It’s Saturday Night on Broadway (#SNOB) or rather… very early Sunday morning! (#VESM)
And we’re at Feinsten’s/54 Below for The Ladies Who Lunch 2: Another Evening for Planned Parenthood NYC.
The club is a buzz. The crowd struggles to take their seats, as with every step, you’re running into someone you know. Inevitable in the theater district on this day/time. And especially at a show like this one. This cast of all-female Broadway performers, powerhouses, beltresses, crooners, and comediennes has attracted a vibrant and supportive community.
(And given the demographic and camaraderie in the room, I’d wager that you could have handed a mic and set the spotlight on any member of the audience to keep the party going until dawn.)
Drinks clink. The piano vamps. And the already late night show gets off to an even later start.
When Claire Hanship, the creator and MC of The Ladies who Lunch series takes the stage, we’re reminded of the real reason we’re here. To support Planned Parenthood NYC. 50% of the evening’s proceeds went directly to PPNYC, and throughout the evening, Hanship shared stories and statistics on charity contributions. What better way to celebrate the work that PPNYC does for women than to produce an evening of music celebrating and starring a diverse cast of women with music and messages we can all connect to?!
Hanship thanked each of us for our dedication to “Late Night Charity” – “Let’s have a party and raise some money!” Count me in.
Each woman took the stage, introducing a song of her choosing. As long as it was a tune by, for, or about women, it was welcome.
The setlist may have seemed to have no obvious connective tissue, but what glued everything together was an authenticity. A passion. A vulnerability.
There’s something so beautiful about empowering women to step on stage and sing their truth. What makes you feel strong? Sexy? Confident? Silly? Sing it, sister.
And that kept the energy high.
Well past midnight at this point, Alexis Kinney arrived on stage with a lively “Good Morning!” before introducing her choice of “Fairytale” by Sara Bareilles, a subversive take on all the familiar princesses.
Standouts included Jen Brissman’s nuanced performance of “Rise Up” by Andra Day. Brissman sang with an openness and ease that made this powerful yet intimate song captivating. Her technical agility, dynamic choices, and smooth sound dazzled.
On the opposite end of the spectrum were comedic choices like Kaitlyn Louise Smith’s “OMG I Think I Like You,” a silly story-song of sexual exploration and empowerment in the era of hookup culture.
We were later taken on a ride by Shawna Hamic. Entering in an unforgettable red-glitter power pant suit, we expected something equally sparkly musically, but what Hamic delivered was an unexpected and moving rendition of “Hold On” from The Secret Garden. She achieved a balance of both grounded and soaring moments, encouraging us all to hold on, carry on, and do it together.
Hanship herself took the stage, and after an impassioned speech about PPNYC and her commitment to women’s rights, dove into a show-stopping rendition of Sondheim’s “Everybody Says Don’t” from Anyone can Whistle.
The song’s lyrics perfectly sum up the mission of the evening:
“Everybody says don’t
Everybody says don’t
Everybody says don’t get out of line
When they say that then lady that’s a sign
No times out of ten
Lady you are doing just fine.
Make just a ripple come on be brave
This time a ripple next time a wave
Sometimes you have to start small,
Climbing the tiniest wall
Maybe you’re going to fall
But it is better than not starting at all.”
In the spirit of keeping the party going and inspired by the evening to spread the message and mission of PPNYC, I invite you to support the organization in whatever way you can, be it for your own health, or the health of your sister, mother, wife, cousin, friend, or lovers past and future.