Day two of the 2019 Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2019 New York Cabaret Convention filled Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center with a lot of Heart and Soul and the music of Frank Loesser last night. The Convention audience was immersed with the music of one of the greatest Broadway songwriters as one by one 23 renowned Cabaret artists performed Frank Loesser hits. The one and only Marilyn Maye brought the evening to a stunning conclusion with her rendition of Joey, Joey and her exciting 3/4 time version of Luck Be A Lady Tonight all arranged and played by the remarkable pianist Tedd Firth.
It was a grand night for singing or for dressing as your favorite song, at SINGNASIUM'S Fall Fun(d) Raiser! Singnasium Artistic Director and CEO, Lennie Watts and Board President Kim Grogg started the festivities, and music flowed like hot apple cider. There were no tricks, but A LOT of treats with performances by Rachel Hanser, Jim Speake, Heather Villaescusa, Carmen Cancel, Brad Simmons, Kristine Zbornik, KT Sullivan. Cissy Walken joined in as our glamorous auctioneer.
If a visitor from another planet landed here and asked the question “What is Cabaret?” an easy explanation would be to send him/her to attend a performance by KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar, wether it be solo or jointly. They didn't invent the art form but KT and Jeff's artistry and show construction ranks as one of the finest examples of Cabaret.
Bagels and Broadway a?" the radio show and podcast hosted by 5x Billboard Award winning media personality, Valerie Smaldone a?" brings entertainment notables, from Tony winners to hot newbies to audiences all over the planet, via radio or the world-wide web every Saturday at 9:05am. Valerie has another stellar lineup planned for Saturday, Oct. 19th. Audiences can tune in on radio at AM970, or by logging on to: http://www.am970TheAnswer.com.
In a combined triumph for the Classic Popular Songbook, its purveyors and adherents, and the professionalism and perseverance of THE MABEL MERCER FOUNDATION, the unique organization presents its 30th Annual New York Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Monday, October 28th and running through Thursday, October 31st. The four individual concerts will be offered at 6:00 PM each evening, and more than seventy-five vocalists and musicians are scheduled to perform. Tickets are now on sale at the Jazz at Lincoln Center box office and www.jazz.org.
On Friday, November 1, the venue will welcome the star for an intimate and elegant evening spotlighting Christian's vivid theatrical life in London and New York. His autobiographical performance features songs by Noel Coward, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, Paul McCartney, Sting, Annie Lennox, and Al Green. These are interwoven with personal and surprising anecdotes and stories that illuminate the musical material. Christian was a star dancer with The Joffrey Ballet in New York in the 60s and 70s. He has choreographed and designed costumes for ballet companies across the US and Europe, as well as designing stage wardrobe for Ann Reinking and Tina Turner.
Actor-Singer-Director, Eric Michael Gillett, has joined the cast of Michael Colby and Paul Katz's Slay It With Music In Concert a?" to benefit International Rescue Committee. The original musical, acclaimed in both London and off-Broadway, is an ode to Grande Dame Guignol, the genre of 1960s horror movies in which stars like Bette Davis and Joan Crawford made screen comebacks, in the tradition of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Sunset Boulevard, and Psycho. It's a perfect way to cap off Halloween weekend, promising laughs, thrills and chills. The show is Saturday, November 2nd at 7 pm at The Green Room 42, on the 4th Floor of YOTEL at 42nd Street and 10th Avenue. The concert version features an all-star cast, directed by Charles Repole with musical direction by Phil Reno. Tickets range between $22.50 and $62.50, and are available now online at: https://tinyurl.com/yyyo4vhn. There is no minimum required at GR42.
Last night six time MAC Award Winner Eric Michael Gillett ((Broadway's Sweet Smell of Success, Kiss Me Kate, The Frogs and Television's Quantico, Mysteries of Laura, Daredevil, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) returned to the stage at the Laurie Beechman Theatre with Stop This Train, his first new solo show in five years. Seen most recently as Paul Manafort on Showtime's The Loudest Voice, Gillett's Stop This Train is a wry and witty collections of songs and observations about navigating the aging process while trying to keep both your dignity and your mind intact. Featuring contemporary songwriters Dar Williams, David Yazbeck, Paul Gordon, Craig Carnelia, Peter Mills, Demi Lovato, and John Mayer, along with classic cabaret and musical theater composers Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch, along with original songs by musical director Mike Pettry (Television's Documentary Now! Presents Original Cast Album: Co-Op)
There are many high profile and exciting items auctioned off at prestigious Galas. You can have lunch with Warren Buffett or other famous luminaries. You can replace Maestro Steven Reineke on the podium at Carnegie Hall and conduct The New York Pops Orchestra for a few minutes or win this writer to play piano at your private party if you bid high enough at the Pops Gala. Last night at the historic Lotos Club in New York City one of the most prestigious classical music organizations in the country had a dinner and the winning bidder at The Stecher Horowitz 60th Anniversary Gala last April and invited guests were entertained by the prize.
No, it wasn't an accident the first time around in July. Just as Broadway (Chicago) has recognized her abilities and consistency of excellence so have Haley Swindal's audience's. The only difference in her performance last night was that that black is the new red and Feinstein's/54 Below had another Stephen (Sondheim) in the audience. Here's my review of Haley's July show which was corroborated last night.
Beloved cabaret duo KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar bring their special brand of magic to The Laurie Beechman Theatre with their Sheldon Harnick/Charles Strouse show and the full house on opening night ate it up. And then some.
In a combined triumph for the Classic Popular Songbook, its purveyors and adherents, and the professionalism and perseverance of THE MABEL MERCER FOUNDATION, that unique organization presents its 30th Annual New York Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Monday, October 28th and running through Thursday, October 31st. The four individual concerts will be offered at 6:00 PM each evening, and more than seventy-five vocalists and musicians are scheduled to perform. Tickets are on sale at the Jazz at Lincoln Center box office and www.jazz.org starting today, Monday, September 9.
Mendacity and half-truths abound in the new, critically acclaimed musical solo work from internationally renowned pianist-singer, Mark Nadler. The Old Razzle Dazzle: An Evening of Lies, Lying and Liars will bow at the Laurie Beechman Theatre this fall on Wednesdays, Sept. 11th, 25th and Oct. 23rd at 7pm, and Oct. 30th at 9:30pm. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is at 407 West 42nd Street, in the rear and downstairs at the West Bank Café. Tickets may be purchased online at: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/1008342. Tickets are $30, and there is a $20 food/beverage minimum per person.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota launches its 24th season with the return of acclaimed vocalist Jennifer Sheehan in a?oeI Know a Place,a?? her tribute to favorite hits of the '60s. Sheehan and her trio, which includes noted Broadway pianist James Followell, guitarist Stephen Benson and percussionist Dan Gross, offers a rich, and dare we say, groovy, assortment of tunes covering everything from Broadway, the Beatles and Bossa Nova, to Bacharach, Blossom Dearie, Simon and Garfunkel and so much more. Guests are also encouraged to don their favorite '60s attire.
The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present singer/actress Klea Blackhurst with a brand new solo show, “One Of The Girls,” a tribute to Jerry Herman.
A happy and lucky throng of people filled the main room at Birdland on August 26th to see the jazz club's esteemed favorite, Klea Blackhurst, debut her new solo show, a?oeOne of the Girlsa??.
FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, again presents a cast of Harvard and Yale grads in The Fifth Annual Harvard-Yale Cantata. Join us for a unique evening at Feinstein's/54 Below, with Team Harvard looking to avenge another lucky narrow victory by Team Yale. Will it be five wins in a row for Yale? Harvard has a new team captain and a new music director, and they promise a strong showing. Most of the contests in this series have been very close, and the teams are always well-matched and brimming with talent.
