There’s been a resurgence of cabaret/supper clubs in L.A. over the past few  years, and one of the best is Sterling’s Upstairs At Vitello’s.  Every Saturday night, producer/host Michael Sterling spotlights a different singing star from the worlds of Broadway, musical theater, cabaret, and jazz at the historic Studio City dining spot Vitello’s. This past Saturday, a friend and I took an evening off from theatergoing, and enjoyed a delicious four-course meal followed by an hour of the song stylings of jazz vocalist Tish Oney.  A memorable evening it was!

Michael Sterling has loved music from his days as a toddler, when only the voice of Rosemary Clooney singing “Brahms’ Lullaby” on vinyl would put him to sleep. Year later, superstar Rosie became a close friend and mentor to Sterling, and 20 months ago when he opened Sterling’s Upstairs At Vitello’s, he dedicated the supper club to the late great star.

Miss Clooney was of course known as one of the greatest interpreters of the “Great American Songbook,” and besides being a pop artist, was a renowned jazz interpreter as well. It was only fitting, therefore, that Saturday’s program be jazz vocalist Tish Oney singing a couple dozen songs from … the Great American Songbook.

But first the meal.

Vitello’s Upstairs room has been elegantly furnished with large round white- tableclothed tables for larger parties, and plush elevated booths for couples or foursomes. The meal was elegant as well.

My guest and I dined on bruschetta, followed by salad. Of the three menu items, we both selected a scrumptious Chicken Piccata.  For dessert there was a scoop of spumoni (Vitello’s is an Italian restaurant after all.)

Our appetites satiated, we sat back to enjoy Tish Oney’s song stylings.  The lovely Dr. Oney (Tish was recently awarded her PhD from USC in Jazz Studies) serenaded the enthusiastic dinner crowd with medleys of songs by Cole Porter, Jimmy Van Heusen, George and Ira Gershwin, and Jerome Kern, among others.  Her bell-clear voice was the perfect instrument for uptempo renditions of “There Will Never Be Another You,” “Almost Like Being In Love,” “Just One Of Those Things,” “Isn’t It Romantic,” and many others.  Oney is also a songwriter herself.  Her composition without lyrics “Waltz For Ellie” showcased her talents as a scat singer, while her “You Make Me Think I’m In Love” could easily find itself in The Great American Songbook one day.

Past performers at Sterling’s Upstairs At Vitellos have included Broadway stars Rachel York and Kevin Earley, TV stars Stepfanie Kramer, as well as vocalists Nita Whitaker, Scott Drier, and Alistair Tober, among others. Next up is Patty Clark.

For a memorable evening of fine food and world class entertainment, there’s no better way to spend a Saturday than at Sterling’s Upstairs At Vitello’s.

--Steven Stanley
April 19, 2008

More Info:
Upcoming on Saturday, April 26, 2008: Patty Clark has such a subtle way with song. She seems to cherish every word, every syllable, caressing lyrics with clear enunciation and intelligence rarely found nowadays. At 17, Ms. Clark was signed by the NBC TV and radio station in North Dakota, the same station that hired Peggy Lee some time earlier. Patty next signed a contract with the CBS TV and radio station in Chicago and won an Emmy Award for Best Chicago Singer. Patty was the featured singer on four national tours with Bob Hope, followed by Champagne Lady appearances with Lawrence Welk on his ABC network series. Next came the weekly CBS network TV series Glenn Miller Time, where Johnny Desmond and Patty were the featured singers. Ms. Clark recorded her new CD’s I Love You, with a 55 piece orchestra, and Little Lovin’ to Brazil, with a 38 piece orchestra. Recently, she introduced her CDs in her one woman show at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York, Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, and Pizza on the Park in London at which she will return to headline in May.

The price is $50 dollars per person and includes a four-course, prix-fixe dinner with a choice from three different entrees, and a one hour performance.

Dinner seating for all Saturday engagements is between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Showtime is at 8:00 pm. 

Attendance is by reservation only. Please call Sterling’s Upstairs at Vitello’s for reservations at (818) 981-3077.  VITELLO'S is located at 4349 Tujunga Ave. Studio City, CA 91604.  Valet Parking is available.

For additional information on Sterling’s Upstairs, please visit the club’s web site at: www.myspace.com/sterlingsupstairs.