by A.D. Amorosi, For the Inquirer
On a rainy Saturday, Michael Richard Kelly-Cataldi – entertainment director and co-owner of Glenside’s Dino’s Backstage with his husband, Dino J. Kelly-Cataldi – is doing a little bit of everything: Along with introducing rockabilly guitarist Dibbs Preston, Michael Richard Kelly-Cataldi sings a Patsy Cline tune with the band, cuts a rug with a dancing doyenne to get the swing party started, buses tables, takes drink orders (“Have the pink martini”), checks the temperature of the roasted duck leg, and handles phone reservations for the next morning’s brunch.
In between all of this, Kelly-Cataldi gets on the mike to promote yet another project: The Judy Garland Songbook, his debut album — the first in his nearly 40-year career. Dino’s will host album release parties on Friday and Saturday to mark the occasion.
“These are songs I live and breathe; my life in miniature,” he says, quietly.
Kelly-Cataldi then reminds attendees that Dino’s — and its adjacent Celebrity Room restaurant — second anniversary parties are in June, featuring himself and legendary cabaret chanteuse Marilyn Maye as headliners.
“Dino and Michael are fantastically devoted to furthering the art of cabaret,” says Billy Stritch, the singer, Liza Minnelli pianist, and Maye devotee who opened Dino’s in May 2016. “The place is elegant and rare.”