Marilyn Bergman News

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. 'American Songbook in the Penthouse' embraces adventuresome performers and celebrates composers and lyricists, both newer and veteran. With a seating capacity of just 225, the Kaplan Penthouse allows acoustic performers to be heard the way they intend - near to the audience and without elaborate amplification. The size of the space also allows performers to interact with their audience to make them an integral part of their performance, something difficult to do in a larger, more formal venue.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award during its 30th annual Pop Music Awards, it was announced today by ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams.

From Kristin Chenoweth to Deborah Cox to Idina Menzel to Barbra Streisand to Michael Crawford to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Patti LuPone, Raul Esparza, Alan Menken, Lea Salonga, Bernadette Peters, Laura Osnes, Victoria Clark, GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2013 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!

Cabaret Icon Michael Feinstein returns to the McCallum Theatre with 'The Sinatra Project,' for two performances - Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 -- dedicated to the great Frank Sinatra. Michael reflects Sinatra's sensibility by interpreting the songs in conceptually different styles from Sinatra's own renditions. The results are fascinatingly unique and memorably beautiful. Billed 'The Sinatra Project', the concert is presented in two parts on these consecutive evenings. In the second concert, Michael reinterprets songs by such greats as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, and more. 'The second volume is really about Sinatra and his friends,' says Michael. 'It's about the people he influenced and who influenced him.'

What a glorious night of singing at the Disney Concert Hall on Grammy Award Sunday February 10! Singular singing sensation Ann Hampton Callaway presented the Streisand Songbook in honor of her mentor. On stage with Callaway was Alan Bergman, one half of the Alan and Marilyn Bergman composing team who have written 64 songs for Barbra over the years.

Ann Hampton Callaway, one of the leading champions of the Great American Songbook, brings the Los Angeles debut of The Streisand Songbook to the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage, Sunday, February 10, at 7:30 pm. The special evening features Callaway singing timeless classics from five decades of Barbra Streisand's multi-faceted career, including "People," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Evergreen," and "Cry Me a River." The lyrics of the acclaimed team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman will also be featured during the concert, and Alan Bergman will make a special cameo appearance to share stories about the years of collaboration he and his wife shared with Ms. Streisand, as well as to perform some cherished songs. Callaway is also joined by an all-star trio: Christian Jacob on piano, Trey Henry on bass, and MB Gordy on drums.

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

“If you'd like to sing along with us, please don't.  It confuses me.”

A total of 35 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus this month to participate in the first-ever Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing more than twenty new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

By the last August, I had fallen so far behind on writing reviews of cabaret shows from the spring and early summer (I guess it's a positive when there are more performers and shows in New York than days in the week) that I decided to play catch up by combining a bunch of critiques into one big column. I hadn't planned on doing that again, but this fall there were so many shows that once again I couldn't keep up. but at least I've beaten my self-imposed deadline New Year's Eve deadline of posting these reviews of 12 shows, all staged between September-December by lovely, attractive women (okay, so one is a gender-bender) of varying talents and levels on the cabaret depth chart, from established stars to MAC and Bistro Award-winners to comeback 'kids' to interesting beginners and occasional performers who are in the game to follow their bliss. Whether their performances were rave-worthy, earning of qualified praise, or not quite up to snuff, they all deserve kudos for taking the plunge.

Maureen McGovern - the two time Grammy Award nominated vocalist and actress - will perform her acclaimed show 'Home For The Holidays' in New York with an exclusive engagement at 54 Below from tonight, December 18 to 23. McGovern will present an evening featuring songs of the season, some unexpected, and some traditional "chestnuts." She will be joined by her longtime Musical Director Jeffrey Harris on piano and Jay Leonhart on bass.

Maureen McGovern - the two time Grammy Award nominated vocalist and actress - will perform her acclaimed show 'Home For The Holidays' in New York with an exclusive engagement at 54 Below from December 18 to 23. McGovern will present an evening featuring songs of the season, some unexpected, and some traditional "chestnuts." She will be joined by her longtime Musical Director Jeffrey Harris on piano and Jay Leonhart on bass.

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, in collaboration with GFOUR Productions (producers of Menopause the Musical and winners of more than 30 Tony Awards), has announced what promises to be Rochester's next hit musical: MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL, running now through November 18. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

Joanna Strand will make her New York cabaret debut at The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street - between 5th & 6th Avenues) in "Fly Transatlantic," described as 'an epic, yet beautifully contemplative, journey of musical discovery.' Performances tonight, October 28 and Monday, October 29 at 9:30 p.m.

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, in collaboration with GFour Productions (producers of Menopause the Musical and winners of more than 30 Tony Awards), has announced what promises to be Rochester's next hit musical: MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL.

Johnny Mercer Foundation and Kaufman Center Present CELEBRATE! SONGS FROM THE JOHNNY MERCER FOUNDATION. 'Broadway Close Up Series' spotlights new songwriters in dazzling performances with Teacher/Mentors Tony Nominated composers Craig Carnelia & Andrew Lippa, Grammy Winning songwriter Lari White & Marilyn Maye Shine. Photos from the event inside!

Anything Barbra Streisand-related is well worth attending (are you kidding?!), and on Friday, October 5, there was an invited dress rehearsal on the Temple University campus in the Liacouras Center as Barbra Streisand: BACK TO BROOKLYN got its feet wet for the first time in front of about a thousand people.

Simply to recite a list of the recently deceased Marvin Hamlisch's awards--three Oscars in 1973 for The Way We Were and The Sting; a Tony and Pulitzer Prize for A Chorus Line; three Emmys, two Golden Globes, four ASCAP awards, and a Grammy is enough the inspire awe. But as host Bruce Kimmel reminds us during the fabulous 26th Kritzerland Show at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in NoHo on October 7, he had his share of flops too like The Goodbye Girl, or Jean Seberg. But even a flop show can have some beautiful songs in it, and Kimmel includes a number of these among the twenty selections offered.

Joanna Strand will make her New York cabaret debut at The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street - between 5th & 6th Avenues) in "Fly Transatlantic," described as 'an epic, yet beautifully contemplative, journey of musical discovery.' Performances are Sunday, October 28 and Monday, October 29 at 9:30 p.m. There is a $20 music charge and a 2-drink minimum requirement. For reservations please call 212-206-0440 or visit www.metropolitanroom.com.