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Karen Wyman, who was a national sensation for a short time in the late '60s and early '70s before disappearing unexpectedly from the scene, has re-entered the earth's atmosphere. The rocket-voiced phenom, who electrified a packed Metropolitan Room on Saturday, announced that she will return there with her new show, "The Second Time Around," for two exclusive nights in December -- Friday and Saturday December 20 & 21, both at 7pm.
Backed by her trio -- with music director John Oddo on piano, Jay Leonhart on bass, and Eddie Caccavale on drums -- Wyman is now realizing the predictions of a number of industry insiders who, in the past year, have witnessed Wyman making one and two-song forays at Birdland's Cast Party, and for events for the Maber Mercer Foundation. The appearances had comeback written all over them. But could Wyman, whose last full show was a one-off in Atlantic City in 1989, sustain a full evening? The answer was made abundantly clear over the weekend. She still has the goods and a whole lot more.
In 1969, when she was just 16 (now those two numbers are reversed), Wyman astonished Dean Martin and his national television audience. In short order she made appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on shows hosted by Carol Burnett, Jim Nabors, Glen Campbell, Dick Cavett, David Frost, Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas. She performed in nightclubs and recorded two albums and several singles for Decca Records, and had another on the way. Then the meteor flared out. A different kind of non-belty female singer was coming up, and Wyman also opted to start a family.
"It feels different than when I broke in," the Bronx native points out. "I was a kid, I was intuitive, but now I know what the songs are really about. I've lived. I'm not a kid, I'm a woman!" And luckily she can still sing.Karen Wyman's second coming with her new show "The Second Time Around" is directed by Dennis Deal. It all takes place at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, on Friday and Saturday December 20 & 21, both at 7pm. The music charge is $25 with a two-drink minimum. For reservations call 212/206-0440. For more information or to order online visit www.metropolitanroom.com
