February 1, 2005
Sorry for the lack up updates to the site over the last few months. I've recently relocated to the San Francisco area and I've been busy getting to know the cabaret and theater community here, enjoying the weather, and exploring. More schedule announcements soon!
 
September 4, 2004
Becoming George
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
PAGE-TO-STAGE New Play Festival
2700 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20566
Saturday, 6pm Eastern Time
Free tickets available at the door, or watch live on the internet.
 

Paris, 1870. George Sand: cross-dressing radical grandmother with a new play that offends the Empire. Sarah Bernhardt: ruthless young actress. Dumas the Younger: aristocratic satirist. Add war, revolution, a mysterious Prince keeping track of the Loyalty Act, and a lot of agendas. Who wins, who loves, who's under a death threat, and who stole the rewrite of George's all-female "Faust"? Becoming George is a new take on George Sand's life as a model of humor, hope and healing in days of terror, war and world change.

Music by Linda Eisenstein
Book & Lyrics by Patti McKenny and Doug Frew

 
March 12 - May 16, 2004
Lucky Stiff
Drury Lane Oakbrook
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Call 630.530.8300 for tickets and information
 
A hilarious musical from the writers of Ragtime and Seussical. An unassuming shoe salesman must accompany the corpse of his recently murdered uncle (an Atlantic City dealer) to Monte Carlo, or else lose his inheritance to the Universal Home for Dogs.
 
February 13, 2004
What Are the Chances?
Acorn Theater
Friday, 8pm Eastern Time
Located in the Featherbone Factory
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks, Michigan
$15, Call 269.756.3879 for reservations
 
Enjoy an articulate, lyrical and deeply engaging evening with Sara Davis entitled What are the Chances?, as she kicks off Valentine's Day weekend with an intimate evening of song. Hear an eclectic mix of standards, novelty songs, and a fresh take on some old favorites as Sara explores that eternal and often frustrating quest for love. She will be accompanied by Acorn veteran Chuck Larkin, who composed the title song with Chicago lyricist Cheri Coons.
 
January 8 & 9, 2004
Peel Me A Grape
Maxim's: The Nancy Goldberg International Center
Thursday and Friday, 7pm
24 E. Goethe Street
$75 includes supper and song
Since seating is limited, reservations to 312.742.1748 are recommended. Parking is $10 for patrons of Maxim’s at 1350 N. Lake Shore Drive.
 
Chicago’s premiere cabaret performers Audrey Morris, Tom Michael, Beckie Menzie, Sara Davis, and Daryl Nitz will serenade dinner patrons with songs of food and frolic.
Dinner will be served in courses, and each course will be accompanied by food-related songs. As an example, champagne will be served to the tune of "The Night They Invented Champagne" and other champagne ditties, and desserts will be savored with "Black Coffee" and "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." Among the many songs that provide thought for food are "Suppertime," "Have an Eggroll Mister Goldstone" from Gypsy, and “Hungry, Hungry, Hungry” from Dr. Seuss.
 
2003 Appearances
December 5-20, 2003
A Christmas Survival Guide
with Joan Curto and Keith Cornell
Stepping Out Productions
Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 8:00 at
Crossroads Theater
Naperville, IL
Call the box office at 630.428.4730 for tickets and information
 
Plus one night only of A Christmas Survival Guide at
Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret
Thursday, December 11
1383 N. Milwaukee Ave
Call 773.278.1830 for reservations and information
 
November 1, 2003
ASCAP Cabaret Concert: Coming Home
Chicago Humanities Festival:
Saturday at 8:00
Northwestern University School of Law: Chicago Campus, Thorne Auditorium
375 E. Chicago Ave.
$10
 
Broadway and cabaret star Karen Mason hosts this year's Festival cabaret, which welcomes back to Chicago songwriters and performers who began their careers here while also featuring music of current Chicago-based composers presented by Chicago artists. Participants include Marcy Heisler, Zina Goldrich, Susan Werner, Tom Andersen, Mark Hollmann (Tony Award winner for Urinetown), and Barry Kleinbort. ASCAP Assistant Vice President Michael Kerker and Chicago-based cabaret musician Dan Stetzel direct.
 
July 10, 2003
Taking a Chance on Love: The Vernon Duke Story
with Justin Hayford
Thursday at 7:30
Maxim's Play On Cabaret series
24 E. Goethe Street
$15, For reservations call 312.742.1748
 
"...the story of Vernon Duke and his music is one of the most entertaining shows that we'll see this year, and Sara Davis and Justin Hayford give three knockout performances, hers, his and theirs" -- Cabaret Scenes Magazine
 

Vernon Duke may have been born a century ago (October 10, 1903, to be exact) but his music is timeless.  Although not as well known as many of his contemporaries,  Duke achieved great success on Broadway in the 1930's and '40's, penning such American classics as "April in Paris," "Autumn in New York," "I Like the Likes of You," and "Taking a Chance on Love."  A child prodigy on the piano in his native Russia, Duke had tandem musical careers as a songwriter for the American musical theater and a composer of classical music under his given name, Vladimir Dukelsky.  His classical training is evident in the sophisticated harmonies and intricate melodies he used in his popular songs.

Taking a Chance on Love: The Vernon Duke Story features a number of Duke's best-loved songs, as well as numerous forgotten gems like "Nickel to My Name," "You're Far From Wonderful," and an unpublished tune, "I Cling to You."

This new show is a joint venture with Chicago cabaret favorite Justin Hayford. Winner of a 2001 After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artist, Justin has appeared to sold-out houses at Davenport's, Toulouse on the Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Park West.  His debut album, A Rare Find: Forgotten Gems from the American Popular Songbook, was released on the LML Music label in 2001.  His next CD, Look Who's Been Dreaming:Neglected Treasures from Hollywood's Golden Age, will be released later this year.
 
June 17, 2003
Taking a Chance on Love: The Vernon Duke Story
with Justin Hayford
Tuesday, June 17, 12:15pm
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street
Free admission
Please join us for this free LunchBreak series concert.
 
May 14 - June 22, 2003
At Wit's End
Northlight Theatre
North Shore Center For the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, IL
Box Office 847.673.6300

I am delighted to report that I will play Dorothy Parker in the Midwest premier of this delightful new musical by Cheri Coons and Michael Duff. Check out the official website for the show: www.atwitsendthemusical.com

 
April 18, 25 & May 2
I'm (Artificially) Hip!
Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont
Fridays at 11pm

Back by popular demand!

Please join me at this brand new late-night cabaret series.

Diagnosed with osteoarthritis after an infection in her hip at age 17, Sara Davis underwent hip replacement surgery at age 31 on December 3, 2001. I’m (Artificially) Hip! is a lighthearted look at her experience and ongoing recovery. Selected songs include "I’m (Artificially) Hip!", by Chicago songwriters Cheri Coons and Chuck Larkin, "Don’t Get Around Much Anymore" (Ellington/Russell), "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" (Berlin), "Temporary" (Bucchino), and "The Joint is Jumpin’" (Waller/Johnson/Razaf), with Musical Director Chuck Larkin at the piano.

Named one of the Top Ten of 2002 by Cabaret Scenes Magazine, Gay Chicago Magazine, and Cabaret Hotline Online.

Read the reviews or listen to the title song!
 
April
Taking a Chance on Love: The Vernon Duke Story
with Justin Hayford
Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret
 
February
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
New Orleans
I have been invited to perform selections from "I'm (Artificially) Hip!" at the opening ceremonies of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans. (Invitation Only)