On Monday night, March 23rd, the Broadway at Birdland series presented Broadway star Kate Shindle and musical icon John McDaniel, who joined together for the first time on stage in CLASSIC, a celebration of some of the greatest music of our time. The show explored contemporary songs which are destined to become a significant part of the future musical landscape. From Harold Arlen to Stephen Sondheim, Ray Charles to Michael John LaChiusa.
Press notes described the evening as a "musical extravaganza about classics old and new, interpreted by a Shindle, a singer who cares deeply about lyrics, and McDaniel, a musical director who's not afraid to take a few chances along the way!"
Kate Shindle most recently co-starred as Vivienne in Broadway's Legally Blonde, following Broadway outings as Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall's acclaimed Cabaret and Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde. Her other work ranges from Arthur Miller's After the Fall (Maggie) to A Midsummer Night's Dream (Helena), plus roles in Into the Woods, Gypsy, Himself and Nora, First Lady Suite, and The Last Five Years. She won the New York Musical Theatre Festival's Outstanding Individual Performance Award for the title role in Sympathy Jones. Kate is currently working on numerous shows in development, including one in which she stars as screen legend Greta Garbo.
Conductor, composer, orchestrator, record producer, Grammy and two-time Emmy Award-winner John McDaniel has enjoyed a lively career on Broadway and on television. His Broadway shows as arranger and musical director include Annie Get Your Gun, Brooklyn, Taboo and Grease. John is perhaps best known as the band leader on "The Rosie O'Donnell" Show. He has conducted symphony orchestras from coast to coast including the San Francisco Symphony, The Baltimore Symphony and his own hometown St. Louis Symphony. He has recorded three solo CD's, John McDaniel at the Piano: Broadway, John McDaniel at the Piano: Christmas, and John McDaniel at the Piano: Compositions. His most recent release is John McDaniel Live at Joe's Pub.
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