The Pizzarelli Family featuring guitarists John and Bucky Pizzarelli as well as John’s wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey (Parade, Dream, Tommy, Crazy for You, Chess, Les Miserables, Cats and Oklahoma), closes at Feinstein’s at the Regency, May 5.
As reported, jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli has led the Pizzarelli family at Feinstein’s since their opening April 10. The Pizzarelli's critically acclaimed four-week engagement concludes Saturday.
Pizzarelli’s show features two generations of guitar greats juxtaposed with a world class comedy monologue by the younger Pizzarelli. As a guitarist, John Pizzarelli is one of those rare second generation wonders, every bit as gifted as the original. As a front man, Pizzarelli weaves proven material together with ad lib remarks about life, especially life in a successful musical family. Musically, Pizzarelli presents “classic standards and late-night ballads with a cool jazz flavor” as performed by the John Pizzarelli Trio (featuring bassist Martin Pizzarelli and pianist Ray Kennedy). Also starring is Pizzarelli's father, the famed jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, whose playing is featured in the Woody Allen film, “Sweet and Low Down.”
The set material for the show includes songs by Johnny Mercer, George Gershwin, Sammy Cahn, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Molaskey will perform material from her forthcoming CD, "I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” Pizzarelli and Molaskey also feature a few of their original compositions.
In terms of the show’s comedy, there are established bits involving such things as John Pizzarelli’s favorite episode of the Bugs Bunny cartoon, but much of the evening is inspired by both audience reaction and even the most offhand remark by the elder Pizzarelli, which can translate into “five minutes” worth of laughs by his son. The cover charge at Feinstein’s is $60. Minimums of $50 and $25 (late show) apply. Feinstein’s is located at The Regency Hotel, 540 Park Avenue at 61 Street. For reservations and information call (212) 339-4095 or visit ticketmaster.com.
—By Murdoch McBride
