Johnny Mercer 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 language of the Holy Spirit... direct from God? Spirited Hands Productions presents a new American musical based on the fascinating true story of visionary artist J.B. Murray. The world premiere of Visionary Man opens July 26 at the Hudson Mainstage in Hollywood.

Johanna Allen makes another very welcome trip home to Adelaide to present the marvellous music of Harold Arlen, and her many fans were out in force to see her latest cabaret show,

According to Deadline, Rob Ashford recently helmed a reading for Alfred Uhry's musical version of John Berendt's 1994 best selling book MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL. Producers Craig Haffner and and Anne Hamburger revealed intentions to take the new musical to London next, prior to a Broadway run. The cast for the reading included: Tony Goldwyn, Leslie Uggams, Peter Cincotti, Jessica Molaskey, Michael Park and Jake Robinson. A workshop is reportedly set for September- casting has not yet been announced.

Margaret Whiting was one of America's favorite and most venerated singers for more than sixty years. She delivered stellar performances on record, radio, television, and the musical comedy, concert, and cabaret stages. She received twelve Gold Records. She offered a repertoire that ranged from Jerome Kern to Leon Russell, and from Rodgers & Hart to Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

New York Theatre Barn will present the next installment of their New Works Series, featuring musical theater writers Michael Cooper and Timothy Huang on Monday, June 23rd at 7:30pm at the DR2 Theatre (Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 E. 15th Street). Tickets are $15.00 ($10.00 for students) and are available for purchase in advance at www.web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/9916053

Gabrielle Stravelli - the acclaimed pop/jazz vocalist called "ingenious" by The Wall Street Journal and known from her tours with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, appearances at the 92nd Street Y and her long-running Soho jazz brunch - will perform an exclusive engagement at The Metropolitan Room for a two week run in July 2014. Her new show, directed by nightlife legend Marilyn Maye, will include selections from her debut CD Waiting in Vain and preview tracks for her upcoming sophomore release. The evening will feature classic standards like "While We're Young" and "Goody Goody," pop hits such as "Young Folks" (Peter, Bjorn and John) and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" (John Fogerty), in addition to distinctive original compositions. She will be joined by Joshua Richman on piano, Pat O'Leary on bass and Eric Halvorson on drums.

Direct from an off-Broadway season at the Manhattan Theatre Club, ASCAP Cole Porter Award winner Benjamin Scheuer returns to the St. James Studio.

New York Theatre Barn will present the next installment of their New Works Series, featuring musical theater writers Michael Cooper and Timothy Huang on Monday, June 23rd at 7:30pm at the DR2 Theatre (Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 E. 15th Street).

A hilarious musical adaptation of a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, a return engagement of a popular Imagine U family production and a National Theatre Live broadcast of a classic Shakespeare tragedy are highlights of Northwestern University's SummerStage 2014 season.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents George Bernard Shaw's Revolutionary War dramaThe Devil's Disciple. Just in time for the Fourth of July and the 350th anniversary of New Jersey's charter, The Devil's Disciple celebrates the spirit and honor of the everyday people who fought for our nation's independence.

The Yale Institute for Music Theatre announces the creative teams and casting for the two original book musicals, Afterland, music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and book and lyrics by Kathryn Hathaway, and Clouds are Pillows for the Moon, music by Tidtaya Sinutoke and book and lyrics by Ty Defoe, which will be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 3-15. The Institute culminates with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, on June 14 and 15.

Fifty years since the start of his career, Peter Nero is one of the preeminent pianists and conductors in the country. The two-time Grammy Award winner will 'tickle the ivories' for Peter Nero's Broadway at the State Theatre today, June 14th.

After a sold-out engagement last September, two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street) returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko with her newest concert, 'Strings Attached," for two performances only - Today, June 14 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, June 15 (7 p.m.). Joined by The Aaron Weinstein Trio, Ebersole will celebrate the release of her recent CD, 'Strings Attached.' The evening will include classic standards from the '20s, '30s and '40s, featuring songs by such legends as Fats Waller ("Jitterbug Waltz"), Cole Porter ("Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye"), Johnny Mercer ("This Time the Dream's on Me") and George Gershwin ("Shall We Dance") to name a few. Tickets for Christine Ebersole range in price from $60 - $85 and are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Last night, the legendary CHITA RIVERA wowed the packed Marriot Marquis ballroom for the 45th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Gala. She was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation as she sang a medley from WEST SIDE STORY, which included 'A Boy Like That' and the show-stopping 'America', in a program designed to mix past and future sounds.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series takes place every Monday at 7pm, followed by the always-extreme open mic, Jim Caruso's Cast Party. Birdland is at 315 West 44 Street in the heart of the Theater District. See www.BirdlandJazz.com for details.

Karen Oberlin and Steve Ross bring you, for one night only, CHEEK TO CHEEK: THE SONGS OF ASTAIRE AND ROGERS tonight, June 11th at 7pm at 54 Below.

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.

On Monday, June 9, Lorna Luft will bring 'Accentuate the Positive' to Birdland with performances at 7:00PM and 10:30PM.