Photo Coverage: 9 To 5's Stephanie J. Block Sings And Signs At Barnes And Noble
By: Eddie Varley Jul. 03, 2009
9 To 5's Stephanie J. Block made a special appearance to celebrate the release of her debut solo recording, "This Place I Know," on Wednesday, July 1st at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble. The performance and signing brought out her many fans as she shared her soaring and dynamic vocals with the crowd! BroadwayWorld.com was there to cheer on one of our favorite Broadway leading ladies as she wowed the audience who came out to help her celebrate.
Stephanie J. Block, currently starring on Broadway in the role of Judy Bernly in 9 to 5: The Musical, will also be making a triumphant return to Birdland to celebrate the release of her debut album, "This Place I Know," on Monday, July 13th at 7pm. The evening is part of the award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland, presented by Jim Caruso's Cast Party.
As on the cd, Stephanie will gather an array of award-winning musical theatre songwriters to join her onstage to help celebrate her debut solo album, "This Place I Know," which is being released by PS Classics. Dominick Amendum acts as musical director and co-producer of the album. The Broadway at Birdland evening promises many surprise guest stars.
Stephanie reveals in the album's liner notes, "Hearing a composer play their own music is an extraordinary experience...one that is very personal. It's almost like you are listening in on a secret. I wanted to bring that experience to the recording studio. I asked some of my favorite composers and lyricists to not only lend me their music, but to perform with me on this album."
Country music legend Dolly Parton joins vocal forces with Stephanie to reinvent her 1974 classic, "I Will Always Love You," while Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award-winner Marvin Hamlisch accompanies and arranges his own "Smart Women," cut from the Broadway play with music Imaginary Friends. Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) accompanies Stephanie on "Making Good," the driving ballad she originated in Wicked's initial workshops, while composer Stephen Flaherty(Ragtime) assumes the piano for the recording premiere of his "Something Beautiful." In fact, every track finds the composer joining Stephanie to interpret his or her song; "This Place I Know" also features collaborations with Deborah Abramson, Scott Alan, Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler, Andrew Lippa, Paul Loesel,Steve Marzullo, and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Nine of the thirteen tracks are premiere recordings.
Stephanie J. Block comes to 9 to 5: The Musical straight from playing the role of Elphaba in the Broadway Company of Wicked. Broadway audiences also know her for her portrayal as Grace O'Malley in The Pirate Queen and Liza Minnelli oppositeHugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz. Stephanie also starred in the First National Touring Company of Wicked as Elphaba, for which she won the 2006 Helen HayesAward for Outstanding Actress. She is a proud member of The Musical Theatre Guild and has been a member of Actors' Equity since 1995.
Stephanie J. Block
"This Place I Know"
Broadway at Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
Monday, July 13th at 7pm
Tickets: $35 General Admission, $60 Premium
$10 food/drink minimum
212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com
Photos by Tsunami Roberts
Paul Loesel, Stephanie J. Block, Andrew Lippa and Dominick Amendum
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