Stephen Hanks to Produce & Host WINTER RHYTHMS Shows at Urban Stages

Cabaret Producer, Promoter, and Performer Stephen Hanks has been chosen by Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and Director of Musical Theatre Peter Napolitano to Produce and Host the Opening and Closing Night Gala Shows for the organization's Ninth Annual WINTER RHYTHMS SERIES, running this year from December 12 through December 23 at the Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues). The 2017 edition of the Series, which is being dedicated to the memory of the late Musical Director and Composer Barry Levitt (who died this September at age 70) will boast more than 100 performers in more than 20 shows over 12 days.

On December 12 at 7 pm, Hanks (who has Produced and Hosted four Winter Rhythms shows since 2013, including the 2015 Tribute to the 100th Birthday of Frank Sinatra) will lead a group of more than 25 performers in a Opening Night Tribute to Levitt, called THE MAESTRO AND HIS MUSIC, highlighting songs that Levitt either composed or arranged. Conceived and Directed by Napolitano, the show will feature Tony Award-winner Trezana Beverley, Deb Berman, Erin Cronican, Ann Dawson, Dawn Derow, Valerie DiLorenzo, Helena Grenot, Janice Hall, Sunny Leigh, Sue Matsuki, Kati Neiheisel, Brian Charles Rooney, Charlie Romo, Warren Schein, Deborah Tranelli, Andrea Bell Wolff, and The Barry Levitt Workshop Ensemble. John DiPinto and Mark Janas will serve as Musical Directors, with Special Guest Pianist Gregory Toroian and Boots Maleson on Bass and Howie Gordon on percussion. Mary Lahti will serve as Stage Manager.

Tickets for BARRY LEVITT: THE MAESTRO AND HIS MUSIC are $30 (no minimum!) and include a Champagne Reception with the artists following the show. To order, visit here.

For the December 23 Closing Night Show at 5 pm, Hanks will lead another lineup of cabaret singers and performers in FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU, SEASONAL SONGS AND DISNEY, TOO. Featuring Daryl Kojak as Musical Director on piano, the cast of From All of Us To All Of You, Seasonal Songs and Disney, Too includes (in alphabetical order): Sandra Bargman, Liz Lark Brown, Mary Sue Daniels, Rob Davis, Joshua Lance Dixon, Karen Gross, Rosemary Loar, Jeff Macauley, Marieann Meringolo, Carly Ozard, Charlotte Patton, Sarah Rice, Billie Roe, Julie Reyburn, Gabrielle Stravelli, Hechter Ubarry, Renn Woods, and Blake Zolfo. Guest pianists: Matthew Martin Ward and Michael Raye. Stage Manager: Mary Lahti. Again, tickets are $30 and can be ordered here.

The Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Series benefits the Urban Stages Arts & Education Outreach Program, which brings free music and theatre programs for children and their families to schools and libraries throughout the five boroughs of New York. For complete schedule and ticket information and reservations, go to: www.urbanstages.org.

Photo top by Maryann Lopinto

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