Interview: ANNIE's Clarke Thorell on His Upcoming Birdland Concert- SONGS I WISH I'D WRITTEN

By: Aug. 02, 2013
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On Monday, August 5, Broadway at Birdland will present Clarke Thorell in "Songs I Wish I'd Written". The concert will feature songs by Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney, Adam Guettel, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Elvis Costello, Chris Thile, Sting & more. Joining Clarke will be Music Director/pianist Dan Lipton, who has worked as MD & arranger for Don't Quit Your Night Job as well as for concerts & albums by Kelli O'Hara, Judy Kuhn, Brian d'Arcy James & Martha Plimpton. Guest vocalists will include Haven Burton (First Date, Shrek), and Cortés Alexander (The Swell Show, Liza's at the Palace). The band will also include Simon Kafka on guitar & other strings, Mark Vanderpoel on Bass and Shannon Ford on drums. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Thorell recently chatted with BroadwayWorld about the upcoming concert and you can check out what he had to say below!


Can you give us an inside scoop on what to expect from your show?

Pop, Jazz, Soul, New Grass, Musical Theatre ~ It's a glimpse into what makes me über passionate about music - prolific, elegant, poetic songwriting, beautiful arrangements both classic & hip, & some of the best musicians & vocalists in existence.

How did this particular show come to be?

I've known for a while I wanted to do a show with this theme - it's an opportunity to communicate some of what I love & connect with (without unveiling my own music just yet).

Should we expect any special guests?

Yes ~ I've got a few surprises. One very special guest is someone I used to write & record with years ago - & I had the pleasure of singing with him last year in his concerts.

Are the songs in your show by artists that have inspired you as a performer?

Absolutely! Inspiration is key. I think that's one of the most important things for me - when I respond to a song viscerally AND intellectually I can't help but want to live in the world of that song for a while.

Are there any musicals you wish that you had written?

Wow - well, let's say I wish I'd co-written some - Sunday in the Park With George, Floyd Collins, just to name a couple. If I'd written them on my own I wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting & working with the geniuses who actually did write them :]

There have been quite a few cast shake-ups happening at ANNIE in the recent weeks- how have things been going at the Palace with so much new blood?

While it's been sad to sing 'happy trails' to so many members of our original family, It's been an absolute joy to welcome in every new cast member! & every time I get to work with a new Hannigan I get to explore a new brother/sister relationship! I've had 3 equally brilliant sisters in one year - I'm having a blast.

Explain why people should check out your Birdland show in 5 or less words.

Music Is Soul Food!


Clarke Thorell is currently welcoming boo's & hisses playing the role of Rooster Hannigan in the Broadway revival of ANNIE. A San Diego native, Clarke made his Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy, directed by Des McAnuff. He originated the roles of Corny Collins in the Broadway company of Hairspray and Jim Farrell in Titanic. He pinch-hit for John Pizzarelli at Radio City Music Hall in Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way., and stepped into the long-running Mamma Mia! as Harry Bright. Other credits include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes opposite Megan Hilty for Encores! at New York City Center; Orsino in Twelfth Night, directed by Jack O'Brien, Homer in Floyd Collins directed by Tina Landau, Satellites at The Public Theater, Sondheim's Saturday Night, Wise Guys directed by Sam Mendes, Lone Star Love & Catch Me If You Can.

Film & Television credits include Men in Black III, "BoardwalkEmpire", "30 ROCK" (Meet The Woggels), "NYC 2-2", The Winning Season, with Sam Rockwell, "Kings", "Rescue Me," "Law & Order -SVU," and "The Sopranos." Portraying Andy Williams, Mr. Thorell toured the globe with Liza Minnelli, recreating the 1948 nightclub act made famous by Kay Thompson & The Williams Brothers. As a vocalist, Mr. Thorell has performed with artists including ABBA, The Red Clay Ramblers, Dave Brubeck and Pete Townshend, and is a proud member of Michael McElroy's Broadway Inspirational Voices.



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