Stephen Sorokoff - Page 25

A Swinging Birdland Christmas is in its eighth year at the legendary club and the tradition of inspired vocal arrangements, harmonies, and rhythms by Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso, and Billy Stritch are being applied to a great new holiday song list.

As Michael Feinstein say at the start of his show, (with the emphasis on CH) it's the CHOLIDAY season. Michael shows always combine his wonderful musicianship, fantastic wit and American Songbook knowledge to create a memorable evening. His current holiday show is extra special. Joining Michael were two wonderful back up singers, Eliza Bake (from Latvia) and La Juan (from NYC). With arrangements by music director Tedd Firth and Pete Smith, guitar, Phil Palombi, bass, and Mark McLean drums, Christmas Crooners is a fantastic Christmas present you can give yourself.

No, it wasn't his Bar Mitzvah even though it's Steve's 13th year playing the Holiday Month at Cafe Carlyle. However it sure was a joyous evening of music and love as Steve Tyrell's family of fans from NYC and around the country were there to enjoy his show and celebrate Steve's birthday.

With the Statue of Liberty gazing on from the harbor at the Museum of Jewish Heritage at Battery Place Jerry Zaks, 4-Time Tony Award-Winning Director was honored at a fantastic Benefit Concert last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Although there wasn't any seltzer in the brook, at Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland Series there sure was a lot of wine on the tables in the world famous night club as Jamie deRoy hosted the latest installment of her Jamie deRoy & friends variety show titled 'Tis the Season. BroadwayWorld attended the event and you can check out photo coverage here!

Will Hammerstein and Oscar Hammerstein lV were at a special preview of 'An Enchanted Evening : A Night With Oscar Hammerstein ll. It's a one-of-a kind, intimate show highlighting Oscar Hammerstein's journey to become Broadway's greatest lyricist through curated documentary story-telling and imaginative performances.

Last night The York Theatre Company honored the musical theatre writing team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt in a Fantastick gala concert and award ceremony directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. The 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre was presented to the legendary team (The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) at the event held at the Asia Society on Park Ave in NYC and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photo coverage below!

When a Tony Nominee ( On The Town) with an exhilarating Tenor voice who is also a great actor and tap dancer brings his story to a Cabaret stage it's a special experience. Tony Yazbeck took us on his life's journey at The Green Room 42 last night and the trip started from his long hours of practice in his dingy basement as a youngster in Pennsylvania to his successes (and failures) on the Broadway stage.

Stritch hides behind the mantra of Musical Director, Arranger, Songwriter, vocal and piano accompanist for some of the most talented and famous performers on the planet the majority of the times you see him. However, It comes as no surprise to his many fans that when he decides to feature himself and go solo it's an event not to be missed.

In 1904 the Friars started meeting, and in 1918 The Yiddish Art Theatre was founded. How symbolic that the Yiddish Theatre, now a City Village Cinema movie house was the scene of The Friars Sunshine Committee's annual morning of Christmas cheer for New York City Children. The kids are entertained by clowns, are given their early Christmas presents by some famous Friars, and the theatre staff makes sure they have unlimited popcorn while enjoying a movie.

Sometimes a performer is so effective in using his or her talent to entertain and charm an audience that the mention of their name and a venue become synonymous. Sinatra at The Sands, Darin at The Copa, Celine Dion at Caesars Palace, Feinstein at The Regency ( & now 54 Below). Bobby Short was The Carlyle for 36 years, and after his passing in 2005 Steve Tyrell's name and Cafe Carlyle have become intertwined. The artistry of Tyrell and the sophistication of The Carlyle have produced an annual holiday engagement for this music icon that has brought cheer and good feelings to thousands over the years. Steve fills the hotel with his swinging music, and he has been also doing something essential in the nightclub business . he also fills the seats. It's not just New Yorkers that flock to Cafe Carlyle for his performances. The Carlyle becomes a destination point for fans around the country during his runs.

There have only been 9 Abbots in the history of the Friars Club starting with George M. Cohan who held the position from 1907-1932. Then came: George Jessel, Milton Berle, Mike Todd, Joe E. Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra, Alan King, and the current Abbot Jerry Lewis. The actor, singer, director, philanthropist and comic legend who passed away this year was saluted and given a heartfelt curtain call by The Friars last night. BroadwayWorld attended the event and you can check out full photo coverage below!

It was chilly in SoHo last night but poolside at the SOHO playhouse it was sizzling with non stop laughter during the 80 minutes of Bright Colors And Bold Patters which was written and performed by Drew Droege and directed by Michael Urie.

Last night Pride and Prejudice opened at the Cherry Lane Theatre and BroadwayWorld attended the after-party in the West Village. Primary Stages under the leadership of Artistic Director, Andrew Leynse and Executive Director Shane D. Hudson, together with Founder Casey Childs and in association with Jamie deRoy in a co-production with Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival presented Pride And Prejudice, which is the second play of Primary Stages 2017/18 season.

New Jersey's answer to the now gone performance space of Steinway Hall on 57th street is Forte Piano in Paramus N.J. Forte Piano is one of the foremost piano dealers in the nation and it's owner, Jazz/Classical pianist Vladimir Zaslavsky presented the Dixie Rascals Sextet in concert in Forte Piano's concert space at 159 W.Rt 4 last night.

As Steven Reineke, music director and conductor pointed out in his toast after The New York Pops Concert dedicated to women female Composers . this concert was especially significant in these current times.

The New York Pops main guy Steven Reineke was on the podium to rehearse a concert which is dedicated to female composers and lyricists this afternoon and BroadwayWorld was there.

Julianne Boyd, artistic director of Barrington Stage Co. announced that the BSC/NYC sold out Benefit recently held at the Friars Club was the theatre company's most successful New York City event to date having raised $125,000 for the 2018 New Works Initiative. The evening featured performances by BSC actors and the presenting of the William Finn Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre to Joe Iconis.

Friars have socialized and been entertained by every major Broadway and Great American Songbook composer starting with Friar George M. Cohan, who in addition to writing over 50 Broadway shows and 300 songs happened to pen Over There at a table during lunch at the Friars Club. Last night continuing this tradition, and in the same building that Friar Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn and countless luminaries have performed, musical theatre legends Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire entertained The Friars with a major dose of Maltby & Shire music.

The invitation proclaimed An Evening of Pure Joy and the Barrington Stage Company's NYC Benefit held at The Friars Club last night surpassed all expectations. A star studded roster from the BSC actors bench filled the Friars Club with song as Tony Award Winning Composer/Lyricist William Finn presented Joe Iconis with the William Finn Award for Innovation and Excellence in Musical Theatre. Julianne Boyd, artistic director and founder of Barrington Stage Company, Mary Ann Quinson, Board Chair, and Marita O'Dea Glodt, opened the evenings festivities. The SRO guests in the legendary Friars Club were entertained by BSC performers, Jennette Bayardelle, Allison Blackwell, Ellen Harvey, Lauren Marcus, Kyle Dean Massey, Jeff McCarthy, Anastasia Mccluskey, Anne L. Nathan, Will Roland, Scarlett Strallen, Will Swenson,Jason Sweetooth Williams,Eric William Morris, and Stephanie Umoh. Musical direction was by Darren Cohen.