Ron Abel News

Birdland Theater, the new venue spawned from the legendary Birdland on 44th street had a 'soft' opening this summer, followed by a bunch of celebrity openings in September. It had another entertainment first last night because Jamie deRoy brought her friends and her renowned Jamie deRoy & friends Variety show to this great new performance space. The evening had all the glamour and excitement of a Broadway opening night, the kind of evening Ms. deRoy can usually be found at.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

Touch The Sky, a benefit performance in support of Shane's Inspiration, https://shanesinspiration.org/ the L.A. based organization that has created a network of over 68 inclusive playgrounds worldwide, has added Oscar winner J.K. Simmons to an already all-star roster that now includes The New York Children's Chorus. The evening, which is honoring the legendary Chita Rivera, takes place Monday, October 1st at 7:30 p.m. at Zankel Hall - Carnegie Hall.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with Dee Dee Bridgewater with the Theo Croker Quintet, Kevin Eubanks Quartet, Anita Gillette, Ron Carter's Great Big Band, Quartet and Golden Striker Trio, Alan Broadbent Trio, Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen, Jay Leonhart, Pasquale Grasso Trio, Ken Peplowski with Special Guest Sinne Eeg, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

Show business tour de force Jamie deRoy brings some of Broadways favorite stars for an exclusive one night only cabaret show to New York's new Birdland Theater, Sunday, October 14th, at 7:30 p.m. 

Most times when Billy Stritch is at the keyboard he is WITH somebody. Liza, Tony, Marilyn (Maye), Linda (Lavin), Christine (Ebersole), Klea (Blackhurst), Ann Hampton Callaway and of course Jim Caruso. Every major music performer has at one time or another availed themselves of Billy's unique creativity as their pianist,arranger, vocalist, or conductor.

There are some cabaret shows that you never want to end and you would stay in your seat for the 2nd (or if there was), third show. Clint Holmes, was introduced by Broadway at Birdland host Jim Caruso last night as one of the best vocalists in the world and Clint's performance on the stage of Birdland, before a star studded audience of music lovers demonstrated how true that intro was.

On the Television show 'Lets Make A Deal' you're only a winner if you open one door. At Birdland last night you were a winner no matter what door you opened. On the legendary Jazz Stage it was John Pizzarelli with The Swing 7, arguably the most talented guitarist/vocalist/comic performer on the planet. The door to the new Birdland Theater brought you into Susie Mosher's Lineup. A room full of celebs and lucky New Yorkers got to see an 'insane' guest list of phenomenal performers in her wild, semi structured variety show. Both doors at Birdland led you to superlative entertainment last night but the surprise guests direct from the Broadway Stage of Waitress, Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, Madame Secretary) and Katharine McPhee ( TV, Smash, Scorpion) made you a winner if you also chose the door to the Birdland Theater.

Gianni Valenti, the music world's gift to New York City, has created another venue for the performing arts. Jim Caruso made it official last night as he introduced Lucie Arnaz, who with her longtime friend and music director Ron Abel thrilled a celebrity filled opening night audience.

Birdland Theater kicked off it's premiere summer season Tuesday night with audience favorite Lucie Arnaz, who also happened to be celebrating a birthday. Lucie's new show, "I Got The Job: Songs From My Musical Past" will take place at 7pm nightly through Saturday, July 21. There was a post-show celebration in the green room, with champagne, cake, singing, reveling and toasts to the birthday girl and new show room.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to once again present Gunhild Carling, known as Sweden's "Queen of Swing," on the Birdland stage on Monday, July 9. The Swedish musical sensation is an internationally acclaimed superstar whose one-woman show is a can't-miss event! Whether she's singing favorite jazz standards, playing one of many instruments (trumpet, trombone, harmonica, flute, recorder, or jazz bagpipe), Gunhild's sublime showmanship shines through.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Tommy Igoe Sextet, Paul Marinaro with Shelia Jordan, Augie Haas, and more!

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce Lucie Arnaz: I Got the Job! Songs From My Musical Past on Monday, July 16 at 8 pm as the third concert of Bay Street Theater's Music Mondays concert series. Tickets range from $59 - $89 and are on sale now at baystreet.org and through the Box Office at 631-725-9500.

Producer Rick Murray welcomes Lucie Arnaz back to Provincetown for one performance only, Monday, July 23 at 8:30 p.m. in the Paramount Theatre at The Crown & Anchor.  Ms. Arnaz will be performing her brand new cabaret show, "I GOT THE JOB!:  Songs from My Musical Past."  Celebrating a life on stage, Arnaz returns to her theater roots looking back at some of the roles she has had on stages throughout the world.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with Veronica Swift and the Emmet Cohen Trio, Django Reinhardt Festival Allstars, Tommy Igoe Sextet, Birdland Big Band, John Pizzarelli, Polly Gibbons, Carol Sloane, Memo Acevedo, Ronny Whyte, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Barrington Stage Company's THE ROYAL FAMILY OF BROADWAY. The show is now on stage through July 7 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage.  See the cast take their opening night bows below!

Life on a Palette, a new musical based on Norman Rockwell's covers for the Saturday Evening Post, will present excerpts at Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 25 at its annual gala fundraiser. Rockwell features book and lyrics by Eleanor Albano and Anthony Barnao, and music by Ron Abel.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the Music Mondays summer concert series on Monday nights in July and August, with all shows at 8 pm. This year's lineup includes performances by Jackie Hoffman (Hairspray, Feud: Bette and Joan) on July 2, Norm Lewis (Jesus Christ Superstar - Live in Concert!, Porgy and Bess) on July 9, Lucie Arnaz (The Lucy Show, Pippin) on July 16, Isaac Mizrahi (Project Runway: All-Stars, Unzipped) on August 6, Charles Busch (The Divine Sister, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom) on August 13, Bobby Conte Thornton (A Bronx Tale: The Musical, Bay Street Theater's My Fair Lady) on August 20, and Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton, Wicked) on August 27.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Gunhild Carling, known as Sweden's 'Queen of Swing,' at the club on Sunday, April 22. Ms. Carling absolutely captivated the sold-out house, eliciting many standing ovations and an old-school New Orleans parade through the venue. 

Lee Horwin return to the New York cabaret stage as the legendary Libby Holman in BLUES, BALLADS & SIN-SONGS: The Legend of Libby Holman written and directed by Tony nominee Walter Willison with Joel A. Martin on piano, for two performances only, on Monday April 30th and Monday May 7th at 7 PM at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street (just east of Broadway).