Ever wonder what happened after Christine and Raoul dash off from the Palais Garnier opera house and the Phantom descends back into his dank lair? At Masquerade, the immersive reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-hit, the music of the night continues with the After the Curtain concert series.
A recent visit sparked a love for French chanson, jazz, and Broadway with Ciara Renée. The exquisite Renée took audiences on a seamless sonic journey, paying tribute to musical luminaries, among them Édith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, and Eartha Kitt. Her polished setlist included “La Vie en rose” and “C’est Si Bon,” performed in French, alongside jazz standards from “Manhattan” to “April in Paris.”
A vision in a red satin slip dress, Renée possessed the effortless confidence of a seasoned cabaret artist, including witty asides in between songs, such as when she called Josephine Baker, “Beyoncé before Beyoncé was a twinkle in Tina’s eye.” She also spoke candidly about her own queer identity: “I had to kiss a lot of frogs before realizing I don’t like frogs. I like women.”
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The lounge has the looks. The crowd control is another story
The 4,000-square-foot basement lounge has undeniable vibes—sexy, dim red lighting, soaring ceilings, Gothic glamour—and serves as the post-show gathering spot for drinks and photo opps beside candelabras and the Phantom’s gondola.
But in the corner where the concert unfolded without separation from the bar itself, the noise of theatergoers who lingered post-Masquerade and weren’t there specifically for the late-night show drowned out the performance. Some guests, rightly so, complained Renée couldn’t be heard. General admission is standing room only, and for a small premium, reserved seating is available.
Renée maintained extraordinary focus under those circumstances. Accompanied by the electrifying and super cool Natalie Tenenbaum on keys, their chemistry was irresistible. By the second half, the non-concert crowd had largely dispersed. In that softened atmosphere, which offered the promise of this new intersection of Broadway and nightlife, “Moon River” gave us all goosebumps.
Up next at After the Curtain at Masquerade
Natalie Tenenbaum, Aug. 7 – Tenenbaum headlines with a set that spans centuries and genres, from Beethoven to Beyoncé.
Bernard Scahill, Aug. 21 – Schahill puts a jazz spin on Broadway classics, from Golden Age standards to today’s hits.
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