At this time of year, you might think Tony Awards night would be considered NYC’s most exclusive event. I can now report that is not the case. While thousands will be filling Radio City Music Hall for the annual occasion on June 8^th, only a small/select group of cabaret and theatre insiders made the guest list for the intimate, one-time-only “musical salon” toasting the 100^th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hart’s classic song “Manhattan” at Scott Perrin’s stylish Midtown flat on May 19^th.

Set against a backdrop of posters and artifacts highlighting showbiz history and legends, the evening included twin pianos—captured in decadent cake format by Kim Clarke and Chris Stafanski of “The Great American Baking Show” fame—played throughout the night by noted pianists Tedd Firth and Ted Rosenthal, as well as a performance of a recently discovered Rodgers & Hart number: “Queen Elizabeth,” a comedic romp through lyrics like “A venial sin/is no menial sin/In fact, it’s quite a congenial sin/If nobody sees you do it,” by filmmaker and vocalist Amber Edwards.

Manhattan cocktails were served (naturally) and sipped between verses of a sing-along of “Manhattan,” while the evening topped off with impromptu musical moments from cabaret greats Billy Stritch and the always amazing Marilyn Maye. Altogether, very, very wow.