt Cavanaugh in Dallas) was especially impressive with "The Usher From the Mezzanine" (FADE OUT-FADE IN) and "Learn to Be Lonely" (A DOLL'S LIFE), the first song Betty Comden wrote after the death of her husband.

Marcus Lovett was the perfect leading man with "Lucky To Be Me" (ON THE TOWN) and "I Like Myself" (IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER) before unveiling a very funny "My Fortune is My Face" from FADE OUT-FADE IN.

We await the announcement of next season's concerts with great excitement!