Eda Sorokoff News

Klea Blackhurst the host of the concluding night of The 28th New York Cabaret Convention likes to remind folks that all roads lead to Ethel Merman . Last night's talent filled finale offered up some of the best vocalists in cabaret and all roads started and ended with Klea & Billy Stritch recreating some of their classic interpretations of the music of Hoagy Carmichael & Richard Whiting.

The winning bidder at The New York Pops Silent Auction, whose proceeds help finance The Pops/Ed Programs of The New York Pops, got something way above the original listed value. The auction item was for one pianist to play at your private party. However not only did the pianist show up at the appointed time, he was joined by some of the world's greatest pianists and entertainers for the special evening.

In addition to producing great theatre works, Primary Stages produced one of this season's most exciting Galas. The 2017 event, celebrating Artistic Honorees Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Producer Honorees Janet B. Rosen & Marvin Rosen, and Corporate Honorees Jose Mendez and Katie Graziano, was a glamorous and talent-filled evening at Tribeca 360 with a full view of lower Manhattan as a backdrop to the festivities.

Rita Wilson has returned to Cafe' Carlyle with her show that centers around songs featured on her self-titled sophomore album, and new material from her upcoming third album of original songs.

Monty Hall could not have offered a more spectacular deal. Four women had the right price and were the top bidders at last year's Primary Stages Gala's Silent Auction. As a result, Tony Award-Winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley came through door #1 at Jamie deRoy's apartment and sang at a private party organized by the winners . Jamie, Catherine Adler, Paula Kaminsky Davis and Christina Rose.

Besides being an extraordinary and illustrious Broadway actor, singer, dancer, choreographer and director Lee Roy Reams is one of the best raconteurs you could ever spend an evening with.

Patrick Hamilton's mystery thriller Gaslight will be opening Oct 8th on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage at Barrington Stage Company. BroadwayWorld was there for the curtain call at a recent preview.

It's only a matter of time until musician, actor, playwright,author, and seductive beauty Storm Large becomes a super star and one would be wise to catch her current run at Feinstein's/54 Below while you can still experience her up close and personal.

Duncan Sheik the Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist made his Cafe Carlyle debut last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Sheik launched his career in 1996 with his Grammy nominated self-titled debut album. Sheik is the composer for the critically acclaimed musical Spring Awakening, which went on to win eight Tony Awards in 2007, including awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score. The album earned Sheik a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Even If you have premium seating at a Broadway musical or nightclub you still will not be able to feel that the beautiful girl with the spectacular voice performing on stage is singing just for you, and in your living room! Laura Osnes at Cafe Carlyle last night was acting and singing a few feet away from all of us in The Carlyle's legendary living room with her show called Cockeyed Optimists and as they say, you had to see it to believe it . Together with Ted Sperling and Laura's special guest Ryan Silverman they created The World of Rodgers and Hammerstein and it probably would be nominated for a Tony Award if it were in a theatre. The lucky audience that got to be up close and personal with Broadway royalty in Cafe Carlyle were at times overwhelmed with the beauty of the music being made by these three artists, who possess many theatre awards between them. So if you can join them, like all good hosts they are going to make sure there's plenty of good food, wine and conversation during your visit. You will even get to give them a hug and say goodnight to Laura, Ted, and Ryan after the show.

On September 25, 2017, The New York Pops returned to Feinstein's/54 Below for a cabaret performance starring the Emmy Award-winning TV and Broadway sensation Lucie Arnaz.

Bernie Furshpan pointed out that one door closes and two doors open inasmuch the clubs new home will have two entrances. It would have required many streets in Chelsea to accommodate all the performers and musicians who have appeared at the Metropolitan Room over the last 11 years. Dozens gathered outside with Bernie to celebrate a closing and an opening.

A pianist and a singer alone on a stage is usually not my favorite cabaret experience I usually feel like I'm listening to a rehearsal and musically reduced version of the the real thing. In the case of Three-Time Oliver Award winner Maria Friedman and her pianist Jason Carr on Feinstein's/54 Below stage last night it probably is the best way to soak up every note of a spectacular concert.

New York City has a talented new resident and what better way to introduce herself to the Big Apple than to debut at Cafe Carlyle. Last night Dianna Agron, the acclaimed singer, dancer and actress did just that and New Yorkers gave her a warm welcome.

Opening night at Shakespeare & Company's production of God Of Carnage displayed the exceptional versatility and riveting acting of four of Shakespeare & Company's players, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Allyn Burrows, Jonathan Croy, and Kristin Wold. The play is presented in Shakespeare's Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre which is the perfect intimate setting to put the audience in the middle of the carnage.

Put Lang Lang, Billy Joel, and Harry Connick into a piano blender and you will create something approaching the excitement of Peter Cincotti. Add in a dose of Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles and you're getting close to the final product. To my ears there is nothing better than the special bonding and coordination a singer pianist has. The fingers know exactly how to wrap around the vocal chords and Peter can do that extraordinary well .but last night at The Cutting Room it was a Long Way From Home which is the title of his newest album. Peter has a huge fan base and the exuberant demographically diverse audience were joining in on some of the new refreshing songs coming from this innovative composer/singer/pianist. The exhilaration and musical arousal created by his piano playing reminded me of the description of the effect the great classical pianist Franz Liszt had on his audiences who on occasion could not control their enthusiasm. I must say I was taken by surprise at the start of Peter's performance. A tall thin guy sneaked onto the stage who I thought was the best looking piano tuner I'd ever seen. It looked like he was about to prepare the strings for the hammering they would soon endure, but it was Peter who put his hands on the keys and the brilliant overwhelming technique and creativity let loose. This was a show in every sense of the word.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, who made her concert debut at the iconic music room on Monday, September 11.

Birdland, the venue that has presented so many music luminaries in it's long history had the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester on it's stage last night. Melissa, one of the true giants of the music world made her Birdland debut and celebrated the release of her 21st album, The Fellas. The album pays tribute to the male singers, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme, and others who influenced her as a young artist.

Celebrities, lovers, fun seekers, and glamorous sophisticated New Yorkers can be found at The Carlyle's Bememlmans Bar on Sunday nights from 9-12 getting a major dose of great music and wit as Jim Caruso and  Billy Stritch hold court on Bobby Short street. There was a hurricane in Florida but everything was Sunny inside the Carlyle last night and Broadwayworld was there.

It's a world where the norms of the past are being challenged on a daily basis.  We don't have  Walter Cronkite to tell us 'that's the way it is', and respect for elected officials, symbols, and monuments is tried and tested every day. Sometimes I scratch my head wondering why I don't always 'get' the new notes, harmonies, lyrics, or humor anymore.  So for me, walking into The Carlyle, past the photos of JFK, Jackie, and Bobby Short, and then proceeding into Cafe Carlyle to hear the music of Herb Alpert is a welcome respite in melodic heaven.  Herb's trumpet doesn't overwhelm you with his amount of notes or volume, rather he overwhelms you with his melodies and elegant sophisticated improvisation, and of course so many of the tunes on his song list are hits he's made famous.  It gets better….Lani Hall, Herb's wife who started her career as the lead singer of Sergio Medes' legendary group, Brazil 66 is on stage with him to supply vocals.