Megan Hilty at the Fairmont

Saturday in San Francisco started off with a bit of rain. The girl and I were stuck inside a coffee shop while my thoughtful and lovely husband brought the car around for us. Here's what it sounded like while we waited outside under the awning: Although the weather was making us want to curl up by the fireplace and read all night, we had opening night tickets to the Bay Area Cabaret Series. Performances are in the Venetian Room at the historic and gorgeous Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill.

The performer was Megan Hilty, an amazing singer, stage performer, and star of the TV show Smash. I'm a big fan of seeing singers perform in a cabaret setting. It's an intimate and relaxed experience for the crowd. The audience gave her a standing ovation as she walked out onto the stage. San Francisco loves Megan Hilty! Here's her entrance and part of her opening number: She performed some standards, some songs from her new album, and a few numbers from Smash, including the beautiful ballad Second Hand White Baby Grand. She and boyfriend Brian Gallagher, also her guitar player, performed Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors. Mostly, she did what she does best, sang big! See what I mean - That's Life sung as a duet with her soulful piano player, Matt Cusson: What a night! Her closing number was Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. She came out for two encores, one of which was Popular from her role as Glinda in Wicked! The crowd adored her. She's funny and personable and just an incredible performer. She has a new album out, too.

Next week I'm back in the booth narrating two audiobooks due to be released early November. Teen Ghost at Dead Lake by R. Barri Flowers and The Harder They Fall by Pamela Risdon.


my currently-reading shelf: