Stephen Sorokoff - Page 32

HAZEL "A Musical Maid In America" was extremely vetted at The Madison Theatre at Molloy College last night.  The sweet show about that irrepressible maid from the 1960s Emmy Award-winning television series has music by Ron Abel, lyrics by Chuck Steffan and book by Lissa Levin.  As HAZEL climbs the creative ladder on it's way to NYC it gave some very professional theatre majors at Molloy College a chance to perform in a staged reading along side HAZEL's star Klea Blackhurst and a full compliment of musicians. Angelo Fraboni the artistic director and producer at the Madison Theatre cleaned up with all the accolades as Long Island theatre goers were swept up in the fun and tender story of HAZEL . The only place this musical should be deported to is Broadway.

NiCori Studios and Productions presented James and the Giant Peach at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College last night and BroadwayWorld was there. 

Last night the creative team of Georgie: My Adventures with George Rose celebrated after it's first preview and BroadwayWorld was there.

The award-winning songwriters Zina Goodrich and Marcy Heisler brought their vivacious, eclectic, romantic, and seriously funny songbook to Feinstein's/54 Below last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Award winning songwriter Victoria Shaw brought the 2017 edition of her show Under The Covers to Birdland last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Her recurring Birdland show featured country western stars Neal McCoy & Gary Burr and a special appearance by Ruby Locknar.

It took Jennifer Ashley Tepper & Kevin Michael Murphy 90 minutes to present the 16th edition of "If It Only Even Runs A Minute" at Feinstein's/54 Below last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

The 92Y's Lyrics & Lyricists 2017 opened this weekend celebrating the music of Harold Arlen and BroadwayWorld was there.

Christine Ebersole returned to Feinstein's/54 Below last night for a limited engagement of her concert After The Ball and BroadwayWorld was there.  In this performance, which is jut a few weeks before Christine returns to Broadway for the premiere of the new musical War Paint!

In the 1920's Hollywood's counterpart was the Kaufman Astoria Studios.  The historic movie studio produced silent films as well as the first 'talkies'.  The Astor Room which sits 'Below' the sound stages was the original studio commissary and it has been lovingly preserved in all it's glory…. complete with the same Mason & Hamlin 1923 Grand Piano used by the musicians of the day.  Where Rudolph Valentino dined with other silent film stars, studio executives, and extras you now enjoy a great meal while being entertained every Wednesday by host Michael Mott and his group of talented friends.  This weeks guest vocalists were Morgan Assante (Les Miserables), Josh Tolle (Kinky Boots), and Haley Swindal ) Jekyll & Hyde).  Composer, Lyricist, singer Michael Mott is a bit like Astoria's answer to Seth Rudtsky and it's one of the few places where prices are probably lower than in the 1920's.  There's no cover or minimum.  Seeing new talent in this historic setting is like going back to the future. 

Some of the "best singers on the planet" are on Jim Caruso's list at his Cast Party at Birdland and last night they all had their performances memorialized by famed Broadway artist Justin "Squigs" Robertson.  Justin, a caricaturist in the tradition of Al Hirschfeld had to work fast since it's against Cast Party rules to sing a ballad. After each performer zipped through a swinging tune they were presented with a quickly drawn "Squigs" caricature.  Marilyn Maye, who is currently appearing at the Metropolitan Room dropped in and sang one of her great medley's and even though it gave Justin enough time to do an oil painting, she too got a quick drawing.  All donations made for the artwork were given to Justin "Squigs" designated charity, Convenant House.

Composer David Yazbek performed music from his Broadway shows and albums last night at Feinstein's/54 Below and BroadwayWorld was there. The composer/lyricist of The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Boardwalk Empire and Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego also was joined by special guest Anais Mitchell, the acclaimed singer-songwriter recently represented off-Broadway with Hadestown

Last night Leonard Bernstein's Candide, directed by legend Broadway visionary Harold Prince was presented by the New York City Opera and BroadwayWorld was at the opening night festivities.

It isn't just her New Year's Eve Party that launched the start of a great new New York City Cabaret year.  Marilyn Maye is also keeping the musical festivities going at the Metropolitan Room on Jan. 6,7,11,12,13, and 14th.  It's become one of the hottest tickets in town.  Her song selection may be a little different than New Years but the excitement and excellence of her performance are the same.  The Metropolitan Room is also launching their new menu selections for 2017.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented internet sensation Randy Rainbow hosting a Pre-Inaugural Situation at the historic music room last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

It may not have been Times Square, but 22nd street was the place to be for a celebration as Marilyn created the greatest New Years party ever. You just don't attend a Marilyn Maye performance, you live it, feel it, and it embeds itself in your musical soul forever. We don't know what's going to happen this year, but seeing Billy Stritch & Marilyn perform started it off in a wonderfully optimistic way. They re-create the excitement on Jan 5,6,7,11,12,13,& 14 at the Metropolitan Room

See Shawn Moninger in his second foray onto the cabaret stage BECAUSE I CAN 2 'SECOND ADDICTION'

All the sold out Christine Pedi Show's audience got for Christmas last night at Feinstein's 54/Below was Barbra Streisand, Patti Lupone, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Carol Channing and her favorite divas stuffed into one big Christmas stocking and BroadwayWorld was there.

I don't know who proclaimed him King, but Elli, known as 'The king of Broadway' was lighting the Menorah candles last night on at his 4th annual Chanukah Show on the 5th night of The Festival of Lights at Bernie Furshpan's temple of Cabaret. 

You might think of Bing, Andy or Perry when you think Christmas Music Specials, but for the past seven years it's been BIlly, Jim, and Klea with an an extraordinary presentation of swinging Holiday music.  This year it's only on the Birdland schedule for 3 nights because the the trios sleigh took them to folks on the other side of the country too.  You can still get this present  on Sat. 12/24 and Sunday 12/25 at Birdland. 

KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler brought their show "Almost Like Being In Love" to the Laurie Beechman Theatre last night and BroadwayWorld was there.