Writers Theatre Announces WRITERS’ CABARET FOUR EVENINGS OF SONG & CD RELEASE OF BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE—THE SONGS OF NOEL COWARD

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers' Cabaret-Four Evenings of Song, a series of Monday night performances on the set of Oh Coward!, 664 Vernon Ave. in Glencoe, and the CD release of Bright Young People-The Songs of Noël Coward, featuring Kate Fry, Rob Lindley and John Sanders with Doug Peck (piano).

Writers' Cabaret and the Noël Coward CD are in conjunction with Writers' production of Oh, Coward!, now extended through April 18 at Writers' Theatre, 664 Vernon Ave. in Glencoe. The CD, tickets to Oh, Coward! and Writers' Cabaret are available for purchase through the Writers' Theatre box office, writerstheatre.org; 847-242-6000; 376 Park Ave or at 664 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe.

"Since the first preview of Oh Coward!, our audiences have been requesting a recording that they can take with them in order to preserve and enhance their experience of this masterful production. We are delighted therefore to be able to fulfill this expectation. It's a perfect companion piece to the performance and a very exclusive and limited edition," comments Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "Speaking of exclusive and limited editions, we are so pleased to announce our cabaret series within which we are fortunate to present four of the city's finest artists in the genre. Kevin Depinet and Jim Corti's brilliant conceptualization and realization of a cabaret venue has opened doors to a whole new lineup of possibilities at Writers' Theatre."

Bright Young People-The Songs of Noël Coward

Due to overwhelming audience response to Oh Coward!, Writers' Theatre is pleased to offer Bright Young People-The Songs of Noël Coward. Kate Fry, Rob Lindley, John Sanders and Musical Director Doug Peck celebrate one of the theatre's greatest entertainers-Noël Coward with this CD recorded on the set of the Writers' Theatre production of Oh, Coward!. Coward was one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, having penned over 300 songs in his 60-year career. Under the direction of Jim Corti, this trio brings to life Coward's effervescent lyrics and moving melodies.

The CD includes: Bright Young People, A Room with a View /Sail Away, Uncle Harry, London Pride, Mrs. Worthington, I Travel Alone, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Three White Feathers, You Were There, John, A Bar On The Piccola Marina, If Love Were All, Mad About The Boy, World Weary/Twentieth Century Blues, I'll Follow My Secret Hear and The Party's Over Now.

Bright Young People-The Songs of Noël Coward, $17, is available for purchase through the Writers' Theatre box office, writerstheatre.org; 847-242-6000; 376 Park Ave or at 664 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe.

Writers' Cabaret-Four Evenings of Song

Writers' Theatre hosts four very special cabaret performances in the beautiful 1930's night club setting at the Books on Vernon venue: Writers' Cabaret-Four Evenings of Song, on March 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 7:00 p.m. Writers' Cabaret is curated by Rob Lindley and Doug Peck. The series includes Rob Lindley with Foiled Again with Doug Peck on piano and Geoffrey Lowe on bass performing Old Black Magic: The Music of Harold Arlen (March 1); An Evening with Ross Lehman with Doug Peck on piano (March 8); Joan Curto with Chuck Larkin on piano, performing Of Thee I Sing, Ira: The Lyrics of Ira Gershwin (March 15); and An Evening with E.Faye Butler with John Blasucci on piano (March 22).

Writers' Cabaret tickets, $35, are available for purchase through the Writers' Theatre box office, writerstheatre.org; 847-242-6000; 376 Park Ave or at 664 Vernon Avenue in Glencoe.

March 1 at 7 pm

Rob Lindley with Foiled Again

Old Black Magic: The Music of Harold Arlen

Music by Harold Arlen

Lyrics by Johnny Mercer, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, Ira Gerswhin, Peggy Lee and Ted Koehler

With Doug Peck on piano and Geoffery Lowe on bass

Oh Coward! cast member Rob Lindley is joined by Foiled Again (Allison Bazarko and Anne SheriDan Smith) to present a salute to the music of Harold Arlen. This amazing vocal-trio brings their unique and sophisticated touch to some of the world's most beloved songs, such as: Stormy Weather, Come Rain or Come Shine, One for My Baby, Blues in the Night and of course Arlen's most famous song Over the Rainbow. The night promises to be an evening of some of your favorite standards with an elegant and hip edge.
About Foiled Again

Foiled Again is Allison Bazarko, Rob Lindley and Anne SheriDan Smith. Formed in 2001, they have played at Davenport's Piano Bar, Speakeasy Supper Club, Chicago Cultural Center, The Drake Hotel, as part of the City of Chicago's Miles of Music, the Sondheim in the Park celebration, The Chicago Humanities Festival and even opened for Lesley Gore at Acorn Theatre. Their shows include Hit Factory: The Songs of the Brill Building, Dark Café Days: The Music of Joni Mitchell (for which they won a 2003 After Dark Award), Old Black Magic: The Music of Harold Arlen and an annual holiday show now in its ninth year. In December 2009 they released their first CD, Foiled Again Live. Their vocal arrangements are the creation of member Allison Bazarko and the group is often accompanied by Joseph Jefferson Award-winning Musical Director Doug Peck.

March 8 at 7 pm

An Evening with Ross Lehman

With Doug Peck on Piano
Enjoy an evening of standards, witty family stories of Ross' beloved Aunt Dibby and an unforgettable 16th century Scottish ballad. Often performing his set at Davenport's Piano Bar and the Wilmette Theatre, Ross is also a veteran of the stage having worked on Broadway and locally at Marriott Lincolnshire, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre and Apple Tree Theatre.

About Ross Lehman

Lehman has performed his cabaret show at Davenport's Piano Bar and the Wilmette Theatre. He is currently appearing at the Marriott Lincolnshire as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and recently performed there as Edna in Hairspray. Other credits at Marriott Lincolnshire include All Shook Up, Max in The Producers and Koko in Hot Mikado (Joseph Jefferson Award). Other Chicago credits include Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Troilus and Cressida, King Lear and The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Mizlansky/Zilinsky, The Man Who Came to Dinner, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Form (Joseph Jefferson Award) and The Rover (Goodman Theatre); A Man of No Importance (Joseph Jefferson Award), The Dresser (After Dark Award), Syncopation Sugar, Waiting for Godot, Where's Charlie (Joseph Jefferson Award) and Amadeus (Apple Tree Theatre). Broadway credits include Trinculo in The Tempest (with Patrick Stewart), Harding in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
March 15 at 7 pm

Joan Curto

Of Thee I Sing, Ira: The Lyrics of Ira Gershwin

With Chuck Larkin, Musical Director on piano

Praised as "an evening of pure magic" by New York's Cabaret Scenes Magazine, Curto pays homage to the other Gershwin brother-Ira. One of the most distinguished lyricists of his time, Ira wrote for his brother George as well as many of the great composers of the early 20th century: Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern and Kurt Weill among others. A showcase for Curto's musical versatility, Of Thee I Sing, Ira features Great American Songbook classics such as Fascinating Rhythm, Embraceable You, Long Ago and Far Away, My Ship and S'Wonderful.
About Joan Curto and Chuck Larkin

Chicago based Joan Curto has appeared across the nation in concerts and clubs celebrating the music of the Great American Songbook. She is a familiar face to Chicago audiences, most recently opening the 2009 On Stage Series at Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University with her new show, Shaking the Blues Away. Curto has garnered a reputation for her thoughtful interpretations of the American Songbook and performs regularly at venues throughout Chicago including Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Davenport's Piano Bar, Drury Lane Theater, Thorne Auditorium and the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. She has been seen in numerous Chicago Humanities Festivals and the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret Conventions. Nationally, Curto has performed in some of the top cabaret clubs and concert series including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Gardenia, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Overture Center for the Arts and The Colony Hotel. Awarded the Chicago After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artist, Curto's 2004 debut CD release May I Suggest is a winning collection of classic ballads, standards and new songwriters.
Chuck Larkin is a mainstay in Chicago musical theater and cabaret. Larkin was the associate conductor in the long running Jersey Boys and a prolific composer in his own right.
March 22 at 7 pm

An Evening with E. Faye Butler

With John Blasucci on piano

E. Faye Butler performs a sumptuous evening of songs in her trademark style. A recent recipient of the Joseph Jefferson award for Best Actress in a Musical for her gut wrenching portrayal of Caroline in Caroline or Change at the Court Theatre, Ms. Butler is also a Recipient of five additional Joseph Jefferson Awards, two Black Theatre Alliance Awards, After Dark Award, John Barrymore Award, Rockford Area Music Industry Award, three Helen Hayes Nominations, in addition to an Excellence In Arts Award and an Ovations Nomination.
About E. Faye Butler

National and regional tour credits include Mamma Mia, Dinah Was.., Ain't Misbehavin, Nunsense, Nunsense2, Don't Bother Me. Regional theatre credits include Trouble In Mind (Yale Repertory and Centerstage); Dancing With The Holy Ghosts (New York Film and Play Festival); Saving Aimee, Gospel According To Fishman (Signature Theatre); The Wiz (La Jolla Playhouse); Suessical (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Shop Of Horrors (Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre); Once On This Island (Centerstage); Purlie (Pasadena Playhouse and Goodman Theatre); Polk County (Arena Stage); Crumbs From The Table Of Joy (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Caroline or Change, Little Foxes, La Bete, Once In A Lifetime (Court Theatre); Could It Be Magic (Barry Manilow Songbook) (Mercury Theatre); Comfortable Shoes (Royal George Theatre); Ruthless (Forum Theatre); Showboat (Sacramento Music Theatre); Blue Sonata (Victory Gardens Theatre); The Wizard Of Oz (Arkansas Repertory); Hello Dolly, Hot Mikado, Sophisticated Ladies (Drury Lane Theatre); A... My Name Is Alice (Ivanhoe Theatre and Mixed Blood Theatre); Bingo Long... (Dreamstreet Theatre) and Hair (Vic Theatre).

ABOUT WRITERS' THEATRE

Writers' Theatre is a professional company focusing on the Word and the Artist. Remaining true to the intention of the playwright and nurturing the artist stand at the center of the mission. Now in its 18th season, the company both revives classic scripts and cultivates new works and adaptations while invigorating them with fresh energy in the intimacy of its venues. Founded in 1992, Writers' Theatre performed exclusively at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue for the first 12 years. In the fall of 2003, the organization opened a new 108 seat performance venue at 325 Tudor Court. Today, Writers' Theatre continues to produce in both spaces, maintaining an intimate theatrical experience for audiences. Since 2000, the subscriber base has grown almost 250%, from 1,500 to more than 5,200 today. With an operating budget of $3.3 million, Writers' Theatre is supported by a staff of 18 full-time employees and a 31-member Board of Trustees.
You can find Writers' Theatre on Facebook or follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter at Twitter.com/WritersTheatre. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.

 

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