Carole Bayer News

When Margaret Whiting died on January 10, 2011, the news was like a dagger into the heart of the New York cabaret community. Whiting was a beloved singer for almost seven decades, who seemingly delivered every American popular song ever written, conquered almost every musical art form--from Big Band to Country to Musicals to Cabaret, from radio to the recording studio. On top of all that, Whiting worked with and mentored many New York cabaret musical directors and performers, including the late Mary Cleere Haran and K.T. Sullivan, who along with Whiting's daughter Deborah, hosted a 90th birthday Whiting tribute show on Monday night at Carnegie Hall's elegant Weill Recital Hall. Presented by The Mabel Mercer Foundation, for which Sullivan is Artistic Director, It Might As Well Be Spring! A Celebration in Song of the Life of Margaret Whiting was an almost three-hour concert featuring two All-Star teams worth of cabaret stars spanning a few generations.

The Grammy winner returns to her hometown in anticipation of her 20th album, which she financed through Indiegogo.

"I'm in heaven," said Sean McNabb (bassist with House of Lords, Great White, and more), in reference to watching and meeting David Crosby. His sentiments seemed to be shared by the patrons of the 7th annual sold out "The Songs Of Our Lives" concert, benefiting The Fulfillment Fund, that paid tribute to two legendary songwriters: LAMONT DOZIER & DAVID CROSBY. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

I've always been curious about THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, but I'd never had the chance to see it before. You have to be intrigued by the fact that prolific playwright Neil Simon wrote the book, and also because Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, who are responsible, together and separately, for some of the biggest hits to come out of the 1970's and early 80's, wrote the score. So, I'm here to report that the current production by Stages St. Louis is a delightful romantic comedy filled with catchy tunes that would make a perfect "date night" for couples.

Sterling's Upstairs - housed at popular LA hot spot The Federal in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District - has not only been described by the Los Angeles Times as "LA's cabaret destination;" but was just cited by LA Weekly as one of Los Angeles's top five supper clubs, With an arsenal of similar accolades from LA based media, Sterling's Upstairs celebrates its eight-year anniversary this month with Broadway performers Maura Hanlon Smith (June 9), Sandy Bainum (June 22) and Bernard Dotson (June 29-June 30). Kritzerland Records' Nobody Does it Better... The songs of Dorothy Fields kicked off the month-long celebration on June 1st featuring Tara Browne, Cynthia Ferrer, Zachary Ford, Kim Huber, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman, Sarah Staitman, Robert Yacko and Special Guest... Broadway's Kerry O'Malley.

The Fulfillment Fund has announced the 7th Annual 'The Songs of Our Lives' concert, which will pay special tribute to the songs of internationally acclaimed Songwriter's Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, songwriter Lamont Dozier and the legendary Songwriter's Hall of Famer, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, singer-songwriter, David Crosby.

The Fulfillment Fund is proud to announce the 7th Annual 'The Songs of Our Lives' concert, which will pay special tribute to the songs of internationally acclaimed Songwriter's Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, songwriter Lamont Dozier and the legendary Songwriter's Hall of Famer, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, singer-songwriter, David Crosby. 'The Songs of Our Lives' is a benefit concert showcasing award-winning songwriters performing the hit songs they have written over the course of their career. The Songs of Our Lives provides a unique opportunity to experience these pieces as the songwriter envisioned them. The intimate setting of this event gives guests the chance to be up close and personal with these artists. Award-winning songwriter Charles Fox, a longtime Fulfillment Fund board member along with his wife Joan Fox, created 'The Songs of Our Lives' as an opportunity to combine entertainment and philanthropy in a meaningful way to support the Fulfillment Fund's important work in the community. Songwriters who have participated in The Songs of Our Lives include Academy and Grammy Award winning songwriters such as Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Hal David, Mac Davis, Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, David Foster, Steve Karmen, Jerry Leiber, Kenny Loggins, Barry Mann, Alan Rich, Mike Stoller, Cynthia Weil, Paul Williams, Bill Withers, and many others. Freda Payne as well as Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence (Formerly of The Supremes) have been added to the program as well.

STAGES St. Louis will open its 28th season with a musical gem rarely seen in St. Louis, They're Playing Our Song tonight, May 30th through June 29th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood. Romance, laughter, and great music come together in a sweet and sophisticated musical romp that will have you singing along from curtain up to curtain down!

STAGES St. Louis will open its 28th season with a musical gem rarely seen in St. Louis, They're Playing Our Song May 30th through June 29th at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood. Romance, laughter, and great music come together in a sweet and sophisticated musical romp that will have you singing along from curtain up to curtain down!

The Fulfillment Fund is proud to announce the 7th Annual "The Songs of Our Lives" concert, which will pay special tribute to the songs of internationally acclaimed Songwriter's Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, songwriter Lamont Dozier and the legendary Songwriter's Hall of Famer, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, singer-songwriter, David Crosby. "The Songs of Our Lives" is a benefit concert showcasing award-winning songwriters performing the hit songs they have written over the course of their career. The Songs of Our Lives provides a unique opportunity to experience these pieces as the songwriter envisioned them. The intimate setting of this event gives guests the chance to be up close and personal with these artists. Award-winning songwriter Charles Fox, a longtime Fulfillment Fund board member along with his wife Joan Fox, created "The Songs of Our Lives" as an opportunity to combine entertainment and philanthropy in a meaningful way to support the Fulfillment Fund's important work in the community. Songwriters who have participated in The Songs of Our Lives include Academy and Grammy Award winning songwriters such as Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Hal David, Mac Davis, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, David Foster, Steve Karmen, Jerry Leiber, Kenny Loggins, Barry Mann, Alan Rich, Mike Stoller, Cynthia Weil, Paul Williams, Bill Withers, and many others. Freda Payne as well as Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence (Formerly of The Supremes) have been added to the program as well.

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood New Jersey will present Christopher Cross Wednesday, August 20th at 8PM and The Whispers and the Manhattans on Friday, February 13th at 8PM- tickets for these two shows go on sale Friday, May 16th at 11AM. Be sure to reserve your tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling bergenPAC's Box Office at 201.227.1030.

Ageless 86-year-old cabaret superstar and living legend Marilyn Maye performed her second show of yet another run at 54 Below (which continues May 9 and 10 at 8:00 pm, and May 13 at 7:00 pm), this time built around a tribute to the iconic comedian and talk show host Johnny Carson whose pet name for Maye was 'Super Singer.' Maye appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 76 times, more than any other singer.

STAGES St. Louis has announced casting for the 2014 'American Dream' season. The multifaceted lineup includes; They're Playing Our Song, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, and Fiddler On The Roof. This season's exceptional talent celebrates the realization of the American Dream as explored through unique challenges of seeking fame, amassing monetary success, and cherishing family traditions. STAGES also announces the cast for the Theatre for Young Audiences production of, the classic fairy tale, Disney's Sleeping Beauty. All season and single tickets are on sale now.

The Fulfillment Fund has announced the 7th Annual 'The Songs of Our Lives' concert, which will pay special tribute to the songs of internationally acclaimed Songwriter's Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, songwriter Lamont Dozier and the legendary Songwriter's Hall of Famer, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, singer-songwriter, David Crosby.

Virginia Repertory Theatre revealed the new titles for the 2014/15 Season with a public announcement at the November Theatre last evening. The announcement marks Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway's 40th season as Artistic Director and Managing Director. Miller reflects on this milestone, "I'm proud to be announcing my 40th season as Artistic Director. The 18 shows that comprise Virginia Rep's 2014/15 roster include several of my favorite comedies, dramas and musicals. Whether a renowned classic or an exciting new release, each selection will take us on a breathtaking journey. I can't wait to discover with our audience the adventures that lie ahead."

John Pizzarelli once again expertly switches (musical) hats at Cafe Carlyle with his new concert of bossa nova music. The evening is titled "Strictly Bossa Nova" and it features Daniel Jobim, grandson of the seminal Antonio Carlos Jobim and an ensemble of Brazilian musicians.

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra with Carl Topilow pays tribute to the musical genius of Marvin Hamlisch in a special concert at 8:00 p.m. tonight, February 21st in Severance Hall. The concert will feature three of the performers who worked with Hamlisch and knew him well. Broadway legends Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, along with POPS conductor Topilow, will share behind-the-scenes experiences and personal conversations they had with Marvin.

Today in 1979, They're Plaing Our Song opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1082 performances. With a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and music by Marvin Hamlisch, the musical is based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager- a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist, but initially the match is not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain. They're Playing Our Song is essentially a two-character show. Vernon and Sonia are the sole characters on stage; each character has a three-person Greek chorus acting as their inner voices, and there are no big production numbers.

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra with Carl Topilow pays tribute to the musical genius of Marvin Hamlisch in a special concert at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21st in Severance Hall. The concert will feature three of the performers who worked with Hamlisch and knew him well. Broadway legends Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, along with POPS conductor Topilow, will share behind-the-scenes experiences and personal conversations they had with Marvin.

Join two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy nominated Michael Feinstein as he rings in the New Year with two special performances tonight, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. at Feinstein's at the Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco). Considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards, Michael will perform a range of classics from the Great American songbook.