Jonathon Timpanelli at the about-to-open Reverie Room
All the world’s a stage—so it makes sense to find a new one in a space that never sleeps.
Reverie Room is a collaboration between Upper West Sider and artist Jonathon Timpanelli and Salimen (Sal) Nagi, owner of Hungry and Healthy Marketplace, the 24-hour market and deli that opened in 2021 at 163 West 72nd Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues). In 2023, Timpanelli approached Nagi about the upstairs area of his shop.
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“Hey, do you work here?” Timpanelli asked, curious about the space, which had some room to work with—if you were creative enough to visualize it.
Turns out, the person he was speaking to was Sal Nagi, the owner.
“Would you mind if we brought a little [sound] system in here and, like, did a little something? Invited people and stuff?” Timpanelli asked.
Nagi told him they hadn’t done anything like that before, but was supportive of the idea. Soon after, the space would host a one-night jazz show with Timpanelli on vocals.
The downstairs, which will remain as it is.
Later in 2023, Hungry and Healthy began clearing out the upstairs seating area at night, turning it into a makeshift cabaret space—one that soon became home to Chopped Cheese comedy nights and open mics, co-produced by comedian Lee Paul. Now, that same upstairs space has evolved into Reverie Room, where Paul is set to perform on March 14.
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“It’s totally insane,” said Timpanelli when we asked about the trajectory of his career. “I was singing on the street in 2020—you know, busking. Then, after COVID restrictions were lifted, I started doing a one-man show on cruise ships.”
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Timpanelli’s show, Old Soul, launched in 2021 on Carnival Cruise Lines, keeping him on the move with over 100 tours a year. It’s also where he met his wife, Isabel, aboard the Carnival Pride in 2023. Now, the married couple has a five-week-old baby, Jasper.
“And now I don’t want to do the cruise ships anymore,” he said. “Because I’m always out of town with that. I want to be home for my family, you know?”
(You might remember Timpanelli performing regularly outside of Il Violino on 68th and Columbus when his cruise line singing gig was put on hold during the pandemic.)
With a clear vision, Timpanelli recently re-approached Nagi to pitch him the idea of transforming the upstairs space into a permanent 50-person venue for live shows, with the additional option of renting it as a rehearsal space during the day.
The space now has two rooms: a lobby area–still under construction during our visit last week–which will be used for ticket-taking and feature a few tables for patrons to eat. Beyond the door, they’ve added sconces, painted the walls a rich burgundy, removed the fluorescent lighting, and installed comfortable booth seating. The room now feels exceptionally cozy, bathed in a warm glow. Timpanelli also plans to add candles to the tables.
In 2019, Timpanelli toured the United States as a cast member of the first national Broadway tour of School of Rock. Having performed at countless venues both domestic and international, he brings some of his favorite elements from those experiences into the space at Reverie.
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The blue curtain fits like a glove along the back wall, which blocks the light from the street. To make things even easier, Nagi financed having a house drum set, a Questlove kit by Ludwig, as well as a Casio keyboard and monitors. This makes the slog of carrying equipment a non-issue, and Timpanelli thinks it could bring together some unplanned collaborations on open mic or jam nights. Some additional instruments may be added as well. Timpanelli also complimented his wife, Izzy, for helping with the room’s layout and designing the Reverie Room logo. They plan to add artwork to the walls soon, including an area of framed posters of movies set on the Upper West Side.
The hook for Reverie Room, as Timpanelli explains, is his “performer-first model,” where artists set their own ticket prices and keep 80%. There’s a $75 fee to cover the technician who manages the lights, sound, and box office at the start of the show. Timpanelli says this model is one of the most cost-effective in the city, and it gives performers the freedom to present anything they desire—whether it’s stand-up, live music, improv, cabaret, performance art, or something else. Essentially, the venue provides the stage, lighting, and sound; the performers bring the show and let it rip. For open mic nights, a $10 spend at the marketplace is required.
The plan is to have two shows a day, around 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., but Timpanelli says he’s open minded and looks forward to potential late-night shows or after-party type events. By day, you can also lease the space to rehearse. Inquires to book or rent Revierie Room can be made here. Timpanelli has waived the $75 technician fee for the month of March as the venue gets up and running.
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Reverie Room officially opens on Saturday, March 1, with an exciting lineup of performances, including Timpanelli, Isaac Knox, Ava Paris Locknar, Matt Baker on keyboard, Brandon Brook on drums, and John Lind on bass. That same lineup (minus bass and drums) will perform a special soft launch on Friday, February 28.
Next up is Ava Delaney & Friends on Sunday, March 2. “She’s singing, and there’s gonna be some magic, and like, it’s a true variety show, which I’m excited for,” noted Timpanelli. Another act he’s thrilled to see at Reverie is 19-year-old singer Lucas Beltran, performing on Saturday, March 8. “He’s doing his first New York City show here at Reverie Room, and he’s so excited. It makes my heart so happy,” gushed Timpanelli. Tickets are $20.
“Jonathon [Timpanelli] has a great background and a great heart,” said Nagi of his partner in Reverie Room. “He knows what he’s doing, so you have to put your trust in good people, and that’s exactly what he is—a great person.”
For more information, visit the Reverie Room website here.
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Nice.
So cool! It would be wild is Nathan Lane came in one night. He lives right over there.