Stephen Sorokoff News

NJTV, New Jersey's Public Television Network and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) have collaborated on a second season of American Songbook at NJPAC. The six part series, is being taped in NJPAC's Victoria Theater and broadwayworld was there for last nights concert, which was hosted by Ted Chapin and written and produced by Will Friedwald. Performing last night were Maureen McGovern, Marilyn Maye, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the evening below!

I don't think that there has ever been a person that has been in the Friars club who has not shared a laugh or left the Monastery not smiling. That in itself is a huge accomplishment, but the Friars do so much more than entertain themselves and enjoy their camaraderie. The Friars Club's Sunshine Committee (Tom DeBow chairman) is to the Friars Club what Ronald McDonald House is to McDonald's-they bring a ray of sunshine to those who need it most!

Ciaran O'Reilly (Port Authority) and Charlotte Moore (A Christmas Story) two directors from the Irish Repertory Theatre were interviewed by Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy on Backstage with Peter LeDonne. The AM970 The Answer radio program broadcasts from Lillie's Victorian Establishment at 249 West 49th Street every Wednesday from 12-1 PM. Jamie deRoy night life correspondent once again filled in the lunch time crowd on upcoming cabaret and theatre events. Her own variety show, now in it's 23rd season will take place at Birdland on Monday September 22nd at 7 PM. This years show is an Actors Fund Benefit and features Joy Behar, Stephanie J. Block, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Chad Kimball, Byrce Pinkham and Haley Swindal.

Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum just opened the legendary New York City cabaret Cafe Carlyle with his jazz band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage from his show!

Le Cirque Cafe started it's Musical Mondays series with an elegant, sophisticated cabaret & jazz singer who seems to be made for the legendary restaurant. Cole Rumbough has an excellent trio backing him up, and his swinging romantic American Songbook interpretations make the Le Cirque Cafe experience a special night when he's appearing. The cafe was filled and 'A Table at Le Cirque' had to be reserved in advance as Cole's many fans turned out for the excellent food and music.

Joe Piscopo took the stage at The Ciccone Theatre recently, and BroadwayWorld was on hand to snap some photos! As Joe Piscopo tells it, NBC in a moment of insanity replaced the original cast of Saturday Night Live (Dan Aykroyn, John Belushi, Gilda Radner etc) with Joe Piscopo and a new cast which included Eddie Murphy. After seeing Joe's act at a great venue in Paramus New Jersey named The Ciccone Theatre, I witnessed first hand the brilliance of the network's decision to put Joe in SNL in 1980.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Keke Palmer's debut in CINDERELLA, opening night of THIS IS OUR YOUTH, 'While We're Young' at the Toronto International Film Festival, and more!

LUBA MASON presented MIXTURA® Daily Bread at the Metropolitan Room last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

54 Below presented two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole in an exciting new show last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Currently starring on the hit TBS comedy series Sullivan & Son, Christine Ebersole returns to the New York nightclub scene with her first new show in two years. From pop to Broadway, and a few standards and jazz in between, the new show features Musical Director Bette Sussman(Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, Darlene Love, Whitney Houston) and a full band.

Referred by Ella Fitzgerald as 'the greatest white female singer in the world', by Johnny Carson as the 'Super Singer' and said to have a voice that is '...robust and steady, her stamina seemingly inexhaustible...' by the NY Times, Marilyn is a jazz legend known and loved by all. Check out photos from her Birdland return below!

The Shapiro Sisters joined host Peter LeDonne and Jamie deRoy for Backstage with Peter Ledonne, which broadcasts live from Lillie's restaurant every Wednesday during lunch hour. Also joining Peter & Jamie on this weeks show was freelance writer Kathleen Squires. Check out a look back below!

After receiving popular acclaim from a limited sold-out off-off Broadway run last season, Fabulous! The Queen of NewMusical Comedies a high seas musical romp taps into the newly built Write Act Repertory Theatre at the Times Square Arts Center (300 West 43rd Street). The production opened last night, Monday, September 8th (7:30PM). Check out a look back at opening night below!

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, just welcomed Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch back to Bemelmans Bar for an extended Sunday night residency. The upcoming performances will build upon their recent run of shows in the intimate, storied New York City lounge, favorites not only of music fans and critics, but also of fellow artists. Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch shows are a place where some of the city's foremost entertainers go to commune with their own-and sometimes sit-in for a song or two-on their nights off. The pair will be at Bemelmans with their evening of swinging standards Sunday nights, through Dec. 31st.

Between the two legendary bastions of great jazz, the Blue Note on West 3rd street, and Birdland on 44th Street, is another music stage on 22nd street. The kind of music usually associated with those two clubs was heard at the Metropolitan Room last night. With swinging and elegant singing, Kathy Sledge brought the music of Billie Holiday to the standing room only crowd that packed operating partner Bernie Furshpan's Cabaret venue. With a band that seemed to stretch the entire length of the room, a group of musicians called "Somebody Tell Joe & The Chops" turned on an engine of sound which was akin to hearing Count Basie and crew at the Sands in Las Vegas. As the leader shouted out the tempo cue, 1-2-3-4, horns raised and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and Gillespie and Paparelli's "Night In Tunisia" lifted the musically elite audience out of their seats.

Back by popular demand, 54 Below presents renowned international chanteuse and star of Broadway's ChicagoUte Lemper for a return engagement, running September 2-6.

After a 54 Below debut in January that the New York Post's Michael Riedel called 'sensational', 'mesmerizing' and 'it brought down the house!', Patrick Page, recently of Casa Valentina, and Broadway's leading bad guy returned for an encore performance at 54 Below.

Broadway luminaries once again enjoyed lunch and conversation with Peter LeDonne broadcasting live from Lillie's Victorian Establishment in the Theater district . This weeks guests joining Peter and Jamie deRoy were composers Marvin Laird and Joel Paley. Danny Whitman, BCEFA director of Communications & Development and Angelina Fiordellisi, Artistic Director of the Cherry Lane Theater were also joined Peter & Jamie. Laird and Paley are the creators of the hit musical 'Ruthless' which will be remounted as a benefit for Broadway Cares on September 5-22 at the Triad Theatre.

Laura Osnes is bringing her beauty, brains and talent to Texas - Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth respectively. In each city, she will teach a masterclass drawing on her wealth of experience as a Broadway actress and Tony Award Nominee. In this interview, she talks about what she's been taught and what she plans to teach. If she approaches this class with the same charming mixture of pragmatism and idealism that she approaches her career, you'd better sign up fast.

Last night were the finals of the MetroStar Talent Challenge and BroadwayWorld was there. One by one the nervous five entered the dark room and the process started. The judges were identified and their qualifications noted by host Tom Gamblin.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwaWorld's 'this week in pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include Andrew Rannells in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, rehearsals with the touring cast of KINKY BOOTS, and more!