Alec Wilder News

Cole Porter has passed the test of time. His body of work, composed primarily for Broadway and Hollywood, comprises one of the central chapters in the Great American Songbook. As Alec Wilder noted in his classic study American Popular Song, Porter 'added a certain theatrical elegance, as well as interest and sophistication, wit, and musical complexity to the popular song form.' His music was back on Broadway earlier this year in the Roundabout revival of Kiss Me, Kate, and now again this holiday season as Harry Connick Jr. sings his songbook at the Nederlander Theatre. Below, get ready for your weekend by brushing up on your Porter!

Tickets for the Broadway world premiere of HARRY CONNICK, JR.a?"A Celebration of Cole Porter will go on sale Friday, October 4th, 2019, at 10AM ET. The three-week limited engagement will begin previews on Saturday, December 7th ahead of a Thursday, December 12th official opening night. Tickets will be available for purchase via Ticketmaster.com or by calling (877) 250-2929.

Calling all fans of the Algonquin Hotel! On November 17th at 8 pm, Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) will present a very special concert performance of Michael Colby's 'The Algonquin Kid,' his popular memoir of growing up in the legendary hotel. With a singing cast that defines excellence, along with new and revealing stories about Marilyn Monroe Peter Ustinov, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and a collection of stunning Hirschfeld drawings, and props from the Hotel itself, the phrase "quintessential New York evening" comes to mind.

GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin has released a new video for the song 'Minnie And Winnie' from her forthcoming Amazon Original album The Starlighter.

The Mabel Mercer Foundation announced this week that Adela and Larry Elow have established a $50,000 endowment fund, created specifically to 'encourage teenagers to learn and perform The Great American Songbook, as composed between the years 1900-1970.'

Shirley Ritenour returns to the New York cabaret scene this fall with a new show, An Affair to Remember. The October 19th and October 26th performances at Don't Tell Mama will benefit Gilda's Club, NYC and Stony Brook Cancer Research Center through Concerned Women of the Grove. Ritenour will sing a Great American Songbook and pop repertoire, including music from Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, David Friedman, Sammy Cahn and Judy Collins to name a few, along with a sweet tribute to Debbie Reynolds. People who know Ritenour from her operatic roles won't be left out she will perform an aria as well. The show is directed by Scott Barnes with Musical Director, Brian Holman. Shows are at 7pm. Don't Tell Mama is at 343 West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Visit: http://donttellmamanyc.com or call 212.757.0788 after 4pm weekdays for reservations. There is a $25 cover charge and a two Drink minimum. PLEASE NOTE: Don't Tell Mama is a CASH ONLY ROOM.

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra third sensory-friendly orchestra performance, “Music of Flight and Fantasy,” Saturday, June 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Heinz Hall!

???????Karen Ziemba and Klea Blackhurst headline THE 32nd ANNUAL ALEC WILDER TRIBUTE CONCERT presented by The Friends of Alec Wilder at Feinstein's/54 Below on Saturday, April 8 at 9:30pm.

The 27th Annual Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, kicked off on October 18, putting forth performances by some of the most iconic cabaret artists which the arena has to offer, as well as introducing new but equally captivating talent of the art form. Hosted by KT Sullivan, a cabaret stalwart herself, the evening moved briskly through an impressive 19 performers, each of whom was accompanied by their very own pianist--- if they weren't accompanying themselves, that is.

Veteran cabaret performer Richard Holbrook peppers his show, 'Sings Richard Rodgers With a Lot of Hart' (at the Metropolitan Room this past Monday night) with facts about Rodgers' life and career. It's obvious the performer feels strongly about his subject's work. Unfortunately, the same energy, volume, and mood predominate throughout. Arrangements are highly similar. Holbrook's musical self consciousness overrides lyric content. His show presents spirit and heart, but inadequate direction.

Vocalist BJ Ward and pianist Simon Wallace return to London's The Crazy Coqs on March 21st 2016 at 8pm to perform the music of the late Marshall Barer.

The original stars of the Tony-winning Broadway production of "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" reunite for a special cabaret evening in Hempstead House, hosted by composer Steven Lutvak.

The Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe Street, welcomes back Chicago's annual holiday favorite TUBACHRISTMAS, Grand and State Ballrooms, fourth floor, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m. Nearly 400 tuba and euphonium musicians of all ages dash through the snow to bring Christmas cheer to the crowds gathered at the Palmer House.

The Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe Street, welcomes back Chicago's annual holiday favorite TUBACHRISTMAS, Grand and State Ballrooms, fourth floor, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m.  Nearly 400 tuba and euphonium musicians of all ages dash through the snow to bring Christmas cheer to the crowds gathered at the Palmer House. TUBACHRISTMAS is free to the public. Guests attending the event must claim a wristband at the fourth floor check-in desk to determine the time they may enter the Grand and State Ballrooms. Wristband distribution begins at 8 a.m.* The Palmer House requests that audience members bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Chicago Food Depository. In addition to the festivities happening in the ballrooms, Lockwood Restaurant & Bar, Potter's and the bar located in the Palmer House's historic lobby will be serving holiday themed beverages available for purchase throughout the holiday season.

Librettist/Lyricist Michael Colby will bring a concert adaptation of his well-received memoir, THE ALGONQUIN KID: ADVENTURES GROWING UP IN NEW YORK'S LEGENDARY HOTEL to Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NY 10001 on Dec. 13th at 2:00pm.

Sunday night, Mark Walter topped off a year of Herculean accomplishment in preserving his father's legacy with a concert at the Cutting Room that went off like fireworks. Somewhere, composer /lyricist/arranger/pianist Cy Walter (right in Lloyd Diaz photo), was beaming. In 2015, Mark completed his father's discography filed with The Library of Congress, created a spanking new website, established The Cy Walter Foundation, and put out a two CD package of pre-1950's music with Harbinger Records. The Sunday concert, with expert Musical Direction by the inimitable Tedd Firth, was an opportunity not only to salute a multifaceted talent, but also for many, including Mark (photo below left), to hear songs that haven't been performed for 60 or 70 years.

Masterworks Broadway continues to make good on its promise to make available its extensive catalog of cast recordings with the release of three classic albums from the archives - Pinocchio (July 17), Woman of the Year (August 14), and The Beggar's Opera (September 18). Upon release, each title will beaccompanied by new album pages and photos on MasterworksBroadway.com.

Ken Greves, performing music from his new CD, will appear at Cafe Noctambulo on Thursday, July 2nd at 8pm with Frank Ponzio (piano), Saadi Zain (bass) and Jacob Melchior (drums). 

Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano are in a really good mood. The infectious buoyancy of their new show at the Metropolitan Room, Shoulder Season (Don't ask me what the title means. Despite explanation, I haven't a clue.), will erase world news, ease arthritis, and make love seem possible again. Well, maybe not all that. Its warm, cheerful, sometimes exuberant musicality is nonetheless recommended for whatever ails you.

Chamber Opera Players Of Los Angeles is pleased to invite you to their upcoming production of Sunday Excursion by Alec Wilder and The Man on the Bearskin Rug by Paul Ramsier. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see these two fun operas side by side. Sunday Excursion is an adorable story about two boys Hillary and Marvin, and two girls Alice and Veronica, who unknowingly board a train together after having had a terrible time on their afternoon excursion. When they realize they know each other from school, the flirtation begins and their day becomes a lot better. The Man on the Bearskin Rug tells the story of Doris, an overbearing woman and her long-time boyfriend Henry, who have prematurely left an extravagant party. Doris is furous and is letting Henry have it when the landlady, Mrs. LeMoine makes an unexpected delivery of a bearskin rug that changes the mood of the entire room. Anything can happen on a bearskin!