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Marilyn Michaels

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Marilyn Michaels BIO

Marilyn Michaels began her career as a child prodigy, performing at the age of 7
with her mother, trailblazing Cantoress Fraydele Oysher. She sang in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. By the time she was 14, she was soloist in her father Harold Sternberg’s (Met Opera Basso) choir, and the Cantor was her Uncle, the world renowned Moishe Oysher.

A music major at The High School of Music and Art (LaGuardia) she switched mid-stream to become an Art major, and she also began auditioning for Broadway shows and record labels with her own songs.

After graduating from La Guardia, she was signed by Ray Rainwater, brother of Country singer Marvin Rainwater, and recorded several singles engineered by the iconic Phil Ramone, who overdubbed his violin several times—the first time a string section was so created.

When producers Hugo and Luigi (“The Lion Sleeps Tonight”) were searching for a girl to sing the "answer" song to Ray Peterson’s hit, “Tell Laura I Love Her”... (Tell Tommy I Miss Him)--- Marilyn auditioned for them, accompanying herself at the piano, and was immediately signed to RCA Victor. Her single made the charts and has since become a staple of compilation “Answer” songs of the 60's.

Marilyn also began performing her act at every possible venue from clubs to the Catskills and Las Vegas showrooms. When she auditioned for George Schlatter (“Laugh In”) he chose her to guest on a tv pilot: “New Faces.”

Soon she was popping up on national television with frequency: The Hollywood Palace, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, and headlining at the world famous CopaCabana.

For a brief time, she signed with Warner Bros records, but quickly switched to the ABC Paramount label, where her first album, “Marilyn Michaels,” was produced and arranged by Sy Oliver, Bobby Scott, and Hal Wess.

It was during this time that she sang for Jule Styne and was chosen to star as Fanny Brice in the National Company of Funny Girl while Barbra Streisand was performing it on Broadway. Her meeting with Streisand is well documented in her book, How Not To Cook For the Rest of Your Life.

She toured for a year in the show, garnering personal raves, and selling out houses throughout the country. At this time, she signed with Jerry Weintraub, (Management 3) and did two major television shows: The Dean Martin and Red Skelton Shows.

At the start of the 60’s you could see her perform on Hullaballo with Sammy Davis Jr, and the Jackie Gleason - American Scene Magazine, as well as the Hollywood Palace-- and by the 70's, she was on the Name of the Game with Sammy again, and in full swing. She guested on most television variety and talk shows, like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Jonathan Winters Show, The Flip Wilson show, and many others. But it was her stint on the Gary Smith/Dwight Hemion series The Kopykats (ABC Comedy Hour) which brought her once again into national prominence.

The 80's brought more national exposure performing with Rich Little in the Look Who’s Turning Diet 7 UP campaign; along with star turns in Atlantic City Showrooms, she did a Playboy pictorial (August ’82), paying tribute to six iconic ladies: Dolly Parton, Bo Derek, Streisand, Julie Andrews Bette Midler, and Donna Summer.

In '91 Marilyn starred on Broadway in the sleeper hit “Catskills on Broadway,” for which she won the Outer Critic Circle and Drama League Awards, and appeared on such shows as Regis and Kathie Lee, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Howard Stern, The Name of the Game (with her mentor Sammy Davis, who wrote the liner notes for the Warner Bros Album: Fantastic Debut) and guest starred on The Love Boat (with Debbie Reynolds).

Following her stint on Broadway, Marilyn brought her own show to Harrahs hotel in the dazzling revue, Broadway Ballyhoo, and continued to guest on National television, as well as play host for Girls Night Out on Lifetime or dealt with topical social issues as the host of CNBC'S Talk Live. She also guested on the PBS special Another Mitzvah and hosted the WLIW television's Awards in Excellence Gala.

Her rendition of Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand singing via split screen on an NBC Award show has become a cult favorite. She has appeared with the Philadelphia and Long Island symphonies, and has narrated with multiple voices the Emmy winning Reading Rainbow for PBS (Gregory the Terrible Eater) and the audio book, Frankly Scarlett, I Do Give A Damn (Harper Collins)

Marilyn is an accomplished painter whose landscape paintings and celebrity artworks have shown in New York and Palm Beach’s finest galleries. They can be viewed on this website. Just click the ART icon.

Marilyn's CD's include Voices (30 characters and voices), An Oysher Heritage (timeless Yiddish and Hebrew duets with her Uncle, Cantor Moishe Oysher and Mother Fraydele Oysher), A Mother's Voice (by Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman), singing with her son Mark, and Wonderful At Last—which includes songs penned by Marilyn and Mark for the musical “Alysha,” based on Alice Through the Looking Glass. The liner notes quote Broadway composer Jule Styne…

”Marilyn, you’re a thrilling talent.”

Her humorous autobiography, written with Mark, HOW NOT TO COOK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, is available on Amazon, or personally autographed through this site, and a forthcoming CD, Let There Be Night, is in the works, with selections ranging from classical to Rock and beyond.

Marilyn Michaels Photos

Marilyn Michaels STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1991
Performer


Marilyn Michaels News


Interview: Lisa Dawn Miller Of FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE At 54 Below


'For Once in my life, I have someone who needs me...' and WE need to hear this and more written by the man who wrote those words sung by Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, and a zillion others, including his daughter (whom we interview) and her son. (Both will be in the show on October 8.)

BWW CD Review: Marilyn Michaels LET THERE BE NIGHT Leaves It All On The Floor


Marilyn Michaels is celebrating seventy years as a performer, and for her anniversary she is giving all her fans a gift: a sixteen cut CD that illustrates why she made it in the business and why she's still going strong.

BWW Interview: SO NOW YOU KNOW with Marilyn Michaels


In this interview, I am lucky to uncover some new facts about the legendary funny lady, Marilyn Michaels.

New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of December 21 - MOULIN ROUGE! Songbook, ESTELLA SCROOGE Cast Recording, and More!


This week's list includes the songbook to Moulin Rouge! the Musical. Also, check out the Estella Scrooge cast album featuring Danny Burstein, Betsy Wolfe, Lauren Patten, Patrick Page, Carolee Carmello, and more.

Marilyn Michaels Releases New Album LET THERE BE NIGHT


Singer Comedienne, Marilyn Michaels has released a new Album---Let There Be Night, 70th Anniversary CD.

WATCH: A Very Broadway Mother's Day on #54BelowAtHome at 6:30pm!


Feinstein's/54 Below continues their #54BelowAtHome series tonight with A Very Broadway Mother's Day!

Feinstein's/54 Below Announces Two Original Online Shows


Feinstein's/54 Below has added two original shows to #54BelowatHome, a series of streamed performances to provide theater fans everywhere with artistic content from their favorite artists.

Stage Door Records Launch 'Lost Broadway' Album Series


Following the critically acclaimed 'Lost West End' album series, Stage Door Records present the launch of 'Lost Broadway', a new series of albums that will focus on celebrating Broadway's forgotten and obscure musicals. With each album dedicated to specific years in Broadway history, the 'Lost Broadway' series launches with 'Lost Broadway 1961', a particularly abundant year in the Broadway calendar for musicals whose residencies were short lived but deserve not to be forgotten.

Special Guests Set to Appear At The Lambs


The Lambs, America's First Professional Theatrical Club, established in New York in 1874, nurtures those active in the arts, as well as those who are supporters of the arts, by providing fellowship, activities and a clubhouse for its members.

The Lambs, America's First Professional Theatrical Club to Welcome Special Guests


The Lambs, America's First Professional Theatrical Club, established in New York in 1874, nurtures those active in the arts, as well as those who are supporters of the arts, by providing fellowship, activities and a clubhouse for its members.

Marilyn Michaels Releases Autobiography


Actress, Comedienne and singer Marilyn Michaels' new book, How Not to Cook, for the Rest of Your Life is an ANTI-cookbook but gives you plenty of food for thought!

Jan Grice Presents The Fabulous Flo Hayle In ENCORES!


Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre invites audiences to experience ENCORES!, a special one-time only performance by the legendary Flo Hayle on the BST Mainstage Saturday April 21st at 2:00pm. Producer Jan Grice and Musical Director Jay Kerr join Ms. Hayle for a potpourri of terrific tunes and fascinating tales in celebration of her 89th trip around the sun!

Photo Coverage: Barry Levitt 1947-2017 Pianist, Conductor, Composer, Arranger & 'Mensch'


Barry Levitt the acclaimed pianist, conductor, composer, musical director and mensch passed away on September 21 after suffering a massive heart attack at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Sept 21st.

BWW Interview: Actress Christine Pedi Talks S.T.A.G.E. Benefit IDOLS & ICONS To Be Performed One Night Only on May 13


Actress Christine Pedi is well known for her theatre/cabaret appearances as well as TV and SiriusXM radio. Her finest hour has come in Forbidden Broadway with her glorious singing impressions. She took time out from her busy schedule to talk about her upcoming appearance in LA for the last S.T.A.G.E. benefit on Saturday May 13 at the Saban Theatre.

Photo Coverage: Friars Club Celebrates 90th Birthday Of Jerry Lewis with Robert De Niro and More!


Jerry's 90th Birthday Party soon became a telethon of happiness as the Friars evening unfolded.  The pledges given to Jerry Lewis were of love and respect and they came from his fellow Friars and entertainers jam packed into the Frank Sinatra Dining Room.  The amount of laughs in the club even created a new total of hysterics for an institution that has been the home of much laughter during its storied show biz history.

Broadway Musical Director Jack F. Lee Passes Away at 86


Jack F. Lee (born John Francis Lee), beloved musical director of both stage and screen, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2016 in his home at the age of 86. Mr. Lee was one of Broadway's leading conductors and musical directors who worked with composers/lyricists John Kander & Fred Ebb, Cy Coleman & Dorothy Fields, Jule Styne, Richard Rogers, Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse, Alan Jay Lerner, Maury Yeston, Robert Wright & George Forrest, Sandy Wilson, Bob Merrill, Betty Comden & Adolph Green and Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones.

The Actors' Temple Announces ARTS @ AT Series, with Comedy, Music & More


In celebrating the New Year 5776, The Actors' Temple, founded in 1917 and located in a landmark building in the heart of the theater district since 1923, introduces a new initiative ARTS @ AT, to reinforce their historic commitment to serving Jewish theater artists and maintaining a relationship with the surrounding NYC arts community. Sophie Tucker, Red Buttons, Jack Benny and the Three Stooges are among the scores of well-known entertainers who frequented its striking halls. The Actors' Temple is located at 339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue.

MAC Award-Winning Vocalist Gary Crawford Presents BARRY LEVITT SONGBOOK at the Met Room Tonight


Vocalist Gary Crawford burst onto the New York cabaret scene like a "thunderbolt" in October 2014 with his debut show 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room. With the veteran Music Director and Arranger Maestro Barry Levitt at the piano, Crawford produced a captivating show that earned him rave reviews from BroadwayWorld.com and Cabaret Scenes Magazine and ultimately a 2014 Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs Award (MAC) for "Best Male Vocal Debut." (Crawford had already performed a "CD Release" show of 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room that April). After spending the past year and a half performing as a guest singer in variety shows throughout city at venues such as Iridium, Birdland, Don't Tell Mama, and Urban Stages, Crawford has again teamed up with Levitt for a new show, this one featuring songs composed by Levitt himself. Crawford will star in Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook at the Metropolitan Room on September 2 at 7 pm. The show will feature the Barry Levitt Quartet, including Jon Burr on bass, Ray Marchica on drums, and Jack Cavari on guitar, as well as special guest vocalists.

Rita Rudner, 54 SINGS BACK TO THE FUTURE & More Set for 54 Below This Week


This week at 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway at the Cabaret - Top 5 Cabaret Picks for August 17-23, Featuring Lisa Howard, Ciara Renée, and More!


Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: The Doo Wop Project; Ciara Renee: Givin 'Em What They Love!; 54 Sings Back to the Future; The Other Direction: In Concert!; and 54 Sings Streep: The Music and The Meryl.

Marilyn Michaels FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Marilyn Michaels been in?

Marilyn Michaels has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Marilyn Michaels been in?

Marilyn Michaels has not appeared in the West End.

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