BROADWAY CLOSE UP Series Will Feature Groovelily, Molaskey, Ziemba, Monk & More, Begins 10/5

BROADWAY CLOSE UP returns to the Merkin Concert Hall with an expanded lineup for the 2009-2010 season.

In addition to three concerts featuring legendary Broadway composers and lyricists John Kander and Gerard Alessandrini and the annual Bound for Broadway show hosted by Liz Callaway, next season's series includes an evening of songs by Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon performed by a stellar cast of Broadway stars.

The season also features a special New Year's Eve treat: the critically acclaimed musical Striking 12.

Broadway Close Up performers this season include David Hyde Pierce, Karen Ziemba, Jessica Mulaskey, Barbara Walsh, Capathia Jenkins, Debra Monk and Ann Hampton Callaway.

The season kicks off Monday, October 05, 2009 8:00 pm with "Girls Like Us," based on the bestselling book by Sheila Weller and features the music of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon.

If you grew up listening to these songs, you'll love the unique interpretations of Merkin's stellar cast, which includes Liz Callaway, Barbara Walsh, Capathia Jenkins, Jessica Molaskey and Ann Hampton Callaway. Weller will read from her book and discuss the three artists, whose music influenced and reflects the women's revolution in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Come take an eye-opening tour through the stories and songs that have become ingrained in the psyche of America's soul. Bring your mother or your daughter!

On Monday, October 26, 2009 at 8:00 pm, The Merkin Concert Hall will present "Broadway Close Up: John Kander".

John Kander, of Kander and Ebb-composer of Cabaret, Chicago, New York, New York and Kiss of the Spider Woman-is a warm, funny and articulate man whose melodies you never forget. A stellar cast including David Hyde Pierce, who won a Tony Award for his performance in Kander's Curtains, joined by fellow Tony winners and Kander veterans Karen Ziemba and Debra Monk along with Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, sing his songs and his praises. Kander's signature tunes include "Cabaret," "New York, New York," "Maybe This Time" and "All That Jazz."

"Bound for Broadway" takes place Monday, November 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm. The 9th annual Bound For Broadway concert, hosted by Liz Callaway, will be something special. This season, Liz wowed audiences with her Bound for Broadway theme song. Next fall there are lots more surprises in store, plus sneak peeks at five new shows written by some of the most inspiring and adventurous writers in town. The singers are always great!

Broadway Close Up presents Gerard Alessandrini Monday, December 07, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Gerard Alessandrini is the comic genius behind Forbidden Broadway, a satirical cabaret revue spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals, including popular shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Les Misérables, Annie Get Your Gun, Hairspray, The Lion King, The Music Man, Miss Saigon and Rent, to name a few. While revisiting some of the gems from that show's 25 years of inspired spoofery, you'll find out how he really feels about Broadway's past and future, and some of the non-Forbidden shows he's written, too.

As a special New Year's Eve treat, the Merkin Concert Hall will present "Striking 12" Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Striking 12 is a unique, brilliant, funny and loveable musical performed by its writers, the band GrooveLily. Described as "a cross between a rock concert and a holiday show for people who don't like holiday shows," Striking 12 is about a grumpy guy who stays at home on New Year's Eve, until reading "The Little Match Girl" changes his life. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times praised the show as "artfully crafted and engaging." "The story is touching and poignant while at the same time lighthearted and funny," he wrote. "I went for the theater but found the music as engrossing as the story." The show is 90 minutes of exhilaration you'll never forget, and you'll be out of the theater in plenty of time for New Year's Eve parties.

All performances will take place at the Merkin Concert Hall (129 West 67th Street). For more information, and to purchase tickets, call (212) 501-3330 or visit www.kaufman-center.org.