THINGS ARE O.K. WITH MR. K
For decades, three words—“by Barry Kleinbort”—have often appeared in cabaret and theatre credits, typically preceded by “directed” or “written.” At Birdland, The Kleinbort Collection—a gratifying gathering of his material from past projects—put the bespectacled, merry, mustached man himself on stage to introduce guest singers and share the origins of each selection. Some numbers came from musicals, others were special material written for nightclub acts—each a testament to his prolific career.
Barry Kleinbort
The evening, presented under the banner of Jamie deRoy and Friends, was introduced by the producer/entertainer herself. A longtime admirer and collaborator, deRoy has hosted and starred in variety shows Kleinbort has directed for years, not to mention the cable TV series of the same name, which has given countless cabaret singers and live events valuable exposure. It was a surprise that she didn’t burst into song with one of his comical lyrics, as she’s been known to do. Instead, her opening remarks were fond but brief, recounting how Kleinbort first came to her attention and how quickly she knew she wanted to work with him.
But, truth be told, if everyone who had ever warbled a Kleinbort song or been directed by him were on the bill, the set on March 3 would have lasted well into the night of March 4.
The room was packed for the one-night-only event, and Mr. K. was surrounded by others from the nightclub world who share his initial. Spotted at the bar were singers KT Sullivan and Ann Kittredge (the latter among the many vocalists he’s directed). The evening’s first burst of Kleinbort’s kinetic kaleidoscope of music came via another Mr. K.—the ever-sparkling Nicolas King, the king of cabaret swing—teaming up with pianist/singer Paul Greenwood. Later, two standout performances came courtesy of the cabaret star who is always a K.O. (Knock-Out): the first-rate Karen Mason. She sang with immense tenderness on “The Kindest Man” and delivered the mega-poignant “Time,” a wistful gem written in collaboration with composer Joseph Thalken. It’s one of those perfect songs—economical and aching—that follows a seemingly inevitable path to deliver its point and then lands with a lasting impact.
Two Kayes were also part of the evening: the late, legendary Kaye Ballard and the very much alive and kicking Judy Kaye, who robustly delivered “I Get Around,” the hilarious tale of a peripatetic performer catching a plane to “do Fiddler in Kuwait.” Gretchen Reinhagen brought zip to a custom-written, boisterous Ballard number, “When?”
Cast of The Kleinbort Collection on March 3
Selections from 13 Things About Ed Carpolotti, a musical about a widow’s recollections of her husband, were presented by its original star, a pensive Penny Fuller, while Loni Ackerman, whose charming rendition of “At the Liberty Theater” captured a teenager’s clever bluff to convince her parents she really had spent the evening watching a movie.
A bilingual revue Kleinbort co-created with Ken Bloom and Parisian Christophe Mirambeau, Metropolita(i)n, was also prominently featured. Kleinbort himself was très bien in a funny portrait of judgmental, dismissive French folks whose reactions are summed up with a derisive “Pffft!!” Caroline Roelands, flown in from overseas, and Broadway veteran Gregg Edelman added to the evening’s fantastique and magnifique flair. The bill also included the fine voices of Haley Swindal and Lorna Dallas.
Nicolas King and bassist king and bassist Tom Hubbard
One major highlight—and a guaranteed audience giggle-generator—was Eric Michael Gillett’s brilliant performance of “A Sondheim Song.” This winking whirlwind of words name-dropped titles and phrases from the Broadway legend’s lyrics (sometimes borrowing a melody snippet or two) in a delightfully dizzying fashion. The number, a treat on the 1996 album Big City Rhythm: The Songs of Barry Kleinbort, was originally recorded by Lewis Cleale, who also returned to the Birdland stage with panache. Joining them was the CD’s music director, Christopher Denny, one of three superb pianists for the night, alongside David Gaines and the aforementioned Paul Greenwood. The ever-splendid and ubiquitous Tom Hubbard provided bass accompaniment.
Kudos to the talented Mr. K., who closed the evening with heartfelt words, gratitude, and his latest song—one that, in both its lyrical content and very existence, promised there will still be “something more” to come. And that is reason enough to return to Birdland—along with, of course, everything mentioned above.
The Kleinbort Collection: The Songs of Barry Kleinbort
Jamie deRoy & Friends
Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West 44th St at 8th
reviewed on Monday, March 3, 2025
for more info, visit Jamie deRoy
Barry Kleinbort
