POMPIE'S PLACE Set for Residency at Don't Tell Mama

"Pompie's Place," a unique pop-up blues supper-club is taking up residence at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, in April. Produced by Arthur Pomposello, "Pompie's Place" is an immersive nightclub experience transporting audiences to a mythic blues room of another time and place, in which the food is hot and the music even hotter!

The five scheduled performances are Sunday & Monday April 12 & 13, both at 7pm; Sunday May 10 (Mother's Day) at 1pm; Monday May 11 at 7pm, and Thursday May 28 at 7pm. Tickets are $65, which includes a three-course Cajun meal.

"Pompie's Place" stars three of New York's most distinguished blues and jazz singers... Lezlie Harrison, Brianna Thomas and Hilary Gardner. Fanning the flames is music director Ehud Asherie, who leads a quartet that includes such standouts as Ken Peplowski (reeds), Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet) and Jackie Williams (drums). The show marks the highly anticipated return to cabaret of Pomposello, the former long-time host and booking manager of the famous Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel.

Featuring a daring mix of blues of many stripes, from as far away as the Delta to Broadway, with detours to Chicago and Memphis, "Pompie's Place" is a hybrid of nightclub and theatre, in which audiences are treated not just to a spicy Cajun meal, but to the deep-dish travails of the club's three tempestuous headliners, and the smooth ministrations of the club's philandering host.

This is the first of several new programming initiatives from Mama's, New York's one-of-a-kind triple threat entertainment Mecca, which is equal parts raucous piano bar, casual cabaret music venue, and deliciously-priced Restaurant Row newcomer. Don't Tell Mama added its A-rated restaurant in 2012.

"New York has been thirsting for a reasonably-priced supper-club experience," says Pomposello, the show's titular host and impresario. "These kinds of places turned up everywhere in New York, but they virtually don't exist anymore. Our show features first-class blues, dinner and cocktails and a high-energy ensemble of dazzling young musicians. We're thrilled to launch the concept at the legendary Don't Tell Mama where we hope to make our mark and our home."

A unique pop-up nightclub experience, "Pompie's Place" leverages Pomposello's many years as a host and booker (and food and beverage manager) of the famous Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel.

Under his aegis, the Oak Room was recognized for presenting not just the legends of cabaret (Julie Wilson, Andrea Marcovicci) but also a roster of new talent who experienced their breakout major stardom there: Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, John Pizzarelli, Eric Comstock and the show "Our Sinatra" all were introduced by Pomposello, their success adding to the cultural prestige of The Algonquin Hotel.

The world premiere of "Pompie's Place" runs from April 12 through May 28 at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street. The five scheduled performances are Sunday & Monday April 12 & 13, both at 7pm; Sunday May 10 (Mother's Day) at 1pm; Monday May 11 at 7pm, and Thursday May 28 at 7pm. Tickets are $65, which includes a three-course Cajun meal (drinks and gratuities are separate; a two-drink minimum applies.) To order in advance call 866-811-4111, or visit www.pompiesplace.com Total running time is 2:30.

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