Ami Brabson and More Set for 'Music at the Mansion' Series Next Weekend

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, Music at the Mansion, on Sunday, February 28, at 3pm. Performers include 4th Wall Theatre, Ami Brabson, Peggy Eason and Michael Colby.

4th Wall Theatre is the theatre in residence at the Westminster Arts Center on the campus of Bloomfield College, in Bloomfield, NJ.

4th Wall's roots are here in Essex County. It was started by eight friends, who all worked as performers or artistic staff members at the Montclair Operetta Club in Montclair, NJ. 4th Wall's mission has focuses on presenting diverse, seldom-performed, lesser known, or original works, which celebrate a wide spectrum of visions and voices in theatre. Proud of its commitment to cutting-edge theatre, the group has presented such works as A New Brain,Violet, Assassins, Nine, and A Man of No Importance, Avenue Q and Sunday in the Park with George to name just a few.

Ami Brabson has had recurring roles in a number of television shows. She frequently appeared as Mary Pembleton in HOMICIDE: Life on the Streets. Other TV credits include LAW & ORDER SVU, DAMAGES, UNFORGETTABLE, LAW & ORDER, THE BEAT, THE JURY, WONDERLAND and various Soap Operas.

Ms. Brabson starred in the New York Premiere of TOUGH TITTY by Oni Faida Lampley. Some of her favorite regional theater roles include Quilly in John Henry Redwood's THE OLD SETTLER, Berniece in August Wilson's THE PIANO LESSON, Helena in Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and Rose in August Wilson's FENCES.

Ami is also an accomplished soprano and cabaret singer. She has performed at NY venues as varied as Merken Concert Hall and Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar. Ms. Brabson received her MFA from the NYU / Tisch Graduate School of Acting.

Peggy Eason is a 2015 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award nominee for Outstanding Female Vocalist. The Brooklyn-born Eason retired after 25 years of employment at the New York State Division of Parole where she was union president. With master's degrees in Voice and Music Education from Manhattan School of Music, as well as in Social Work from Hunter College, Eason was bored with retirement, at first. She started her own company, Chocolate Diva Enterprises, to help others. She is also president of NYC's Toastmaster's Torch Club. Miss Eason shows her audiences what she is all about with many stories to tell through her word pictures and soaring melodies. She has thrilled audiences throughout New York with her version of "Defying Gravity" (Wicked), among other songs. Miss Eason, blind since birth, has never let that interrupt her work or life. She has had an illustrious and varied career. She grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Mount Vernon, New York.

An accomplished vocalist, Miss Easton is classically trained and began singing professionally from a very young age. She earned her Master's Degree in Voice and Music Education from the Manhattan School of Music, and pursued a career early on as a lyric soprano, singing in churches, at corporate and private events while working for the Division of Parole for the State of New York.

Michael Colby is the librettist/lyricist of such musicals as CHARLOTTE SWEET (Drama Desk Award nomination), TALES OF TINSELTOWN, NORTH ATLANTIC (Show Business Award), SLAY IT WITH MUSIC (off-Broadway & London), MRS. McTHING, THEY CHOSE ME!, and LUDLOW LADD. He was chief writer for the Drama Desk Award-winning New Amsterdam Theatre Company, and has been a writer for The NY Festival of Song as well as the Theatre By the Blind.

He is the author of the well received autobiographical book "The Algonquin Kid: Adventures Growing Up at New York's Legendary Hotel."

He wrote continuity for two benefits at the 92nd Street Y: STANDING OVATIONS (starring Carol Channing, Nell Carter, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Uggams, and other great ladies of the theatre) and THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW ON BROADWAY (a tribute to Maurice Levine, hosted by Angela Lansbury). He also wrote STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION, a benefit for the Directors Company, starring Betty Buckley, Paul Shaffer, Kathy Najimi, et al.

He created special material for ANIMAL CRACKERS (PaperMill Playhouse/Goodspeed), lyrics for MEESTER AMERIKA (The Garage Theatre, NJ) and THE HUMAN HEART (at Marymount Manhattan College), and the narration for THE MAYOR MUSICALS, a benefit for Musicals In Concert hosted by Sheldon Harnick. Among the personalities for whom Mr. Colby has written material are: Linda Lavin, Tony Randall, Tovah Feldshuh, Tony Yazbeck, Robert Cuccioli, Savion Glover, Dina Merrill, Susan Stroman, Michael Feinstein, Jack Gilford, Andrea Marcovicci, Kristin Chenoweth, Bruce Adler, Cliff Robertson, Lainie Kazan, Jane Powell, Eric Stoltz, Julie Wilson, Alison Fraser, Mary Cleere Haran, Donna McKechnie, & Cicely Tyson. Michael's movie credits include writing the title song for the film HEART OF THE BEHOLDER.

"Music at the Mansion" is a 2012 MAC award nominated series showcasing talented performers from NYC and NJ. The series is hosted by NYC Cabaret singer and Bloomfield resident Corinna Sowers-Adler and will feature Deborah Martin on piano. Series hostess, Corinna Sowers Adler, has been nominated as "Best Host of a Variety Show" and "Best Female Vocalist" for the 2012 and 2014 Broadway World Cabaret Awards. Sowers Adler was a featured soloist at the 25th Annual New York Cabaret Convention held in the Rose Theater of Jazz at Lincoln Center and made her solo debut in The Appel Room. She recently nominated for the Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award. Corinna has also toured and performed her solo cabaret shows Stories, By Request, Songs From the Heart, Let Me Sing and I'm Happy, and High Standards at venues in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Tickets for "Music at the Mansion" are $10 per person and are available at the door. Seating begins at 2:30pm. Light refreshments will be served. Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center is located at 240 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact booking (at) corinnasings.com or call Oakeside at 973-429-0960. Making beautiful music in a beautiful place with beautiful people...

Pictured: Ami Brabson

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