Back in the summer of '99, Miles read an article in The Advocate. . .
They asked a bunch of celebrities what there favorite teen flick was. Jason Stuart replied that his was WHERE THE BOYS ARE, and credited the scene where Connie Francis went walking down the highway in a daze "because she'd had sex once" as one of the main reasons.
Miles was "incensed" and immediately fired off a letter to the editors: The main concern being that "it was not Connie Francis, but poor Yvette Mimieux who was wandering down the middle of a busy highway, high on one too many grasshoppers, not because she'd had sex once, but because she'd taken the wrong turn at the good girl / bad girl fork in the road, and fallen victim to the smooth talking of a bunch of 'Yalies' and could never go back home and face her family. Even though all she really wanted was her daddy. . ."
The letter was printed, Miles started hearing from folks all over the country, and a mission was born. Miles couldn't get the movie out of his head, and decided to put on a show in celebration of the film and all the emotions and wanderlust of Spring Break.
Miles teamed with some of his favorite artists in the city.
Mark Janas: Longtime friend, Musical Director and composer of the new Broadway-bound gothic musical POESCRYPT served as Music Director, arranger and played keyboards for the shows.
Andy Gale: Miles' friend and coach and star of far too many a Broadway show to list (most recently SIDESHOW and JANE EYRE) provided his watchful, loving, creative, supportive eye as Director.
Michael Barbieri: "The man who sings with (and from) his lighting board. . ." The hottest technical director on the cabaret scene ran the board and lit up that beautiful room at Judy's.
Matt Aiken & Ken Weisbach: Matt started the run in April, and Ken took over for Matt when he left for the summer. Both men are fabulous percussionists, and hot to boot!
Julie Reyburn: Dear friend, fresh from her cabaret hit "Fate Is Kind," joined Miles for an acoustic moment or two, providing beauty, moral support and a hand on guitar and vocals.
The show was a hit! Critics and Audiences embraced its warmth and humor. Miles had an amazing time and the show was extended, revamped for the new season and re-dubbed The Summer Set. Once again, the show was extended into the Autumn as The September Songs.
The show was also digitally recorded live during the April run, and released as Miles' debut solo album. The live CD has been wonderfully received. It's available in everywhere, and if you click on For The Record you can order a special autographed CD right here through milesphillips.com!
SOME CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS:
"passionate heart, luscious voice and a great sense of humor. . . a very entertaining set!"
Bradshaw Smith - Broadway Beat
"Super vocalist Miles Phillips is back for an encore show at JUDY'S Chelsea. . . I've actually seen this show twice, and it is a delightful collection of songs and showtunes (Miles' forte is musical theatre) and even a lovely song sung in Spanish! Two other people help make this show so wonderful - guest vocalist Julie Reyburn and musical director Mark Janas. . ."
Stu Hamstra - Cabaret Hotline
"Phillips is a charming performer/singer with a slew of very creative arrangements
. . . I heartily recommend . . . delightful show. Great fun!"
D.L. Lepidus - The Westsider
"What a lovely surprise, a new (to me) male singer who's able to touch special places in my heart, using a blend of contemporary and Show music. Especially moving were contemporary J.D. Souther's 'Prisoner In Disguise,' with Julie Reyburn supplying harmony and guitar, and S. Colvin's 'I Don't Know Why,' also there was the beautifully arranged medley, 'Another Hundred People/Eleanor Rigby,' which brought back memories of the wonderful arrangements Brian Lasser used to do for Karen Mason and their Beatles' medleys. Another magical moment was a Strouse medley, RAGS' 'Wanting' and ANNIE WARBUCKS' 'It Would Have Been Wonderful,' bringing to mind the wonder of discovering one's heart opening to new love and the desire which follows. There was the unexpected phrasing in FUNNY GIRL's 'Who Are You Now,' creating a sense of the surprise of discovery. My favorite moment, however, was 'My Favorite Year,' one of those songs I just love to hear. It flowed seamlessly into 'You Must Believe In Spring.' All bringing a nice sense of romance to the evening. 'Where The Boys Are' capped off the evening, playing well against earlier songs, 'Summer In the City' and 'Boy From New York City' ('Shy'... yeah, right!). Looking forward to a new show soon (hint, hint)."
Michael Nelsen - MNnyc.com
God bless you, Connie Francis, wherever you are!