Maitner, Etc. to Join Gurland for Launch of Concert Series

David Gurland, the multi-award-winning and out gay vocalist, will present his most ambitious performance series to date, "The DGUR Concerts," on the third Sunday of each month, starting January 21st.  The concerts will be held at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 W. 42nd St. at 9th Ave.).

"Every show will have a different musical director with different musicians, and guest stars. Each Sunday will be an all new show focusing on different music -- from show tunes to country music, an acoustic version of 'Neurotica' (Gurland's All-Madonna tribute show), and even a 'Gurland does Garland' evening is planned," press notes state.

The premiere performance of this series on January 21st show will be an all-showtune night, in which Gurland will perform many Broadway classics (something he has not done for nearly 10 years). For this first performance, he will be joined by guests Christina Norrup (from the Broadway production and film of The Producers) and Rob Maitner (from the original Urinetown cast). The evening will be musically directed by Ray Fellman.

Gurland has performed in and for sold-out houses at such first class New York venues as BB Kings, Downtime, The Bitter End, The Cutting Room, The Living Room, CB's Gallery, FEZ, The Ace of Clubs, The Metropolitan Room, The Duplex, The Triad, as well The Gardenia in LA, Twiggs in San Diego and The Manor in NJ. David has also been the roster of distinguished artists to be included in Carnegie Hall's Neighborhood Concert series, for two seasons in a row. For his nightclub and cabaret performances, David has won the Manhattan Association of Cabaret's Hanson Award, as well as having been nominated an additional five times. He has also won three Back Stage Bistro Awards, more than any other Male Vocalist.  His most recent endeavor was "Neurotica," an acclaimed "all-Madonna mini-Rock Concert."

Norrup is currently on Broadway in the The Producers as "Lick-Me, Bite-Me." Other B'way credits include The Red Shoes and Putting it Together with Carol Burnett and George Hearn.  She first met Gurland in the Fringe Festival world premiere of Believe in Me, A Bigfoot Musical, and is excited to be performing with him again. 

Maitner has created roles in several landmark productions including Mr. McQueen in the world premiere of Urinetown! The Musical at the New York International Fringe Festival, as well as the role of Dim in the New York premiere of Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. He received a FringeNYC performance award for his acclaimed turn as Shannon in Brad Faser's Poor Super Man. Other credits include a revival of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile, which he performed for President and Senator Clinton. Most recently, Maitner played John the Baptist in Corpus Christi at the Jean Cocteau Rep.

Fellman has been seen behind the piano at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre in "New Mondays" (with Bill Russell and Emily Skinner), "No Reservations" (starring Brandon Cutrell with special guests Karen Mason and Shoshanna Bean), "Broadway Downtown" (with Kristy Cates) and "We Miss Nancy: A Tribute to Nancy La Mott"(with Liz McCartney). He has degrees in piano and voice from the Indiana University School of Music and was a Richard F. Gold Career Grant recipient in 2001. He was also the musical director for the Stephen Schwartz Off-Broadway musical, Captain Louie.

There is a $16 cover and $15 food/drink minimum.  Visit www.westbankcafe.com for reservations.

Visit www.davidgurland.com for more information.