Stephen Sorokoff - Page 88

Mike Renzi looked over his eyeglasses at the elite audience at don't tell mamas, nodded to bassist Chip Jackson and drummer Ray Marchica and then opened the starting gate to a highly charged and expertly crafted 75 minutes of Nicolas King displaying his awesome vocal proficiency.

Yesterday, June 6, the Friars Club Foundation honored legendary singer Connie Francis and philanthropist Leonard A. Wilf at their annual Applause Award Gala. BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the event below.

Ever want to hear a story about Alfred Hitchcock, Roger Corman, Jack Hill, Hal Ashby, Jack Nicholson, Douglas Trumbull, Francis Ford Coppola, Bob Rafelson, Sydney Pollack, Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Charlize Theron, Peter Fonda, Tom Hanks straight from the source?

The dictionary gives others words for BEST. EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE, PERFECT, UNSURPASSED, PREEMINENT, HIGHEST QUALITY etc. None of those are sufficient enough to describe the Songs, the Arrangements, the Performers, the Musicians, David Zippel and of course the great CY COLEMAN in a production at 59E59. From the moment a smiling Billy Stritch (performer, musical director and arranger of the show) entered the stage and went to the piano, it was obvious that a musical tour de force was about to begin and The Best Was Yet To Come!

Her show is titled 'IT'S MAY IN MAYE' but it should be titled 'MAYE, MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS YOU MAY EVER HEAR' Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, Jackie Gleason, Dick Cavett and Ed Sullivan all agreed and on that! Attending Marilyn's show at Feinstein's in 2011 was akin to being able to see Arnold Palmer win the Masters or Mohammed Ali winning the Championship Heavyweight Belt in 2011. Marilyn in her early years always possessed a dynamism, legitimacy, excitement, and glorious musicianship that thrilled audiences, and she still does it time and time again. Her show at FEINSTEIN'S last night kept her audience cheering after each one of her astutely selected songs.

For those yearning for the glamour and entertainment clarity of New York nightclub life in the 30's 40's and 50's Tom Postilio's debut at this cathedral of The American Songbook was totally captivating. He may be ' SELLING NEW YORK' (real estate) as star of that HGTV show but His sold out sophisticated New York audience also bought every song he sang in his show 'This Time Around'. Tom has 'been around' in theaters and nightclubs throughout the country and appeared on NBC-TV's 'Today' show, PBS Great Performances, BBC News and CNN's ShowBiz Today. But there is nothing like seeing and hearing him LIVE. The audience was filled with 'Old Friends' which appropriately was his opening number. Pianist/Arranger Dean Schneider was right on key with his accompaniment as was Steve Laspina on Bass and Dave Meade on Drums. Mark Waldrop directed the great array of Amersican Standards and Mickey Conlon was an added treat joing Tom for 'Me And My Shadow'.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark concert venue presented The Broadway Musicals of 1982 on Monday, May 16th at 8PM. Now in its 11th season, The Broadway By The Year ® Series is created written and hosted by Scott Siegel and produced by The Town Hall. In the series, Scott Siegel takes the audience on a musical travelogue, exploring the history of the Great White Way and providing social anecdotes while showcasing the beloved hits and lesser-known gems from the golden age of Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the concert and brings you photo coverage below.

Last night, May 12, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark unveiled the new version of the mega musical. The official opening night of the new SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark is set for Tuesday, June 14th at the Foxwoods Theatre (213 West 42nd Street). Tickets are now on sale through October 2, 2011, with group tickets on sale through January 8, 2012. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverege of the evening below!

Down Beat magazine calls him 'a rising star', Nat Hentoff said he's ushering in 'the rebirth of The Jazz Violin' Tony Benett called him 'The Groucho of Violin' and Jim Caruso introduces him as ' The Effervescent & Annoying AARON WEINSTEIN'! Yes, this 25 year old is annoyingly talented and witty. His awesome musical gifts are earning him legions of followers and he didn't disappoint in his sold out shows at the Metropolitan Room. Tedd Firth was an extraordinary companion in this awesome display of music ability, and Tom Hubbard supplied his definitive bass notes. Aaron, a Pizzerelli discovery from Chicago will soon be known worldwide.

Back in the days of the Catskill Mountain Hotels Julie Budd was this young (12 year old) singing sensation who received standing ovations after every performance. Nothing has changed, except the depth & maturity of her vocal and acting ability. One hundred appearances on the Merv Griffin Show and every other major TV show plus co- starring with Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, Carol Burnett and Liberace have earned Julie the deserved career and fans she has, and they all gave her a STANDING OVATION after her 'Tribute to Dorothy Fields' show at the Metropolitan Room. Unlike Poor Johnny, Julie doesn't have one note. There were many, and all great. Herb Bernstein as usual was on piano with his great arrangements. Tom Hubbard on bass, Ken Hassler on drums and Art Weiss on synthesizer rounded out this exciting musical performance.

The Gold Coast International Film Festival and New York Institue of Technology presented An Evening of Screenings & Conversation. A Special Pre-Festival event. The evening featured screenings of Ms. Rossellini's short films: 'My Dad is 100 Years Old' and 'Animals Distract Me'. There was a post-screening Q&A with the actress. David Schwartz, Chief Curator, Museum of Moving Image was moderator.

A celebrity filled audience was treated to a display of Callaway artistry at Birdland last night. Tony nominated actress Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway celebrated the soundtrack of their childhood with the unforgettable songs of the 60s & 70s. The New York Times got it right when they said the sisters 'lift these songs to expressive heights rarely attained by any singer'. Music director and pianist Alex Rybeck created the perfect accompaniment for the show. Alex & Jared Egan on bass also sang backup vocals, and Ron Tierno was on drums.

It started with the booming ebullient voice of pianist/music director Mark Hummel announcing AMRA FAYE WRIGHT. Then the sophisticated and glamorous Feinstein's audience (Christie Brinkley, Linda Carter and Tommy Tune among others) were captivated by this vivacious, gorgeous, talented Broadway & West End Star. Her show 'Sittin on Top of the World' is an elegant evening of wit, glamour and wonderful interpretations of The Great American Songbook, and takes you on a journey from Amra's native South Africa to her current Broadway gig playing Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago. Mark Hummel's arrangements and pianistic ability created the perfect match for Amra's vocal artistry and well known bassist Dave Fink and Heinrich Kruse on drums added to the high caliber musical evening.

There is a 'Clint Holmes Experience' going on at Feinstein's. From the moment he walks (charges) out on stage the audience is mesmerized and treated to a performance that presses all the right buttons. The voice, the acting, the moves, all are brilliantly displayed in a well honed night club act that makes you want to jump on a plane to Vegas and see Clint on his home court. Giving him standing ovations at this performance were Marilyn Maye (her solo Feinstein engagement starts May 24th) Billy Stritch (soon to be seen and heard in 'The Best Is Yet To Come' opening at 59E59 May 18th) Ann Hamton Callaway and Jamie deRoy. Jeff Neiman piano, Steve Beskrone bass, and Jess Gopen drums were just the right accompaniment to Clint's swinging style.

There was a unique gathering of friends last night at Feinsteins. The room was packed with FRIENDS of Jamie deRoy. FRIENDS of Jamie the Broadway Producer, FRIENDS of Jamie the singer/actor, FRIENDS of Jamie the TV host, and FRIENDS of Jamie from every segment of show business. They came to enjoy another addition (20th year) of her award winning show Jamie deRoy & Friends.

'The Thomashefskys' were on stage again last night as Michael Tilson Thomas & the New York Philharmonic presented his acclaimed multi-media concert of the Music and Memories of Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky This years gala honored David and Sylvia Steiner as well as Tilson Thomas. Folksbiene is the sole surviving professional Yiddish Theatre in America and it preserves and adds to the legacy of Yiddish theatre, which flourished on Second Avenue and was domnated by Tilson Thomas's legendary grandparents ‘The Thomashefskys.'

These are a few of my favorite things: The Last Tuesday of every month with Terese! The Little Big Band! Billy Stritch's arrangement of Favorite Things! Nicolas King and Terese's new continual Guest Artists singing it!

A few years ago a seemingly shy 'unknown' got up at Jim Caruso's Cast Party and sang the Susan Werner song 'Movie of My Life'. She immediately went on my List of singers to follow. As Johnny Carson used to say when introducing Marilyn Maye,'All you young singers out there, listen & learn.' For her show at the Metropolitan Room Jennifer had the perfect match up with her pianist/arranger James Followell and Jered Egan on bass. Her show is aptly titled (for me) You Made Me Love You.

Host & Producer Randie Levine-Miller created a Friars Club evening that lived up to Abbot Jerry Lewis's statement 'Good Fellowship, Friendship and Fraternity form the sturdy basis that makes the Friars club what it is.'

Piano legend Mike Renzi, who has arranged and played for the best, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme' (to name a few) has a sensational young singer he's working with. Nicolas King - this 19 year old has a voice and style that is a most worthy addition to the Mike Renzi stable.