Old Hat

Old Hat is an admiring throwback to classic variety. With Ryan’s jazz-tinged vocals and Rachel heating up the piano, the nostalgic set showcases a criterioon of composers from Arlen to Ellington. Numbers include Dixie-style melodies like “Birth of the Blues” and the raucous “Hard-Hearted Hannah,” complimented by more sentimental tunes like “Deep Purple” featured in a medley that also has the Carmichael-Parish touchstone “Star Dust”, and an up tempo reflection on the state of Times Square, Cole Porter’s “Please Don’t Monkey with Broadway.” Dusting of the vintage routine, Ryan shares a reverence for yesterday while questioning today’s standard –so it’s not quite the same old song and dance. Old Hat is directed by Joanna Greer with musical direction by piano bar mainstay Rachel Kaufman.