RICKY RITZEL SINGS ELAINE STRITCH Plays Don't Tell Mama Tonight

Cabaret warhorse Ricky Ritzel pays homage to Broadway legend Elaine Stritch in a hilarious and poignant evening of nonstop fun. From Angel in the Wings to A Little Night Music, Elaine Stitch has introduced and covered some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Now, Mr. Ritzel puts his unique spin on them in this loving tribute to one of Broadway's greatest treasures.

Directed by Jim Luzar and accompanied by Mary Rodriguez on drums & Jamie Mohamdein on bass, Ricky Ritzel SINGS Elaine Stritch plays tonight, April 26 and Monday, May 6 at 7:30pm at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street NYC. For reservations, call 212-757-0788.

Ricky Ritzel has been a fixture on the nightclub and cabaret scene in NYC for over 30 years and , as Will Friedwald in the Wall Street Journal said, 'He is the embodiment of the tradition.' Ricky was recently named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Cabaret by Nightlife Exchange.

He has received most Cabaret awards including 14 Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs Awards in 9 different catagories and was named Outstanding Person in the Arts in New Jersey by State Senator, Brian Stack. He has performed all over the United States as well as London and Paris. An accomplished solo performer, Ricky has also accompanied such greats as Vivian Blaine, Ruth Warrick, Arthur Prysock, Varla Jean Merman, Julie Wilson, Lenora Nemetz and Miss Coco. Ricky was featured musician/sidekick on MTV's '15 Minutes with Andy Warhol', Sandra Bernhard's Radio Show on SIRIUS Satellite network and was musical director for the Sally Rand Tribute at Town Hall featuring Bebe Neuwirth, Donna McKechnie, Marge Champion, Karen Mason and directed by Tony Stevens. With famed Chicago jazz vocalist Spider Saloff, Ricky created several award winning revuessuch as "1938", which was recorded on the Kopathetics label, "Porgy & Bess: a Cabaret Concert" and "Ira and Others".

His performance as Jimmy Durante in "Schnozzola!" earned him critical raves and numerous awards. Ricky is half of the kooky "Lounge does Top 40" duo, THE LOUNGEOLEERS with 5 CD's on the Emenar label. As an actor his roles include Snug in ' A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Third Priest in 'MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL', Dr. Rance in 'WHAT THE BUTLER SAW', Jonathan in 'OH DAD POOR DAD...' and various roles in 'HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FILM' He can also be seen as SCARY MAN who comes on to Christian Campbell in the film"TRICK". Ricky has been seen in Las Vegas as Jimmy Durante in"Stop the Music!' at the Cashman Theatre with Sharon McNight as Sophie Tucker and toured with Leslie Anderson for 5 years performing every known work they could find by Johnny Mercer.

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