Elaine Stritch Announces NYC Departure Following Final Cafe Carlyle Show

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has just announced the return of its most famous resident, Elaine Stritch, to the Café Carlyle for her final engagement. Her new show, Elaine Stritch at the Carlyle: Movin' Over and Out, a freeform evening of story and song, will play for one week only. This will be the final chance to see Ms. Stritch - who has been dubbed the Carlyle's own "Octogenarian Eloise" - give one of her now-legendary performances at her home venue, before she leaves the Carlyle Hotel and the city of New York for good. (Ms. Stritch will be relocating to her home state of Michigan.) Elaine Stritch has played 4 sold-out engagements at the Café Carlyle over the past 7 years.

She told the New York Times: "I loved being on Broadway, but performing has become exhausting, and I just don't want to live in New York anymore. I'm just sick of the competition in New York, the feeling that I always have to rehearse to keep up my performance. I don't feel like rehearsing, even though it should be my favorite thing in the world to do. I just don't have the energy, darling. I'm 88! I don't look or always feel it, but I'm 88!"

On what to expect from her final show, Stritch commented: "Sondheim is a devil, with those lyrics to keep straight, and part of me just wants to tell stories. I'd love to just tell jokes that my dad kept in his wallet."

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Stritch's Broadway debut came in the revue ANGEL IN THE WINGS. Stritch was also understudy to Ethel Merman for the Irving Berlin musical CALL ME MADAM and, at the same time, appeared in the 1952 revival of PAL JOEY. Stritch later starred in the national tour of CALL ME MADAM and appeared in a supporting role in the original Broadway production of William Inge's play BUS STOP. She was the lead in GOLDILOCKS and then was hand-picked by Noel Coward for one of the leads in SAIL AWAY.

Stritch became known as a singer with a brassy, rough voice who could portray brash characters, most notably originating on Broadway the role of Joanne in COMPANY (1970). After over a decade of successful runs in shows in New York, Stritch moved in 1972 to London, where she starred in the West End production of COMPANY. She appeared as Parthy in a successful Broadway revival of the musical SHOW BOAT, a one-night only concert of COMPANY and as Claire in a revival of Edward Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE.

Ms. Stritch will be joined by her longtime musical collaborator, Rob Bowman, at the piano.

The Café Carlyle is one of the most iconic performance venues in the world. Since opening in 1955, the storied room, located in the legendary Carlyle Hotel, has provided a singularly intimate New York cabaret experience featuring musical performances by such legendary entertainers as Barbara Cook, Woody Allen, Judy Collins and the incomparable Bobby Short. This New York landmark also maintains the famous wrap around Vertès murals.

Café Carlyle is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street @ Madison Avenue). Elaine Stritch will play Tuesday, April 2 through Saturday, April 6 at8:45PM. There is a $125 cover charge per person and $85 bar seating per person. For additional information, visit www.thecarlyle.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.