Roger Schmelzer

By day, Lacy Society member Roger Schmelzer (SKL XVIII) works as president and CEO of the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds in Indianapolis. But, in the evening, he likes to swap his briefcase for a microphone and hit the stage.

Schmelzer has been involved in musical theater since the 1970s. But, after an extended break, he began working in shows again in Indianapolis in 1991 and hasn't stopped. "It is fun and very satisfying for me," he said. "If you approach it as an avocation, you can do a lot of it here."

Along the way, Schmelzer has also developed a special love for cabaret performance -- singing songs with stories attached in intimate settings like restaurants and clubs. He has a new album of cabaret-style songs called "About Now." The CD contains 16 songs -- a combination of cover songs and others written by two friends.

He describes the record as a combination of standards, jazz and cabaret tunes. "It is called 'About Now' because the songs are about what's going on now when you hear them," Schmelzer said.

Crooning tunes like "Nice and Easy" seems a long way from leading a staff of 11 in helping settle claims when insurance companies become insolvent. "People are always pleasantly surprised to find out you have another side," he said. "But why not? Somebody told me once 'you do what you do for eight hours a day, why would you keep doing that?"

Posted to Indiana Auditions.com by Adrienne Reiswerg

Roger Schmelzer is a familiar and popular face to Indianapolis musical theatre audiences. For several years, he has been presenting cabaret shows at the old Raleigh 's Dinner Theatre, the Villa Inn and the Indianapolis Liederkranz. After one such event, an old friend suggested that he make a CD. Well, Roger has quite literally put his money where his mouth is--last Saturday, about 100 guests gathered at the Hedback Theatre for a cabaret concert and the launch party of Roger's CD, About Now.

Saturday evening's show featured familiar pop classics from the CD (among them "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "This Guy's in Love With You") and original songs (from New York cabaret mainstay Brian Gari and local composer David Lips) laced with personal stories and factoids about many of the songs. As always, Roger conveyed a genuine and knowledgeable appreciation for the journey of the songs and their composers.

With Lips at the piano, Roger performed "My Dreams of You Keep Me Awake," a sweetly-delivered ballad about how the excitement of true love can cause a wicked case of sleep deprivation. "Concentrate on One Thing at a Time" was plucked from a 1963 album of Robert Goulet's, a performer Roger said was "very big" in his house growing up. With his own distinctly smooth and relaxed style, Roger channels the suave and mellow side of Goulet, and looks equally dreamy in a white dinner jacket. "Old Movies" is a hoot to anyone who's watched enough TCM to know immediately who Mrs. Norman Maine is or why Barbara Stanwyck was standing outside at the end of Stella Dallas. All three of these songs are included on the recording. One that isn't but was a standout Saturday night was Roger's gentle rendition of "If the World Were Like the Movies" from the musical "My Favorite Year" in which Roger appeared last season.

In addition to Lips' keyboards, the musical accompaniment was provided by Mark Timko on piano, Tom DiMartino on drums, and his son James DiMartino on bass. This excellent trio also performed on the CD, and their good rapport with Roger was evident. This easy-listening CD would make a good Christmas gift and can be purchased at "http://www.rogerschmelzer.com/". On the website, you can link to cuts from the CD and get additional background material for each song.

The title of the CD itself underscores Roger's approach to live and recorded performances. On his website, he explains that, "Songwriters write about circumstances and feelings experienced "then," when they composed the song. The singer's job is twofold: to know what "then" was all about and to convey a present-day urgency from within our own heart and mind. I've tried my best to communicate the meaning of the original work and yet truly make this album "about now."

Upholding the tradition of cabaret performance, Roger put on a relaxed and authentic show, forging a genuine and immediate connection to each song. Judging from the audience's reaction, I'd say he met his standard.

Roger Schmelzer CD Release

Posted to IBJ.com Arts & Entertainment Page by Dan Henkel

Beth and I were delighted by this self-produced event (Saturday, Oct. 18)-a refreshing change from the big orgs and presenters. Roger Schmelzer is well known as a singing actor in the Indy area, and he's come up with a most enjoyable CD called "About Now". (www.rogerschmelzer.com)

Here's a charming, talented guy who reveres the Great American Songbook and the cabaret tradition, treasuring the story within each song. The concert, backed by a skilled trio and guest composer/keyboardist David Lips, mixed standards such as "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" with original works by Lips and music coordinator/pianist Mark Timko. Roger has a way of getting behind each song and offering it with authenticity and flair. The trio (Timko, drummer Tom DiMartino and his son James DiMartino on bass) clicked as well live as they had on the CD.

Great music, great eats, and a crowd that savored the music and the moment-what's not to love? This event was held at the Hedback Theatre (18th & Alabama), where I first saw Roger perform years ago in "The Goodbye Girl." He's only gotten better, and even the gems from 1938 ("You're and Education") glitter in his hands.