BWW Review: Todd Murray & Sean Harkness Deliver a Swoony (and Croony) Valentine's Day Show at the Metropolitan Room
When vocalist Todd Murray discovered several of the musicians for his excellent show Croon were unavailable for their scheduled Valentine's Day appearance last Sunday afternoon at the Metropolitan Room, he asked Sean Harkness (the guitarist in the show) to join him for a two-hander. The fortuitous accident yielded a terrific presentation of romantic material from sentimental to ardent, a pared down sharing of unadulterated heart and high musical craft that deserves wider audience. “It's our goal to put you in the mood,” Murray tells us. They do.
Luigi Creatore, Elvis Hitmaker, Dies at 93
Luigi Creatore, who with his cousin Hugo Peretti wrote and produced iconic hits for such stars as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Perry Como, Sarah Vaughan, Della Reese, Jimmie Rodgers, Patti Page and many others, including the Tokens' “Lion Sleeps Tonight,” Presley's “Can't Help Falling in Love” and “Wild in the Country,” and Cook's “Another Saturday Night” and “Twistin' the Night Away,” died of pneumonia at a Boca Raton hospice on Sunday, Dec. 13. He was 93.
Star of Broadway's HELLAZPOPPIN, June Winters Dies at 96
It has been confirmed that June Winters, widow of legendary songwriter and record producer Hugo Peretti, and famous in her own right as the "Lady in Blue" on both radio and records, died March 29 of natural causes at her home in Bergenfield, NJ.
BWW Reviews: James Snyder Charms Birdland
James Snyder got this week off to a great start when he brought James Snyder: Prince Charming to Birdland as part of the venue's ongoing Broadway at Birdland concert series. Existing partly as a way to promote the upcoming production of Ever After at Paper Mill Playhouse, this intimate cabaret concert was really just a great excuse to get to hear one of Broadway's favorite leading men sing a collection of songs.
STAGE TUBE: Anita Darian Dies at Age 87
Anita Darian, a soprano whose four-octave voice earned her the nickname “The Armenian Yma Sumac” and spawned an eclectic 50-year career that ranged from performances with the New York City Opera, Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic to big-band jazz concerts, co-starring roles with Barbara Cook, and hit pop recordings that included “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is dead at 87. A longtime resident of East Atlantic Beach, L.I., she died Sunday, Feb. 1 at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside of complications from surgery.
Photo Flash: AN ERROR OF THE MOON Opens at The Beckett Theatre
AN ERROR OF THE MOON, a speculation of jealousy, madness and the brothers Booth, began Off-Broadway performances August 13th at The Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street. The new play by Luigi Creatore will officially open on Monday, August 30th for a limited engagement through October 10th. Under the direction of Kim Weild, the cast of AN ERROR OF THE MOON features Margaret Copeland, Erik Heger, Andrew Veenstra, and BrIan Wallace.
AN ERROR OF THE MOON Opens 8/30 At The Beckett
AN ERROR OF THE MOON, a speculation of jealousy, madness and the brothers Booth, began Off-Broadway performances August 13th at The Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street. The new play by Luigi Creatore officially opened on Monday, August 30th for a limited engagement through October 10th. Under the direction of Kim Weild, the cast of AN ERROR OF THE MOON features Margaret Copeland, Erik Heger, Andrew Veenstra, and Brian Wallace.