Michael Feinstein Debuts as AMERICAN SONGBOOK Host; Series Taped Tonight!

NJTV, New Jersey's public television network, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced that the 4th season of the award-winning American Songbook at NJPAC series will be hosted by multi-platinum-selling entertainer Michael Feinstein.

The six-part series will be taped before a live audience at NJPAC's Victoria Theater tonight and tomorrow, December 1 and 2, and will feature performances by Tony Award-winning Broadway baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me, Kate); acclaimed violinist and composer Joshua Bell; Tony-winning Broadway starBilly Porter (Kinky Boots); SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE alum Ana Gasteyer;critically-acclaimed Broadway performer Rachel York (Victor/ Victoria); Tony-nominated Broadway star Andrea McArdle (original lead in Annie on Broadway); award-winning Broadway dancer Jared Grimes (After Midnight) and other top talent.

Tickets for the performance taping may be purchased at njpac.org.

American Songbook at NJPAC hosted by Michael Feinstein will have itsprimetime debut Wednesday, January 25th at 8pm on NJTV as part of the network's specially-designated NJmade local programming block. The program will also air on THIRTEEN and WLIW21 in the spring.

"We strive to make American Songbook at NJPAC better every season," saidJohn Servidio, General Manager of NJTV. "Adding someone of Michael Feinstein's caliber as host and surrounding him with this line-up of talent will take the series to a new, memorable level."

Performances will be paired with insider discussion between Feinstein, the artists and special guests, offering an intimate look into their lives on and off the stage. This season will also include two "Best of American Songbook at NJPAC" episodes, one featuring love songs to air around Valentine's Day and one showcasing Broadway composers from Berlin to Sondheim and more.

"Besides being our country's leading ambassador of American popular song, Michael Feinstein is also the music's most literate and engaging historian," saidJohn Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. "This new season of Songbook will feature Michael as singer, pianist, raconteur and moderator. I can't wait!"

American Songbook at NJPAC hosted by Michael Feinstein is a production of New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Public Media NJ, Inc. For Public Media, NJ (NJTV) John Servidio is the Executive in Charge of Production; Mike Kostel is the series executive producer, Judy Moy is broadcast producer and David Stern is director and Annette Jolles is associate director.

For NJPAC, John Schreiber and David Rodriguez are series executive producers with Robert Pullen as producer.

The series, which launched in 2013, received accolades in its first three seasons. Most recently, the series was nominated for two 2016 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards. Its first season was awarded a New York State Broadcasters Association award for Outstanding Locally Produced Television Program.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride