Stephen Sorokoff - Page 30

As with all Stecher and Horowitz events it's all about the music and helping gifted young pianists navigate the demanding career they have chosen.  This years annual gala at the legendary architectural landmark University Club in New York City was attended by some of New York's most respected a accomplished citizens who share the Foundation's mission and who have a love of classical music.  

Lynda Carter spun 90 minutes of great music with her band on the Appel Room's stage with the backdrop of New York behind her last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The only trouble with her show is that it only plays for two nights.

Carnegie Hall is home to some of the greatest 'serious' music created by mankind and when Maestro and Music Director Steven Reineke takes the stage with the 78 member New York Pops Orchestra it's also about great music, great entertainment, and great fun.   The final concert of the season was titled 'You've Got a Friend: A Celebration of Singers and Songwriters and it featured guest artists Will Chase, Christopher Jackson, Jessie Mueller and Adrienne Warren. 

This ticket is getting harder to get than Hello Dolly.  The New York Pops Concert is once again sold out for tonight but BroadwayWorld got a seat at the rehearsal with Will, Chase, Christopher Jackson, Jessie Mueller and Adrienne Warren.

Yankee Stadium has it's 'Legends Seats' and Monuments prominently displayed in the 'House That Ruth Built'.  Then the current team takes the field and future legends start to play ball.  In the Friars Club show biz past and present are always in the house.  Their photos are on the wall and names are engraved on the chairs in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room.  Then as so often happens an 'insiders' great show is produced for the members and those legends current and future entertain their fellow Friars.  So it happened last night as the Friars Club honored Bobby Short, the legendary cabaret singer/pianist who was best known for his three decade plus music residency at Cafe Carlyle in New York City.  The music of Bobby Short was brought to life by some current Cafe Carlye and Bemelmans Bar stars in a spectacular evening produced and hosted by Friar Jeff Leibowitz and Co-Produced by Friar Will Friedwald.

Shakespeare & Company's newly appointed Artistic Director Allyn Burrows announced the famed (and largest) Shakespeare Festivals in the country lineup for the 2017 Berkshire summer season at at a press event at Chez Josephine  in New York City and BroadwayWorld was there.  This season includes three Shakespeare plays: Cymbeline, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night's Dream; plus two Edith Wharton comedies, Roman Fever and the newly adapted The Fullness of Life. Additional titles include the Obie Award winning 4,000 Miles by Amy Herzog; New York Drama Critics Circle and the Outer Critics Circle Recipient, Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage; and Tony Award Winner, God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza.

It might require a bit of stamina but if you can move fast you can hear Marilyn Maye at a 7PM show at Feinstein's/54 Below… only stay for one standing ovation and then scoot down to Birdland at 44th street just in time for Ann Hampton Callaway's taking the stage to another standing ovation at 'The Jazz Corner of The World'.  Is there another place on the planet where 2 of the greatest female jazz/pop vocalists are appearing within 1/2 mile?  Marilyn's show is called 'Carrying The Torch' and as the world knows she is capable of running with that torch and lighting the flame at the Olympics but in this case she is keeping the flame of the American Songbook burning.

The word Artist is never more accurately applied to an entertainer then when it is used to describe Clint Holmes.  Clint starts with a familiar song title on a blank music  page, and then goes on to create something you never thought that tune could become.   His vocal, jazz, acting ability, combined with his creativity cross every music red, blue, black and white music line you ever laid down.  Most of the audience at Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland Series were already 'educated consumers' at his performance celebrating the CD Release of 'Rendezvous'  last night.  However, for all, it was a reminder of what a truly great performer can brilliantly accomplish with the same 12 notes and combination of beats that all vocalists have at their disposal.  

The Royal Room in The Colony Hotel is known as The Palm Beach Home of The American Songbook.  Last night, probably two gentlemen who are associated with preserving America's musical heritage, Michael Feinstein and Legend Radio's Dick Robinson happened to be in the house for the opening night of a elegant lady who is an exceptional performer of our countries great music....Mary Wilson. 

One of the finest voices in the world and one of the most inspired pianists in the world have combined their talents and created a cabaret performance that will literally fill you from head to toe with a genre of musical euphoria that is rarely heard in a cabaret.  Opera super star and Tony Award Winner Paulo Szot with pianist/arranger (and performer) for the stars Billy Stritch have have managed to integrate the glorious sounds of the best of Broadway, the best of pop/jazz and a dose of authentic Bossa Nova in a stunning and romantically intoxicating show.  

You didn't Have to talk back to your TV last night… Dick Cavett Was “Live” at the Friars Club. The tables, (and microphones) were turned on the legendary Talk Show Host as SIRIUS XM Radio personality Pete Dominick interviewed Mr. Cavett.  The “Monestary” wasn't at all quiet as Friars had a lively Q&A after the interview with the man who had Talk Shows on ABC, CBS, PBS and USA Networks.

The Metropolitan avoided being raided last night (April Fools) as Bernie Furshpan served Charlie Roma alcohol exactly at 7:24 PM as the singing super star turned the legal 21. The Metropolitan's curtain was drawn literally so all the people in it's foyer could see as Charlie turned the room in a scene like the 1960's when Bobby Darwin was on the Copa stage.

Remember when that tall handsome imposing clothing executive J. Peterman would reprimand Elaine Benes his trusted employee (and Jerry's soulmate)?  He had a somber pompous demeanor, but then his conversation made a U-turn into something absurdly funny.  That's the way John O'Hurley, the brilliant actor, author and Broadway performer ( Billy Flynn,Chicago) starts his Cafe Carlyle cabaret act, with a reprimand to Darwin Best who makes the off stage announcement at The Carlyle….'You call that an introduction'? Then John O'Hurley proceeds to introduce himself with an authoritative voice that's a mix of Richard Burton, Edward R. Murray and Charles Kuralt. 

She really Succeeded in (show) Business and last night in addition to her other accolades, Michele Lee was presented with the Manhattan Association Of Cabaret & Clubs Lifetime Achievement Award. The Broadway Actress and film star, sing, dancer, producer, TV, and cabaret performer was introduced by her good friend Sarah Bernhard, who also noted that Michele is an activist for many social causes. Nobody still does or does it like Michele Lee (to paraphrase Cy Coleman) and she recently was seen on Broadway in WICKED. This summer Michele will be in the New York area when she brings her show 'Nobody Does It Like Me' to Barrington Stage Company on July 31st with her musical director and composer Ron Abel.

Since 1905 the Dutch Treat Club a social club of writers, artists, illustrators, publishers, and performers have had the rich, famous, and talented appear at their Tuesday Luncheons. Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammersteinll, Walter Cronkite, Jose Ferrer, Lowell Thomas Edward R. Murrow, and quite a few of U.S. Presidents have been members. This Tuesday the club met at The Players Club in Gramercy Square to hear a talk by The New York Times Columnist Gail Collins and American Songbook Standards sung by Richard Malavet. Ray Errol Fox president of the club greeted the members and introduced Ms. Collins, and Karen Oberlin introduced Mr. Malavet.

"Talk About Things You'd Like To Do"……. Will Hammerstein, grandson of Oscar ll talked about "How You Gonna Make That Dream Come True" on the Joey Reynolds radio program last night and BroadwayWorld was there. 

5-Time MAC award winner Outstanding Jazz Vocalist) and Broadway performer (Miss Saigon) brought his Nat King Cole tribute show "Unforgettable" to the Metropolitan Room  last night and BroadwayWorld was there. 

It was time for Michael Feinstein's Standard Time in Zankel Hall last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Jamie deRoy's Friar Membership and her long running Jamie deRoy & friends Variety Show are about the same age.  Jamie became a member in 1988 along with Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers and Brooke Shields.  Jamie brought this edition of the show to the Friars Club last night and the Frank Sinatra Dining Room was filled with Friars and Jamie's friends as they dined and were entertained by some of the best in the business. 

92Y's Lyrics & Lyricists series presented BABY, DREAM YOUR DREAM: Dorothy Fields AND THE WOMEN OF THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK, last night and BroadwayWorld was there.  The show was hosted by Deborah Grace Winer (Artistic Director, Writer & Host), with John Oddo (Music Director) and Mark Waldrop (Stage Director). Marilyn Maye, Kenita Miller, Nancy Opel, Margo Seibert and Emily Skinner were on vocals.