David Clarke - Page 11

It's that time of year, and I can't help but wonder if your CD collection and iPod are Tonys ready. It's just a handful of hours until the 69th annual Tony Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 8/7c on CBS. This Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).

Last week, Betty Buckley returned to Joe's Pub to debut her newest cabaret concert DARK BLUE-EYED BLUES. Thrilled to have been recognized as a chanteuse in recent reviews, Buckley programmed the evening to be the "musings of a chanteuse," packing the set with standards and contemporary hits. The Broadway legend performed with tangible vivacity and charm, making this intimate evening a joy to experience.

June is just around the corner. In New York, this means that spring is melting into summer and that New York City's annual celebration and remembrance of the original Stonewall riots is here. While the official NYC Pride website only lists a week's worth of activities late in June, denizens of the city are aware of festivities spanning the whole month. One of the most popular is the annual, star-studded NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS fundraising concert.

Back by popular demand, March's SIDE SHOW: ADDED ATTRACTIONS concert returned to 54 Below this week. Packing in two more performances, the Monday evening show celebrated the short lived Broadway run of the revival of Side Show, the March concert, and the upcoming release of Broadway Records' SIDE SHOW: ADDED ATTRACTIONS - Live at 54 Below.

On April 6, 2015, Broadway Records invited me inside New York City's Avatar Studios to get a sneek peek at the recording of JOHN & JEN (2015 Off-Broadway Cast Recording). The Keen Company production of Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald's JOHN & JEN starred Kate Baldwin and Conor Ryan.

Spend a two-show day at Theater Under the Stars' THE MUSIC MAN with Charles Swan, who plays Oliver Hix. Join him for a tour of the show's backstage world.

In December of 2013, stage veterans Gabe Bowling and Michelle Vezilj released their first EP as Drink Me Up. Pulling from the traditions of singer-songwriters and indie rock, the duo's eponymous debut release quickly became an album I couldn't get enough of. Today, Drink Me Up is releasing a video for the catchy song "Karma," and the sexy single still packs a fabulous punch.

James Snyder got this week off to a great start when he brought James Snyder: Prince Charming to Birdland as part of the venue's ongoing Broadway at Birdland concert series. Existing partly as a way to promote the upcoming production of Ever After at Paper Mill Playhouse, this intimate cabaret concert was really just a great excuse to get to hear one of Broadway's favorite leading men sing a collection of songs.

No stranger to stages around the world, internationally acclaimed singer Josh Groban released his lush album STAGES late last month. The album is a sparkling collection of some of musical theater's greatest songs, giving fans of Broadway and fans of Josh Groban many reasons to rejoice. Josh Groban was drawn to these songs because of their arrangements, melodies, and the stories they tell, and across the disc his passion for these songs shows.

Yes, interactive Off-Broadway shows are a thing, and they can be really entertaining. The latest offering in the genre is THAT BACHLORETTE SHOW, which is a flirtatiously fun 90 minute dance party from the creator of THE AWESOME 80S PROM. More party than theatre, this frivolous concoction packs in the laughs and keeps the beats coming. You'll have a blast dancing the night away with Adrianna Orlando and her stable of aspiring beaus.

To celebrate the release of his debut solo album ALL THAT'S AHEAD, Brian Gallagher performed an intimate set in Birdland's ongoing Broadway at Birdland concert series on Monday, April 27. Joined by Megan Hilty, he and his robustly talented band brought music from the album to dazzling life. With exuberance and a down-to-earth, geeky charm, Gallagher truly rocked the packed-to-capacity audience.

For actors looking for work in New York City and for audiences looking to see some of Broadway's biggest hits in an intimate venue at extremely affordable prices, Brooklyn's Gallery Players consistently provides those opportunities. This past weekend they opened a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's hit musical EVITA. Unfortunately, Gallery Player's serving of EVITA arrives overdone.

Long after the Waldos coined the term '420,' composer Dan Studney, lyricist Kevin Murphy, and actor/producer Christian Campbell decided that it was time to test the waters in New York City for the return of the hit cult musical REEFER MADNESS. Lighting up at 54 Below, they wanted to see just how high the 17-year-old material gets modern audiences while also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the film adaptation of the show.

Nestled in the cozy, subterranean concert space that is Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3, Seth Glier celebrated the release of his latest album on Friday, April 17 in New York City. In the intimate venue, he treated the packed to capacity room of fans with charismatic performances of songs from previous albums and from his newest one, If I Could Change One Thing.

Migguel Anggelo's sophomore album, LA CASA AZUL, was released today by Jupiter Moons Productions, LLC. The beautiful album is rich in metaphor and poetry, weaving classical art sensibilities into the Latin pop mindset. With lush musicality, resplendent lyrics, and opulent vocals, LA CASA AZUL springs from the imagination and comes to life as it dances soulful sambas and festive flamencos in your heart.

Originally from Oklahoma, Broadway superstar Kelli O'Hara has been thrilling New York audiences as Anna Leonowens in Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of THE KING AND I. While she is busy putting the final touches on this cherished, classic role before the critics take their seats for opening night, I am exploring her charismatic solo albums WONDER IN THE WORLD, a collection of classic tunes arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr., and ALWAYS, a collection of music from Broadway shows and gifted musical writers.

THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE is a glittering example of a musical that captures and is imbued with that magic in every perfectly cast note and each keenly written lyric. Celebrating Ghostlight Records' release of the original cast recording, members of the cast and creative team came together at Joe's Pub for a spirited and rousing night of music at last night's THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE CD RELEASE CONCERT.

With warmer weather and sunny days, New York City is ready to shake off the doldrums of winter. Luckily for the city that never sleeps, Canadian superstar Gregory Charles is bringing his revered piano man skills and keen ear for music to a truly unique concert experience. In a mindboggling pop-up on Pier 97 in the Hudson River Park, audiences are invited to take in VINTAGE LIVE, where Gregory Charles and his skilled band play a fascinating set of audience requests.

After getting mostly positive reviews in July 2014 at New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), CLINTON: THE MUSICAL landed at New World Stages. As they ramped up for their Off-Broadway opening night, BroadwayWorld chatted about the musical and politics with the two men, Tom Galantich (WJ Clinton) and Duke Lafoon (Billy Clinton), that bring the charismatic 42nd President of the Untied States to life in the uproarious musical comedy.

I'm late to the Luba Mason party. I first took notice of her when I attended a performance of The Civilians' PRETTY FILTHY, and I was impressed by her serenely sensual alto instrument. As she is prepping to take 54 Below by storm tonight with her cabaret show MIXTURA 2, I've been acquainting myself with her albums COLLAGE and KRAZY LOVE. Both are delightfully jazzy collections sure to add some spice to your life.