SierraRein.com

“Your wish, my command” – a gift from Bernie of the MTA System

sierrarein — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:38:59 +0000

File this under “silly fun”! A week or so ago, the New York Times posted an article online about the announcements made over the MTA system, and asked others to comment via Twitter (@nytimes) or via the website about what readers would like to hear the MTA subway announcers to say. I jokingly tweeted to @nytimes that I would love it if I heard over the speaker “Have fun at the audition/rehearsal/performance/party, Sierra!” I imagined that would be a great pick-me-up, especially if it’s 7am and I’m on my sleepy way to sign up for an EPA.

Well, Bernie Wagonblast (who has an awesome name and who is an official voice of the New York subways, AirTrain JFK and Newark) decided to record and post a quick, 3-second, simple audio track of him wishing me well at “the audition” via Twitter; as he tweeted “Your wish, my command.”

I love it! Hear the full 3-second well-wishing here:

Goodbye, Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel

sierrarein — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:13:20 +0000

When I first moved to New York, I was inspired to attend the Algonquin Salon, an open mic which eventually would become The Salon open mic (now at Etcetera Etcetera on Sunday nights). It was summer, and my friend Vanessa clued me in that the Algonquin Salon would be a great place to practice repertoire, meet composers and other singers, and generally have a great time. I went alone one evening, stepping for the first time into the historic Algonquin Hotel. I took a moment to gawk at the actual Algonquin Round Table in the lobby, then stepped into the almost equally famous Oak Room, where the Algonquin Salon was temporarily holding court (at that time, it usually was in the lobby itself). The theme was a gender-bending one – I wore a bowler hat and sang “The Impossible Dream,” knees shaking a bit as I sang for a room completely full of strangers. In months and years to come, I would call a large percentage of those strangers friends and co-workers.

The thrill of singing in the Oak Room in and of itself was indelibly stamped upon my memory (and I’m not the only newcomer to New York to fall for its immense history and style). I would return to the Oak Room a few more times to see full performances from Cabaret and Broadway alum, and put the venue on my “bucket list” as a solo performer (and later as a founding member of Marquee Five).

That part of my bucket list is not to be fulfilled, however, if the owners of the Algonquin Hotel wish to fulfill their own “renovation” list, which includes removing the Oak Room and remodeling it into a lounge for Marriott Reward Elite guests, according to Hotel General Manager Gary Budge.

What a shame it is, this news. This total disregard for history, for music, for art, for what New York’s identity is. I’ve been monitoring the Algonquin Hotel Facebook Page today, and most comments on the wall and on the official post regarding this press release has been devastated; most people claim that there won’t be any reasons left to visit the Algonquin Hotel again, once the Oak Room is no more.

Although Dorothy Parker once wrote “A little bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika,” this choice of action by the managerial Power that Be of the Algonquin Hotel leave nothing so spicy or delicious to my tongue. At least I have a few memories of the Oak Room to keep for myself. I had wished future generations would be able to make their own in years to come – alas, this is not to be. And it truly…sucks.

*UPDATE 2/11/2012* – if you would like to sign a petition to send to the owners of the Marriott/Algonquin Salon regarding the Oak Room, please do so below:

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

Farewell, Oak Room

“8-Track Throwback” on Amazon & iTunes

sierrarein — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:45:22 +0000

January 28, 2012
Marquee Five’s debut album, “8-Track Throwback” is available for order via Amazon.com (CD and MP3) and iTunes

Help Marquee Five – review “8-Track Throwback” on Amazon!

sierrarein — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:29:36 +0000

Friends and fans who have read my blog over the years have watched the growth of Marquee Five, the vocal group to which I belong. Those who have been just introduced to the group might have been due to our debut album, “8-Track Throwback,” which was released in November of 2011. We are thrilled that it can be purchased either through our website or Amazon.com.

Those who *have* listened to the CD can do us a great service by reviewing it! Just visit our CD page on Amazon.com and click the review link under the title. Just a few simple words will help our sales and our reputation grow.

Thanks!

-Sierra

Stephen Hanks of Cabaret Scenes puts Marquee Five & The Salon on his Top 10 of 2011 List!

sierrarein — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:08:25 +0000

From The Times Square Chronicles (t2conline.com) comes this trio of Top 10 of 2011 lists by reviewers Joe Regan, Jr., Sandi Durell, and Stephen Hanks of Cabaret Scenes. Hanks puts Marquee Five and The Salon on his list, and I can’t thank him enough for the support and praise! Read the full list here, and read quotes below:

3. Marquee Five: 8-Track Throwback—This exciting new singing group absolutely rocked the Laurie Beechman Theater in March and November with their wonderful arrangements on classic pop and rock songs of the 1960s and ‘70s, and followed up with a terrific CD release. This fantastic five-some is the Manhattan Transfer for the new millennium.

…

10.The Salon Open Mic Cabaret: At Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant (West 44^th St), Host and Musical Director Mark Janas and Producer Tanya Moberly have created the classy go-to place to hear singers of every age and style on Sunday nights. Janas’ presentation of “Classic Corner” during the mid-show break alone is worth the cover charge and the minimum.

The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast

sierrarein — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:33:58 +0000

December 31, 2010
Tony-nominated Composer Jeff Blumenkrantz saw Goodspeed’s “City of Angels” and was inspired to bring in some Angel City 4/Marquee Five members (Sierra and Mick Bleyer), plus Broadway alum Gaelen Gilliland, into his studio to record his own jazzy (and raucously funny) Christmas piece. Part of “The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast” series.

Last Hurrah for 2011: Singing on The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast!

sierrarein — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:28:55 +0000

Happy Almost New Year! We have one day more of 2011 to pontificate about the last year and also think about the year ahead. Regardless of how *those* thoughts turn out, I’m thrilled to have an exciting last blog entry! Many people know Jeff Bumenkrantz, Tony-nominated composer whose unique, funny, and emotional music has been sung by Broadway alum. His “The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast” can be found on iTunes and downloaded for free – there you can find his work sung by amazing performers, including Sutton Foster, Nancy Anderson, Rebecca Lukor, Liz Callaway, Mary Testa, Megan Mullally, Michael McElroy, Judy Kuhn and Peter Sachon. So, I was thrilled to be invited (along with Mick Bleyer of Marquee Five/ Goodspeed’s City of Angels and Gaelen Gilliland of Wicked and Legally Blonde) to sing some great harmony in the Christmas spirit…and get to swear in a not-so-festive way as well (this episode is Rated PG-13, folks, so hide the kids!). This is the 7th episode in his “Month Upon a Time” song cycle series, although (how he puts it): “…it will ultimately serve as the 12th song in the final song cycle. So I was thinking I should give it some kind of big finale.” Thus, I am excited to be a part of his big finale!

Read his background on the project and the genesis for this song here, and listen to the podcast MP3 here. Be sure to subscribe to, download, and listen to The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast via iTunes, and if you enjoy any of his work and wish to purchase his songbook or sheet music for individual songs (and discover where to find his work as recorded by major stars) you can do so here.

Happy New Year!!!

-Sierra

Clockwise: Gaelen, Sierra, Mick, Jeff

FIRST CD REVIEW OF “8-TRACK THROWBACK” by Stephen Hanks of CabaretScenes.org

sierrarein — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:48:29 +0000

I’m very excited to share Marquee Five’s first CD Review of “8-Track Throwback”, by Stephen Hanks of CabaretScenes.org. Check out this link for the full text of the review! Here are a few quotes:

“…the coolest collection of vocal group harmonies since Manhattan Transfer…“

“While Manhattan Transfer’s four-part harmonies and intricate vocalese transformed specific songs, Hemming and Marquee Five excel on the kind of medleys and mash-ups that would make the kids from Glee jealous.”

“Listening to this debut CD, it’s clear that “Marquee” is the right name for five smooth, synchronized and powerful singers who seamlessly blend their voices together for a distinctive group sound. If I ever decide to decorate a wall using CD covers, 8-Track Throwback will earn a prominent space.”

Stephen Hanks
Cabaret Scenes
January/February 2012
www.cabaretscenes.org

If this sounds good to you, head over to www.MarqueeFive.com and order your copy today!

Winter solitude —

sierrarein — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:33:36 +0000

A winter’s haiku for you…

Photo: Cardinal in Ft. Tryon, Oct 2011
(Taken on my iPhone!)

Have a happy holiday season,
and a great start to Winter!

-Sierra

BroadwayWorld.com: “Goodspeed’s CITY OF ANGELS Cast Raises Over $6500 for BC/EFA

sierrarein — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:49:19 +0000

Check out this article on BroadwayWorld.com and a teeny tiny picture of the “City of Angels” cast as we posed for an onstage picture. We raised over $6500, some of which I myself collected in a basket from the audience after a few shows. Way to go, “City” friends and Goodspeed folks!