TOO DARN HOT, EMILY!
Hello, all you cabaret junkies. Have I got a surprise for you. And in Los Angeles of all places. I happened upon a true cabaret, the kind I go to New York for — ya know, Birdland, Green Room 42, The Duplex — but I found a lovely locale called The Moon Room which brings me right back to the Big Apple. Located at the SE corner of Melrose and Formosa on the second floor above The Benjamin Hollywood restaurant lays a chic but unpretentious, classy but cozy room with piano and tables (a few benches line the walls — grab ’em!). And what better New York flavor is there than their motto? “Chic As Fuck.”
Speaking of which, just who is that lovely lassie lounging on the keys? Why, it’s Emily Goglia, your hostess, bon vivant, and shit-kicking good vocalist who presents The Limelight Club, which plays the third Monday of every month in residency at The Moon Room. It’s Broadway style but toned down for authenticity in a smaller venue. Emily, who just wrapped up playing Audrey in 5-Star Theatricals’ Little Shop of Horrors, is a very busy girl, but not so busy that she can’t find the time to procure a list of guests that are spectacular — all of whom the night I attended were very down to earth. Emily is a captivating creature who proved her timelessness by never resorting to the wearisome gimmickry used by so many of her contemporaries (enough with the R&B versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein), and Emily’s sister Juliette radiated charm and fun joining Emily for “The Stepsister’s Lament” (speaking of R&H). Juliette is absolutely infectious. It’s intoxicating to drink from their tankard of talent. And more on R&H: It’s quite a talent that can have a packed crowd cracking up at Oklahoma!’s “I Can’t Say No.” Completely modern but timeless at the same time, it delights as accompanied by Pete White on the keys.
Guests Juliette Goglia and John Krause with Emily Goglia (Photo by Elaine L. Mura)
And who is that in the audience? Why, it’s John Duprez, composer of Spamalot, who came up to the keys, so Emily could knock “Find Your Grail” out of the castle. Justin Jones joined Emily for “Sue Me” from Loesser’s Guys & Dolls, and John Krause joined Emily in “All I’ve Ever Known” from Hadestown, which John starred in (his rendition of “And They’re Off” from Finn’s A New Brain was a highlight). And the magic continued with Ryne Strom, an actual magician, with a few tricks of his own to open the second half of the show. And the mixture of jazz, ballads, comedy and very funny personal stories (and believe me, she’s got ’em), make this a highly recommended winner.
November 18th, 2024 special guests Juliette Goglia (NCIS, CSI, Disney Channel); Lauren Elder (champion whistler, Broadway’s Hair and Sideshow); Gabe Gibbs (viral sensation, Broadway and National Tour of The Book of Mormon); and Kristen Bell (Frozen, The Good Place, Veronica Mars).
Emily Goglia (Photo by Elaine L. Mura)
Emily Goglia Presents The Limelight Club
The Moon Room Bar, 7174 Melrose Avenue (2nd Floor) in L.A.
residency dates the third Monday of every month
$10 in advance and $15 at the door — no drink minimum
reviewed on September 16, 2024
next shows Nov 18, Dec 16, 2024
for tickets, visit Event Brite
The cocktail service is at the bar only, and waiting in the lugubrious line is just as bad as their corporate pours.
Really, who’s watching? Fill up that glass! Oh, well, a beer will do.