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An Interview with Christine Ebersole
By: Robert Diamond Nov. 04, 2004
Tony-award winner Christine
Ebersole takes to the stage at Birdland on November 8th and 15th
at 7pm alongside Grammy-winner, and
The Winter Season at Birdland is presented by Jim Caruso.
Opening
Birdland's Winter Concert Season on November 8th, will be Christine
Ebersole, and Billy Strich celebrating the release of their new CD "In Your
Dreams." Both the new CD and the show got their start last February when
Christine was invited to perform at Feinstein's. "When I was asked to do a show
at Feinstein's at the Regency" said Christine, "I thought it would be great to do it with
Billy. We worked together in
The two received rave reviews for those first appearances, which lead to them recording "In Your Dreams" together, which is the premiere recording being released by Sh-k-boom's new Ghostlight Records label. "The album has an after-hours, after the show sort of a feel, it's a real throw-back to the kind of music they had in the old days."
The CD is chock-full of classic songs, including "Fine and Dandy," "Surrey With The Fringe On Top," "My Ship," "You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me," "Dream Your Dream," Lullaby on Broadway" and "There's A Boat That's Leavin' Soon For New York," all of which Birdland audiences will soon see in concert as well.
The classic feel of the album was intended from its inception, and the two have been performing the show across the country from Los Angeles to Atlanta, all leading up to opening Birdland's Winter Season, which also celebrates the album's official New York launch.
"It's great to play in such a venue like Birdland, because there's not many places like it left. I'm thrilled to be able to park ourselves there, because it's so hard to find a place where you don't have to pay $200 to get a drink, and where you can still see a good show."
The art of putting together a cabaret act is one that's been said to be in jeopardy for many years now, making opportunities like this all the more special. "I think the rising costs are certainly contributing to cabarets being more difficult to put on, so I'm really glad that Birdland is there, and that Billy [Stritch] and Jim [Caruso] are doing the kind of work that they're doing. The two of them are truly carrying the torch, so I'm thrilled at the opportunity to work with both."
Looking
back at her Tony-winning
She rates
the experience as 'number two' in her career, following closely behind Dinner at Eight, which she performed at
When asked for her theatrical wish list of parts she'd love to play, Christine comes up with such classic shows as Sweeney Todd, Dear World, Hello Dolly!, and Gypsy. "I would love to do another Broadway musical, either a revival or something new. I think that it's time for things to come full circle with more great new parts for women. The movies of the 1940s had great parts for actresses like the Crawfords, and the Davises, and it should be time for things to come full circle, and for that trend to come around again."
"The problem is, there's so many great writers out there, and so many great ideas, but it's just really hard to get the financing. You can't put on a musical like you could back in the old days, because it's too cost prohibitive. I think the future is full of promise though in terms of being able to create roles that would fit women of my age."
As an official call to arms, Christine also adds "consider that a call to anybody out there that might want to write something. I'm open and available if anyone wants to write a show for me!"
New writers must wait a couple of weeks however, because Christine isn't open and available till later in November, after her two concerts at Birdland on November 8th and 15th. Hope to see you there!
Who: CHRISTINE
EBERSOLE & Billy Stritch
When: Monday, November 8th & 15th at 7pm
Where: BIRDLAND,
Reservations: 212-580-3080
Cover: $30 plus $10 food/drink minimum
For more information, http://www.christineebersole.com
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