Stephen Sorokoff News

Cabaret had it's beginnings in Germany, so I guess it was "Bashert" (yiddish - meant to be) that the German and Romanian Ambassadors were among those that filled the Actors Temple last night to hear acclaimed European Cabaret Star Adrienne Haan perform. As Rabbi Jill Hausman pointed out in her opening remarks, "actors have always used their talents to raise money for the historic shul".

There are eight million stories in the Naked City-and a song to go with each of them. For decades, songwriters - from Porter, Rodgers & Hart and Ellington to Bernstein and Billy Joel have been fueled by this city's places, promises and roller coaster existence. With Lyrics & Lyricists production of New York: Songs of the City, artistic director Deborah Grace Winer had the ultimate show for New Yorkers-or anyone who's ever wanted to be one. Vocalists Klea Blackhurst, Darius de Haas, La Tanya Hall, Leslie Kritzer, Jeffrey Schecter, and pianist/vocalist Billy Stritch-brought the sounds of the city to life on March 21, 22 and 23.

NYCO Renaissance Ltd. has partnered with the Rudel family to celebrate the illustrious career of Maestro Julius Rudel and his invaluable contribution to the New York City Opera as principal conductor and director for 22 years from 1957 to 1979. The beloved musical figure passed away on June 26, 2014 at age 93. The tribute will take place on Monday evening, March 9, 2015 at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in the Time Warner Center, Broadway & 60th Street. Scheduled performers include Placido Domingo, whose career developed under the care of Maestro Rudel, as well as mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, countertenor David Daniels, bass-baritone Mark Delavan, soprano Christine Goerke, bass-baritone James Morris, soprano Diana Soviero, and Sting.

The Grand Ballroom at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club was filled with concerned and caring Palm Beach residents who support the American Humane Association. The association has been protecting children and animals for more than 138 years and the afternoon's event highlighted the courageous K-9 Battle Buddies, who have served along side our troops in war zones around the world. Naomi Judd was a special guest at the event and there were performances by "American Idol's" Stefano and Palm Beach favorites Will and Anthony Nunziata.

On Friday night, The New York Pops continued its 31st season with two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster in her solo debut at Carnegie Hall. Among other musical standards, Foster reprised her unforgettable performances of 'Anything Goes' and 'I Get a Kick Out of You' from her Tony Award-winning turn as Reno Sweeney in the Cole Porterclassic. She also offered her own take on 'Down with Love,' made famous by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. Foster was joined by special guest artists Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis, who sang the showstopper 'Let It Sing' from Violet, and the touching 'Neverland' from Peter Pan. Check out photos from inside the after party below!

Detroit came to Boca Raton yesterday at Lynn University. Jan McArt founder and producer of Libby Dodson"s "Live at Lynn" theatre series may soon have Dr. of Alternative Physical Therapy added to her titles. The sold out crowd at the Motown in Motion concert were tapping,clapping, swinging, and moving along pretty good to recreations of the great sounds of Tina Turner, The Supremes, The Temptations, Michael Jackson, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and all the other great Motown Artists.

Steve Tyrell has brought the Brill Building (New York's legendary hit song making manufacturing edifice) down to Palm Beach with his current show at the Royal Room. Check out photos from his latest performance below!

Maybe there is a ticket floating around somewhere, but tonight's New York Pops concert has again sold out. Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster is making her solo debut at Carnegie Hall with The Pops. Maestro Reineke has put together a exciting program which also features Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis. From what I heard at the rehearsal, the Carnegie audience is going to be glad they got a ticket to this one.

On Thursday, March 12 at Alice Tully Hall, the American Classical Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Thomas Crawford, presented Schubert's Symphony No. 9 'Great', Mozart's Mass in C 'Coronation', featuring world-renowned soloists Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Sarah Craft, alto; Marc Molomot, tenor and Michael Kelly, baritone with the American Classical Orchestra Chorus and Beethoven's Egmont Overture and 'Christ on the Mount of Olives' (excerpt). Maestro Thomas Crawford gave a Pre-Concert Lecture at 7:00PM.

In the Cabaret world they call it a sound check, in the world of classical music it's an orchestra rehearsal. As Maestro Thomas Crawford raised his hands for the first note of the afternoon rehearsal of the American Classical Orchestra, the orchestra surprised him with some music that was not on his podium. Happy Birthday! I've gotten some tuneful ecards but nothing like Happy Birthday being played to me live, by 50 musicians.

It was all in the family and all for the family at The Friars Club last night. La Famiglia, Mishpucha, La Familia, CeMbR, Rat Pack, Broadway and Cabaret, were assembled by producers Laura Slutsky and Jamie at the Friars for a spectacular Jamie deRoy & friends show last night. You had to be in the family or know someone in the family to get into the sold out event. Probably no family gathering had so much fun, good food, and great performances as this one did.

The song list given to the lights and sound director Darwin Best at Cafe Carlyle starts off one of the hotels most memorable music offerings

The voice of the people sang and spoke out last night in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, Appel Room and Ertegun Atrium. Many of the world's finest musicians, and many of the finest citizens of NYC assembled to celebrate an effort to return 'The People's Opera' to New York. They did so in a Gala Concert and Dinner to honor the life of the late Maestro Julius Rudel, who was the Opera's General Director and Principal Conductor from 1957 to 1979.

Just like the breakfast specials in the sunshine state which cost you half as much as those offered around Columbus Circle, Lynn University audiences are now getting the best of Cabaret at a similar discount. Artistic Director KT Sullivan has connected The Mabel Mercer Foundation's Live at Lincoln Center to producer Jan McArt's Live at Lynn Cabaret Series. I don't have a photo of the Florida Hat KT wore when she opened the new series with her performance in January, but I do have plenty of photos of the Broadway and Cabaret star Sally Mayes in last nights wonderful performance at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center. Jan and KT chose wisely in having a singer/actor of Sally's caliber take the stage of "Live at Lynn" to represent the excellence from Cabaret at Lincoln Center. Sally's theatrical voice and jazz vocals thrilled the salt & pepper haired Boca audience. It was wonderful to see the Florida crowd tapping their feet to a jazz waltz. I don't think it was because Sally sang a great tune about Viagra in the water that made the Lynn audience rise to their feet, she gave them a fun filled superb musical evening. Talking about jazz waltzes, Boca is in for a real treat when Marilyn Maye is "Live at Lynn" on June 7th, but first audiences will be treated to Eric Yves Garcia April 1, and Carol Woods on May 20th, two quality performers from the Mabel Mercer reservoir of talent.

On March 10, Jeff Biehl (Poor Behavior, Machinal) joins the company of the new Primary Stages production, Lives of the Saints, currently playingat Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project through March 27, 2015. Joining current cast members Arnie Burton (Peter and the Starcatcher, The 39 Steps), Carson Elrod (All in the Timing, The Explorers Club), Kelly Hutchinson (Desire Under the Elms, Don Peyote) and Liv Rooth (All in the Timing, Venus in Fur), Biehl will assume the roles played by Rick Holmes who departs the production to begin rehearsals for The Visit on Broadway.

From Yorktown Stage, Gypsy runs April 24-26, 2015, only one weekend, with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7:30 pm, a Saturday matinee performance at 1:00 pm and a Sunday matinee performance at 2:00 pm.

There was astonishment on the faces of a packed Concert Hall at Lynn University in Boca Raton Florida, as Tommy Tune at the end of the show asked the audience to sing Happy 76th Birthday to him. The way Tune had just danced, sung, and charmed, no one including producer and Elizabeth Taylor look-a-like Jan McArt could believe the stunning nine time Tony Award winner was a senior citizen. A designated New York City Living Landmark had become a snowbird for the weekend to perform at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the event below!

Celebrating the centennial of Frank Sinatra, Paulo Szot returns to 54 BELOW with a brand new show inspired by Antonio Carlos Jobim, the founding father of bossa nova. Unfortunately, the end product is not the enchanted evening we'd expect from the Tony Award winner.

Lives of the Saints, a world premiere collection of delightfully funny and unforgettable short plays by David Ives (All in the Timing, Venus in Fur) and directed by Tony Award winner John Rando (All in the Timing, On The Town, Urinetown), is currently playing at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project. The limited engagement runs through March 27, 2015. Opening night is Tuesday, February 24 at 7PM. Check out photos from inside opening night below!

An all-star cast of 54 Below favorites gathered for an evening celebrating the work of American Songbook pioneer, Irving Berlin, last night at the beloved venue. Check out photos below!