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 Entire Cast - Overture & Gala Opening 5:25
2 Ceil Cabot, Gerry Matthews - Happiness Is a Bird 1:30
3 Del Close - And Then I Wrote... 2:07
4 Jane Connell, Estelle Parsons, Ceil Cabot - Radio City Music Hall 2:52
5 Gordon Connell - Miss Williams 2:55
6 Estelle Parsons, Jane Connell, Ceil Cabot, Del Close, Gerry Matthews - The Uncle Bergie Evans Show 4:27
7 Ceil Cabot - Oriental 2:45
8 Jane Connell - Ardent Admirer 2:32
9 Entire Cast - Steel Guitars and Barking Seals 3:06
10 Entire Cast - Election Spectacular 7:28
11 Ceil Cabot - Seasons Greetings 2:16
12 Del Close, Gerry Matthews, Gordon Connell - A Name of Our Own 2:34
13 Jane Connell - M'Lady Chatterley 3:00
14 Gerry Matthews - Farewell 1:50
15 Ceil Cabot, Jane Connell, Gordon Connell, Gerry Matthews - The Night the Hurricane Struck 2:27
16 Estelle Parsons - Everybody Wants to Be Loved 1:53
17 Entire Cast - Conversation Piece 6:27

Total length: 55:34