Stephen Sorokoff - Page 49

Robert Davi the award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, producer and jazz vocalist joined Barry Manilow who is headlining this year's Independence Day celebration on the National Mall, performing July 4th with the National Symphony Orchestra. Recently Will Friedwald interviewed Mr. Davi for a documentary at the Friars Club. Davi is hailed by many as one of today's great interpreters of the "Great American Songbook."

Birdland was the scene of a very special show last night as friends and family gathered for the Wedding Celebration of Ann Hampton Callaway and Kari Strand. Broadway at Birdland and Jim Caruso's Cast Party have seen many famous and talented people on that legendary stage but it will be hard to top last night's list of guests. Broadwayworld was there and here are some of the friends and relatives of Ann and Kari.

Karen Mason returned to the legendary theatre district cabaret nightspot Don't Tell Mama--which has been a launch pad for countless future stars in cabaret and theater since it inaugurated its cabaret rooms in November 1982- Karen returned again after a highly acclaimed run in March at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street) and BroadwayWorld was there. This is the very room that she and Nancy LaMott opened in l982. Mason at Mama's is her brand new show with great new arrangements of classics, new songs and some of the music she and her longtime composer/arranger Brian Lasser performed in those early days at Mama's. The show was directed by award winning  Barry Kleinbort, with Musical Direction and Accompaniment by Christopher Denny.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Tony Yazbeck, the star of this season's On The Town revival in his Birdland solo debut on last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Yazbeck  heated up the Birdland stage in The Floor Above Me, a thrilling evening of tenor melodies and tenacious tap dancing, and will be joined by On The Town co-star Clyde Alves and tap dance sensation Melinda Sullivan ('So You Think You Can Dance,' 'Glee'). Musical direction and arrangements will be by Jerome Korman, and the evening is co-written and co-directed by Howard Emanuel & Tony Yazbeck. Jerome Korman/piano, Thomas Hubbard/bass, Tony Lewis/drums, Mark McGowan/trumpet.

Marilyn Maye was an audience member at Ann Hampton Callaway's final performance of her show 'On My Way To You' at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there. Marilyn joined Ann for some spontaneous improvising and signing as did sister Liz Callaway who was also in the house. 'On My Way To You' just completed a sold out run.

Joanne Tatham reunited with long-time collaborator Eli Brueggemann, composer/musical director of Saturday Night Live (making a rare club appearance.) at Cafe Noctambulo last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

A rehearsal for the East Coast Premiere of Nick Blaemire's 'A Little More Alive' recently took place in New York City and BroadwayWorld was there. Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, announced BSC's acclaimed Musical Theatre Lab will present Nick Blaemire's new musical A Little More Alive, from July 17 through August 8 on the St. Germain Stage.  The press opening is Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30pm.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson,  presented Conor McPherson's Shining City which runs from June 18 to July 11. BroadwayWorld was at opening night.

 Last night at the legendary Le Cirque, Gianni Russo dropped his tough guy image and created a musical fun filled evening.  The Cafe was packed and Gianni with his 4 piece band created a fantastic party as he went through the Sinatra American Songbook. Some of his celebrity friends were "coaxed" by Gianni to join in. Although remembered most for his portrayal of Carlo Rizzi in "The Godfather", his first acting job, his career has spanned over 40 films including such hits as The Freshman, Rush Hour, Any Given Sunday and Sea Biscuit as well as television roles in Kojak, The Rockford Files and Prison Break. And most recent.. due out this fall "Send No Flowers". Russo believes it's his crooning that separates him from the mob of other on-screen wise guys. 

Beloved star of stage and screen, Tony Danza made his Cafe' Carlyle debut last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The two-week engagement, entitled Tony Danza: Standards and Stories, will feature a selection of highlights from the Great American Songbook and more. Perhaps best known for starring on some of television's most cherished and long -running series, including Taxi and Who's the Boss?, Danza has also established himself as a Broadway star, a New York Times best-selling author and is indisputably one of America's most esteemed performers.

Last night Inside Broadway honored the renowned opera singer Renee Fleming (who starred on Broadway this season in Living on Love) and Broadway & TV star Tony Danza(who starred on Broadway this season in Honeymoon In Vegas) at their annual Beacon Awards. Taking place at The JW Marriott Essex House (160 Central Park South), the Broadway Beacon Awards are presented to individuals in the theatre and Times Square community who have been advocates for increasing the audience for live theatre and for understanding the importance of Arts and Education in the lives of New York City's young people. The first Broadway Beacon Award was given to Carol Channing in 1995.

Celebrating its 10th year in Downtown Pittsfiled, the award-winning Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Man of La Mancha from June 10 through July 11 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage. The production opened last night, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the opening!

Cy Coleman once said, 'Michele Lee is a surefire powerhouse performer. She embraces a lyric like nobody can.' Following her acclaimed 54 Below debut in 2014, this all-new at 54 Below show finds the stunning Michele Lee making a rare appearance in New York for three nights only, continuing tonight and tomorrow. Ms. Lee's new concert spotlights the music of the legendary Cy Coleman, including songs like 'Nobody Does it Like Me' and 'It's Not Where You Start' from her Tony-nominated performance in the musical Seesaw, along with other magnificent work and some surprises from Coleman's songbook.

Seven outstanding vocalists, songwriters, and musicians born in 1915 were honored at Weill Recital Hall on Tuesday, June 9th, at 7:30 p.m., when The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented their  annual concert, "It Was A Very Good Year." Cohosted by the Foundation's artistic director KT Sullivan and the distinguished critic Rex Reed, the one-night-only event celebrated the centennial birthdays of (alphabetically) Alice Faye, Billie Holiday, Bart Howard, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Billy Strayhorn, and Cy Walter.

An emotional and grateful Tommy Tune went to the top of his ladder and placed the Lifetime Achievement Award Tony above the other 9 he has been awarded. Here are photos of the momentous event.  You can see it on video at http://t2conline.com/stephen-sorokoff-my-view-tommy-tune-brings-home-his-tony-award-a-video/.

Having garnered acclaim for his performances on stage and screen, Alan Cumming made his Cafe Carlyle debut this week for a two-week engagement, June 2-13 and Broadwayworld was of course on the scene to snap some pics. Check them out below!

Tony and Golden Globe winner Linda Lavin takes the 54 Below stage this week, performing Broadway favorites, standards, jazz, and even some songs she learned from the great girl singers. Check out a look back at her first performance this week at 54 Below!

Scott Coulter brought the music of Studio 54 to Below 54 last night as the club celebrated it's 3rd year on that famous NYC street. In the legendary club's heyday the guest  list was a who's who from the world of entertainment - Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Halston, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Brooke Shields, John Travolta, Michael Jackson - and the music played kept them dancing all through the night. It was dancing through the night at 54 Below yesterday and Max at the entry door was much more accommodating than those guards at the 1970 Studio 54. Happy Anniversary to 54 Below and also to Steven & Eda (Baruch)

Eric & Barbara returned last night to Metropolitan Room for six nights this month with a swinging summer cocktail of lazy days, blue skies, & exotic lands in SHOULDER SEASON and BroadwayWorld was there.

Generations around the world have grown up with Fiddler on the Roof and such unforgettable, iconic songs as 'If I Were a Rich Man' and 'Sunrise, Sunset.' But getting to the 'final Fiddler' was a fascinating process, and last night at the 92Y's last presentation of the Lyrics & Lyricists season-lyricist Sheldon Harnick took the 92Y audience inside the creation and history of this cultural landmark. Check out photos from the event below!