Eda Sorokoff News

Former Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, journalist Ted Koppel, invited dignitaries, and special guests came together for a stirring public reading of one of the most potent and influential documents in history. They read the Declaration of Independence at the annual Shakespeare & Company All-American Independence Day Celebration.   

Rita Coolidge's credentials are the stuff of legend. After earning a degree in art at Florida State University, the Tennessee native decided to give music a shot before settling into a career as an art teacher. She moved to Memphis and was soon singing jingles, demos and background vocals for a number of area bands. Among them was a husband and wife duo, Delaney & Bonnie. When the pair signed their record deal, Rita suddenly found herself on big-time pop music's leading edge. Her reputation as an A-list backup singer spread quickly. Joe Cocker enlisted her in that role and as a featured soloist on his Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. (Rita performed a song she'd co-written, ?Superstar,? which would later be a huge hit for The Carpenters.) Work with other rock royalty followed, including tours and recordings with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and Stephen Stills. In 1971, A&M Records moguls Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss signed her to the label, and one of the most enduring solo careers in all of music was underway. 

Norman Lear appeared 'live' via video hook up after the Gold Coast International Film Festival's screening of the documentary of his life, Just Another Version of You. Caroline Sorokoff director of the Film Festival interviewed Mr. Lear who was in LA. but his daughter NYC based Kate Lear was present to reminisce about 'life with father' at the talk back. After telling the packed audience at the Bow Tie Great Neck Squire Theater how much he loved his daughter Kate, Mr. Lear had some fascinating recollections to to share with director Sorokoff about his past and present career. Kate Lear is a writer, theater producer and arts advocate. She co-directs the Frances Lear Foundation and over the past decade has supported organizations working on behalf of disadvantaged youth, first amendment and voter protection rights, mental health advocacy and women's issues. It was a rare opportunity for the Long Island audience to see a definitive chronicle of Mr. Lear's life work and achievements. Famed documentarians Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing had seized the opportunity to fashion a dynamic portrait in their film, which matches the spirit of probably the most influential creator, writer and producer in television history. Mr. Lear's legendary 1970s shows such as All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, and The Jeffersons, boldly cracked open dialogue and shifted the national consciousness, injecting enlightened humanism into sociopolitical debates on race, class, creed, and feminism.

Legendary entertainer Tony Bennett was honored by the Friars Club in celebration of his storied and successful career that has spanned 7 decades on June 20th and BroadwayWorld was there.

The notes, the sounds, and that famous smile, were all gloriously and heroically present as Gianni Valenti announced "Bucky's Back" to a standing room only (and standing) Birdland audience last night and Broadwayworld was there..  It was akin to seeing a ball player like Mickey Mantle, getting on in his years, return after a possible career ending injury, return and then hit a home run.   The crowd in Birdland cheered and teared for Bucky Pizzarelli at this triumphant evening. He wowed everyone with his undiminished virtuosity, musicianship and personality in this, his 90th year.  Bucky's back, and his music will live forever.  

Al Roker and wife Deborah Roberts came to a preview of the powerful new play, American Son at the Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield Ma. last night. The play is written by Christopher Demos-Brown and is directed by BSC founder/artistic director Julianne Boyd. It stars Tamara Tunie and Michael Hayden with Luke Smith and Andre' Ware. The world premiere of American Son will take place on June 22 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage of Barrington Stage Co. It runs through July 9, 2016

Tony-winner and Grammy nominee Lena Hall returned to Cafe Carlyle with Oh! You Pretty Things, last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The all-new show acts as a love letter to Lena's rock & roll spirit guides, the pantheon of misfits and rebels who inspired us to transcend by transforming themselves. This intimate journey through Lena's personal love life will reveal how pivotal these artists have been in helping her navigate her relationships, shining like beacons and helping her shape her voice and her identity, again and again. At Cafe Carlyle, Lena Hall is joined by a band including Justin Craig, Watt White and Brian Fishler. Oh! You Pretty Things is directed by Stephen Amato. The engagement runs through June 25th.

The New York Pops Silent Auction Item listed catering and piano music for an elegant party of 20. The winning bidder got more than she bargained for as Music Director/Conductor of The Pops, Steven Reineke, and famed pianist Billy Stritch showed up and shared the piano bench with pianist Stephen Sorokoff.

In the bygone era of nightclubs it was a well known fact that one couldn't get both good music and good food in those dark rooms.  Le Cirque and Sabrina Wender bring the excellence of both in the musical evenings at the legendary restaurant.  Check out the musical menu as well as the food menu at Le Cirque.

Marilyn Maye's current engagement titled 'Highlights' continues at Feinstein's/54 Below. BroadwayWorld was there last night, along with Len Cariou and singer Julie Budd in the audience. Marilyn and music director Billy Stritch on piano and vocals are appearing at 54 Below through May 20th. Check out the photos below!

Oscar nominee,Golden Globe nominee, Daytime Emmy nominee, and soon to be Grammy nominee Sally Kellerman brought her show to the Iridium last night and BroadwayWorld was there.  Ed Martel was music director with Jon Ball, drums, and Kevin McConnell, Bass.

Last night, Feinstein's/54 Below welcomed back Broadway's beloved leading man Howard McGillin, and BroadwayWorld was there.

Last night many beautiful people came to the concluding night of Ann Hampton Callaway's new show 'But Beautiful' at Birdland. BroadwayWorld was there for the final performance. Check out photos below!

Sabrina Wender and her trio sang for their supper at Le Cirque last night and BroadwayWorld was there!  Sabrina sang jazz and international favorites from the American Songbook accompanied by Alberto Pibiri, piano, Paul Gill. bass, and Brian Floody drums.  Sir Maccioni's legendary restaurant is located at one Beacon Plaza.

Aaron Weinstein brought Violinspiration! to Pangea on 2nd Avenue last night with his special guest Rex Reed and musical guests Matt Minister and Tedd Firth.  The club was filled with some of New York's most knowledgeable music connoisseurs for this special event and BroadwayWorld was there.  

Together with a band of the most exciting musicians in NYC, David Yazbek performed songs from his albums and shows- old, new and at Feinstein's/54 Below last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Fresh off her Broadway run in the critical hit Noises Off, acclaimed star of stage and screen Megan Hilty made her return to Cafe Carlyle last night. Check out photos from the evening below!

Last night, May 2, 2016, The New York Pops celebrated its 33rd birthday with a grand gala evening celebrating the revolutionary collaborations of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, the songwriting team behind LES MISERABLES, Miss Saigon, and more. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event were musical theatre legends Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Patti LuPone. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the dinner following the show below!

Last night Mercedes Ellington granddaughter of Duke Ellington and president and founder of The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts along with co-producer Judi Marks hosted a Triple Threat musical celebration at the legendary Friars Club.  It was a special evening that featured performances of the music of the three giants of Jazz and BroadwayWorld was there.

Broadway legend Chita Rivera made her Cafe Carlyle just last night with An Evening of My Favorite Songs, an engagement that was postponed earlier this year due to an injury. Now she's ready to take the stage for a two-week engagement, through April 30. BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside her first performance below!