Ann Hampton Callaway News

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

PITTSBURGH - The second concert of the PNC Pops season celebrates one of America's most powerful and enduring musical artists with one of America's great multi-talented stars of stage and screen when Ann Hampton Callaway presents The Streisand Songbook tonight, Nov. 14-17 at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will perform its annual "Holiday Pops" concert December 13-15 (Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.) at historic Music Hall under the direction of "Mr. Christmas," Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. Multiplatinum-selling vocalist and Broadway veteran Ann Hampton Callaway returns to the Pops as guest artist, performing traditional holiday favorites and up-and-coming classics such as "My Favorites Things," "I Wonder as I Wander," and "Somewhere in my Memory" (from John Williams' Home Alone). The rich Pops orchestration, along with the May Festival Youth Chorus, Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble and the ever-popular cloggers from the Studio for Dance of Cincinnati, give life to these and other familiar tunes in this highly-entertaining family tradition.

Broadway veteran Liz Callaway is set to release her first holiday album, titled 'Merry and Bright', on November 26. To purchase, visit: http://www.amazon.com

While it was billed as a presentation celebrating the release of his 13-song CD, Tales From the Bonus Round, and his 60th birthday, Steven Schalchlin's recent show at the Metropolitan Room was so much more than that. It was also one about fear, fortitude, anxiety, anguish, compassion, courage, and love, all expressed in poetic and often clever lyrics and melodies ranging from uplifting gospel to Billy Joel-sounding mid-tempo pop to sensitive ballads, many colored with musical theater undertones. At their core, most of the songs conveyed what Schalchlin has thought, felt and experienced since early 1993, when he was diagnosed with AIDS, launched one of the first internet diaries/blogs (in early 1996), stared death in the face on a daily basis, took an experimental AIDS drug (Crixivan), and ultimately regained his health and career. When you listen to his songs, it's not hard to believe Schalchlin when he claims that during those scary days writing music and the “healing properties of piano vibrations” also helped save his life, and the 17 years since are what he calls his “Bonus Round.”

LOVE IS BORN AT CHRISTMAS is the long-awaited debut recording from acclaimed vocalist David Edelfelt.

Bill Brooks, Edd Clark and Steven Tharp return in December with A Three Tenor Christmas! There will be 2 shows, Friday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 15th at 3:00 p.m., at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th Street, NY, NY (between 8th & 9th avenues). There will be a $15 cover ($10 for MAC or Cabaret Hotline members) and a two drink minimum. Cash only. Reservations 212-757-0788 (after 4:00 PM daily).

For the eighth year, singer and recording artist Russ Lorenson comes home for the holidays with his annual show, Christmas in San Francisco, for two performances only at 7:30pm on December 13 & 14 at Pa'ina Lounge & Restaurant, 1865 Post Street in San Francisco. The guest artists for this year's show are San Francisco jazz legends Wesla Whitfield, Mike Greensill and Veronica Klaus. Tickets are $25-$45 and available online at http://ChristmasInSF.com or by calling (415) 674-3863.

This November, December and January, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

For their 2013-2014 season American Classics brings three 'firsts' to their programming. For the first time American Classics will present a guest performer in their own concert, acclaimed entertainer John O'Neil in his popular salute to Danny Kaye, 'So Kaye, a one man 'tongue-twisting tour-de force' showcasing songs, stories and monologues culled from Kaye's illustrious career. 'So Kaye was nominated for the prestigious IRNE award in 2001; since that time O'Neil has performed the show up and down the East Coast from Maine to Florida. 'Adding John O'Neil and 'So Kaye to our season is exciting for us. John has appeared with us in the past, but we are delighted to be able to showcase him in one of his most popular shows,' says Producing Director Benjamin Sears, who notes, 'this is Kaye's centenary year, so it's a perfect time to feature John in an American Classics season.'

PITTSBURGH – The second concert of the PNC Pops season celebrates one of America's most powerful and enduring musical artists with one of America's great multi-talented stars of stage and screen when Ann Hampton Callaway presents The Streisand Songbook on Nov. 14-17 at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

For the second week in a row, Lorna Luft brought her fund-raising 'Pink Party' to the Broadway at Birdland stage with thrilling results. After a recent bout with breast cancer, the award-winning performer decided to 'give back' with two sold-to-the-walls events benefitting The Actors Fund's Phyllis Newman Womens Health Initiative and the Tower Cancer Research Foundation's Dr. Philomena McAndrew Fund. BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive highlights from the evening below, including performances from Liza Minnelli, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nick Adams, and more!

For the second week in a row, Lorna Luft brought her fund-raising "Pink Party" to the Broadway at Birdland stage with thrilling results. After a recent bout with breast cancer, the award-winning performer decided to 'give back' with two sold-to-the-walls events benefitting The Actors Fund's Phyllis Newman Womens Health Initiative and the Tower Cancer Research Foundation's Dr. Philomena McAndrew Fund. Check out a look back!

Pops Conductor Jack Everly helms entertaining evening of great music

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its line-up of talent for October 21-27, featuring: Lorna's Pink Party; Peter Eldridge with Jane Monheit; Kurt Elling; Barbara Carroll; Jim Caruso's Cast Party; The Birdland Jazz Party featuring Hilary Gardner, and more!

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, "Music at the Mansion", on Sunday, October 27, at 3pm. Performers include Gas Lamp Players' cast of The Secret Garden, Tracy Stark, and DC Anderson. The featured performer in the "Young Musician Moment" will be Lauren Barr. Gas Lamp Players will be presenting the Broadway Musical, The Secret Garden, November 22-24. The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young girl orphaned during the cholera epidemic in India, who is sent to live on a mysterious estate in Yorkshire, England. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies, and the "Dreamers," spirits from Mary's past, who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale. Based on the famous novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the stunning musical score and classic story combine to create a powerful and uplifting theatrical experience about the healing power of the earth, which allows for love to grow, heal and flourish. Pianist/Arranger/Conductor/SingerSongwriter and Miranda Recording Artist, Tracy Stark is a 6-time MAC Award winner, in the categories of Music Director, Piano Bar Entertainer, and Song of the Year. She is also a Bistro Award winner for Musical Direction, and winner of the Dottie Burman Songwriter of the Year Award. Tracy has worked with Lesley Gore, Phoebe Snow, Karen Black, Randy Jones (Village People), Barb Jungr, Eric Millegan, Tonya Pinkins, Ann Crumb, Marni Nixon, and hundreds of other rock, jazz, and broadway vocalists. She has conducted, played, and sung at all the finest and the sleaziest venues all over the world. She has played/conducted on numerous television shows, including The Today Show. Her songs are included on at least 20 different compilations, and have been winning accolades in songwriting competitions for the past 2 decades.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra PNC Pops: Ann Hampton Callaway presents The Streisand Songbook. November 14-17.

Lorna's Pink Party, the first of two benefit nights hosted by entertainment legend LORNA LUFT and featuring her special guest LIZA MINNELLI, played to a sold-out crowd at New York City's Birdland last evening. Along with a second appearance scheduled for October 21st, both evenings combined raised total of $120,000 to support the two charities.