Arthur Schwartz News

Bayou City Concert Musicals continues its popular cabaret series with Alone Together: The Songs of Arthur Schwartz, on three consecutive Monday nights in May, beginning Monday, May 6, and continuing on May 13 and May 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Shana Farr, the multi-talented actress/singer who won the coveted Julie Wilson Award at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's 23rd Annual Cabaret Convention last October at Jazz at Lincoln Center, will make her London singing debut at The Crazy Coqs in London, England, on May 14 - 18, 2013 where she will present her critically acclaimed cabaret show, Whistling Away The Dark, Through Songs of Julie Andrews.

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. The second weekend of Kaplan Penthouse performances, the sixth week of American Songbook 2013, runs April 5-6, 2013. April 5th belongs to Cristin Milioti, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for her lead role in the musical Once.

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. 'American Songbook in the Penthouse' embraces adventuresome performers and celebrates composers and lyricists, both newer and veteran. With a seating capacity of just 225, the Kaplan Penthouse allows acoustic performers to be heard the way they intend - near to the audience and without elaborate amplification. The size of the space also allows performers to interact with their audience to make them an integral part of their performance, something difficult to do in a larger, more formal venue.

A human ball of silver glitter hanging from a cord is lowered above what looks like a bungalow-sized muffin top.  (It's supposed to represent a turtle shell.)  Before the glitter ball makes its landing the cover is removed to reveal what looks like a tribe of humanish amphibians bouncing on trampolines and twirling on the muffin/turtle's frame.  Shortly after, a sleazy-looking clown in a tropical shirt tosses a condom to a woman in the front row and says, 'Call me!'  Yes, dear readers, Cirque du Soleil is back in town.

Berkeley Playhouse continues its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning GUYS AND DOLLS. Jon Tracy (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Magic Theatre) helms this musical from the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring a cast of 22, and choreography by Chris Black (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company). GUYS AND DOLLS plays tonight, March 21 through April 28 (Press opening: March 23) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. The second weekend of Kaplan Penthouse performances, the sixth week of American Songbook 2013, runs April 5-6, 2013. April 5th belongs to Cristin Milioti, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for her lead role in the musical Once.

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. 'American Songbook in the Penthouse' embraces adventuresome performers and celebrates composers and lyricists, both newer and veteran. With a seating capacity of just 225, the Kaplan Penthouse allows acoustic performers to be heard the way they intend - near to the audience and without elaborate amplification. The size of the space also allows performers to interact with their audience to make them an integral part of their performance, something difficult to do in a larger, more formal venue.

Berkeley Playhouse continues its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning GUYS AND DOLLS. Jon Tracy (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Magic Theatre) helms this musical from the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring a cast of 22, and choreography by Chris Black (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company). GUYS AND DOLLS plays March 21 through April 28 (Press opening: March 23) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($17-60) and more information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

Legendary Manhattan based singer/pianist Steve Ross brings his critically acclaimed Puttin' on the Ritz... The Music of Fred Astaire to Vitello's Upstairs Jazz and Supper Club located in the trendy Tujunga Village of Studio City, CA for two performances only: today, January 12; and Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Vital Theatre Company has announced that its newest hit Fancy Nancy The Musical is making a very special homecoming back to the McGinn/Cazale Theatre. After taking an excursion--that's fancy for trip--downtown to Culture Project, Nancy returns to Vital Theatre beginning February 2nd, with performances every Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 pm, following performances of Vital's newest world premiere musical, Show Way. Performances of Fancy Nancy will close at Culture Project on January 13. Tickets are $29.50. Premium seats are available for $49.50. For reservations, visit www.vitaltheatre.org, call us at (212) 579-0528, or visit McGinn/Cazale box office Mondays-Fridays from 9-5. The McGinn/Cazale Theatre is located at 2162 Broadway at 76th Street.

By the last August, I had fallen so far behind on writing reviews of cabaret shows from the spring and early summer (I guess it's a positive when there are more performers and shows in New York than days in the week) that I decided to play catch up by combining a bunch of critiques into one big column. I hadn't planned on doing that again, but this fall there were so many shows that once again I couldn't keep up. but at least I've beaten my self-imposed deadline New Year's Eve deadline of posting these reviews of 12 shows, all staged between September-December by lovely, attractive women (okay, so one is a gender-bender) of varying talents and levels on the cabaret depth chart, from established stars to MAC and Bistro Award-winners to comeback 'kids' to interesting beginners and occasional performers who are in the game to follow their bliss. Whether their performances were rave-worthy, earning of qualified praise, or not quite up to snuff, they all deserve kudos for taking the plunge.

Legendary Manhattan based singer/pianist Steve Ross brings his critically acclaimed Puttin' on the Ritz... The Music of Fred Astaire to Vitello's Upstairs Jazz and Supper Club located in the trendy Tujunga Village of Studio City, CA for two performances only: Saturday, January 12; and Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Manhattan based singer/pianist Steve Ross brings his critically acclaimed Puttin' on the Ritz… The Music of Fred Astaire to Vitello's Upstairs Jazz and Supper Club located in the trendy Tujunga Village of Studio City, CA for two performances only: Saturday, January 12; and Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Shana Farr, who last month won The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2012 Julie Wilson Award as "a cabaret singer who is a rising star," has just completed her debut CD, titled Shana Farr: Out Of The Shadows , which will be introduced at a CD release party and performance at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, in New York City tonight, November 30, at 9 PM. Ms. Farr is backed by a trio comprised of Music Director Jon Weber (piano), Adam Fisher (cello) and Dan Levinson (clarinet).

Vital Theatre Company's newest smash hit Fancy Nancy The Musical, is moving downtown to Culture Project. Beginning today, November 24th, performances will run every Today at 1:30 pm and every Sunday at 12 noon. Tickets are $29.50. Premium seats are available for $49.50. For reservations, visit www.vitaltheatre.org, call us at (212) 579-0528, or visit McGinn/Cazale box office Mondays-Fridays from 9-5, or visit the Culture Project box office one hour before the show. Culture Project is located downtown at 45 Bleecker St.

Vital Theatre Company's newest smash hit Fancy Nancy The Musical, is moving downtown to Culture Project. Beginning November 24th, performances will run every Saturday at 1:30 pm and every Sunday at 12 noon. Tickets are $29.50. Premium seats are available for $49.50. For reservations, visit www.vitaltheatre.org, call us at (212) 579-0528, or visit McGinn/Cazale box office Mondays-Fridays from 9-5, or visit the Culture Project box office one hour before the show. Culture Project is located downtown at 45 Bleecker St.