There was plenty of Magic to Do in a Wicked-ly delightful evening with Schwartz and company at Bay Area Cabaret's opening night. San Francisco's venerable Bay Area Cabaret launched its 11th season with a Gala Evening honoring songwriter/composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Prince of Egypt) at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. Scroll down for photos!
In this one of a kind show, the packed audience listened eagerly to on-stage interviews of Schwartz by ASCAP's Director of Musical Theatre Michael Kerker, and then reveled in performances by Saturday Night Live's Ana Gasteyer (who played Elphaba on Broadway) as well as two masterful interpreters of Schwartz's work: Liz Callaway (Sunset Boulevard, Merrily We Roll Along, Miss Saigon, Cats) and Michael McCorry Rose (Wicked).
Musical direction was provided by Michael Orland, known for his work as pianist, arranger, and Associate Musical Director of American Idol.
The evening's stars were joined onstage by some exciting young talent, including two previous Bay Area Cabaret Bay Area Teen Idol winners, Peter Scattini and Bobby Conte Thornton (who will make his own cabaret solo debut at the end of the current season).
Following the show, guests enjoyed cocktails and mingled with the stars in the Fairmont's Diplomat Club.
Up next for Bay Area Cabaret is pioneering Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer Leslie Uggams in "Classic Uggams." In her first Bay Area appearance in more than two decades, Ms. Uggams celebrates over 60 years in show business in a lauded performance, presented by Bay Area Cabaret November 2nd at the Fairmont San Francisco. For tickets and more information visit BayAreaCabaret.org.
Stephen Schwartz and Bay Area Cabaret founder Marilyn Levinson
Saturday Night Live''s Ana Gasteyer and Broadway''s Liz Callaway
Marsha Monro and Jean and Michael Strunsky (Gershwin Estate)
Marsha Monro, Bay Area Cabaret founder Marilyn Levinson, and Jean and Michael Strunsky (Gershwin Estate)
Bay Area Cabaret founder Marilyn Levinson, Michael McCorry Rose, Ana Gasteyer, Stephen Schwartz, Liz Callaway, Michael Orland, and Michael Kerker
AMERICAN IDOL''s musical director Michael Orland and Broadway''s Michael McCorry Rose
Videos