Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Hangar Theatre announces the fall performances of Back to the Garden, a musical tribute to folk-rock trailblazers Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Laura Nyro, as a continuation of its annual CabarETC series playing September 20-21 at 8:00pm. Challenged by the traditional images of women in the music-industry, these prolific singer/songwriters paved the way for women in music, art, and life by bravely exploring territory outside the accepted confines of popular music. Back to the Garden celebrates these women, their influence and inspiration, directed by Amy Jones and featuring Melissa Hammans, Maddy Wyatt, and Shaleah Adkisson performing with Julia Adamy (bass), Molly MacMillan(keys), with Barbara Merjan (drums), and Sue Terwilliger (guitar).

The Hangar's CabarETC series (pronounced cabar-etcetera) is comprised of special cabaret evenings featuring intimate, nightclub style performances by Broadway stars and local artists. Audience members may sit at café tables or in theatre seats while enjoying light fare and libations including beer and wine.


Shaleah Adkisson (vocals) Credits: Broadway/Nat'l Tour: HAIR; Off-Broadway: RENT; Regional: AVENUE Q, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', CHILDREN OF EDEN, GREASE & BEEHIVE: THE 60S MUSICAL.

Melissa Hammans (vocals). New York: LOVESICK OR THINGS THAT DON'T HAPPEN (59E59), PAPER CRANES (Access), DAVENPORT 10 Minute Play Festival (Davenport Theatricals.) Regional: NUNSENSE, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ, GREASE, AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL, THE BREAKUP NOTEBOOK (Peter Schneider Productions), and MARRY HARRY (Powerhouse/NYSAF.) Concerts: Joe's Pub, Les Poisson Rouge, Galapagos Art Space, Canal Room, and The Laurie Beechman. Upcoming: COMPANY (Tennessee Repertory Theatre.)

Amy Jones (director) is an accomplished director, choreographer, and musical director. Most recent: GOOD OL' GIRLS at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. In the spring she co-choreographed BROADWAY BACKWARDS 8, a BCEFA benefit at the Palace Theatre in New York City, and also served as the Musical Dir/Creative Consultant of CUFF ME: THE UNAUTHORIZED 50 SHADES OF GREY MUSICAL PARODY currently playing Off-Broadway at The Actors' Temple. This past year, Amy directed/choreographed I DO! I DO! at Theatre Raleigh and THE SPITFIRE GRILL, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, and THE BIG BANG at Flat Rock Playhouse, where she has been the resident vocal director/choreographer since 1999, working on numerous shows including THE PRODUCERS, HAIRSPRAY, CHILDREN OF EDEN, and ALL SHOOK UP. She is the associate musical director of GIRLS NIGHT THE MUSICAL, musical director/choreographer of GIRL TALK, and has provided dramaturgy for the new musicals ALICE and WARSAW. Amy is a member of AEA and SDC.

Molly MacMillan (piano, vocals) After receiving a music degree at Ithaca College, Molly remained in Ithaca and became known as one of the areas foremost jazz pianists. She has performed at the Sacramento Jubilee Traditional Jazz Festival, and others including Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo and the Thousand Islands. She travels and records with the Hotfoot Club, the Molly MacMillan trio, and Margaret Wakeley. In 2007 she performed in a memorial concert arranged by Jan Nigro honoring Laura Nyro.

Barbara Merjan (percussion) has performed with various pop and jazz artists in a variety of musical contexts (Lesley Gore, Mark Nadler, Beth Malone, Lea DeLaria, Marian McPartland, Dizzy Gillespie). She plays Japanese taiko (Kaoru Watanabe, Taikoza) and American Contemporary music (Jerome Kitzke, Linda Fisher, Kaoru Watanabe, Amanda Ray). Her extensive Broadway, and touring experience include THE NANCE, ELF, PROMISES, PROMISES, ADDAMS FAMILY, CABARET, DRACULA, MARY POPPINS, MISS SAIGON, CATS, BIG, SUNSET BOULEVARD. Off Broadway: York Theater productions: A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE, TOM FOOLERY, IT'S ONLY A KINGDOM and most recently, CASTLE WALK and BED BUGS, THE MUSICAL at NYMF. Barbara is a graduate of Ithaca College BM '81 and NYU MA '91.

Sue Terwilliger (guitar, musical director) Sue's resume includes performances at the 52nd Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C., Carnegie Hall in NYC, Symphony Hall in Boston, Casino Estoril in Lisbon, Portugal, and The Bottom Line in Nagasaki, Japan. She has performed with well-known names in entertainment including Chris Martin of Coldplay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Bolton and Liza Minelli. Her discography ranges from accompanying an award-winning storyteller to backing up singer-songwriters to writing/arranging for jazz big band. Sue's television appearances include performing on The Sopranos. An Ithaca native and IC music grad who splits her time between Ithaca and NYC, Sue is currently working on a CD of her own jazz fusion compositions.

Maddy Wyatt (vocals, guitar) is a Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. She tours the country both as a solo artist and with her indie folk band WYATT, alongside her two brothers Paul and Alex. WYATT recently made their Brooklyn Academy of Music debut, and are currently working on a new album set to release this fall.

v9i32