Stephen Sorokoff News

Stephen Hanks, Producer of Cabaret Life Productions, and Union Temple of Brooklyn (17 Eastern Parkway) are proud to announce that Musical Director/Pianist Jon Weber will perform his critically acclaimed show, From Joplin to Jarrett: 100 Years of Piano Jazz, at Union Temple on June 19 at 8 pm. The one-man concert will be in the 3rd Floor Social Hall at 8 pm after the 6:30 pm Shabbat Service and dinner. Admission to the concert is FREE.

Stacy Sullivan is a warm and amusing storyteller with an entertaining family history. The first six numbers of her new Metropolitan Room show on Thursday night, Since You Asked (after the Judy Collins song), are bridged by tales of her parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and her upbringing in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, five of these songs have only the most tenuous relationship to material that follows, diminishing reception with thoughts of--Where's the connection? What's she trying to say?

Sally Kellerman, the legendary Oscar-nomInated 'Hot Lips' of the original 'M*A*S*H,' will bring her new show, 'A Little Jazz, a Little Blues, a Little Rock and Roll' to the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 PM.

There was More Music by Alex Rybeck at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there.

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.

The survivors of AMC's WALKING DEAD spinoff series continues to grow.

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!

Last night Julie Budd gave her first performance as  the latest Artist In Residence at The Metropolitan Room and broadwayworld was there.  While enjoying a multi-faceted musical career, Julie's credits range from television to film, the New York stage, and symphonies all over the country, along with the most lavish casinos and showrooms everywhere.  She began her professional career at the tender age of twelve, after meeting record producer/orchestrator Herb Bernstein. He immediately took Julie under his wing and introduced her to Merv Griffin at a recording session in New York City. After hearing Julie sing, she was invited to appear on more than 100 of Merv's Shows.  

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. 

New York Cabaret Community Honors Actor/Director/Photographer RUSS WEATHERFORD With All-Star Show at Metropolitan Room.

Frank DiLella, who usually is interviewing celebrities on NY1 joined Jamie deRoy and Peter LeDonne on radio station 970 AM this week. For a while I was wondering who was going to be interviewing whom, but  the conversation created a great radio show. Having these three theatre authorities in the same studio made for a enlivened and informative hour of talk radio as they discussed the upcoming Tony Awards. You can hear Backstage with Peter LeDonne every Sunday or on podcast.

On Saturday May 9, the Cutting Room was the scene of the SinatraThon - billed as "day long (14 hour) marathon celebration of the Man and his Music." Check out photos from the show below!

Just because the English developed the first operational Radar system doesn't mean that the actor/singer Giselle Wolf who has a home in London should be under it. There was a celebration last night as this wonderfully unique cabaret performer stepped out from under the radar and became visible to a jam-packed Metropolitan Room. Check out photos from the event, below!

Loston's piano and vocals are true 'Carlyle' and his beaming smile keeps the room in good spirits along with the good spirits served up. The Loston Harris Trio, Ian Hendrickson Smith on sax and Gianluc Renzi, bass appear every Friday & Saturday 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Check out photos from last night's show below!

The singer, songwriter and recording artist Carolyn Montgomery-Forant continued her recent comeback as performed her critically acclaimed 'Visible Phoenix' at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, a show which took off in October. The flame-throwing wit's first solo show since returning to the stage in January of last year, 'Visible Phoenix' marches on Fridays, March 13, and April 10. All shows are at 7pm. Check out photos from the show below!

 Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and  Frank Sinatra is 100.  Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and  exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors.  Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals.