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It’s Easy: Daryl Glenn transforms Altman classic into hit cabaret show
by Kevin Scott Hall
EDGE Contributor
Thursday Oct 1, 2009

Robert Altman’s groundbreaking 1975 film "Nashville" was nominated for five Oscars, but ultimately took home only one: Best Song, for Keith Carradine’s "I’m Easy."

The same can’t be said for Daryl Glenn’s brainchild, a cabaret act based on the film, called Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks Play and Sing Robert Altman’s ’Nashville.’" The show took the triple crown for 2008, sweeping up a Nightlife Award, a Bistro Award and a MAC Award for Best Show. Almost two years later, the show continues to draw viewers and attention.

"I picked the right thing, but it was something I was so passionate about," Glenn told EDGE in a recent sit-down interview, his enthusiasm infectious. "I hoped from the start this would have a life and it has, thank goodness, turned into what I hoped it would be."

The show also came at a timely moment, during the election cycle of 2008. The film is highly political.

His manager is currently shopping it to conventions around the country and getting enthusiastic response, according to Glenn. He hopes to take it on tour next summer and eventually have a run Off Broadway.

Not into country music
Glenn was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Although the son of a "sports guy," as he puts it, his parents were supportive of his theater ambitions, taking him to rehearsals and seeing his shows. He worked in local dinner theater and performed in a lot of children’s theater.

"Believe it or not, I was not into country music at all at that time. It was only later that I started listening to the Judds and Randy Travis. My mother smiled at me and said, ’I knew you’d come around; you’re from Kentucky, it’s in your blood!’"

He moved to New York right out of high school but only stayed a year. "I had no idea how to deal with it," he said. Glenn came back for good in 1990.

Over the years, Glenn continued to perform while also managing restaurants near his Chelsea apartment. "I’m very lazy, I’ve always found jobs two blocks from where I live," he said.


Authentic sound
As luck would have it, the Metropolitan Room is on the same block as his apartment. He got a job there as a reservation manager. "I really put myself there purposely," he said. "I knew if I was there, it would put me in the mindset to do the show. And, of course, I’ve met everyone in the world there, from press to performers, and it has been a crash course in what works and what doesn’t work on stage."

Glenn had also reached a crossroads. "When I turned 40, I just said to myself, ’I’m not going to sit on the sidewalk at four in the morning waiting for auditions anymore. I had my Equity card and had auditioned every day for a year, but it just wasn’t working out. I decided once and for all to just make my own work."

"Nashville" the cabaret act finally emerged and he met his creative team while working at the Metropolitan Room.

Jo Lynn Burks, a former beauty pageant winner in both Alabama and Miami as well as a musical director, singer, pianist and arranger who has worked on Broadway and in prestigious venues all over the country, happened to be playing for another performer at the Metropolitan Room when Glenn approached her after the show.

"The minute he asked me to do it, I said, ’Daryl, you can’t have anyone else do this but me!’" Burks related, also a huge fan of the movie. Burks, who has actually performed at the Grand Ole Opry, said, "I really wanted to get an authentic Nashville sound, so I was very careful in picking each individual musician. Our bass player worked with Wynonna, for example, and we had to have a pedal steel guitar and a fiddle."

Burks went on to describe Glenn’s unconventional enthusiasm. "We’d be walking down the street and he’d say, ’They look like they might like it’ and walk up to total strangers and tell them about the show!"

Glenn laughed. "I’m not intimidated to invite someone because I feel that we’ve done it justice. And it’s accessible to anyone who hasn’t seen the movie; you don’t have to see the movie to appreciate it." He pointed out that the songs are country but also parodies of country, so the show has a humorous element.

A serendipitous moment
Another serendipitous moment came when Kathryn Altman, the director’s widow, came to the club to see Annie Ross, who had appeared in Altman’s "Short Cuts." Glenn approached her and told her about his intentions with the show. Ultimately, she approved-and even became Glenn’s date to the MAC Awards.

Glenn has since spoken to Richard Baskin, the music supervisor for the film, and Lily Tomlin (who was Oscar-nominated for the film), both of whom promised to see the show when they’re in town. Keith Carradine introduced Glenn and Burks at the Nightlife Awards, where they performed "It Don’t Worry Me," Carradine’s song that closes the film.

Before the show took flight, friends urged him to find a director and, through a mutual friend, Vince DeGeorge came aboard.

"I had never seen the movie," DeGeorge acknowledged. "But Daryl sat down and started playing and singing ’I’m Easy’ and I was hooked." He studied the film and then helped Glenn craft the piece for a cabaret show.

"Basically, my work was to allow Daryl to get out of his own way and allow people to see how much he loves this material," DeGeorge said. "He has a fantastic personality and is so open and endears himself to the audience with that."

"It’s a bit of a party atmosphere," Glenn confessed, given that ten or so musicians and singers populate the small stage.

"This wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been such an ambassador," Burks said. "I applaud Daryl for continuing to do this even though he’s had to beg, borrow and steal to do it."

"There was no way to cut anything out without sacrificing the quality, and I’m not about to do that," said Glenn.

In fact, a wealthy high school friend of Glenn’s financed the first year of the show, and currently there are some scheduling issues due to Burks’ teaching position at the University of Miami. For now, she flies up once a month and they do the show the first Sunday of every month.

"We are keeping the film alive," Glenn stated. "I’m very proud of that."

Still, while Glenn’s manager cooks up other venues and they try to figure out how to get a steady run in New York, Glenn has begun work on another project.

On January 17, he will appear at the prestigious Feinstein’s at the Regency to perform "Daryl Sings Steve," a tribute to Stephen Sondheim-about as far from Nashville as a performer can get.

That reminds Glenn to relate the story of how he began corresponding with the iconic composer, ultimately speaking with him by phone and even getting an invitation to his home.

But that’s another story for another time . . .

 

 

 

"Facts of Life" Sweetie Costars with Gay Porn Studs

Meeting Mindy Cohn in Fort Greene. Side trip to Nashville.

By Michael Musto

Monday, July 13th 2009 at 12:49pm

 

It Don't Worry Me

Let's keep Daryl Glenn, though. The Kentucky-born performer and singer/pianist Jo Lynn Burks did their sincere musical tribute to Robert Altman's Nashville at the Metropolitan Room, and it was quite enjoyable, especially when Glenn turned "Tapedeck in His Tractor" into a multi-sexual duet Mindy Cohn would surely cotton to. Next up, Glenn wants to do a tribute to Lost Horizon, a musical so endearingly inept that you cheered the plane crash. This is going to be interesting.

The Nashville event had audience members winning GooGoo Clusters if they answered trivia questions correctly!

 

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By Kenneth Jones
07 Jun 2009

 

Daryl Glenn and Jo Lynn Burks

Daryl Glenn and Broadway singer/conductor/pianist Jo Lynn Burks will perform their critically acclaimed Bistro, MAC and Nightlife Award-winning tribute to Robert Altman's classic 1975 film, "Nashville," at 7 PM on the first Sunday of every month starting June 7.

"Every fabulous song from the beloved soundtrack album will be lovingly recreated," according to Glenn, including Keith Carradine's Academy Award-winning "I'm Easy." The film's songwriters were the picture's stars, including Karen Black, Oscar nominee Ronee Blakley and Carradine (he won an Academy Award for Best Music – Original Song).

"Nashville" was nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director (Altman), Best Supporting Actress (Blakley and Lily Tomlin). The Tennessee-set movie follows disparate personalities (including country-music performers) and plots surrounding a U.S. presidential campaign.

Musical direction and arrangements for the MAC Award-nominated show are by Burks. Direction is by Vince DeGeorge.

A new special guest star will appear at every show. Expect a six-piece all-star country band, plus The Metropolitan Room's Tanya Holt, Broadway's Brad Wills and award-winning cabaret favorite Jay Rogers. Lorinda Lisitza wil be the June 7 guest. Future guests will be Lisa Asher (July 5) and Lennie Watts (Aug. 2).

*

Creator-performer Glenn was born and raised in Lexington, KY. He's an Equity actor who has toured in musicals and youth theatre productions. "Nashville" in concert has been a dream project many years in the making, he said. It marked his New York City cabaret debut in 2008. He's the resident reservation agent and celebrity wrangler at the Metropolitan Room.

Burks is no stranger to Broadway. The former Miss Alabama and Miss Miami was a frequent keyboardist at both The Color Purple and Hairspray. She toured as music director with the Temptations and did keyboards/vocals for Gladys Knight and more. On Broadway she originated a principal role in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and appeared in The Wedding Singer, Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Full Monty and All Shook Up. She musical-directed such national tours as Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame and Smokey Joe's Cafe. Her Off-Broadway work includes A Portrait of Dusty Springfield, From My Hometown, Cowgirls and When Pigs Fly.

The show has a $25 cover plus two-drink minimum. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22nd Street. For reservations, call (212) 206-0440.

 

   
       

 

 

Cabaret Confidential

Don’t miss this year’s winner of the cabaret triple crown (the 2009 Bistro Award, the MAC Award and the Nightlife Award), Daryl Glenn and Jo Lynn Burks Play and Sing Robert Altman’s Nashville. The show returns to the Metropolitan Room (34 W 22nd St, 212-206-0440) this Sunday, July 5 and again on Sunday, August 2, both at 7 pm. The irrepressible Glenn & Burks will bring to life every song from the beloved soundtrack album, along with Tanya Holt, Brad Wills and special guest star Jay Rogers. Speaking of Rogers, he’s directing the new musical comedy revue, As Gay As It Gets, at the Duplex (61 Christopher St, 212-255-5438) on July 10 and 17 and August 8 and 15. Celebrating the joys of gay life and starring Lennie Joel, Patrick Kuzara and Elias John Ruperto, the original songs in As Gay As It Gets are written by Eduardo Toledo (composer/arranger) and Maury Johnson (writer/lyricist). And the Town Hall (123 W 43rd St, 212-840-2824) continues to present acclaimed Broadway concerts this July with its Third Annual Summer Broadway Festival, created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for the Town Hall. Presented on three Monday nights at 8pm are: Broadway Winners: The Award-Winning Music of Broadway! on July 13, Broadway’s Rising Stars on July 20 and All Singin’ All Dancin’ on July 27. N

Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks

*Larry Gatlin, Keith Carradine, Daryl Glenn and Jo Lynn Burks brought some country to cabaret, performing "Done Enough Dyin' Today," "I'm Easy" and "It Don't Worry Me," respectively. The latter duo were named Outstanding Cabaret Duo or Group for their tribute to Robert Altman's movie Nashville, which featured the latter two songs by Mr. Carradine. These three songs offering a different sound than previous Nightlife Award ceremonies have enjoyed in the past. Especially considering the ceremony's themes of variety and inclusivity, Messers. Gatlin and Carradine's contributions were quite welcome.

 

Jena Tesse Fox-broadwayworld.com-reviewing the 2009 Nightlife Awards

 

 

Jamie deRoy & friends - Celebrates The Academy Awards

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Written by Scott Barbarino

Jamie deRoy & friends Celebrates The Academy Awards An Evening of Special Guests Monday, February 16th Metropolitan Room   Rex Reed *  Gay Marshall * Leenya Rideout * Steven Scott * Daryl Glenn * and special guest, three-time Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz   Join celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy when she celebrates Oscar with an evening featuring Academy Award-winning songs and winners as the theme of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Monday, February 16th (7:00PM) at the New York hotspot The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street – between 5th & 6th Avenues). The evening will feature the following artists: film critic and columnist Rex Reed; 2009 star of the 2006 critically acclaimed off-Broadway revival, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, singer and actress Gay Marshall; from the Tony Award-winning casts of the Broadway revivals of "Company" and "Cabaret", actor, singer, and musician Leenya Rideout;  rising actor and gifted comedian Steven Scott, Nightlife Award winner Daryl Glenn; and special guest, Academy Award, Grammy Award, Drama Desk and Golden Globe Award winning composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz.  Barry Kleinbort is the director of Jamie deRoy & friends and Lanny Meyers will serve as musical director.  The colorful cabaret series, which has been thrilling New York City audiences for the past 16 years and serves as the basis for deRoy's award-winning cable television show, spotlights a wide variety of well-known entertainers and newcomers lighting up the cabaret, theater, and comedy worlds.