Eda Sorokoff News

Joanne Tatham reunited with long-time collaborator Eli Brueggemann, composer/musical director of Saturday Night Live (making a rare club appearance.) at Cafe Noctambulo last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson,  presented Conor McPherson's Shining City which runs from June 18 to July 11. BroadwayWorld was at opening night.

 Last night at the legendary Le Cirque, Gianni Russo dropped his tough guy image and created a musical fun filled evening.  The Cafe was packed and Gianni with his 4 piece band created a fantastic party as he went through the Sinatra American Songbook. Some of his celebrity friends were "coaxed" by Gianni to join in. Although remembered most for his portrayal of Carlo Rizzi in "The Godfather", his first acting job, his career has spanned over 40 films including such hits as The Freshman, Rush Hour, Any Given Sunday and Sea Biscuit as well as television roles in Kojak, The Rockford Files and Prison Break. And most recent.. due out this fall "Send No Flowers". Russo believes it's his crooning that separates him from the mob of other on-screen wise guys. 

Beloved star of stage and screen, Tony Danza made his Cafe' Carlyle debut last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The two-week engagement, entitled Tony Danza: Standards and Stories, will feature a selection of highlights from the Great American Songbook and more. Perhaps best known for starring on some of television's most cherished and long -running series, including Taxi and Who's the Boss?, Danza has also established himself as a Broadway star, a New York Times best-selling author and is indisputably one of America's most esteemed performers.

Last night Inside Broadway honored the renowned opera singer Renee Fleming (who starred on Broadway this season in Living on Love) and Broadway & TV star Tony Danza(who starred on Broadway this season in Honeymoon In Vegas) at their annual Beacon Awards. Taking place at The JW Marriott Essex House (160 Central Park South), the Broadway Beacon Awards are presented to individuals in the theatre and Times Square community who have been advocates for increasing the audience for live theatre and for understanding the importance of Arts and Education in the lives of New York City's young people. The first Broadway Beacon Award was given to Carol Channing in 1995.

Celebrating its 10th year in Downtown Pittsfiled, the award-winning Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents the Tony Award-winning musical Man of La Mancha from June 10 through July 11 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage. The production opened last night, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the opening!

Cy Coleman once said, 'Michele Lee is a surefire powerhouse performer. She embraces a lyric like nobody can.' Following her acclaimed 54 Below debut in 2014, this all-new at 54 Below show finds the stunning Michele Lee making a rare appearance in New York for three nights only, continuing tonight and tomorrow. Ms. Lee's new concert spotlights the music of the legendary Cy Coleman, including songs like 'Nobody Does it Like Me' and 'It's Not Where You Start' from her Tony-nominated performance in the musical Seesaw, along with other magnificent work and some surprises from Coleman's songbook.

Seven outstanding vocalists, songwriters, and musicians born in 1915 were honored at Weill Recital Hall on Tuesday, June 9th, at 7:30 p.m., when The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented their  annual concert, "It Was A Very Good Year." Cohosted by the Foundation's artistic director KT Sullivan and the distinguished critic Rex Reed, the one-night-only event celebrated the centennial birthdays of (alphabetically) Alice Faye, Billie Holiday, Bart Howard, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, Billy Strayhorn, and Cy Walter.

An emotional and grateful Tommy Tune went to the top of his ladder and placed the Lifetime Achievement Award Tony above the other 9 he has been awarded. Here are photos of the momentous event.  You can see it on video at http://t2conline.com/stephen-sorokoff-my-view-tommy-tune-brings-home-his-tony-award-a-video/.

Having garnered acclaim for his performances on stage and screen, Alan Cumming made his Cafe Carlyle debut this week for a two-week engagement, June 2-13 and Broadwayworld was of course on the scene to snap some pics. Check them out below!

Tony and Golden Globe winner Linda Lavin takes the 54 Below stage this week, performing Broadway favorites, standards, jazz, and even some songs she learned from the great girl singers. Check out a look back at her first performance this week at 54 Below!

Scott Coulter brought the music of Studio 54 to Below 54 last night as the club celebrated it's 3rd year on that famous NYC street. In the legendary club's heyday the guest  list was a who's who from the world of entertainment - Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Halston, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Brooke Shields, John Travolta, Michael Jackson - and the music played kept them dancing all through the night. It was dancing through the night at 54 Below yesterday and Max at the entry door was much more accommodating than those guards at the 1970 Studio 54. Happy Anniversary to 54 Below and also to Steven & Eda (Baruch)

Generations around the world have grown up with Fiddler on the Roof and such unforgettable, iconic songs as 'If I Were a Rich Man' and 'Sunrise, Sunset.' But getting to the 'final Fiddler' was a fascinating process, and last night at the 92Y's last presentation of the Lyrics & Lyricists season-lyricist Sheldon Harnick took the 92Y audience inside the creation and history of this cultural landmark. Check out photos from the event below!

Having garnered acclaim for performances on stage and screen, Megan Hilty makes her return to Cafe Carlyle in a two-week engagement, May 19-30. Hilty will perform selections from the Great American Songbook as well as fan favorites from NBC's hit musical drama, Smash. Of her previous engagement at the Cafe, Stephen Holden of The New York Times exclaimed, "Ms. Hilty projected the attitude of a frisky, fun-loving gal… she reveled in the pleasure of as big and loud a sound as she could muster." Hilty will be joined by Music Director Matt Cusson on piano, Brian Gallagher on guitar, Ryan Hoagland on percussion and Dennis Keefe on bass.

Three Tony-winners converged to honor Cy Coleman at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there.

The New York Pops family gathered at The National Arts Club on May 18th to celebrate the life of Ruth Henderson who passed away at her home in New Milford, Connecticut on February 25th 2015. In 1983, Skitch and Ruth Henderson founded The New York Pops. Chris Poe, President of The National Arts Club welcomed the guests and introduced James A. Read Board Chairman of the New York Pops. Many friends spoke of the dynamic, caring, beautiful and inspiring person that Ruth was. In 1991 Ruth established the PopsEd program, Kids In The Balcony, which provides free tickets to students for New York Pops Concerts.  Steven Reineke, music director of The Pops presented board member June Freemanzon, long time friend of the Henderson's with a framed photograph of one of the few pictures that exist of the two music directors of The New York Pops. Steven then sat at the the piano and played "Einsamkeit" a composition composed by Skitch Henderson for Ruth Henderson.  The afternoon was truly A Celebration of the Life of Ruth Henderson.

Jamie deRoy came to Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland last night and Broadwayworld was there. In the world of show business everyone is always everyones friend. After 25 years of having enormously talented friends perform on her stages and loyal friends fill the seats at her shows, the consistency of participation points to the fact that most are real friends. Jamie's friends stick together. The hugs are real, the laughter is genuine, and the happy feeling everyone has after an episode of Jamie deRoy & friends always seems to linger in the air for many days after the show is over.  Such was the case of her latest entry in the series which always at this time of year features everything "TONY".

David Letterman hosted a party at the Friars Club last night for 350 CBS staffers as his 33 year career as a late night talk show host is ending. He made is way through the throngs of well wishers that filled the legendary Friars Club as he hugged as kissed colleagues and associates. Below, check out photos of the event!

An Evening With Steve Tyrell was presented by the Friars Club last night and the Grammy and Emmy Award winning artist and producer had a chair named in his honor in the legendary Frank Sinatra Dinning Room. Check out photos from the event below!

The Friars is a magical place to spend an evening (or day) but there was some extra special magic in the club last night.  Magician Elliot Smith skillfully kept the Friars tricked  after dinner, and comedians Stone and Stone kept them laughing.  Friar Dave Konig was the MC, and his special trick is always setting the stage for these fun events at the club.