After a successful debut in 2006 with her revue Love, Rainbows and All at Don't Tell Mama, singer Jennifer Wren returns with her critically acclaimed open mic series, Big Night Out. Billed as a delicious gathering for the musical community, Big Night Out is a unique and supportive environment for performers and composers of all backgrounds to come together and perform the music that they love. Participants, with the help of resident musical director and co-host William "Bill" Zeffiro, singers are encouraged to try out new material, sing the roles that they aspire to play, sing the roles they will never play, or just show off for the joy of it.
On February 26th, 2009, Big Night Out will continue its celebration of new music for the musical theatre and cabaret stage with Composer Potpourri, an informal showcase of new work. Included in this evening will be music by Peter Saxe, Paul Farinella, David Rigano, and Bill Zeffiro, among others. This evening will be a sneak preview of the upcoming 2009 Big Night Out Featured Composers Series.
In addition to the Composer Potpourri, on February 26th Big Night Out will also welcome it's first ever guest co-host Sierra Rein. Ms. Rein is a talented classical and musical theatre soprano. She will join Jennifer Wren and Bill Zeffiro as they welcome the open mic crowd. You can find out more about Ms. Rein and her previous work at www.SierraRein.com.
On January 26th, Big Night Out welcomed Associate Producer Alexandra de Suze. As Associate Producer, Ms. De Suze will bring her varied and immense talents to ever-growing Big Night Out Featured Composers Series. A native of Concord, MA (like Steve Carell!), Ms. de Suze is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston. Her many artistic forays have taken her all over New England and New York and her extensive acting career includes turns at the Prospect Theatre, the York Theatre, Passajj Productions, Speakeasy Stage, and the Public Theatre. Ms. De Suze has sung in numerous productions at Don't Tell Mama, The Encores, New York City Center Encores!, The Bronx Opera Co., and the New York Choral Society. In addition, this multitalented madwoman has directed at the Riant Theatre and the Manhattan Theatre Source, and written a multitude of works including sketch comedy, "Single What? Female," "Following My Voice," "Stories At The Creek," and "Louder Than Words." We could not be more pleased to have Ms. de Suze on our team!
Jennifer Wren has appeared in various New York productions including The Wild Party (The Gallery Players), Commedia Del'artemisia and The Man Who Laughs (both with The Stolen Chair Theatre Company), Medusa and The Amazing Colossal Thing (both in the Vital Signs Festival), Granola! The Musical (NY International Fringe Festival), and numerous concerts, benefits, and workshops (including the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop). She has performed for audiences large and small in venues ranging from CBGB to the Hudson Theatre. An accomplished actor as well as a singer, Ms. Wren has appeared on the Discovery Channel series, "Sensing Murder" as the ill-fated Mary Leonard, in several national commercials (including Atari: Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit and Cablevision's "Pixel" series) and on the new Independent Film Channel original series, "Z-Rock." In addition, Ms. Wren will be appearing this March in Jeffrey Sweet's new play, Unexpected Guest.
William "Bill" Zeffiro is the composer/lyricist and book writer of The Road To Ruin (NYMF 2008). In addition, Mr. Zeffiro worked as a co-writer/actor on USA Network's "Up All Night," as the musical director/composer for "Extreme Makeover" (ABC), and composed special material for "Another World" (NBC), Mario Cuomo and Rudolph Giuliani. He produced and performed with the lovely and legendary Kay Swift in An Evening Of Kay Swift. In addition, Mr. Zeffiro's career includes numerous music direction, performances, and recordings. Mr. Zeffiro continues his vocal training work with students on -and off-Broadway.
Big Night Out featuring Composer Potpourri will play Thursday, February 26th at 9:00pm - in the Reprise Room at Dillon's (245 W. 54th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenues). Big Night Out will occur at 9:00 PM on select THURSDAYS following this performance. There is a $10 admission ($5 for MAC, AEA, and EMC Members) and a 1 item minimum. More information can be found at www.jenniferwren.info.
Continuing Dates for Big Night Out
****Big Night Out has been booked for an open-ended run on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month though 2009!****
Thursday, February 26th at 9:00PM
Thursday, March 5th at 9:00PM FEATURED COMPOSER JAY ALAN ZIMMERMAN
Thursday, March 19th at 9:00PM
Thursday, April 2nd at 9:00PM FEATURED COMPOSER TBA
Thursday, April 16th at 9:00PM
Videos