William Finn was in the house to introduce Comedian, Actress, Writer, and Broadway star Leslie Kritzer to the audience in Mr. Finn's Cabaret last night. The Berkshires answer to Feinstein's/54 Below and Birdland is housed below Barrington Stage Co's St. Germain Stage and has some of the most consummate Broadway and Cabaret stars on it's intimate stage this season. Charles Bush and Marilyn Maye are on the schedule this summer as well as Melissa Manchester on the Mainstage.
Leslie Kritzer wasn't kidding when she told the standing room only audience that the title of her nightclub act Half Jew, All Guilt was picked because " it got you in the seats". However, Leslie doesn't need a shock title to attract an audience Her comedy and vocal abilities are well known to Barrington audiences and lovers of Broadway musical theatre. The critics have said," can we just assign her all the comic female theatre leads in musical theatre!"
Her show last night included stories of her life on and off Broadway and show tunes accompanied by her husband, BSC music director Vadim Feichtner, on piano. Leslie also sang a rarely heard masterpiece by composer William Finn about Wendy Wasserstein.
Leslie, currently featured in the hit Off-Broadway revival of "The Robber Bridegroom," is familiar to BSC audiences, having starred in the world premiere of "The Memory Show," the hit revival of "Guys and Dolls," and her mainstage concert, "Hello, Gorgeous!"
Kritzer's Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, Elf, A Catered Affair, Legally Blonde, and Hairspray. Off-Broadway credits include School of Rock, Gigantic, Piece of My Heart, Nobody Loves You, The Memory Show, NY City Center Encores! On The Town, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Rooms a rock romance, Bat Boy, and Godspell. Her Joe's Pub solo shows "Leslie Kritzer is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches" and "Beautiful Disaster" garnered her a TimeOut NY Award. Leslie is currently recurring as Moira on HBO's "Vinyl."
Article & Photos by: Stephen Sorokoff
Mr. Finn's Cabaret
Mr. Finn's Cabaret
Vadim Feichtner & Leslie Kritzer
Leslie Kritzer & Vadim Feichtner
Leslie Kritzer & Vadim Feichtner
Vadim Feichtner & Leslie Kritzer
Laila Robbins & Leslie Kritzer
Reba Evenchik & Leslie Kritzer
William Finn, Mr. Finn's Cabaret
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