Stephen Sorokoff - Page 52

54 Below presented a special night with LUBA MASON - the Broadway star of Chicago, Jekyll & Hyde, The Capeman, among many others, last night and Broadwayworld was there. Fresh off the smash success of the Off-Broadway musical Pretty Flilthy - for which she was hailed as 'outstanding' by The New York Times, 'deliciously droll' by The Hollywood Reporter and 'straight up and affecting' by The New York Daily News - she will present an updated version of her concert Mixtura. Luba's trademarked blend of different musical currents, Mixtura is hybrid musical format consisting of various styles that can also be in any language. The 54 Below evening will include the work of diverse songwriters such as Van Morrison ('Moondance'), Cole Porter ('Love For Sale'), Kander & Ebb ('All That Jazz') and Lou Reed ('Pale Blue Eyes'), in addition to original songs from her Brazilian jazz album Krazy Love. Mixtura will also feature a special version of her breakout number 'Beautiful' by Michael Friedman from Pretty Filthy. You can watch the song 'In Performance' from The New York Times here. Previous incarnations of Mixtura were called 'powerful' by The Huffington Post and 'rapturous musical heaven' by Times Square Chronicles. The evening will feature musical director and arranger Felipe Fournier on vibes.

Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) presented BEYOND BROADWAY: COMPOSERS GO CHORAL at the DiMenna Space for Classical Music last night and broadwayworld was there.

Just coming off of her Tony-winning performance in Broadway's HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, Lena Hall made her Cafe Carlyle debut last night, April 7. The show continues through April 18. Check out a first look at the show below!

Stacy Sullivan brought her new show, "Since You've Asked' to The Metropolitan Room last night and broadwayworld was there. Whether you're a fan of The Great American Songbook or VH1, you'll find something to love within this eclectic evening of music and story. With musical director Troy Fannin on guitar, Matthew Watanabe on piano, and Jaime Mohamdein on bass, Sullivan has created her most personal, thought-provoking evening to date. With music by Randy Newman, Nina Simone, Ray LaMontagne, Hoagy Carmichael, Judy Collins, Ed Sheeran, Woodie Guthrie, Stevie Nicks, Cole Porter, George Harrison, Noel Coward, David Hajdu, Fred Hersch, Jonsi, Stephen Schwartz...and others.

Charlotte St. Martin was the guest on Backstage with Peter LeDonne which is recorded live at Patsy's restaurant and broadcast Sundays on 970AM. The Broadway League is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. It has 700-plus members, which include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, general managers, and suppliers of goods and services to the commercial theatre industry in North American cities. The Broadway League, with The American Theatre Wing present the annual Tony Awards. Since her appointment, Charlotte has successfully managed various challenges affecting the industry including Labor Strikes, Economic Downturns, and Government issues. She has guided the creation of Audience Development, Educational programs and initiatives.

ScoBar recently presented New York singer Joyce Breach at the Times Square located nightclub the Iridium. Joyce is the 2000 winner of a MAC Award for Best Jazz Performer and winner of the 1998 Bistro Award for Best CD. Joyce also received the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret Classic Award. Broadwayworld was at her recent show that featured Mike Renzi on piano and Jay Leonhart, bass.

The comics given the job of making the Friars laugh last night were not fooling around and the club rocked with laughter. The stand up comedy of MC Dave Konig, George Vanarthos, Michelle Tod, Nancy Lombardo, Michele Balan, Maria Schultz, Ross Bennett and producer Cory Kahaney were well received by members who have been well trained in the art of laughing by fellow Friars. Ross Bennett, recently a smash on David Letterman was especially effective. The intimate setting of the club's Milton Berle Room has been the scene of many fun filled evenings, and numerous comics have launched their careers in the mahogany walled space.

World-renowned maestro and violinist Itzhak Perlman just headlined a concert and gala celebrating National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's 100th anniversary and honoring legendary financier and philanthropist Sanford I. Weill and Broadway impresario Jordan Roth last night, at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. NYTF is the longest consecutively-producing Jewish Arts company in the world.

It happens every time the NYC school kids see some romantic activity on stage. The squeals, oohs & aahs from the youngsters are a delight to hear. It's a first time Broadway experience for most of them. The school busses were lined up early at The Lyric Theatre for the 10:15 & 1:15 special mini performances by some of the cast members of the hit show On The Town. Michael Presser and all the folks involved with 'Inside Broadway Creating The Magic' make it possible for hundreds of school children to get a behind the scenes look at the workings of a Broadway Show.

The Metropolitan Room became one of those Art Deco Night Clubs in a1940 Black & White Movie last night. Harking back to the days when the girl singers had that luscious, sensual, understated, but spectacular voices and musicianship that made every person in the room fall in love with them. Although I have ears that sometimes show signs of wear and tear from a lifetime of hearing a lot of stuff, Celia's ability to annunciate and melodically roll out lyrics had me hearing vowels and consonants I usually miss in a crowded noisy cabaret. Come to think of it, the Metropolitan Room had the quietness of a recording studio as the very musically sophisticated audience was held in rapt attention by Celia's artistry. I would be enamored with any song she wrapped her voice around, but her unique song selection made the evening especially compelling. How fitting it was the Stacy Sullivan and Joanne Tatham were in the audience. Two singers that represent that same kind of sexy, restrained and understated musical excellence that Celia Berk possesses. It was also ironic that the title song of the show ( You Can't Rush Spring) was written by another of my favorite ladies - Ann Hampton Callaway.

Show business' brightest stars memorialized one of their own yesterday, at A Tribute to Polly Bergen, at the American Airlines Theatre (227 W. 42nd Street). An Emmy Award-winning actress and singer, Ms. Bergen's career spanned more than six decades in films, TV, Broadway musicals and concerts. She passed away from natural causes September 20 at age 84. A Tribute to Polly Bergen, produced by Rex Reed and Michael Alden with creative consultant Deborah Grace Winer, celebrated her life and career with a star studded lineup of participants. They included Christine Andreas, Harry Belafonte, Arlene Dahl, Raul Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Gregory Harrison, Judith Ivey, Chris Matthews, Phyllis Newman, Kelli O'Hara and cast members from the 2001 revival of Follies.

The show started off with a bang as Steven Maglio was "requested" by Dominic Chianese to introduce the evening. Dominic Chianese, the multi talented actor who is best known for his role as "Junior" in The Sopranos, can also sing (not as in FBI). There were a lot of "family" present for this yearly event at the Friars Club. Good food and good entertainment by fellow Friars were the specials of the day as General Manager Michael Caputo and Food & Beverage Director Giuseppe Tarillo expertly guided the evening. Even Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale) luckily gave a thumbs up!

Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) just presented BEYOND BROADWAY: COMPOSERS GO CHORAL at the DiMenna Space for Classical Music, 450 West 37 Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues), New York City. The evening featured ensemble music and conversation with composer/lyricists who have worked closely with conductor and music director Judith Clurmanand her Essential Voices USA. Guests attending included Sheldon Harnick, Larry Hochman, Andrew Lippa, Richard Maltby, Joshua Schmidt, Stephen Schwartz, David Shire, Georgia Stitt, Jonathan Tunick, and Maury Yeston.

Cabaret had it's beginnings in Germany, so I guess it was "Bashert" (yiddish - meant to be) that the German and Romanian Ambassadors were among those that filled the Actors Temple last night to hear acclaimed European Cabaret Star Adrienne Haan perform. As Rabbi Jill Hausman pointed out in her opening remarks, "actors have always used their talents to raise money for the historic shul".

There are eight million stories in the Naked City-and a song to go with each of them. For decades, songwriters - from Porter, Rodgers & Hart and Ellington to Bernstein and Billy Joel have been fueled by this city's places, promises and roller coaster existence. With Lyrics & Lyricists production of New York: Songs of the City, artistic director Deborah Grace Winer had the ultimate show for New Yorkers-or anyone who's ever wanted to be one. Vocalists Klea Blackhurst, Darius de Haas, La Tanya Hall, Leslie Kritzer, Jeffrey Schecter, and pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch-brought the sounds of the city to life on March 21, 22 and 23.

The Grand Ballroom at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club was filled with concerned and caring Palm Beach residents who support the American Humane Association. The association has been protecting children and animals for more than 138 years and the afternoon's event highlighted the courageous K-9 Battle Buddies, who have served along side our troops in war zones around the world. Naomi Judd was a special guest at the event and there were performances by "American Idol's" Stefano and Palm Beach favorites Will and Anthony Nunziata.

On Friday night, The New York Pops continued its 31st season with two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster in her solo debut at Carnegie Hall. Among other musical standards, Foster reprised her unforgettable performances of 'Anything Goes' and 'I Get a Kick Out of You' from her Tony Award-winning turn as Reno Sweeney in the Cole Porterclassic. She also offered her own take on 'Down with Love,' made famous by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. Foster was joined by special guest artists Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis, who sang the showstopper 'Let It Sing' from Violet, and the touching 'Neverland' from Peter Pan. Check out photos from inside the after party below!

Detroit came to Boca Raton yesterday at Lynn University. Jan McArt founder and producer of Libby Dodson"s "Live at Lynn" theatre series may soon have Dr. of Alternative Physical Therapy added to her titles. The sold out crowd at the Motown in Motion concert were tapping,clapping, swinging, and moving along pretty good to recreations of the great sounds of Tina Turner, The Supremes, The Temptations, Michael Jackson, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and all the other great Motown Artists.

Steve Tyrell has brought the Brill Building (New York's legendary hit song making manufacturing edifice) down to Palm Beach with his current show at the Royal Room. Check out photos from his latest performance below!

Maybe there is a ticket floating around somewhere, but tonight's New York Pops concert has again sold out. Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster is making her solo debut at Carnegie Hall with The Pops. Maestro Reineke has put together a exciting program which also features Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis. From what I heard at the rehearsal, the Carnegie audience is going to be glad they got a ticket to this one.