Rrazz Room hits the ground running in 2009 with an ambitious line-up
By Bruce Bellingham


Before we get to the activity at the club, the Rrazz Room producers would like me to mention that they’ve brought showbiz legend Mitzi Gaynor to the Herbst Theatre for one night on Saturday, Jan. 10. The demure but friendly Rrazz Room in the Hotel Nikko is a little too small to contain this legendary lass who starred in all those movies and stage hits, such as South Pacific, There’s No Business Like Show Business, Anything Goes, Le Girls, and The Joker is Wild. I recall her best from all those appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

TV’s Jan Wahl will host Ms. Gaynor’s show at the Herbst, “Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins!” Saturday, Jan. 10, 8 p.m.; tickets $45–$79.50, 415-392-4400; www.missmitzigaynor.com
More show biz hoopla: Varla Jean Merman (everyone’s favorite drag queen … or something to let people know what they are in for with her) is celebrating a decade of solo shows at the Rrazz Room through Jan. 17. Varla says, “This is my ‘Victory Lap Dance’ – 10 years of relentless touring and self-delusional self-promotion that includes new songs and videos.” Varla also admonishes fans to get to the Rrazz Room 45 minutes prior to show time, so they will not miss The Varla Jean Merman Film Festival. “Time and again,” she observes, “people have told me their favorite part of my show was when I wasn’t actually onstage.” www.varlaonline.com; tickets $30 & $35

I’m pleased to know Tim Hockenberry is back with a regular gig at the Rrazz. Tim is one of best. Not only a grand guy, he’s a swell singer, songwriter and pianist. He’s cooked up a revolving roster of guest players in “Tim Hockenberry & Friends,” Jan. 12, 19, and 31; Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28; March 7, 14, 21, and 23; April 11, 13, 18, and 20. He’ll be featuring material from his new album, Back In Your Arms. I like the way he does Randy Newman’s “Marie.” Maybe he’ll play it for you. www.myspace.com/timhockenberry; tickets $35

The Phantom of the Opera seems to be recession-proof. That’s a good thing for Phantom fans and for Franc D’Ambrosio, who’s back for two weeks only from Jan. 20–Feb. 1 as part of his current four-year tour. He’s had a five-year run as the Phantom. Thank you, masked man. www.francdambrosio.com; tickets $30–$40

Carlos Reyes comes to the Rrazz on Jan. 26. Reyes has a wickedly prolific ability to turn out CDs that exploit his mastery of both the harp and violin. As well as a worldwide audience, he’s garnered a large Bay Area following. www.CarlosReyesMusic.com; tickets $30

Ah, yes, Paula West … a voice like champagne she has, sparkling and cool … Nob Hill’s own enchantress-in-residence, although she’s hardly ever home. These days she works mostly in New York and Europe, with recent appearances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Aspen and the White House in a salute to American writers, but she returns with the George Mesterhazy Quartet from Feb. 3–March 22. Paula is an exquisite interpreter of jazz standards and contemporary tunes. She loves to sing ballads. The Valentine’s Day show includes champagne and chocolates. Sweet. paulawestonline.com; tickets $35–$60

The Rrazz Room: 222 Mason Street (at O’Farrell) in the Hotel Nikko, tickets prices listed above available at 415-394-1189 & www.therrazzroom.com