Harvested from years of research, transcriptions, and arrangements, there's a new one-act review opening this Fall, featuring six actor-musicians. "Songs You Don't Know By Writers You Love" is fashioned of hidden gems by popular writers like Carole King, Elton John, and Johnny Mercer.
Marking the solo cabaret debut of actor Mischa Kischkum, the show features his own arrangements of rock, jazz, pop, and musical theatre. Made of comedy songs and charm songs with only two ballads, it offers an evening of character-driven comedy where all the characters happen to sing.
Mischa Kischkum has been seen at the Cannes Film Festival (in the feature-length, alternate selection "Blood Money"), on Comedy Central Television (as Dr. Diaz in "Upright Citizens Brigade" opposite Matt Besser), and on NBC (as Fred Moynihan in "Law & Order: SVU" opposite Ice-T). He's performed on studio albums from New York to Los Angeles, appeared opposite Eartha Kitt, and toured Asia with Marie Osmond.
The show, "Mischa Kischkum is OFF THE CHARTS (Songs You Don't Know By Writers You Love)," is directed by Jason Ellis, conducted by Steven Ray Watkins, has musical direction and arrangements by Kischkum, and is being recorded for a 2019 release. Percussion is by Don Kelly, electric and acoustic bass is by Matt Scharfglass, and additional vocals are by Sandra Lagerstrom, Dan Busa, and Watkins. The world premiere performance is Saturday November 10 at 4:00 pm at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St., with an $18 cover plus two drinks (cash only). Additional performances are scheduled for Monday December 3 at 7:00 pm, and Thursday December 20 at 7:00 pm. Reservations can be made by phone after 4:00 pm at 212.757.0788, or online at www.donttellmamanyc.com. Card carrying members (MAC, SAG, AEA, IATSE, 802, UFT, AFT) get three dollars off the cover charge. More information on Twitter @getmisch, or on Facebook, fb.com/getmisch.
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