The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, presents Broadway legend and 2011 Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Cook from August 21 to 26. Her show "Let's Fall In Love" is comprised of her signature mix of songs, pop standards, jazz classics and Broadway staples.
Barbara Cook – considered "Broadway's favorite ingénue" during the heyday of the Broadway musical – launched a second career as a concert and recording artist soaring from one professional peak to another. Her silvery soprano, purity of tone, and warm presence have delighted audiences around the world for more than 50 years. She received the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, along with Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma and Sonny Rollins.
Whether on the stages of major international venues throughout the world or in the intimate setting of a New York nightclub, Barbara Cook's popularity continues to thrive – as evidenced by the celebration of her 80th birthday in the Fall of 2007 with three sold out concerts with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, her solo concert debut at the Metropolitan Opera (which made her the first female pop singer to be presented by the Met in the company's long history), and a succession of six triumphant returns to Carnegie Hall where she made a legendary solo concert debut in 1975. Miss Cook's ever-growing mantle of honors include Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, as well as her citation as a Living New York Landmark, her induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame and Musical America's 2007 Vocalist of the Year award.
A leading star during the Broadway musical's "golden age" of the 50's and 60's, Barbara's many Broadway credits include the creation of three classic roles in the American musical theatre: Cunegonde in Leonard Bernstein's Candide, Marian the Librarian in Meredith Willson's The Music Man (Tony Award), and Amalia in Bock and Harnick's She Loves Me (Drama Desk Award). Last year she returned to Broadway for the first time in 23 years and received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Sondheim On Sondheim. Her latest CD is You Make Me Feel So Young, recorded last year live at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.
The Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko
222 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Tues, 8/21, 8:00pm
Wed, 8/22, 8:00pm
Thurs, 8/23, 8:00pm
Fri, 8/24, 8:00pm
Sat, 8/25, 8:00pm
Sun, 8/26, 7:00pm
$55-$75
800-380-3095 // 415-394-1189
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS AT THE RRAZZ ROOM
THE Tommy Igoe BIG BAND
Live at The RRazz Room
Featuring 15 of the Bay Area's finest musicians
Including members of Tower of Power, Santana and The Doobie Brothers
Mondays at 7:30pm $25
Monday nights through August 27
For the last five years, Tommy Igoe developed a new big band at Birdland, and it became the most popular weekly event in New York City. He brings the same musical acumen to San Francisco, and endeavors to change the face of nightlife on Mondays. Igoe brings his big band pedigree (his father Sonny Igoe was the drummer for Benny Goodman and Woody Herman during the 40s-50s) to create a big band for the 21st Century. This is not nostalgia, but a forward-looking spin on a uniquely American format. Tommy Igoe prides himself on finding music you may not have heard, but will love nonetheless.
15-Piece Big Band
"Smile"
Tues, 7/24, 7/31, 8pm
Wed, 7/25, 8/1, 7:30pm
Thurs, 7/26, 8/2, 7:30pm
Fri, 7/27, 8/3, 7:30pm
Sat, 7/28, 8/4, 7:30pm
Sun, 7/29, 8/5, 5pm
$35-40
There are certain songs that will always lift your spirits. For over twenty-five years, the Queen of Cabaret, Andrea Marcovicci, has watched her audiences thrill to the strains of their most beloved songs. "The ones where they burst into smiles, and the ones where they reach across the table to hold hands. I want to make the show about bringing people together," says Marcovicci. Highlights include "You Make Me Feel So Young," "Life is Just Bowl of Cherries," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Happy Together," and of course, the title tune, "Smile."
Cabaret
"NY I Love You"
Fri, 7/27, 9:30pm
Sat, 7/28, 9:30pm
Sun, 7/29, 7:00pm
$35
Emily Bergl is best known for her role on "Desperate Housewives," but last year she burst onto the cabaret scene with a sold out run at the Algonquin Hotel. Her new show, "NY I Love You" is an evening of song and stories that explores a life-long love affair with the Big Apple and all the characters that call Manhattan home. Audiences are transported to the city that never sleeps, with classic tunes from Rodgers and Hart to Gus Kahn, and sly reinventions of modern pop from The Beach Boys to Cyndi Lauper.
Broadway, Pop
EDNA WRIGHT & THE HONEY CONE
Classic 70's R&B and Soul Girl Group Singing All Their Hits!
Fri, 8/3, 9:15pm
Sat, 8/4, 9:15pm
$35
Honey Cone comprised Carolyn Willis, Shelly Clark and Edna Wright. Formed in 1966 and based in Los Angeles, they were the newly created Hot Wax Records' first signing to that fledgling label. The trio had previous musical experience with Willis previously a member of The Girlfriends; Clark an ex-member of the Ikettes; while Wright was a member of gospel group The Cogics. They had been singing together for a short while when they were spotted by Eddie Holland in 1966 who re-named them Honey Cone. In more recent years, Wright has performed across the US with Latari Martin and Melodye Perry, billed as 'Edna Wright and The Honey Cone.' The RRazz Room welcomes them back as part of its "Soul Train Nights".
R&B, Soul
JOANNA PITT
"REMEMBERING THE CARPENTERS"
A Live Tribute To The Music Of The Carpenters
Sun, 8/5, 8:00pm
$25
Experience the beautiful melodies and warm sound of one of the most popular and enduring vocal groups of the 1970s. Singer Joanna Pitt and Musical Director Todd Schroeder deliver a loving tribute to Karen and Richard Carpenter's rise to fame in one unforgettable evening.
Pop, Soft Rock
THE KINSEY SICKS
"ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION: THE KINSEY SICKS FOR PRESIDENT"
A World Premiere Commission from the creators of "Oy Vey in a Manger"
Tues, 8/7, 8/14, 8:00pm
Wed, 8/8, 8/15, 8:00pm
Thurs, 8/9, 8/16, 8:00pm
Fri, 8/10, 8/17, 8:00pm
Sat, 8/11, 8/18, 8:00pm
Sun, 8/12, 8/19, 7:00pm
$35-$40
Join the Kinsey Sicks at the official launch of their groundbreaking campaign to become the first Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet to win the Republican nomination for President! With an ear attuned to current events, watch the gals try to take America (a)back to a place it never was by out- pandering, out-conspiracy theorizing, and out-outlandishing even the most cynical of the current crop of Presidential candidates, all in glorious, tongue-in-cheek four-part harmony.
Cabaret
SWING SET JAZZ COMBO
Sat, 8/11, 4:00 pm
$25
Swing Set Jazz Combo is a multiple-award winning, student-led jazz combo from Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa. With extensive experience in swing jazz and improvisation, Swing Set has branched out from the standard 50s and 60s jazz as evidenced by their repertoire, which includes all subgenres of jazz, from the group's arrangements of Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans to Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. The combo consists of six members, including Justis Jones on vibes, Zak Leever on keyboards, Brett Matoes on bass, Connor Rutten on alto saxophone, and Sidney Sullivan on drums, and is led by electric violinist Gabe Gladstein.
Jazz
VERONICA KLAUS
SINGS THE Peggy Lee SONGBOOK
WITH THE TAMMY HALL TRIO
Fri, 8/24, 10:00pm
Sat, 8/25, 10:00pm
$30
San Francisco chanteuse Veronica Klaus returns to The RRazz Room with an encore of her critically acclaimed show featuring the music of Peggy Lee. Veronica's keen sensibility and eclectic taste guarantee an evening of intriguing musical selections, encompassing a broad range of material from jazz and pop to originals and obscure gems.
Jazz, Pop
Wed, 8/29, 8:00pm
Thurs, 8/30, 8:00pm
$35.
Nicole Henry is a Miami based international recording artist specializing in jazz, American songbook, and adult contemporary styles. She has firmly established herself as one of the most acclaimed entertainers in jazz. Her powerfully expressive voice and her soulful, sophisticated and uplifting energy has earned her three top 10 albums. Adding to her vocal talents, Nicole's beauty and on-stage rapport combines confidence, sincerity and a touch of sass, confirming her as an all-around beguiling performer to audiences in over 15 countries.
Jazz, Adult Contemporary
KARRIN ALLYSON
"Round Midnight"
Fri, 8/31, 7:30pm
Sat, 9/1, 7:30pm
Sun, 9/2, 5:00pm
$35
The three time Grammy nominated vocalist debut at the RRazz Room with selections from her CD "Round Midnight." The tracks on the album come from a wide variety of sources, including Bill Evans, Paul Simon, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim, even Charlie Chaplin
Jazz
"CRAZY 1961"
THE SONGS AND EVENTS OF 1961
Fri, 8/31, 9:15pm
Sat, 9/1, 9:15pm
When is a one-man show a three-ring circus? "Cabaret" doesn't only imply Julie Wilson in her suave feather boas or Mabel Mercer enthroned on her singing stool: Pianist-singer Mark Nadler shows how the Great American Songbook can be reanimated with the frenetic, verbal-physical energy of Danny Kaye and The Ritz Brothers.
Cabaret
LYPSINKA
"THE PASSION OF THE CRAWFORD"
Tues, 9/4 & 9/11, 8:00pm
Wed, 9/5 & 9/12, 8:00pm
Thurs, 9/6 & 9/13, 8:00pm
Fri, 9/7 & 9/14, 9:30pm
Sat, 9/8 & 9/15 9:30pm
Sun, 9/9 & 9/16, 7:00pm
$35
John Epperson, appearing as his alter ego Lypsinka, has always delved into powerful womanhood for his groundbreaking shows. Incorporating a sizable dollop of Joan Crawford's large persona, this show is devoted entirely to the Oscar-winning actress. This fun and hilarious show about the refraction of celebrity and addiction to fame features interviews and speeches given by Crawford.
Cabaret
Fri, 9/7, 7:30pm
Sat, 9/8, 7:30pm
Sun, 9/9, 4:00pm
$37
Amanda's name first came to the attention of the music public when Bette Midler's version of Amanda's song "The Rose" hit number one all over the world in 1979. Her songs have been recorded by the likes of Bette Midler, Leanne Rimes, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, Stephanie Mills, The Manhattan Transfer, Donny Osmond, the Chipmunks, and the Baby Dinosaurs in "Land Before Time" (she wrote all the songs for 11 Universal Cartoon videos with longtime collaborator Michele Brourman).
Cabaret, Adult Contemporary
Host-escorted seating assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Doors open 60 minutes prior to show. The RRazz Room is a two-drink minimum, all-ages venue, and tickets are non-refundable. Limited Club R VIP Memberships available: 415.394.1189 or Kris@TheRRazzRoom.com
Additional helpful information: The R2 Lounge and Bar is open daily at 4pm. Happy Hour is from 4PM - 7PM, seven days a week. Dress Code is upscale casual. Inappropriate attire is: ripped jeans, flip-flops, baseball caps and jerseys. No audio nor video recording without prior approval. Absolutely no flash photography. Please silence cell phones, refrain from use, and keep conversations to a whisper during performances. With a validation from The RRazz Room, parking at the Mason O'Farrell Garage is $12 (up to five hours). Enter the garage from Mason or O'Farrell Streets.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
Videos