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Music Performance Reviews
By Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
June 10, 2003
An Evening with Lucie Arnaz
Moonlight on the Hudson
At O'Neal's West 79th Street Boat Basin Café
A Cabaret Evening in Riverside Park
And Silent Auction
Benefit for Riverside Park Fund
www.riversideparkfund.org
Ron Abel, Musical Director/Piano
Robert Renino, Bass
David Mann, Reeds
Steve Samuel, Drums
Management: Arluck Entertainment
Produced by Pat Philips and Ettore Stratta
Patmusic2@aol.com
Lucie Arnaz was first known for her appearances on The Lucy Show, starring her mother, Lucille Ball, and on Here's Lucy. She has also starred on her own show, The Lucie Arnaz Show and in Sons and Daughters. Lucie Arnaz co-starred in the film, The Jazz Singer, and has appeared on television and on stage, in Annie Get Your Gun, Lost in Yonkers, Wonderful Town, and many other productions. She regularly performs in nightclubs and produced an Emmy award-winning documentary with her husband, Lawrence Luckinbill, about her famed parents, Lucy and Desie Arnaz. (Production Notes).
There can be little to be found on a beautiful, late spring night in New York than a lovely event at O'Neal's West 79th Street Boat Basin Café, along the Hudson River, with the sparkling lights on the River, the twinkling lights in the Boat House Café, a dinner of Filet Mignon or Grilled Salmon, and the evocative voice of Lucie Arnaz, belting it out and lightheartedly joking with her enraptured audience, for the benefit of the Park that huddles next to the Hudson. Stratta/Philips Productions, Inc. brought another great event to New York, as it is so rare to hear Ms. Arnaz in Cabaret performance these days, with her extensive career schedule and commitments, not to mention her busy family life, with five children.
To the popular New York State of Mind, Lucie arrived onstage, and sang of love of New York and then offered her support for the concept of a Fund for a Park that showcases our River on the West. David Mann's saxophone was a nice element, along with Robert Renino's warm bass and Steve Samuel's classy drums. Ron Abel had an obvious lead role in this performance and partnered Ms. Arnaz to perfection. Her Lullaby of Birdland was throaty, smooth, sensual, and clear. Ron Abel was so relaxed that he joined the vocals with ease. To the surprise of the audience, Billy Stritch suddenly appeared onstage on piano, with his own rousing arrangement of Something's Got To Give.
Ms. Arnaz was all glitter and spice, as her dress shone in the lights. I had never before seen her in person, and, as a longtime fan of her parents' television shows and films, I sensed her mother's affectionate presence and her father's Cuban dynamism. In the introduction to a Cy Coleman "revenge" song, she regaled the audience with a personal tale of lost love, with a Country Western flare of Goodbye, Good Luck, Who Cares? Additional pieces were sung with equally endearing and energetic verve, with the saxophone as more than casual support. In Just a Housewife, Ms. Arnaz flawlessly belted out powerful lyrics with theatricality. And, in My Foolish Heart, David Mann switched to flute for the softness needed to accompany Ms. Arnaz' romantic, enrapturing vocalization.
Kudos to Lucie Arnaz, and Good Luck to Riverside Park Fund, a very worthy cause.
Lucie Arnaz Onstage
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
James T. Dowell, President, Riverside Park Fund
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Gale A. Brewer, Member, City Council
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Brad Philips and Lucie Arnaz
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Lucie Arnaz and Billy Stritch
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Pat Philips and Lucie Arnaz
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Ron Abel, Musical Director and Pianist
Photo courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
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