I LOVE LUCY, CANDLELIT TABLES, & NITE SPOTS

by guest writer, Bert Bernardi Co-Producer of Pantochino

I grew up on “I Love Lucy.” And I was fascinated by Ricky’s Tropicana Club! It was a nightclub with a band, a singer, special guests and acts—a roomful of small tables with candles and well dressed couples enjoying cocktails and watching Desi Arnaz sing ‘Babalu.’ How romantic! In my small town (Milford, Massachusetts), there was nothing like this. I thought it only existed on television.

Then I remember finding photos of my Mother and Father on their honeymoon in New York City in the late 1940’s: a collection of little souvenir folders with pictures of my parents dressed to the nines seated at those same little tables with the candles in places called the Diamond Horseshoe and the Copacabana. Just like in “I Love Lucy.”

So when Paige Miglio asked me about creating a ‘dinner theatre’ at the MAC, somewhere to hear live music—not particularly bands, but vocalists—I instantly thought of those romantic New York City nightclubs, Ricky Ricardo and Nite Spot Nights was born!

When we began the series five years ago. I started by contacting a wealth of actors and singers with whom I had the pleasure of working on theatrical projects over the years. So many of my friends have been featured in their own cabaret shows at Don’t Tell Mama, Brandy’s, The Duplex, The Metropolitan Room, Feinstein’s Below 54 and others. I cast a wide net and received a wealth of positive response!

With our close proximity to NYC, and being just steps off the Metro North line, everyone wanted to be a part of the inaugural Nite Spot Nights season! From that initial call, I believe I found two seasons-full of amazing talent!

Next was the vision to turn the MAC into a club! We envisioned those same little tables, dressed up in spiffy black tablecloths and deco votive holders. We adopted a ‘bring your own’ policy so our patrons could choose their favorite bottle and snacks to enjoy during the show. And we decided to leave the Speakeasy open for guests who chose to purchase their snacks when they arrived.

The formula was an instant hit. “Wow!” exclaimed the first guests as they walked in the casually elegant room. And double wow as they packed the room for our first guest artists including Dorothy Bishop’s smashing Dozen Divas, Marcus Goldhaber’s Sinatra show, the incredibly talented Klea Blackhurst and legendary drag performer Hedda Lettuce (People are still talking about that show!).

The MAC was the only place in Connecticut to recreate the real ‘cabaret’ experience featuring the same acts one would see in the city! And word was out among the cabaret artists themselves who began calling us hoping for a spot at the MAC! How bout that??

Our roster of guest artists soon included award-winning cabaret notables such as Natalie Douglass, Jeri Sager, Scott Coulter, Tori Scott, Devin Bing and Michael McAssey. Add to that internationally renowned stars like Charles Busch, Debbie Gravitte and Sally Mayes. We’ve got something special! And at a fraction of the cost of seeing these same acts in the city.

I still love Lucy! And I love our own little club right here in Downtown Milford where just about every table is ringside and the the talent is the real ‘Babalu!’