By Sheridan Sansegundo
There is no need to introduce Marianne Koerner, the former Broadway cabaret performer who has given sold-out solo concerts in San Miguel, mainly at Bellas Artes, for the last 10 years, nor Michael Sudheer, who has been singing and acting here for the same amount of time. But what is new about Two for the Road, a cabaret run of six performances, is that they will be performing together for the first time. Michael Sudheer, who lives in San Miguel all year round, and Marianne Koerner, who spends six months in Sag Harbor, New York, met in an aerobics class here. “Fast forward 10 years,” said Michael, “and I get an email from Marianne, who was in Sag Harbor, asking me if I would like do a joint concert with her. I was honored and flattered, but I thought, has she made a mistake? Does she really mean me?” “Why?” interrupts Marianne. “Am I such a ‘diva’?” A year ago Marianne had acute bronchitis and was unable to sing. She has recovered and regained her voice, but didn’t feel quite up to a solo concert. “I didn’t sing at all last year and I really missed it. I’m so glad to be back.” “We really surprised ourselves about how well we work together. We connect on many levels, not least in being able to laugh when we don’t get it right first time,” said Michael. “Except when he tries to be Frank Sinatra. Then I have to step in and stop him,” Marianne said, as the two bantered back and forth like a couple of stand-up comedians. Where did the title Two for the Road come from? “I was emailing from New York to Michael, who had just returned to Mexico from a trip to Prague,” said Marianne, “and everyone who comes to our concert has traveled from somewhere else to San Miguel, which we all know isn’t the easiest place to get to, so we decided to do a concert about travel.” “Compared to my solo concerts,” said Michael, “ the songs are better known, old favorites such as “April in Paris,” “A Foggy Day in London Town,” “ I Like New York in June,” “Come Fly With Me.” “We have six duets,” said Marianne, “and each of us will also have five solo songs.” After a long career on Broadway and in television, Marianne continues to perform and to teach singing and vocal presentation. Michael, who starred in Cabaret and Stop the World I Want to Get Off, has had a one-man show for the last two years for the benefit of various charities, as is this production —the net proceeds of the first three performances will go to Mujeres en Cambio, and the last three to Pro Musica. Those who have seen the solo concerts of either Michael or Marianne are in for a double treat, particularly if you belong to the school that believes the old songs are the best songs — “Fly me to the Moon,” “ Bali Hai,” “ Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block”. Reservations at Cafe Baile are a must. The show starts at 8pm and you can come for drinks at 7:30 or dinner from 6 on. Reservations can be made at baile_cafe@hotmail.com or by phone at 415-152-0095.
Cabaret show: Two for the Road Cabaret w/Michael Sudheer & Marianne Koerner. Thu, Fri & Sat, Mar 1, 2 & 3, 8pm, Thu, Fri & Sat, Mar 8, 9 & 10, 8pm. Baile Café, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Hernández Macías 68. 100 pesos
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