Sue’s Views

A Blog by Sue Matsuki

Stuff to Avoid

by | Aug 21, 2018 | Sue's Views | 0 comments

MISCELLANEOUS
STUFF TO AVOID

On dressing for stage…If you are not comfortable in your shoes or performance outfit, it can be very distracting to the audience to watch you pull at your clothes or shift from foot-to-foot. Try to pick clothes that make you feel like a million bucks so that when you step on stage, you can focus on your singing. Also, “test drive” your false eyelashes and get used to them.

NOTE: Look at yourself in a mirror in a sitting position as well if you plan to use the stool. Yikes, I saw this on video of me once and will never sit again on stage. Ladies, definitely look at yourself in relation to your skirt length and hopping up on the piano and/or sitting on the stool. Think of the 1st row! ‘Nuff said on this!

  • On typos and presenting like a professional … yes, I’m talkin’ to yo … er … ME says the Typo-Queen! No one can really proof themselves so it’s always a good idea to have someone look over or edit your show materials or Press Releases. A misplaced comma or misspelled word on a document in your press kit or on your website will give someone who does not know you a certain impression of you.
  • This bit of advice from the incomparable Marilyn Maye is to NEVER sit on stage (see my comment above) or have a water bottle on the piano. Nothing wet on any piano ever!

Some other protocol issues …

  • When rehearsing with your Musical Director, show up on time and do a quiet tap on the door if it’s your time to start (do not tap earlier) and wait for them to let you in. Be aware that the clock outside of the room or your watch may be different from the clock inside the room. They go by the clock inside the room. An hour is an hour.
  • As for the singer leaving, end two-five minutes before your time is over to pack up your music and to vacate the room before the next session. Have your payment ready and pay on your arrival so there is less “to do” as you leave and do not chat up your Musical Director or try to book your next appointment on someone else’s time.
  • On this same issue, I would say to the Musical Director that is your job to manage this flow. If one of your clients does this often, pull them aside and tell them what the proper protocol is please. Time is money. Why should I lose valuable rehearsal because someone is writing a check?

 

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Sue Matsuki

Sue Matsuki

Co-Editor & Instructor, Cabaret HotSpot and Cab U

Sue Matsuki is the co-author, along with David Sabella, of So You Want To Sing Cabaret (Rowman & Littlefield, June 2020). Sue is the Managing Partner, Co-Editor, Reviewer, Vloger and a Columnist (Sue’s Views) for an on-line entertainment magazine: www.Cabaret Hotspot.com. She taught Cabaret classes at: The Ridgefield Theater Barn and UCONN in CT, MAC-to-School and Cabaret Hotspot in NY and for the Canadian School of Performing Arts. She has served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs). She, along with Gregory Toroian, her long time Music Director, now host a monthly Jazz Brunch Open Mic at Pangea. Matsuki also produces benefits and corporate events and is the Producing Manager for Urban Stages’ Winter Rhythms series where she also hosts a Vlog called Urban Stages’ Artists Chat.

Matsuki’s most cherished awards come from winning the 2020 Bistro Award for Outstanding Collaboration celebrating her 25th year of working with Music Director, Gregory Toroian; getting her poster up on Don’t Tell Mama’s “Wall of Fame” for her show How’s That for Openers? celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of singing at the club and being selected personally by the late Julie Wilson as the very first 2004 Julie Wilson Award Recipient, given by the Mabel Mercer Foundation.

Matsuki is an 11-time MAC Award Nominee and a 3-time Winner (in seven different categories), mostly recently she was nominated for Major Female Vocalist. Her MAC history includes: 2002 MAC Award Winner for Female Jazz/Pop/R&B Vocalist; 2002 Nominee for Best Female Recording for her first Jazz CD, A New Take; 2004 Nominee for Duo/Group (with Marcus Simeone); 2006 MAC Award Winner for Special Productions for her sold out 7 week run of 10 Years in the Making with her Musical Director Gregory Toroian; 2007 & 2010 Nominee for Female Vocalist; 2008, 2011 & 2012 Nominee for Duo/Group (with Edd Clark); the 2008 MAC Award Winner for Specialty Song (“One Stop Shopping” by Page/Matsuki/Toroian); and the 2020 Nominee for Major Female Vocalist.

This Jazz/Cabaret/Comedy veteran has played every NYC Cabaret room including: Feinstein’s at the Regency, Feinstein’s 54 Below, The Metropolitan Room, Arci’s Place, Town Hall, Don’t Tell Mama, Pangea, The Algonquin, The Beach Café, The Laurie Beechman Theater, 88’s, and has even played Carnegie Hall along with several legendary Jazz Clubs including: The Village Gate, Birdland, The Iridium and Sweet Rhythm. She has performed in Alaska, Los Angeles, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Nyack, Maine, Fire Island, Florida, Providence and Las Vegas!

Her jazz CD, A New Take, was nominated for the 2002 MAC Award for Best Recording and her Christmas CD, Sue & Edds FABULOUS Christmas both receive air play across the country and internationally. She is also featured on folk singing legend Christine Lavin’s original music Christmas compilation CD, Just One Angel with a song that she co-wrote with Paul Stephan called “Christmas Angel”.

Matsuki was a Super and “Diva Double” at the Metropolitan Opera where she has been featured in Moses und Aaron; Tristan und Isolde; Norma; and Il Travatore.

For more information please visit: www.SueMatsuki.com