Stearns Matthews Sings Gershwin in ME AND THE GERSHTWINS at Laurie Beechman Theatre Today

Today, June 3rd and Tuesday, June 7th at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 2015 double MAC (Best Male Vocalist, LaMott/Friedman Recording) and Bistro (Outstanding Recording) Award winner Stearns Matthews teams up with pianists/composers/arrangers and twin brothers Adam and Matt Podd for "ME AND THE GERSHTWINS", a musical romp through the songs of two other über-talented brothers: George and Ira Gershwin.

The show will feature many of the classics you know that George and Ira wrote together like "But Not for Me," "I've Got Rhythm," and "Nice Work If You Can Get It," as well as others one may have worked on without the other, like "Long Ago and Far Away" "I Can't Get Started," and "You're A Builder Upper."

They will offer a program that's not only eclectic when it comes to songs, but instrument-wise as well. There will be some truly astounding four-hand piano arrangements, with the twins juggling extra instruments as well, including but not limited to upright bass and accordion. And maybe, just maybe... a SIX-HAND piano arrangement. It's going to be an old-fashioned rollicking good time!

"ME AND THE GERSHTWINS" will play the Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street in New York, located within the West Bank Café) on Friday, June 3rd and Tuesday, June 7th at 7pm. The cover charge is $20, plus a $20 food and beverage minimum. For tickets: https://goo.gl/Eo1c4q

Stearns Matthews is a MAC and Bistro Award-winning vocalist based in New York City whose recent appearances include The Town Hall, Feinstein's/54 Below, and The Metropolitan Room. His debut album, SPARK was released in November 2014 and swept the cabaret awards in 2015, winning the 2015 Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording as well as the LaMott/Friedman MAC Award for Outstanding Recording. Stearns also won the 2015 MAC Award for Best Male Vocalist. He has appeared multiple times in the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Annual Cabaret Convention, held at Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Town Hall. www.stearnsmatthews.com.

Adam Podd (first born) is currently Music Director at First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, NY. Recent projects include original works commissioned and performed by The Young People's Chorus of New York City, (under Francisco Nuñez), as well as musical arrangements and orchestrations for theatrical productions at Carnegie Hall, New World Stages, and The York Theatre. He is the keyboardist/music director for acclaimed NYC sing/songwriter Dan Mills. Adam studied classical and jazz piano, organ, orchestration, and music production at The Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, CT where he received his Bachelor of Music. www.adampodd.com.

Matt Podd (younger than Adam by less than two minutes) holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College. He has appeared on stage with The Town Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Symphony Space, the 92nd Street Y, Rockwood Music Hall, and Shapeshifter Lab, and with such luminaries as Darlene Love, Steve Van Zandt, Renee Fleming, Kurt Elling, Brian D'arcy James, Stephanie J. Block, Darren Criss, Capathia Jenkins, Montego Glover, Ryan Silverman, and Jake Shimabukuro. He has written arrangements and orchestrations for the New York Pops Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Reneé Fleming, Kurt Elling, and the Young People's Chorus of NYC. www.mattpodd.com.

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