Raissa Katona Bennett Releases ANOTHER KIND OF LIGHT, 8/14

In her third Feinstein's engagement, MAC & Bistro Award winner and Broadway's Raissa Katona Bennett (Christine in "Phantom of the Opera") celebrates the release of her latest CD, Another Kind of Light.  The concert version of the album premieres Tuesday August 21 at 8pm, playing five shows through August 25.

 

Produced by the award-winning Ron Abel, with music direction by David Caldwell, the CD releases courtesy of LML Music on August 14. Another Kind of Light, includes never-before-recorded songs by prominent songwriters, including two songs written for her by Michael John LaChiusa.  Bennett performs a mix of jazz, pop and theatre songs, and puts a contemporary spin on well-known standards - songs that intelligently explore the human condition. The evening is directed by Eric Michael Gillett.

 

The weeklong, primetime engagement of "Another Kind of Light" features Bennett's core musicians from the album -- Sean Harkness on guitar; Ray Marchica on drums; Ritt Henn on bass; and music director David Caldwell on piano.

 

Other song debuts were contributed by Ron Abel & Chuck Steffan, and David Caldwell.  Also represented are Christine Lavin; Alan Menken & David Spencer; Alan & Marilyn Bergman; Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens; Michael Mooney & Stephen Hoffman; Scott Frankel & Michael Korie, and Amanda McBroom & Michele Brourman.

 

Bennett, who performed the role of Christine on Broadway in "Phantom of the Opera," and was in the first national tours of "Cats" and "Parade," has been called "a superb vocalist with an impeccable ear for timing and nuance" by David Spencer, in AisleSay.com. David Finkle, writing in Backstage, says she has "a sweet yet sturdy voice – even piercing and fierce when she wants… with a generous helping of intelligence behind what she does."

 

Bennett is the Bistro and MAC Award-winning producer and host of "Concerts for City Greens," a free outdoor concert series whose mission is dedicated to the "greening of cities," while building new audiences for live music.

 

"Another Kind of Light" performs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday August 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, all at 8pm, at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, 540 Park Avenue (at 61^st Street).  The music charge is $30, or $50 for premium seating, with a $25 minimum.  (High top tables with no minimum are also available.) All attendees receive a complimentary copy of the new CD.  For the Wednesday and Thursday performances Feinstein's generously donates its service fee to benefit the non-profit Music and Art for Green. (Please use code GREEN) For information or to order in advance, call 212/339-4095 or visit www.feinsteinsatloewsregency.com