Cabaret Vocalist Francesca Amari Celebrates Gilda Radner's 40th SNL Anniversary at The Metropolitan Room

Although she's been away from the New York cabaret scene for several years, Francesca Amari is no stranger to it (having debuted at The Metropolitan Room in 2007 and appearing there again in 2008 and 2009). She returns to The Metropolitan Room in October with 2 performances of her critically-acclaimed tribute show to the late comedian/entertainer, Gilda Radner. In fact, Amari will perform "You Make Me Laugh: A Love Song to Gilda Radner" exactly 40 years to the day that Gilda Radner Made her debut on Saturday Night Live (October 11, 1975). She performs at 7 pm on Sunday, October 11th and Saturday, October 17th

Amari debuted the show in 2011 at the 10-day festival called Gilda's LaughFest in Grand Rapids, MI, and has been wowing audiences since in Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles and Mexico; all the while raising funds for Gilda's Clubs and other cancer support organizations.

She developed the show with the input of nationally-renowned cabaret star Andrea Marcovicci, known as "the Queen of Cabaret," who served as her creative consultant. The show highlights moments of Gilda's fascinating life, including her rise to stardom, her marriage to Gene Wilder and her struggle with cancer. Much of the material comes from Gilda's autobiography, "It's Always Something" and her Saturday Night Live (SNL) writing partner and friend, Alan Zweibel's account of their relationship, "Bunny Bunny."

Also on the creative team for the show was Marcovicci's long-time collaborator, Shelly Markham, who served as Music Director and created several of the unique arrangements; and Los Angeles-based cabaret producer/director Clifford Bell. The show features music from the American Popular Songbook, Broadway and the cabaret world, and includes such gems as "Pure Imagination," Markham and Tom Toce's "You Make Me Laugh," "Two For the Road" and "Honey (Touch Me With My Clothes On," which Gilda co-wrote with musician Paul Shaffer. Amari notes that she's often told she resembles Gilda Radner, and cites the star as one of her long-time heroes, since watching Gilda on SNL during her high school years. Accompanying Amari in New York will be popular music director Alex Rybeck.

Every time Amari performs the tribute show, she donates a portion of the proceeds to either a local Gilda's Club or cancer-support organization. To date, she's raised over $1000. For the show at The Metropolitan Room, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Gilda's Club New York City, the very first established in the country in 1995.

"Francesca Amari has accomplished something truly remarkable with her "Love Song to Gilda Radner". Because of her sunny disposition, her clear strong voice and her thoughtful spot-on song selections, this heartfelt loving tribute will surprise you, delight you, and leave you laughing and crying at the same time."-- Andrea Marcovicci, "Queen of Cabaret"

"Amari looks a lot like Radner, though that isn't particularly important. What is important is the truth and sincerity in her singing, the earnest way she delivers a lyric and the honesty of her feelings that comes through again and again." Elliot Zwiebach,CabaretScenes Magazine

Tickets to The Metropolitan Room event start at $25 with special VIP packages available. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 W. 22nd Street, New York. Call 212.206.0440, or order online at www.metropolitanroom.com

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