THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

On my latest trip to New York, my friend Lauren invited me to this one-night-only special event at the Bay Street Theatre. I had always wanted to see the place, and the star of the one-man show was her good pal, Corky Laing, so off we went.

Corky Laing at work, from the "Best Seat in the House." Photo by Taffi Rosen Laing.

Corky was the drummer of the classic rock group, Mountain. Never a fan of rock, even back in the day, I wasn’t really aware of them, but, of course, I’ve heard their major hit, Mississippi Queen—after all, who hasn’t??? And I had met him at The Bitter End in the Village last year, when he was playing with his new group.

But, I really didn’t know anything about him, other than that he was a drummer in the heyday of rock music. So, hearing of his exploits along the way made for a really entertaining evening. (You’ll have to get his explanation for why he titled it The Best Seat In The House. Or maybe you can guess it.)

Sure, I have my own stories of rock royalty, like the time Mick Jagger and I shared, how shall I say, an herbal cigarette? And having Brian Wilson ask to take a picture with me! Or hanging with Harry Nilsson in a foreign country, searching through musical equipment for a shipment of contraband, (for him, not for me! I just love being a detective.) Best yet, the time Michael McCartney was a guest on my TV show, Karen’s Restaurant Revue, and he called Paul my “husband,” something I dreamed about since I was a little girl!

But Corky Lainge had really hung-out with these people! They were his colleagues! And he included detailed stories of them in his stage anecdotes.

The show was very interesting; it was like just listening to a pal tell you of life on the road. (Unfortunately, some in the audience took that good feeling a little too far; they thought it was a dialogue, rather than a monologue. I guess that’s what happens when the theatre’s bar encourages patrons to bring their drinks into the theatre! Oysh.)

Bar in the lobby of the Hamptons' Bay Street Theatre. Note the sign! Photo by Karen Salkin.

Digression to discuss the theatre itself for a bit. It had a great feeling to it; it was a cross between summer stock theatres, which I used to love sooooo much, and the Equity Waiver ones in Los Angeles. And it was packed on this Spring evening. Being that it’s the main theatre of the Hamptons, I expected a really dressed-up, ritzy crowd. But it was mainly regular Joes, and they were lapping up Corky’s remembrances.

He interspersed the yarns with slides and some excellent drumming. Multi-talented, he also sang and played guitar a bit. But the skins were the highlight. In the first act, he did a fun rendition of Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone, with just drums! It was possibly the best version of the song I’ve ever heard!

Corky did himself one better in Act II by showing us the different styles of drumming through the years. It’s something I’ve never seen done, and actually, never even thought of! It was so entertaining, I dubbed him “The Pacino of the Drums!”

He finished the show by bringing out some pals to play his music with him, which was an apt ending.

If you ever notice that Corky Laing is bringing his show to your area, and you’re a music aficionado, I recommend checking it out. Judging by the audience’s reaction, you won’t go wrong!

For more info: www.corkylaingsbestseatshow.com