for your VINformation

One of the reasons Tom and I decided to end our illustrious Cabaret careers, aside from the lack of recognition and support from the cabaret community, was because it’s just too expensive.

For example, after ten weeks of rehearsals at $35 a week, a total of $350.00 was spent on rehearsal for The Last Piece Of Cake, add to that, sheet-music photocopies and hat purchases, I spent an additional $25.00.

We decided to not do a poster or postcard ’cause we’ve NEVER seen a return from that investment…

All said, CAKE cost me $375.00.

After getting the door grosses from the near sold-out show, taking $150 off the top for expenses (Gerry) and dividing by two; I walked away $350.00 – it was almost as if I was putting money away in a Christmas Club account and was charged $25.00 for early withdrawal.

I Love Being Here With You

The Opening Medley

Christmas ‘Round The World

Seasons Greetings/I Remember You/Dixie’s Dream

My Simple Christmas Wish

White Christmas

We Need A Little Christmas

And The World Goes ‘Round

The “Bit” Medley

The “Americana” Medley

In no particular order:

Me and My Shadow

Enough is Enough

Dreamgirls

Keep your eyes pealed, there is much more to come!

Tonight at 7PM – Tom 2i’s 2e’s and I will be taking the stage at the Duplex for the last time.

Our little cabaret act is coming to an end.

It was a lot of fun and a great way to express ourselves creatively, and something I’m very proud of.

Tonight, Monday December 7th, The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street @ 7th Ave – 7PM, the end of an era…

One week from today – at 7:00 PM, Tom 2i’s 2e’s and I will be making our last entrance on the Duplex Stage.

We’ve been working hard on the Last Piece of Cake – and yes, when we say the the last piece we mean it – we’re not going to be like Cher and be on our farewell tour for five years, this is the last one ever.

After eight years and seven shows we’ve decided to call it quits because we’re just getting to too for it.

Aside from the actual work of picking and learning new music, we have to write the script, procure the music, make time for rehearsals; pay for said rehearsals… we worry about filling up the room, sending out emails reminding people they made reservations, seeing the room not fill up when, at least, 15% of reservations don’t show… there’s memorization and doubts and second guessing song choices or joke writing.

Oh, but what fun we have doing it all…

Today was one of our last rehearsals and I gotta tell you, I think it’s going to be the best show ever!

*Click on any link to make reservations.

Here’s a little taste of Cake for you – never before seen on the internets – CAKE MIX with Vinnie Costa and Tom Privitere and Gerry Dieffenbach on the piano – Filmed 2004 at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre…

Monday, December 7, 2009 – celebrate Pearl Harbor Day with Tom Privitere and Vinnie Costa!

Fruitcake – NOW MORE NUTS!

One night only!

Holiday goodness brought to you courtesy of The Duplex – Musical Direction by Gerry Dieffenbach, Percussion, Brian Edwards.

I put together a three part magnum opus in Putting It Together, a behind the scenes look at what goes into putting together Cake.

I had to break it up into three parts, because no matter how I tried, I just couldn’t edit it down to under the YouTube ten minute video time limit – I did try uploading it one 14 minute chunk but it was unceremoniously rejected.

• Putting It Together: Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular! – Part One
• Putting It Together: Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular! – Part Two
• Putting It Together: Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular! – Part Three

I hope you watch and have a laugh.

If you like it, rate it.

Don’t forget to pass us around like the cheap French whores we are…

Now, all in one place, you can watch what they’ve called "almost perfect cabaret…"

I finally had a moment to upload the final three songs, to give you all of Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular! For the first time, all in one place the musical numbers:

• I’m So Excited!
• The Remembrance Medley
• Christmas Now!
• My Simple Christmas Wish
• Christmas ’round the World
• Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?
• Xmas is Cumming!
• The Crazy Bells of Christmas Medley
• Baby, It’s Cold Outside
• The Encore

Keep your eyes open, a Making of Fruitcake is sure to show up soon.

And please, if you watch it and you like it, don’t forget to rate it!

Feel free to forward, Tom and I need to become the next viral phenomenon…

By popular demand, I give you, two more pieces from Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular.

• Christmas ’round the World
• Christmas is Cumming!

Enjoy!

Have a very Merry Christmas where ever you are!

I’ve posted four more songs from Tom and Vinnie’s triumphant Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular.

I also want to take this time to thank everyone who came to the show and enjoyed themselves so much.

For those of you who didn’t get the chance to make it, I give you:

• I’m So Excited
• Christmas Now!
• My Simple Christmas Wish
• The Crazy Bells of Christmas
• The Encore

A quick snip from Fruitcake: A Christmas Spectacular!

Christmas Now!

The Sunday, 5:00 Fruitcake, a Christmas Spectacular, is almost sold out!

At last check, we had 64 – the room seats 71.

I know there are five cancellations, which means, there are actually 59 reservations, and I believe at least two more who said they were coming so that puts it up to 61 which means there are only 10 seats left!

Of course, with the giant winter weather system – which I hope’ll be cleared up by 2:00 or 3:00 the latest so no one has an excuse not to come- but I figure if it’s raining, at least 20 reservations won’t show.

I’m really very excited and nervous.

We haven’t done a show since last October ‘06, I hope this one is as well received.

Don your gay apparel, Santa’s coming to town – if you’re lucky, he’ll come twice!

Fresh off the Travel Channel’s 5 Takes Latin America, Vinnie Costa has joined with his partner in jolliness, Tom Privitere to bring you a sparkling diamond of holiday goodness in the pile of coal we call Christmas.

Fruitcake, A Christmas Spectacular! will grace the stage at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre for two nights only! December 16^th @ 5:00 PM and December 17^th @ 7:00 PM.

Tom and Vinnie are filled to bursting with Christmas cheer and their wish is to spread it around – the cheer that is.

Come see the duo Time Out NY called “Sweet, campy fun” as they put their very special comedic spin on your favorite Christmas songs and introduce you to a few you may wish you’ve never heard.

Musical Direction by Gerry Dieffenbach.

Percussion by Brian Edwards.

Reservations Strongly Recommended – Call 212-255-5438 or visit:

• Sunday December 16 @ 5:00

• Monday December 17 @ 7:00

Cover: $12.00 – one for each day of Christmas! +2 drink Minimum.

Only at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher St @ 7th Ave.

Don’t forget to visit the Hey! That’s My Cake website.