Photo Flash: Stritch, Maye in THE MERRIEST WITH MARILYN MAYE

Marilyn Maye gave her New York fans another reason to cheer on Monday night-a special Christmas present that none of us will forget.

"The Merriest with Marilyn Maye," co-starring her longtime friend, pianist/singer/composer/arranger Billy Stritch, was a last mnute, one night only engagement at the Metropolitan Room, to fill an open slot after Nancy Dussault's opening night.  The late-night show drew a garland of stars including Tamie Grimes Luci Arnaz and Broadway composer William Finn. And a packed house.

Just having finished a whirlwind two weeks of shows, including her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops at the Sondheim birthday concert, followed by her sold-out reprise of "Her Own Kind of Broadway" at the Metropolitan Room for three night, who would have thought Marilyn still had gasoline in the tank.  Well did she ever!

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff