Piano for "Strong Wind": Composer Steven Silverstein
Piano for "Twisted": Shelly Markham
"My Funny Valentine": John Salerno Big Band
Photography: Mary Ann Moy
Graphic Design: Hector Coris
Website Design: Michele Howard
Influences
Judith Farris;
Karen Mason;
Kaye Ballard;
Barbra Streisand;
Christine Lavin;
Ellen DeGeneres;
Carol Burnett;
Bette Midler;
Gina Gershon (ok that could just be a crush);
Ella Fitzgerald;
Sarah Vaughn;
Megan Mullally;
James Taylor;
(Is this list diversified enough?)
Oh...back in my younger staighter days I had a big thing for Steven Tyler...
Um....
Maybe that's it for now, but it changes all the time!
Sounds Like
Sounds like Gretchen Reinhagen
Oh ok: I've been compared to Kaye Ballard, Carol Burnett (I don't think that was for singing though), and Ethel Merman. don't ask. Truthfully I think I sound like my dad. but the girl version. and a little better. ;)
Gretchen Reinhagen first hit the live music scene at the tender age of five, fronting for her father's band at the Cape Cod nightclub, The Farm, singing a cover of Karen Carpenter's “Sing” as well as that classic standard “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Yes, Gretchen delighted employees and their families at The Farm's annual staff holiday party, and a Christmas ham was truly in the making. The highlight of the evening for keyboardist Bill Deechan (aka Uncle Billy), was when Gretchen turned to him mid-song and said “TAKE IT!” The highlight of the evening for Gretchen was standing outside with Dad between sets, watching for Santa's sleigh.
Ok…maybe she wasn’t exactly a pro back then…and maybe she wasn’t quite ready to be singing in bars (that would come much later and there would be alcohol involved…and dancing...) but anyway…she certainly loved the spotlight. But after those bold days as a 5 year old, she decided singing was embarrassing and uncool so turned to the flute instead. (cause that’s hip) It wasn’t until junior high, when she came home and announced that she was going to audition on flute for a state regional junior high school concert band, that her father responded by saying he thought she’d stand a better chance auditioning for the chorus. “Huh?” she said. “Trust me”, he said, “you’re a singer.” And the rest as they say…was high school and we don’t need to discuss any of that. But she does credit her father with at least getting that one thing right. She would have NEVER gotten into that concert band.
As a singer and actress, Gretchen has performed in a broad range of theaters and concert halls from the House of Blues in New Orleans to the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, Scotland. Favorite musical theater credits include Nancy in “Oliver!”, Janis Joplin in “Beehive” the Narrator in “Joseph” and multiple performances of Miss Hannigan in “Annie”.
In recent years, Gretchen has launched a career in cabaret. Since hitting the New York scene with her debut show "Undefinable" in 2004, she's enjoyed learning from and working with some of the best names in the business including Shelly Markham, Karen Mason, Barry Kleinbort and Steve Ross to name a few. She's received rave reviews for her performances to date, including one from former Back Stage and Citysearch critic Roy Sander who said, "Gretchen Reinhagen's shows are marked by intelligence, warmth, a lovely spirit of benevolence, and fine vocals. It is always a pleasure to spend an hour in her company."
AND she TEACHES too!!! How 'bout them apples?! She love's teaching voice and currently has all kinds of info on her website so check it out. Don't you want to sing with her? Why haven't you called yet? What are you waiting for?
Gretchen's HOT new show coming to the Metropolitan Room in New York this summer!
Clips from Gretchen's performance with the John Salerno Big Band at Tilden Center for the Arts on Cape Cod. September 2006
Gretchen sings Michael John LaChiusa's "There Will Be A Miracle" in her solo show "Back tp Basics" at Don't Tell Mama NYC - October 2007
Coming Summer 2009… New Music! Character Blogs & Videos! & The Jazz Hands Across America Campaign A National Campaign to Bring Show Choirs Together in Harmony
Thanks for your nice message Gretchen. We may be moving back east soon and I'll be on the lookout for one of your shows,both inNYC and on the Cape. We used to spend our summers in Dennisport and loved it. I LOVE lobster and in CA there are so few places that have live lobster..So I'm tradin' in the great weather here for live lobsters back east..I go in to Trudi Mann's when in NYC. She's a doll. All the best to you,Claudia
Hello Gretchen. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed your performance last night. It has been a long time since I've seen a "cabaret" show that was as perfectly executed as your show AND as utterly entertaining! You are unbelievable. I have been disenchanted by the cabaret-going experience as of late and you helped to revive something that I have not experienced in a cabaret room in a long time. Last night you have taught me to really appreciate YOU as a fabulously witty woman. Thanks for that. I really wish that the show could be revived with a broader audience base. Wouldn't we all love that!?!?! KUDOS TO YOU & BARRY! With grateful XOXOXs! Richard Skipper
HELLO, GRETCHEN! Please join us this eve!Apr 24 7:30pm RIVERSPACE , 119 Main Street, Nyack, New York 10960 COUNTY EXECUTIVE ARTS AWARDS - The (Rockland) County Executive Arts Awards is an annual celebration of art and those create it in Rockland County, New York. The Arts Council of Rockland produces this program where awards are announced and presented, and local performers are featured. Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased in advance from the Arts Council of Rockland (845-426-3660) or at the door. We are delighted to announce that Richard Skipper (a nominee in 2007) will perform at the 2008 ceremony. www. RichardSkipper. com
Things are going good, thanx for asking... you know you have my phone number....We already started doing salute and im singing I'll Build A Stair Way To Paradice(lol) hope you guys are well ill send you a real email soon. bye form the left coast(?)
