Eda Sorokoff News

The streets of Pittsfield, (more precisely Barrington Stage Co's Boyd Quinson Mainstage on Union Street) became the streets of 1957 New York City as one of the greatest Broadway Shows of all times, West Side Store had it's opening night performance.  Nowadays you don't have gangs fighting on Pittsfield streets but you do have theater goers fighting to get into the many productions of Barrington Stage Co. and the sold out season at Mr. (Bill) Finn's Cabaret.

On the Television show 'Lets Make A Deal' you're only a winner if you open one door. At Birdland last night you were a winner no matter what door you opened. On the legendary Jazz Stage it was John Pizzarelli with The Swing 7, arguably the most talented guitarist/vocalist/comic performer on the planet. The door to the new Birdland Theater brought you into Susie Mosher's Lineup. A room full of celebs and lucky New Yorkers got to see an 'insane' guest list of phenomenal performers in her wild, semi structured variety show. Both doors at Birdland led you to superlative entertainment last night but the surprise guests direct from the Broadway Stage of Waitress, Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, Madame Secretary) and Katharine McPhee ( TV, Smash, Scorpion) made you a winner if you also chose the door to the Birdland Theater.

The acoustics of Birdland, usually employed to perfectly show off the music coming from some of the finest Jazz musicians in the world was also up to the task of accurately accommodating the elegant sounds from the cello and artistry of Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf. BroadwayWorld was there for this Broadway at Birdland special one-night only event. Check out the photos below.

There were some people in the standing room only audience at Mr. Finn's Cabaret last night who were at an 'Evening With Jason Robert Brown' because they knew OF the Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist, but not because they were aware he is also an extraordinary performer. Jason's lyrics, melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and voice land on all the greatest of notes and the folks at Barrington Stage Company's cabaret couldn't contain their enthusiasm during his exciting show. His performance consisted of an eclectic mix of songs from Mr. Brown's acclaimed career. He started with a new composition titled 'Hope' from his latest album ' How We React And How We Recover' and then performed compositions from many of his Broadway shows (Parade, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon in Vegas, The Last 5 Years, and Songs from a New World).

Back in the day there were great night clubs with legendary singers scattered around New York City. It's 'back to the future' with the new Birdland Theater and the current performer on it's stage…..,the constantly new Marilyn Maye. With all do respects and appreciation to all the great artists that have recently inaugurated what is destined to become an entertainment landmark, the 7th show presented by Jim Caruso in the new room at Birdland has now made it official. 44th Street in NYC has some of the greatest music in the world in one of the greatest clubs on the planet. Marilyn Maye of course is arguably one of the best pop/jazz vocalists the music world has produced and it's trite to say but at 90 she still is!

The Barrington Stage Company has been the place where countless great voices and theatre luminaries have electrified audiences. Last night one it was one of Broadway's finest on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage for the 2018 Barrington Stage Company Gala.

Gianni Valenti, the music world's gift to New York City, has created another venue for the performing arts. Jim Caruso made it official last night as he introduced Lucie Arnaz, who with her longtime friend and music director Ron Abel thrilled a celebrity filled opening night audience.

New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia spoke it fluently as did James Cagney. Barbara Streisand can converse, and Judy Garland sang in it. Last night the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene premiered Fiddler On The Roof in Yiddish directed by Joel Grey for a VIP Opening Night audience and Gala which honored Jeffrey S. Wisenfeld, Chairman of the Folksbiene.

Barrington Stage Co. presented A Doll's House, Part 2 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night curtain call. Check out the photos below!

It was musically 'back to the future' as an icon of popular music, Bronx born, California based Melissa Manchester thrilled old and new fans at Feinstein's/54 Below last night.

William Finn was in the house to introduce Comedian, Actress, Writer, and Broadway star Leslie Kritzer to the audience in Mr. Finn's Cabaret last night. The Berkshires answer to Feinstien's/54 Below and Birdland is housed below Barrington Stage Co's St. Germain Stage and has some of the most consummate Broadway and Cabaret stars on it's intimate stage this season. Charles Bush and Marilyn Maye are on the schedule this summer as well as Melissa Manchester on the Mainstage.

Broadway is currently celebrating the 50th year of Hello Dolly and the Folksbiene is mounting Fiddler On The Roof (in Yiddish) for its same Golden Anniversary. The Berkshire Theatre Group has an exciting production of HAIR also celebrating its Broadway Opening in 1968 on it's Unicorn Stage. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night curtain call. Check out the photos below!

Attention Opera, Concert, Broadway, and most of all, Cabaret Lovers…..Paulo Szot is Saluting Broadway in his night club act at Feinstein's/54 Below and I wish you could have heard what we heard last night. Watching and listening to Paulo Szot is one of the most thrilling musical experiences one can have. His voice is inspirational and his physicality is powerfully compelling. To accompany this international super star, one of the finest creative musical directors was at the Steinway… Billy Stritch!

A lot of passengers were blowing their horns in praise after a fantastic Dinner Cabaret Cruise in the New York City harbor supporting the Cancer Schmancer Foundation founded by Fran Drescher.

To pun the title of the current hit show on the Boyd/Quinson Main Stage, Debra Jo Rupp is an esteemed member of 'The Royal Family of Barrington Stage Company' inasmuch she is a BSC Associate Artist. She is brilliant in The Cake!

In 1983 Phyllis Diller had to dress up in drag to sneak into a men's only Sid Caesar's Friars Roast. Last night women's champion Friar Gloria Allred resplendent in an attractive pants and gold jacket was escorted through the front door of The Monastery for that time-honored Friar privilege of being Roasted. BroadwayWorld was there for photos only. What's said in the Friars, stays in the Friars.

Deborah Grace Winer continued her 3-part Feinstein's/54 Below series of jewel box revues last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out the photos below!

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Barrington Stage Company's THE ROYAL FAMILY OF BROADWAY. The show is now on stage through July 7 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage.  See the cast take their opening night bows below!

In a darkened Frank Sinatra Dining Room an off stage voice using that classic Dean Martin intro ' And Now Direct From The Bar' announced co-hosts Bill Boggs, Bruce Charet and countless actors, singers, celebrities and friends to toast one of the most beloved entertainers in show business…..Deana Martin.

Back in the day Frank Sinatra refused to sing in New York City nightclubs because the NYPD required you to be fingerprinted if you worked in a cabaret.  Luckily that law doesn't exist today because I'm sure Robert Davi would have also thumbed his nose at NYC and we would not have heard his tribute show to Sinatra at Feinstein's/54 Below last night.   There are lots of singers who sing 'like' Frank and recreate some great music, but with Davi you get the same exhilaration in the room that Sinatra generated.