Just as Mrs Miller was discovered in the 60s and blasted off to fame and fortune as the “most unlikely diva the pop music star-making machine has ever churned out” *, an equally unassuming star has emerged on MV – thanks to the recent “Do Your Thing” contest at Outerland. The very preppily distinguished looking silver-haired Dr. Gerry Yukevich won the honor of Worst SInger on MV with his no-hold-barred rendition of “Wild Thing” – which prompted judge Guinevere Cramer to call him the Triple Threat – loafers, button-down shirt and animal sexuality (or something like that) The choir-singing Mrs Miller herself (AKA Broadway and TV’s fabulous Debra Monk) was overcome with awe by the performance and actually said (and I quote) “I’m a little wet” – I assume she was referring to the tears of admiration the amateur’s inspired performance induced in the ever-so-accomplished singer and actress!
Other contestants included the fabulous Niki Patton, who was convinced to sing twice (OK – that’s as much a testament to the scanty pool of potential contestants as Niki’s burgeoning talent): Peter Simon doing a hysterical version of “A Hard Day’s Night” (Those of us who knew Peter in the 70s and 80s know that he had more than a few of those in his prime!) and Paul Munafo who interrupted his performance at one point to question Mrs. Miller musical director Michael Starobin on the lyrics to Wild Thing before continuing with a dramatic rendering. I guess, in typical actor style, Paul was trying to find his motivation – he did – in the form of accolades from the female members of the celebrity judge panel.
All in all – it was a fun, fabulous night at Outerland – and, sadly, one of the last, since the storied nightclub has just announced it’s closing for good. Well, if you can’t pack a house with a Broadway star-studded evening of bad singing – there’s just no hope for Vineyard audiences! If you missed this once-in-a-lifetime event (and chances are good that you did) be sure to catch Gerry “Yuke” singing the Mrs. Miller jingle on MVY. This local MD is going places (mostly out of range!)
See you at the Playhouse! – VLAD
*from review on Plumtv.com
