San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
JOIN THE ONLINE SINGALONG AT MARIE’S CRISIS CAFE
With much of the arts moving to online and streaming platforms, here’s a look at a weekly standout: My pick: Online singalongs at Marie’s Crisis Cafe
Why: Marie’s Crisis is a New York City piano bar where show tunes are exclusively played and everyone is invited to sing along.
Before the pandemic, the tiny West Village spot welcomed everyone from musical theater fans to actual Broadway stars to have a few drinks and sing away into the night. Though taking videos and photos has never been allowed, there are a few rogue clips on Youtube, including one of Darren Criss and Lea Salonga leading a singalong of “A Whole New World.” In recent years, Marie’s Crisis has been in the spotlight thanks to appearances on shows like “Younger” and “The Politician.” But this theater spot actually dates back to the 1800s and has ties to the American Revolution. According to the website, the bar was originally owned by Marie Dumont and “the location is also the site of the death of Thomas Paine who authored the crisis papers sparking the American Revolution.”
Because of the pandemic, Marie’s Crisis closed along with the rest of Broadway. But the spirit of belting out show tunes remains alive and well thanks to Maries Group on Facebook. Pianists from Marie’s stream themselves playing and singing both popular and obscure Broadway songs. They take requests from the virtual audience and you sing along at home.
Just remember to “sing out, Louise!”
(As of Tuesday, Marie’s Crisis announced it will reopen this month with a maximum capacity of 15 socially distanced patrons, so future singalongs may be livestreamed for the bar itself.)
Find it: Join Maries Group by searching Facebook (just look for the page with over 30,000 members). You’ll have to answer a question to join the private group (name your favorite show tune). The music usually goes from 2 to 6 p.m. Pacific time, and it’s free to join. Musicians accept tips via Venmo or Paypal, and as at the real bar, tips help get your requests to the top of the list.