Testimonials from My Debut Performance Last Weekend:
Rosemary Loar
One Woman Cabaret Tour De Force, Broadway Actress
Check out her New Album Sting, Stang, Stung!
*
I expected to be entertained and enjoy every minute of Tara Tagliaferro's cabaret "I Can't Read Music", but somehow it EXCEEDED all of my expectations. It was a delightful, well-constructed and eclectic hour of songs, tied together with personal tidbits and Tara's own unique and charming sense of humor. Tara single-handedly made me laugh until my sides hurt; and just when I least expected, even conjured a tear or two.
I've since been recommending her show to everyone I know, despite the fact that it does not have any more scheduled performances at this time.
Caroline Leipf
Walnut Street Theatre Outreach Program Coordinator
*
Tara Tag embodies the heart and soul of why musical theater will never go far from the stage or our hearts. She is a storyteller, plain and simple. You can't help but be caught up in the pictures she paints through her songs, anecdotes, jokes, and endearing antics, as well as drawn into the light she shares so brilliantly from her own sweet soul.
Jessica Latshaw
Singer, Songwriter, and Subway Car Star!
Download “Ain’t My Friend” on iTunes Now!
http://www.thislifeinwriting.com/
*
Tara Tag has the spirit of someone from another time. A time when Cole Porter was on the radio, Shirley Temple was on the movie screen, and it was perfectly normal to sing and dance your feelings out. Armed with an earnest, if not lanky delivery and some fierce comedic timing, Ms Tag is reminiscent of a young Carol Burnett. While unprepared to do so, I belly laughed for a solid 60 minutes!
Joanna Burns
Singer/Songwriter
Check out her album THE GREEN YEAR!
*
Tara Tagliaferro’s “I Can’t Read Music” is saturated with laughter and joy, two things we could use plenty more of in this crazy world. She moved seamlessly from personal life stories to song, and although she made sure to give credit to the iconic women who first gave these melodies life, it was as if each song were written specifically for her.
Brandon Monokian
Budding Director and Man of Many Talents
*
(These quotes crack me up! Marcy pictured herself coming out of I CAN’T READ MUSIC! shooting a commercial of audience responses like Broadways shows do. This is why I love Marcy.)
Full throttle cabaret...charming, witty, hilarious and touching....joyously entertaining..Dont miss the talented Tara Tag in her tour de force solo debut: "I Can't Read Music!"
The evening went by so quickly. Every song was a surprise...and so funny. I had a great time.
Wow! This girl has great timing. She's got a fresh approach: a modern twist on old fashion musical comedy…
I don't know…I just love her face...I kinda want to take her home with me! She's delightful! So entertaining!
Marcy Jellison
My First Ever Voice Teacher in NYC and an Accomplished Artist of Music, Poetry, and Theatre
http://www.marcyjellisonvoicelessons.com
Snap Shots! Brought To You By the Amazing Caroline Leipf
.WoW.
I can’t believe its over! It felt like a wonderful, but nutty whirlwind, the Duplex feeling more and more like my living room as the hour ticked away, riding high on the music of laughter and melodies that I now feel live in me. I tried to keep in mind that cabaret performances are more like visiting a performer’s dressing room than seeing her take the stage; it should be me in every sense, an intimate Tara forgetting perfection, and just living in the moments and pictures I painted. A little stripped down, a little vulnerable, a little flying by the seat of my pants (or crinoline skirt), a little revealing- no secrets allowed!, but A LOT of heart. It was like I staged a love letter to Shirley Temple, Carol Burnett, Betty Hutton, Keely Smith, and Teresa Brewer- my beyond fabulous ladies I saluted- and my ever fantastic theatre community, family, and friends. I could not be happier or more humbled to be in such a business.
I couldn’t believe the feedback I got and now only hope to do the whole cabaret again and eventually create more (Momma Rose like dreams are stirring in my head- don’t worry there isn’t a cow). I want to bring I CAN’T READ MUSIC! to Philly audiences this time around and am excited to start mapping out the path I need to take to do so. I definitely want another shot at it and want to share even more.
I feel blessed to now have a library of musical gems, this treasure chest of medleys and arrangements made specifically for this cabaret, as well as memoirs and biographies of these divine performers I can always flip through stacking my shelves. When I was reading BACKSTAGE, YOU CAN HAVE, the published memoir of Betty Hutton, I once got off at the wrong train stop because I was so invested. In Betty’s book and even in Carol’s first memoir ONE MORE TIME, I saw there was no place happier for them than the stage. They forgot their lives and troubles and just rejoiced in who they were and the beauty of life. And they were addicted to laughter- the roaring and whooping kind that causes tumbling tears. I think I am too.
There is so much one can stress out about on a daily basis, but my cabaret definitely made me forget about all that. My mom killed me after the show, sobbing and saying she got to see her little girl grow up all over again. And it was so nice when my boyfriend came on stage for our surprise duet to celebrate our love, getting lost in our Eskimo kisses! Those are the moments that it’s all about!
Thank you again to all that attended and to the Duplex, especially my director John D. Forslund and accompanist Garrit Guadan. I was so honored and happy to have sprinklings of my family, friends, and mentors from all walks of life- from my best friend in pre-school to my best friend in Philly. You all gave me a night I’ll never forget that was truly magical. I will forever be grateful and inspired by this experience. Whenever I tug my ear just like Miss Burnett at the end of all her shows, it will be for all of you!
SHIRLEY TEMPLE:
“On the Good Ship Lollipop” from Bright Eyes (Sidney Clarke and Richard A. Whiting)
Medley:
“On Account I Love You” from Baby, Take a Bow (B. Green and H.S. Stept)
"Come and Get Your Happiness" from Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm (Pokrass and Yellen)
"This is a Happy Little Ditty" from Just Around the Corner (H. Spina and W. Bullock)
"I Love to Walk in the Rain" from SEE ABOVE
"But Definitely" from Poor Little Rich Girl (Mack Gordon and Harry Revel)
Encore:
“Goodnight My Love” from Stowaway (Mack Gordon and Harry Revel)
CAROL BURNETT:
“Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress (Mary Rodgers and Marshall Barer)
“The Usher from the Mezzanine” from Fade Out, Fade In (Jule Styne and Betty Comden and Adolph Green)
BETTY HUTTON:
Medley:
“I Wake Up in the Morning Feeling Fine” from Red, Hot, Blue! (Frank Loesser)
"Can't Stop Talking about Him" (FULL CUT FROM FILM) from Let's Dance (Frank Loesser)
“It’s Oh so Quiet” German Song Translated (Bert Reisfeld and Hans Lang)
“Stuff Like That There” (Jay Livingston and Ray Evans)
“Murder, He Says!” from Happy Go Lucky (Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh)
FINALE:
"His Rocking Horse Ran Away" from And the Angels Sing (Jimmy van Heusen)
KEELY SMITH:
"It's Magic" (Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn)
TERESA BREWER:
"The Glad Song" (Dean Elliot and Jack Scholr)
