Photo Flash: Broadway Voices Debut Concert at Metropolitan Room

On Wednesday, September 17th, Broadway Voices, a new singing quartet from the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, made its debut performance at The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues) with I Want It All – A Maltby and Shire Songbook.   The  legendary songwriting duo, Richard Maltby and David Shire, along with Shire's wife, actress Didi Conn (Grease) were on hand to wish the quartet well on their opening night.

This all-male cast, featuring Dan Baillie, Eric Saggese, Sonelius Kendrick-Smith and Phil Zipkin, brings a unique twist to the traditionally co-ed songbook featuring songs from Maltby & Shire's hit shows Closer Than Ever; Starting Here, Starting Now; their Tony Award nominated musical Baby; and a never-before heard song from their new show Take Flight.   Musical Direction is by Dr. Charles Beale, and staging by Jeff Lettiere.

Both as a team and individually, Richard Maltby and David Shire have had prolific and distinguished careers for stage and screen. Together, their best-known musicals include Baby; Closer Than Ever; Starting Here, Starting Now; and Big. Separately, Shire has scored several hundred films, won an Oscar (Norma Rae) and two Grammys (Saturday Night Fever) along the way, and co-wrote the hit pop single "With You I'm Born Again;" while Maltby was the Tony-winning director and co-conceiver of Ain't Misbehavin', the co-lyricist of Miss Saigon and the screenwriter of last year's Miss Potter starring Renee Zellwegger.

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus' Broadway Voices sing "I Want It All – A Maltby and Shire Songbook" plays two more performances on September  20 at 5:00PM and September 21 at 9:30PM at The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues).  $20 cover/2 drink minimum.  For reservations call (212) 206-0440 or visit http://metropolitanroom.com/

Dan Baillie, Eric Saggese, Phil Zipkin and Sonelius Kendrick-Smith

Musical Staging Director Jeff Lettiere and Richard Maltby, Jr.

Music Director Charles Beale, Eric Saggese, Phil Zipkin, Sonelius Kendrick-Smith, Dan Baillie and musical staging director Jeff Lettiere

Eric Saggese, Richard Maltby, Jr. and Phil Zipkin

Music Director Charles Beale, Eric Saggese, Phil Zipkin, Sonelius Kendrick-Smith, Dan Baillie and musical staging director Jeff Lettiere.

Richard Maltby, Jr., Didi Conn, David Shire backstage at The Metropolitan Room

Maltby & Shire & Didi Conn (center) surrounded by Broadway Voices, backstage at The Metropolitan Room