Presented by Spectrum Now, New York city’s world famous piano bar Marie’s Crisis has come to Sydney to perform at the QT Hotel. Featuring show tunes, a no-mic policy and an emphasis on crowd participation, Marie’s Crisis Festival Bar offers an experience like no other in Sydney.
The four performers; Adam Tilford, Jennifer Pace, Kenney Green and Marc Castelli return to Sydney after a well received showing at last year’s festival. All of them known Broadway performers, they attracted a crowd as diverse as you would expect from a touring show. Performing from a piano wedged into the end of the bar at the Parlour Lane Roasters cafe, they impressively sung show tunes ranging from Little Shop of Horrors to The Lion King, beckoning the crowd to join them. Back home they perform as singing waiters in the underground dive bar crowded around a piano, while here they are happy for the guest treatment, interspersing themselves through the crowd to add to the atmosphere and volume.
The venue itself was lit with fairy lights and filled with retro décor, classic cocktails were available along with light canapes, creating an old world charm to match the live music. While the bar clearly was not designed to host live music, the performers made the best of their situation creating a friendly and warm atmosphere. There was the occasional lull as more eclectic pieces were performed but they were often followed by crowd favourites from Grease or even bending the rules a little to cover Small Town Girl.
Grateful for the opportunity to tour, the performers were happy to have a chat between songs, telling stories of life performing on Broadway and working in the Village. As the night drew on and the crowd thinned, almost everyone in attendance gathered around the piano and sung along. It was notable how the Marie’s Crisis crew fed off the interaction, the cornerstone of their bar back home but a rarity in Sydney live music venues.
Recommended for fans of musicals and show tunes or those just looking for a unique night out, Marie’s Crisis Festival bar runs nightly till the 10th of March at the QT Hotel next to the State Theatre.
