SUE MATSUKI in How’s That for Openers?On September 16, 1986, Susan Trosell, as she was called then, performed her first cabaret show at Don’t Tell Mama, having passed a nerve-wracking audition for Sidney Myer. Exactly 33 years later, with the same Sidney Myer in attendance, Sue Matsuki, as she had long since become, celebrated her pearl-plus-three-year anniversary with a thoughtful and rollicking show that pulled out all the stops—and then some.With the supreme confidence of one who had pursued the intricacies and wide range of her art for a third of a century, Matsuki began her set with her back to the audience, giving her initial attention to her music director and pianist of some 25 years, Gregory Toroian. This was entirely appropriate since, together, they were not only reviving numbers they had collaborated on over the years but also, in many cases, revising their approach. Soon she shifted her focus to the already rapt, overflowing audience, ready to experience ...

JED RYANSue Matsuki: How’s That For an Encore?Jed Ryan, Lavender After Dark (Oct. 16, 2019)Certainly, no night at New York’s enduring cabaret hotspot Don’t Tell Mama could ever be be described as “ordinary”. That said, multiple award-winning performer/producer/writer Sue Matsuki can look back at September 16, 1986 and recall that evening as, well… extraordinary. Echoing Steve Allen’s lyrics from one of Matsuki’s favorite songs, one could have prophetically sang, “This could be the start of something grand!” For Matsuki, that Tuesday night was the beginning of a long-term relationship with Don’t Tell Mama– which would continue for 33 grand years. She would perform at that club more often than any other in the future. On Monday, September 16, 2019, the singer honored that anniversary with a very exclusive two-show celebration, named How’s That For Openers? True to i...

BWW Review: Sue Matsuki HOW'S THAT FOR OPENERS? Is Cause For Celebration at Don't Tell MamaThirty-three years to the day. That's what September 16, 2019, was - thirty-three years since Sue Matsuki stepped onto the stage at Don't Tell Mama to audition for Sidney Myer. Nervous, scared, excited, Ms. Matsuki gave it the old college try; and though it wasn't her best audition, Sidney saw something in her and decided to give her a shot, something Sidney has been known to do over the years, and Sue Matsuki had a place to sing. Three plus decades later, the elegant Ms. Matsuki stepped, once more, onto the stage that she has occupied many times, and opened her mouth to sing to a room she has called home, to a group of people she calls family.The cabaret community being such a supportive one, The Original Room at Don't Tell Mama was filled with friendly faces one sees at many a cabaret event. Richard Skipper sat with&...

What three of Sue's mentors have said:“Sue Simply Cares!  With her great singing ability, Sue presents pertinent material, entertainment and fun to her audiences.  It’s her caring way to honor her music and to honor those who care to spend an evening with her.” – Marilyn Maye, Singing Legend “Sue Matsuki is one of my favorite singers because she has a great voice, she’s funny, she chooses great material, she enunciates all her words and she is always focused on giving her audience the very best time. It’s her job and she takes it very seriously!” – Julie Wilson, Grand Dame of Cabaret“Matsuki is quite definitely a cross-over Cabaret/Jazz performer with an interesting polyglot style and presence all her own. Sue has chops to compare with the "pure jazz" ladies and yet she reaches her audience with her warmth and understanding, both musically and lyrically, of the songs she chooses. If you have n...

“If I would register one complaint, it was that the show was too short – not by my watch, but by my heart. Sue’s delivery and presence is that compelling!”
Stu Hamstra, CabaretHotlineOnline

I have seen Sue Matsuki perform many times over the past eleven years. As I've said before, and will doubtless have occasion to say again, one of the most gratifying aspects—no, make that greatest pleasures—of covering cabaret over an extended period of time is seeing artists develop and grow, so it is with great pleasure that I can report that Matsuki's new show not only represents her best work to date, it is also one of the finest shows I've seen anyone deliver this year. Working for the first time with director Eric Michael Gillett, and for the umpteenth time with her musical director for the past thirteen years, Gregory Toroian, Matsuki has put together a very intelligent, tight show, with no blah-blah-blah patter and a nice mixture of classics and new discoveries. The most striking element of the evening is the remarkable quality of her interpretations0each based on a chosen point of view and delivered with commitment and a singularity of purpose, devoid of extrane...

“Full of class, style and beautiful old and new songs.”
John Hoglund, CabaretExchange.com

“I'm just a new fan writing to say what a WOW Sue Matsuki's show was Saturday night at the Beechman. Sue is in full, calm control of a beautiful, unexpected set of "unusual" tunes and standards. I¹m going to try and put it in a few words: feminine, incredibly tasteful and tasty in every way, extremely entertaining, outstanding singing, and a strong trio that truly supported her beautifully. Her "theme" was simply stated early on; then she let the music, lyrics and subtle acting deliver the goods. And what music....! I never saw Sue before except at an open mic on occasion. I'll be seeing her again!”
What a show in so many ways! I can’t tell you how absolutely floored I was. I’m going to try and put it in words: Feminine, sure, unusual, mature, incredibly tasteful and tasty in every way, extremely entertaining, outstanding singing, a band that understands what accompaniment means (I only count yours and Tony Bennett’s in that catego...

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