Spider Saloff. Mandy Patinkin._______________
March! You know what Jonny always says about March: 'In like a lion, out like a lamb. Just like a man makes love.' There's utterly no doubt that the March action is in the cabarets. Jonny is swimming in cabaret news, Jonny is swamped in cabaret news—Jonny is drowning in cabaret news.
As ever, Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee, hosts much of the action, beginning with Counting Down the Decades: 50 Years of Song, presented at 7 p.m. every Sunday in March by Chicago Cabaret Professionals in their 20th Century Songwriter's Series. Sunday after Sunday, they will march through the century decade-by-decade, highlighting music of the 1970s ( March 9 ) , 1960s ( March 16 ) , 1950s ( March 23 ) and 1940s ( March 30 ) . The talent line-up varies from week to week with most of our town's top cabaret artists participating one week or another; 773-278-1830; $15.
Maxim's, 1300 N. Astor, also hosts March action and if you've never been there, it's a gorgeous room. Originally a private restaurant modeled after its Art Nouveau namesake in Paris, Maxim's now is owned by the City of Chicago, which uses it for special receptions and parties. You'll feel swank just walking in, so dress up. Jonny suggests Maxim's Wed., March 12, 7 p.m., when MaryMonica Thomas stars in Everything is Chita, A Musical Tribute to Chita Rivera. In addition to Ms. Thomas, performers will include 3Girls3, Suzy Petri, Kat' Taylor, Noelle Michaels-Frost, Brad Thacker and the fabulous George Howe. Maxim's is intimate, too; reservations are suggested: 312-744-1423; $25 ( includes hors d'oeuvres ) .
Another venue of growing reputation is the Gorilla Tango Theatre complex, 1919 N. Milwaukee, just up the street from Davenport's. Gorilla Tango plays host to a weekly scene called Three Cat Thursdays, offering a variety of musical artists each Thursday at 8 p.m.. This week ( March 6 ) offers Matt Griffo in scenes from his new one-man musical comedy show, plus comedian Will Miles and singers Clarissa Grigg and Sarah Allison. The March 13 line-up features Timothy Hairston showcasing music written or performed by Jimmy Webb or Bobby Short. March 20 is a showcase for cabaret performers and singer-songwriters. Three Cat Thursday borrows heavily from local theaters and goes well beyond the familiar circuit of Chicago cabaret talent ( as wonderful as they all are ) ; 773-598-4559; $10; wine/beer only for purchase.
Yet another favorite cabaret venue is Katerina's, 1920 W. Irving Park, which offers not only a full bar but also complete restaurant service. Yes—get ready for the pun—Katerina's is a venue with a menu. There are musical offerings several times weekly, but none will be better than great cabaret diva Spider Saloff, with guitarist Steve Ramsdell, Sat., March 22, playing early dinner sets 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.. The $5 cover charge might be the best deal in town, and it's for Spider Saloff, who recently sold out a concert in Berlin! 773-348-7592.
Hey, what do Gwen Verdon, Bernadette Peters, Carol Burnett and Faith Prince all have in common, besides being stars of Broadway, films and TV? That's right! They all are redheads ( or were in their prime ) . Another redhead is Chicago cabaret star Melissa Young ( who recently made her Big Apple debut ) , who's made an evening out of hair color. In her cabaret act, Red Headed Broadway, Young offers career highlights, anecdotes, and Broadway hits of her famous fellow red-heads, accompanied by Claire Bigley at the piano. Catch Red Headed Broadway at Davenport's, March 22 and 29; $15 plus two-drink minimum.
A man, a piano and a spotlight is a good formula for cabaret, but sometimes it can work in a cavernous 3,400-seat theater, too, if the sound system is topnotch and the man is one-time Chicagoan Mandy Patinkin. He'll be at the Chicago Theatre 8 p.m., on Sat., March 29 ( one night only ) , accompanied by pianist Paul Ford. Expect great American standards, the best of Broadway and even a song or two sung in Yiddish. Patinkin is a powerful singer who always delivers 110 percent. If anyone can fill the Chicago Theatre, he can; 312-902-1500; $38-$78.
Jonny knows folks who think the only difference between a cabaret artiste and an open mic performer is the tip jar on the piano. Folks who believe this would go home with nothing if they ever performed for tips themselves. Fortunately, most of them save it for the karaoke bars where anyone can be a star. It's also fortunate that Chicago can boast several substantial and creative open mic events each month, among them Proyecto Latina, now back for the third year but in a new venue, Radio Arte/Yollocalli, 1401 W. 18th. Proyecto Latina is the third Monday of every month ( March 17, this month; yes, St. Pat's Day ) and welcomes poetry, spoken word, music, monologues and short performance works of all types in Spanish or English ( or, Jonny supposes, any language ) . The host is Coya Paz, co-founder of Teatro Luna, which sponsors Proyecto Latina along with Tianguis Books and Mariposa Atomica, Inc. Open Mic sing-up is at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
