Janet Dacal, Laura Osnes and More Set to Join Frank Wildhorn's FRANK & FRIENDS at Birdland, 12/17

Broadway at Birdland today announced the continuation of the partnership with multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn with two holiday-themed "Frank & Friends" concerts. These evenings will celebrate the holiday songs and favorite performers from the composer's wide range of work in popular, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment.

On Sunday, December 16 at 6pm, Wildhorn will welcome Las Vegas/Café Carlyle headliner Clint Holmes, along with special guests yet to be announced. On Monday, December 17 at 7pm, Frank's cast will include Broadway leading ladies Laura Osnes, Janet Dacal, Adrienne Warren, Christiane Noll, jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, Michael Lanning and Andry Senor, Jr.

Multi-Grammy and Tony Award nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music. In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Dracula, Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and Bonnie & Clyde (Tony Award nominated for Best Score). Frank produced Harlem Song at the famed Apollo Theatre. International: Cyrano, The Count of Monte Cristo, Carmen, Rudolf, Mitsuko, Never Say Goodbye, Camille Claudel, and Tears of Heaven. Frank served as music director for the Goodwill Games in New York City (1998). He wrote the song "Gold", the opening number for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He received the prestigious Charles Dickens Award from USC, where there is a scholarship under his name. Among the artists who have recorded and performed Frank's works: Whitney Houston (#1 international hit "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?"), Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Linda Eder, FrEddie Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Stacy Lattisaw, Molly Hatchet, Blues Traveler, Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborne, BeBe Winans, Amy Grant, Anthony Warlow, to name a few.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for nearly 130 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition.

"Frank & Friends" Holiday Concerts
Sunday, December 16 at 6pm
Monday, December 17 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com
$35, $10 food/drink minimum

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