“A Walk Down Memory ( Rush Street) Lane”- The Marienthal Brothers

The year was 1961! I was going to school at The Goodman Theatre, which back then was a part of the Art Institute, and one of the students, Dino, something-or-other landed a job at the Opera House, leaving his job at a club on Rush Street open. The club- The Happy Medium ( at Rush and Delaware) and the show was “Medium Rare”. This was a musical review that had some great numbers in it and over its run had many performers who reached the top. People like Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, later James Inman, Marc London, Bob Dishy and a little blonde dancer from Palatine, Donna Miller, who went on to become a glamour queen on the famous “Dynasty”!  I went on to become a college student, then a sales rep, a retailer and many other jobs, but with theater and performing always my “true love”.

A lot of this true love came from working for the Marienthals. These two brothers, Oscar and George, treated every employee, young and old, black and white, onstage and offstage as people and made us feel like family. My position was mostly backstage, but I did have one on the stage scene- a tribute to Readers Digest ( who remembers “Readers Digest?”) a bunch of blackouts that garnered a great number of laughs. George told the stage manager, Lee to let me have a script so I could learn the other roles, in case we ever had a no-show or one of the men was ill. I learner them all and had several opportunities to hine for the convention crowds we drew- two shows nightly! Thanks to George!

My fondest memories are that we were invited to come to Mr. Kelly’s ( just up Rush Street) every evening at 5 where we could g in the kitchen and get a full dinner. We learned where everything was and helped ourselves (and each other) to fill or plates. After a wonderful dinner, we would walk down the street to The Happy Medium and get ready for our show(s) for that night. Mr. Kelly’s of course was the hot nightclub of Chicago. The greatest stars appeared there. In fact, some got their start at Mr. Kelly’s. On our off-nights, we could still come for dinner and then stay for the show. Got to see some great new talent, some of who became major stars.

After our two shows, unless their was a Cabaret show downstairs at The Medium ( I used to help with lights and with Jean Arnold was her straight man), we were invited to come to their other club- The London House, on Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. I think there is a Corner Bakery there now. Some of the greatest jazz performers EVER played at The London House. Often I would be there, having a cup of java listening until the we small hours of the morning and then head home at 3 a.m., knowing that tomorrow would bring yet another day of excitement and entertainment thanks to Oscar and George Marienthal.

Now David Marienthal is working hard to do a documentary film so that the history of what the Marienthal family meant to the night life of our city. Part of what he has been doing is to  raise money and of course awareness through special  Cabaret events celebrating what Mr. Kelly’s meant. On Monday, May 21st, I was invited to attend the Sarah Vaughn Tribute at City Winery. What a wonderful evening this was. Eight outstanding singers recreated the epic recordings of Ms Vaughan as she performed at both Mister Kelly’s and The London House. All of this is of course to promote the forthcoming project “Mister Kelley’s: Wasn’t It A Time?”

The concert was hosted by Daryl Nitz ( a true Cabaret artists) and featured the song stylings of: Kimberly Gordon, Sophi Grimm, Lynne Jordan, Frieda Lee, LaShera Moore, Jeannie Tanner and Ellen Winters. The band was led by Andrew Blendermann ( a true genius at the piano), Joe Policastro on bass and Phil Gratteau on drums. Two high school student ( fantastic talents) also partook- Caleb Smith and Joshlyn Lomax. They are both students at ChiArts ( the Chicago High School for the Arts).

I am hoping to be invited to the next such event and I am looking forward to the release of the film so you can all walk down the streets of my memory. visit www.MisterKellysChicago.com

If you have never been to City Winery, make it a point to do so! Great food in a great venue and from what I have been told by those who know, great shows. Visit http://www,CityWinery.com

1200 West Randolph Street in Chicago.