The Marienthal Family Reunites with Streisand
- By Johnny Farrales
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- 10 Oct, 2016
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Before There Was American Idol and The Voice There Was Barbra at Mister Kelly’s
Welcome to Rush Street, Chicago, 1963. Home of the Windy
City’s swinging night life. It’s brightest gem? A little spot where for $2.50
admission plus the price of a drink you can get the first peek at a hot new
(maybe) billion-dollar star. The place is Mister
Kelly’s, and tonight the big act is a doe-eyed kid one of the critics
described as a“21-year-old kook from Brooklyn.”
Mister Kelly’s is the undisputed “it” place that puts a big spotlight on the fresh faces of the next generation of singers, musicians, and comedians. With a unique ability to recognize raw talent, the owners are revolutionizing the nightclub industry. Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Allen, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor, all played here as up-and-comers (well, Pryor got fired, but that’s another story). Tonight you walk in under the big sign over the door that announces the latest contender: “Barbra Streisand.”
She was an unlikely pick when her name first came up. Arlyne, the in-house booker had gotten wind of her, and convinced the owners to book her a few months back, getting her for almost nothing when she was still wearing thrift store clothes, just before she became a Broadway hit in “I Can Get it For You Wholesale.” Their timing couldn’t have been better. Now people have heard of her and the place is packed, especially the dining room in front of the stage. Music history is about to be made, but you can still find a seat at the bar.
Will, the bartender, hands you your drink (perfectly mixed) and you catch the performance in in full swing.
Lesner the critic does admit that she’s born to be in entertainment-- understatement of the century. What he should be writing is that Streisand’s voice is like spun silk and she’s making everything new again. Accompanied by Peter Daniels on the piano, she sings “Cry Me A River,” “Happy Days,” “Down with love,” and others we’ve heard before—but never like this! Will Leonard of the Chicago Tribune said she “pitches old songs with a new curve.” All the reviews are here.
She’s so electric in the room she just pulls everyone out of their chairs. They’re getting up just to go try and talk talk to her. You know Marty Faye? Frances Faye’s brother. Big disc jockey in Chicago, also a gadabout— kind of a local celebrity. Like a miniature Kupcinet. Very mini—that kind of a guy. He actually gets up and stands by the stage door to stop people. Made him a big shot. Who needs it? But that’s how big we all knew she was going to be!
The show was phenomenal. Streisand’s a genius, a muse, a monumental star—and she still sings show-tunes! She talked a lot on stage; about the environment, about being the first woman to direct a major Hollywood film. She talked politics too—bashed the daylights out of Donald Trump and his presidential campaign. It was astounding to be seated in the second row and not having to watch it all on the screens. I was closer than I was when I watched her at Mister Kelly’s in 1963.
My cousin Susan Marienthal Hillman was there for that shoot, accompanying her husband Don Bronstein , the photographer. It was for Columbia Records--he was on their staff and had done many covers for their records. Don took pictures of Barbra all over Rush Street and in front of Mister Kelly’s, and they got to know her. And then they wanted to go to Oak Street Beach; by then it was three or four in the morning, so Barbra changed her clothes in an underpass on the way!
Susan said Barbra was delightful about doing a whole all-nighter. Marty, who was her manager even back then, came along, and they were there for hours until the sun started to come up, because, that’s what he wanted for the picture. Check out Don’s outtakes here.
After the concert at United Center I was ushered backstage with a few other people she had invited, and they actually brought us to her dressing room—Jesse Jackson was there, as was Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky, came in and thanked her for her support while she was in town. There was also a woman who said she worshipped Barbra as a god and spent all her money going to her concerts. I guess I should have expected that! Then there was a guy in the group who said “I knocked down Mister Kelly’s.” I asked him what he meant and it turned out he was with the the wrecking company that demolished the building in in 1963 after the fire. Small world!
It’s funny – every time I talk to anyone about Mister Kelly’s, they say, “I saw Barbra Streisand there.” I don’t think half of them did! I hear they’re remaking A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Good luck filling the shoes of Ms. Streisand! She didn’t need crazy makeup or costumes—she was pure talent. My dream is to show the next generation of fans the true story of those years when our greatest performers were exploding onto the scene every night at Mister Kelly’s—the American Idol stage of its day.
I’ve pictured the story as a documentary, maybe a book…now it might be something bigger. I’ll keep you posted on the project in this blog. This week I’ll settle for this great picture of Barbra and I together! Check out the People album here and leave your comments!
When he was young, David Marienthal wanted nothing to do with the family business, even though his family's business was as hip and successful as a family business could be.
His father, George, and uncle, Oscar, ran three of the most renowned nightclubs in the country. For almost the entire third quarter of the 20th century, Mister Kelly's, the London House and the Happy Medium hosted a parade of a musical and comedic talent that would define American entertainment at the time and influence coming generations.
"I'd been going to the clubs since I was a young boy, getting all dressed up," says Marienthal, who was born in 1951. "And there was some talk of us (he and younger brothers Philip and James) of one day getting in the business. But as a teenager I had long hair, torn jeans and …. Well, that just wasn't going to happen."
So off he went to college here and there, eventually getting a degree and working as an architect and builder in Sante Fe, N.M.; coming back here to open and run for 17 years the successful Blue Mesa restaurant on Halsted Street with brother Philip; studying and getting a teacher certificate at the School of the Art Institute; moving to California to teach and paint. In 2010 he was back, doing arts consulting and managing some real estate.
But three years ago, he did, in a fashion, return to the family business, devoting his time, energy and resources to researching, interviewing and gathering materials about his father and uncle's clubs for what he hopes will be a book or a documentary or both. Or more.
There is already a Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/misterkellyschicago ) and websites ( www.happymediumventures.com and www.misterkellyschicago.com ) and, says Marienthal, "we are posting two or three things a day on other social media sites (such as Twitter and Instagram) and the response has been not only gratifying but amazing, mostly from the 18-35 year old crowd."
This is how he puts a possible TV series — already with a script being pitched to producers — on his website:
Join us to support the legacy of Mister Kelly's and the documentary film being produced by David Marienthal with WTTW Chicago Public Media, directed by Philip Koch.
This two-act concert features Kimberly Gordon, Sophie Grimm, Lynne Jordan, Frieda Lee, LaShera Moore, Daryl Nitz, Jeannie Tanner, and Ellen Winters. Musical direction by Andrew Blendermann, with Joe Policastro on bass, Phil Gratteau on drums. Special guest performance by a Chicago high school student protege from ChiArts.
Happy Medium Ventures and Daryl Nitz Entertainment present:
Ella Live at Mister Kelly's: a benefit performance and preview for the documentary film, “Mister Kelly’s: Wasn’t It a Time?”
Monday, January 29, 2018
City Winery Chicago at 1200 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607
$25-$40
For tickets go to Ella at Mister Kelly’s
Ella Live at Mr. Kelly's
On August 10, 1958, Ella Fitzgerald recorded her “Live at Mister Kelly’s” LP. In 2007 the concert was remastered and re-released in its entirety, including the early and late sets. This Ella centennial celebration concert presents the entire concert, without song duplication, of both sets. Featuring such songs as "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Summertime," "Witchcraft," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Stardust," and many more from the classic American songbook of Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Porter, and others. Featuring Sophie Grimm, Lynne Jordan, Frieda Lee, Liz Mandeville, LaShera Moore, Daryl Nitz, Alina Taber, and Ellen Winters. Musical direction by Andrew Blendermann, with Joe Policastro on bass, Phil Gratteau on drums.
Mister Kelly’s: Wasn’t It a Time
Mister Kelly’s Once called a “supernova in the local and national night life firmament,” the legendary Mister Kelly’s illuminated legendary Chicago’s Rush Street, and the entire country, by launching talent like Barbra Streisand, Woody Allen, Bette Midler, Herbie Hancock, and Richard Pryor. It’s visionary owners George and Oscar Marienthal smashed color and gender barriers to put fresh, irreverent voices on stage and transform entertainment, as America knew it in the 50s, 60s, and ’70s.
Now, with the club long gone, and its star talent reaching its golden years, George’s son David, goes on a quest to collect the memories of the clubs before they are lost. Celebrity interviews now include Bob Newhart, the Smothers Brothers, Dick Gregory, Lainie Kazan, Dick Cavett, Shecky Greene and Ramsey Lewis. Interviews with dozens of local musicians, staff, family, and patrons provide a delightful balance with engaging stories, rich with vintage detail. Discussions are underway to interview Woody Allen, Lilly Tomlin, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Steve Martin and others.
The film will portray through interviews, live footage, photos, music, and song, the most beloved and famous talent of our time at the decisive moments when they showed up, dug deep, and broke in. How do you change the world with a laugh and a song? Find out in a film that documents the rise and fall of one of American entertainment's great proving grounds.
Check out the hot sizzle reel and read Rick Kogan’s story in the Chicago Tribune and the links below for more about this exciting new film.
• Chicago Tribune Story: http://trib.in/2pZT07H
• Website: http://www.misterkellyschicago.com
• Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/misterkellyschicago
Happy Medium Ventures is the leading curator and steward of legendary Chicago nightlife venues, London House, Mister Kelly’s, the Happy Medium, and the Rush Street scene, from 1946-1970’s; the epicenter of Chicago’s entertainment scene. Today, Happy Medium Ventures is reviving this bygone era for a new generation of fans through an unprecedented collection of photos, recordings, press clipping. First-person interviews include key players in the Rush Street scene — from celebrity performers at London House, Mister Kelly’s and other Rush Street venues, to the employees behind the scenes, patrons of the nightspots, family and friends. Happy Medium Ventures aims to capture the fun and excitement through a documentary film, a new TV series, vibrant social media and other original content about this captivating chapter of Chicago history.
Daryl Nitz Entertainment is an event-concert production company specializing in shows that celebrate cultural anniversaries and historical recreations. Operating since 2004, with such show as “Judy at Carnegie,” “Voices of Chicago,” “Ladies Sing the Blues: a centennial birthday concert for Billie Holiday,” “It Was a Very Good Year: a centennial birthday concert for Frank Sinatra,” “Above Us Only Sky: John Lennon at 75,” “That’s Amore: a Dean Martin centennial celebration” and many more.
The
Mister Kelly’s team is overwhelmed by the incredibly talented and generous
people that we have met, while creating our archive of the Marienthal Brother’s
legendary nightlife empire. From colorful Rush St. regulars to famous
performers, and everyone in-between, it has been a thrill. One of the most exciting encounters has been
working with the renowned photographer, Art Shay. At the age of 95, Art is truly a legend in
his own time.
Shay began his career as a writer and journalist, but after showing a great eye for capturing images, soon transitioned into a career as a photographer. Based out of Chicago, he became one the nation premier photographers, working for major publications such as Life, Time, and Sport Illustrated. Art Shay photographed everything, from historic moments (1968 Democratic Convention) and iconic personalities (Muhammad Ali, The Rat Pack, President Kennedy), to street photography that captured the everyday life of average Americans. In the process he became one of the most celebrated artists of his medium and a Chicago legend.
In light of this, we were honored when Mr. Shay was kind enough to donate one of his brilliant works to our project recently. The print is a wonderful slice of Chicago’s Rush Street from the 1960s. The photo was taken outside of The Happy Medium and features actor Tom Williams dressed as a child, holding a toy boat.
Why is a grown man dressed as a child? Why a toy boat? Well, this can be explained. Tom Williams was part of was a comic review, produced by the Marienthal Brothers, called Put it In Writing . In the political satire, Williams plays America’s youngest president (an obvious nod to the newly elected JFK), who still has some childlike features. Put it in Writing would become the biggest play to originate at The Happy Medium and, after a long run in Chicago, it eventually made its way to New York for an off-Broadway production.
We are humbled to receive this generous gift from such a preeminent artist. The photo is a brilliant image of mid-century Chicago history, from one of the men who documented it best. The photo will be cherished and used in our mission to record this unique piece of Chicago and American history. We wish to give a heartfelt thank you to our friend Art Shay, who contributed this beautiful photo to the Mister Kelly’s archive.
Guest Blogger Sam Fazio is a popular Chicago vocalist. He writes about Chicago’s own Mel Tormé, who appeared at Mister Kelly’s many times over the years.
A Kid from the South Side
Born Melvin Howard Tormé in 1925 on the south side to Jewish Russian immigrants, he started singing at a very young age of four with the Coon-Sanders Orchestra, performing at Chicago's Blackhawk restaurant. He continued his early career on radio series, playing drums and writing songs—all before high school graduation.
