Stephen Sorokoff - Page 53

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.

On Thursday, March 12 at Alice Tully Hall, the American Classical Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Thomas Crawford, presented Schubert's Symphony No. 9 'Great', Mozart's Mass in C 'Coronation', featuring world-renowned soloists Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Sarah Craft, alto; Marc Molomot, tenor and Michael Kelly, baritone with the American Classical Orchestra Chorus and Beethoven's Egmont Overture and 'Christ on the Mount of Olives' (excerpt). Maestro Thomas Crawford gave a Pre-Concert Lecture at 7:00PM.

In the Cabaret world they call it a sound check, in the world of classical music it's an orchestra rehearsal. As Maestro Thomas Crawford raised his hands for the first note of the afternoon rehearsal of the American Classical Orchestra, the orchestra surprised him with some music that was not on his podium. Happy Birthday! I've gotten some tuneful ecards but nothing like Happy Birthday being played to me live, by 50 musicians.

It was all in the family and all for the family at The Friars Club last night. La Famiglia, Mishpucha, La Familia, CeMbR, Rat Pack, Broadway and Cabaret, were assembled by producers Laura Slutsky and Jamie at the Friars for a spectacular Jamie deRoy & friends show last night. You had to be in the family or know someone in the family to get into the sold out event. Probably no family gathering had so much fun, good food, and great performances as this one did.

The song list given to the lights and sound director Darwin Best at Cafe Carlyle starts off one of the hotels most memorable music offerings

The voice of the people sang and spoke out last night in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, Appel Room and Ertegun Atrium. Many of the world's finest musicians, and many of the finest citizens of NYC assembled to celebrate an effort to return 'The People's Opera' to New York. They did so in a Gala Concert and Dinner to honor the life of the late Maestro Julius Rudel, who was the Opera's General Director and Principal Conductor from 1957 to 1979.

Just like the breakfast specials in the sunshine state which cost you half as much as those offered around Columbus Circle, Lynn University audiences are now getting the best of Cabaret at a similar discount. Artistic Director KT Sullivan has connected The Mabel Mercer Foundation's Live at Lincoln Center to producer Jan McArt's Live at Lynn Cabaret Series. I don't have a photo of the Florida Hat KT wore when she opened the new series with her performance in January, but I do have plenty of photos of the Broadway and Cabaret star Sally Mayes in last nights wonderful performance at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center. Jan and KT chose wisely in having a singer/actor of Sally's caliber take the stage of "Live at Lynn" to represent the excellence from Cabaret at Lincoln Center. Sally's theatrical voice and jazz vocals thrilled the salt & pepper haired Boca audience. It was wonderful to see the Florida crowd tapping their feet to a jazz waltz. I don't think it was because Sally sang a great tune about Viagra in the water that made the Lynn audience rise to their feet, she gave them a fun filled superb musical evening. Talking about jazz waltzes, Boca is in for a real treat when Marilyn Maye is "Live at Lynn" on June 7th, but first audiences will be treated to Eric Yves Garcia April 1, and Carol Woods on May 20th, two quality performers from the Mabel Mercer reservoir of talent.

There was astonishment on the faces of a packed Concert Hall at Lynn University in Boca Raton Florida, as Tommy Tune at the end of the show asked the audience to sing Happy 76th Birthday to him. The way Tune had just danced, sung, and charmed, no one including producer and Elizabeth Taylor look-a-like Jan McArt could believe the stunning nine time Tony Award winner was a senior citizen. A designated New York City Living Landmark had become a snowbird for the weekend to perform at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the event below!

Lives of the Saints, a world premiere collection of delightfully funny and unforgettable short plays by David Ives (All in the Timing, Venus in Fur) and directed by Tony Award winner John Rando (All in the Timing, On The Town, Urinetown), is currently playing at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project. The limited engagement runs through March 27, 2015. Opening night is Tuesday, February 24 at 7PM. Check out photos from inside opening night below!

An all-star cast of 54 Below favorites gathered for an evening celebrating the work of American Songbook pioneer, Irving Berlin, last night at the beloved venue. Check out photos below!

During World War ll actors were among the very few who were left untouched to do their craft in Germany. There was a women named Eleonore who started in theatre at age 12, acting on stage with her father, Heinrich Schroth. Eleonore was one of the last generations of the most famous acting family in Germany, dating back 5-6 generations (like our Barrymores). One branch of the family was French, and one of it's members was an actor and famous rebel in the French Revolution under Robespierre. His name was Collot d'Herbois. Eleonore later recalled of "touring" as an actor and having to travel to the next town in the back of a potato cart for the next show. Her father had to walk behind the cart because there wasn't room for him. It was the middle of winter and his shoes had worn out so he was almost barefoot. Her cousin, Hannelore Schroth, became the first famous movie star after the war, the German version of Elizabeth Taylor. Her Uncle, Carl-Heinz Schroth also became famous on film, and is known as one of the most famous historic German comic geniuses, actors, and directors. He had the longest running comedy series called"Karschunke und Sohn, which was an exact parallel to "Sanford and Son". Eleonore moved to the United States with her family in 1971.

In a few weeks Tovah Feldshuh will be attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Last night she took her inspired performance at 54 Below to new heights.

The growing numbers of listeners of "Backstage with Peter LeDonne" will swell because I've told my family, FB friends, and anyone I've ever met since first grade that I'll be heard on one of the segments of Peter's program this Sunday at 3pm on 970 AM. Yes, the dulcet voiced and knowledgeable Mr. LeDonne will be interviewing the Owner and Publisher of Times Square Chronicles, Suzanna Bowling and her Music/Cabaret Editor Stephen Sorokoff. I can report that the censors button came close, but not pressed during my air time. Also on the program was Broadway producer Kevin McCollum who spoke about his new musical Something Rotten and Martin I Kagan the Executive Director of Cultural Affairs at Pace University. Mr. Kagan informed the listeners about events scheduled at the school's Schimmel Center for the Performing Arts. As usual, Jamie deRoy came with her suggestions for entertainment activities in the Big Apple.

It was an emotional and touching night for lovers of Pastrami, Corned Beef, Lox, White Fish, Blintzes, Pickles, Cole Slaw and Mustard at the Friars last night. Cohen Media Group had the screening of The Movie Deliman in the Milton Berle Room. This film by Erik Greenberg Anjou celebrates 160 years of tradition and great stories by the Jewish Deli owners, operators and fanatics who are keeping the lox sliced thin and the Pastrami hot in the Jewish delicatessens that are still thriving around the world. Besides the food, Ziggy Gruber, operator of Kenny and Ziggy's in Houston, Texas is the star of this funny and heartwarming documentary. The film reflects the heart of a vital ethnic history. It's also a love story, not just about the food, but about the preservation of family, laughter and community that remains a fundamental part of a trip to a Jewish Delicatessen. What better place to see the wonderful film than the Friars Club were those traditions are celebrated every day. After the talk back with Ziggy Gruber, Fyvesh Finkel and Erik Greenberg Anjou, maitre d' Giuseppe Tarillo welcomed everyone into the Frank Sinatra Dinning Room. I guess that's what you call Jewish Fusion. It's great "having what the Friars were having".

Marilyn Maye always gets standing ovations but few more exciting than when Tommy Tune is in the audience to rise out of his seat for the marvelous Marilyn. Tune, the New York City designated Living Landmark, had recently finished getting his own standing ovations at Encores! production of "Lady, Be Good". He was among the other celebs at Birdland last night to witness another episode in the saga of the artistry of a Marilyn Maye and Billy Stritch performance.