There’s something magical about walking into an intimate East Hampton cabaret on a summer evening, where familiar tunes begin in ways that catch you off guard. At LTV Studios, the industrial-chic space transforms into something unexpectedly warm and inviting, where the opening notes of a Gershwin classic might surprise you with verses you’ve never heard before.
These aren’t new songs – they’re the forgotten introductory verses that once opened Broadway’s Golden Age masterpieces, now brought back to life for audiences who thought they knew every word. On Saturday, 3 August at 7.30pm, the Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea presents ‘The Best of Versed Strikes Back!’ – an evening dedicated to these poetic preludes that were once considered essential to songs by Berlin, Gershwin, Porter, Hart, Hammerstein and Lerner. The night invites audiences to become part of a living tradition, with song sheets provided for old-fashioned singalongs that transform spectators into participants.
The Charm of LTV Studios’ Transformation
The venue itself tells a story of reinvention. LTV Studios transforms its television production space into an intimate cabaret venue complete with café tables, state-of-the-art lighting and a stunning Baby Grand piano. The industrial aesthetics remain, but they’re softened by the warmth of close seating and romantic lighting that makes every table feel like the best seat in the house.
The venue has become a favourite spot for Broadway performers bringing their magic to the Hamptons. The café-style setup creates an atmosphere that bridges the gap between Broadway sophistication and Hamptons informality. Unlike traditional concert halls, this space encourages conversation, laughter and that special kind of connection that only happens when performers and audiences share the same intimate room.
The Magic of Forgotten Verses
So what exactly are these introductory verses that have been lost to time? In the Golden Age of American songwriting, from the 1920s to 1950s, most popular songs included sectional verses that set the mood and provided context before launching into the familiar chorus we all know. These verses were story-telling devices, offering background, character development or emotional setup that made the main melody more meaningful.
Think of them as musical prologues – they established who was singing, why they felt compelled to sing, and what emotional journey the song would take. But as musical tastes shifted toward rock and roll and the music industry evolved, these intricate introductions were gradually dropped from performances. Radio wanted shorter songs, audiences preferred instant gratification, and the verses fell victim to changing times.
Steve Ross, known as the ‘Crown Prince of Cabaret’ by The New York Times, has made reviving these forgotten gems something of a personal mission. His approach isn’t archaeological – it’s deeply emotional. ‘These poetic preludes reveal fresh humour, heartbreak and sophistication,’ Ross explains, ‘giving familiar tunes surprising new life.’ When he performs these verses, critics note his articulate phrasing and theatrical warmth bring new dimensions to songs people thought they knew completely.
Hearts, Stories and Voices: The Performers
Ross brings his signature charm and keyboard finesse to this evening, accompanied by vocal powerhouses Karen Murphy and Maria Abous, under the musical direction of David Alpern. Each performer brings a distinct voice to the evening’s storytelling.
Karen Murphy, celebrated as the ‘Torch Goddess,’ has earned acclaim for her magnetic stage presence and ability to balance emotional depth with theatrical flair. Her Broadway credits include A Little Night Music, 9 to 5 and Titanic, while her cabaret work showcases what critics call her ‘big, attractive, well-controlled voice capable of delivering both brassy and delicate tones.’
Maria Abous, hailed as ‘the embodiment of a classic leading lady’ by Rolling Stone UK, brings crossover soprano skills honed at venues from Carnegie Hall to Jazz at Lincoln Center. Like other celebrated sopranos mixing opera with Broadway, her voice, which ‘begs for lush orchestration,’ adds classical sophistication to the evening’s theatrical mix.
David Alpern, the series host and producer, brings an unusual perspective as a veteran journalist who spent four decades at Newsweek before discovering his passion for preserving musical heritage. As the son of a 1930s-era radio ‘girl singer,’ he understands both the historical significance and emotional resonance of these forgotten verses.
Audience as Living History
This evening positions the audience as active participants in musical preservation. The provided song sheets aren’t just nostalgic props – they’re invitations to step into cabaret’s living history. When audiences sing together, something powerful happens: the boundary between performer and listener dissolves, creating what researchers describe as enhanced human connection through shared musical experience.
This tradition of audience participation was central to cabaret’s original appeal. Cabaret performers traditionally break down barriers by speaking directly to audiences, making eye contact and encouraging participation. In Ross’s hands, this becomes more than entertainment – it becomes a way of keeping these musical treasures alive through community engagement.
The singalong moments transform strangers into temporary conspirators, all working together to resurrect verses that might otherwise remain buried in old sheet music collections. There’s something deeply satisfying about being part of this musical archaeology, especially when guided by performers who understand both the technical craft and emotional truth of these songs.
Memories Beyond Nostalgia
While the evening celebrates Broadway’s Golden Age, it’s designed for discovery rather than mere nostalgia. Guests don’t just reminisce about familiar favourites – they encounter new layers of songs they thought they knew completely. The forgotten verses often contain the most sophisticated wordplay, the cleverest rhymes and the most revealing character insights.
This is musical detective work disguised as entertainment. Like other live music experiences that unite generations, Ross and his collaborators become guides through a world of wit, sophistication and emotional honesty that modern songwriting rarely attempts. The evening offers the pleasure of hearing familiar melodies with fresh ears, discovering that your favourite Porter tune has an entirely different meaning when you hear its original opening verse.
Event Details
The Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea continues its mission to bring world-class cabaret to the East End, with ‘The Best of Versed Strikes Back!’ taking place at LTV Studios, located at 75 Industrial Road, Wainscott. The venue offers VIP café front row reserve seating with drink ticket for $100, general admission in advance for $60, or at the door for $65.
The series, produced by Donna Rubin and LTV’s Creative Director Josh Gladstone, has established itself as a destination for sophisticated musical entertainment. Like other events preserving classic musical traditions, the venue’s state-of-the-art lighting and superb acoustics ensure every word and note carries perfectly throughout the intimate space.
An Evening Worth Discovering
Whether you’re seeking sophisticated entertainment after a day at the beach or simply curious about musical history brought to life, this evening offers something genuinely special. It’s a chance to hear familiar songs with new ears, to participate in preserving musical heritage and to experience the unique intimacy that makes cabaret such an enduring art form.
The forgotten verses waiting to be rediscovered on 3 August represent more than musical curiosities – they’re windows into a time when songwriters crafted complete emotional journeys, not just catchy choruses. In Steve Ross’s capable hands, supported by Murphy’s theatrical depth and Abous’s classical elegance, these lost treasures find new life and new audiences ready to become part of their ongoing story.
