37 West 56th Street. An address that in-the-know sophisticated New Yorkers knew very well in the mid-1950s – the resplendent reconverted townhouse of one John Wanamaker that served as the home to a delectably delicious series of cabaret entertainments presented at the Upstairs at the Downstairs by Julius Monk.

Tim Taylor of Cue magazine, wrote the following about Pieces-Of-Eight: “The epitome of iconoclastic intimacy in two acts, with time out in between for refreshment and intellectual disagreement, Pieces-Of-Eight is all that a revue should be… It is topical, satirical and, wonder of wonders, original. This delightful spoof, subtitled “A Piratic Parodic” by its inventor, opened officially on September 24, 1959.” The cast featured Ceil Cabot, Gerry Matthews, Gordon Connell, Jane Connell, Estelle Parsons, and Del Close, along with William Roy and Carl Norman at the pianos.

Monk’s shows were completely unique, and his shows were very special and beloved by all who were lucky enough to see them. Their popularity happily produced many cast recordings of his shows so their legacy lives on and we’re pleased to give Pieces-Of- Eight its first CD release. -KRITZERLAND

1. Overture & Gala Opening 2. Happiness is a Bird 3. And Then I Wrote… 4. Radio City Music Hall 5. Miss Williams 6. The Uncle Bergie Evans Show 7. Oriental 8. Ardent Admirer 9. Steel Guitars and Barking Seals 10. Election Spectacular 11. Seasons Greetings 12. A Name of Our Own 13. M’Lady Chatterley 14. Farewell 15. The Night the Hurricane Struck 16. Everybody Wants to Be Loved 17. Conversation Piece

William Roy and Carl Norman at Plural Pianos
Musical Arrangements by William Roy