OBSERVER: Marie’s Crisis


For six nights only, Marie’s Crisis and its top pianists from New York’s West Village iconic basement piano bar are visiting Melbourne’s Fringe Common Rooms in Carlton from February 20 – March 2.
  It’s just the crowd, the piano and the showtunes. There’s no set list, no stage, no microphone and no ‘shooshing’.
Everyone’s welcome to sing their heart out – or just stand and enjoy the musical mavens who know all the lyrics. All are welcome.
This communal sing-along night features songs from musicals ranging from popular classics, such as Les Mis, Wicked, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and Grease, to the cult show tunes from the musicals of Stephen Sondheim – and everything in between.
Marie’s Crisis performers include: actor/director/singer and educator teaching musical theatre performance at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy (NY) Kenney Green-Tilford; composer, performer and educator based in New York City, Adam Michael Tilford; and Brandon James Gwinn, a Drama League nominated and Richard Rodgers Award and Bistro Award winning composer-lyricist, performer, pianist and producer, and two-time winner of the Broadway World Award for Best Piano Bar Entertainer.
Marie’s Crisis Cafe is a West Village NYC fixture dating back to the late 1800s. Originally owned by Marie Dumont, the location is also the site of the death of Thomas Paine who authored the crisis papers sparking the American Revolution.
Throughout its history Marie’s has always prided itself on being a safe space for all, but particularly the gay community long before they were accepted members of society.
Today Marie’s welcomes people from all walks of life and from all over the world seven days a week.
Performances: February 20, 21, 22, 28, March 1 at 7.30pm; March 2 at 6.30pm
Duration: 270 minutes
Venue: Fringe Common Rooms – Cnr Victoria and Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria
Age Suitability: 18+
Price: $50 per person; Blax Tix $40 per person
Tickets: melbournefringe.com.au/event/maries-crisis-pop-up/

Cheryl Threadgold

Pictured: Adam Michael Tilford and Kenney Green-Tilford from Marie’s Crisis.