Tom Hubbard News

Continuing its 35th Anniversary season, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Tom Toce Producer) proudly announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2018, which will begin Wednesday, December 12 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday,December 22, 2018 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

Singer Jennifer Roberts returns to Manhattan to toast legendary Broadway lyricist and composer Sheldon Harnick with a tribute show celebrating his impressive body of work. Jennifer will be joined in the special performance at New York hotspot 'PANGEA' by musical director Jon Weber and bassist Steve Doyle.

Birdland Theater is proud to present singer Carole J. Bufford in 'All By Myself' last night and tonight, November 12 and 13 at 7pm.  Carole J. Bufford returns to the Birdland stage with a concert featuring songs from her first solo album, 'All By Myself.'

Kelli Rabke, who was the 'Narrator' in Broadway's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 'Eponine' in Les Miserables on Broadway, and 'Yonah' in the American Premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden , makes her Green Room 42 debut in Feels Like Home. A deeply personal show, it traces her journey from stage to motherhood and back again, sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor and honesty. Featuring music from both the worlds of musical theatre and pop, it has everything from Laura Nyro to Sara Bareilles, from Working to Wicked, also including the iconic songs that were highlights in her career. Feels Like Home is a musical melting pot, performed by her phenomenal 6 piece band made up of some of the best, award-winning musicians that NYC has to offer. Join her for an unforgettable journey!

Acclaimed singer/pianist Billy Stritch returned to the Birdland Theater stage on Wednesday, October 17, with two shows. The Grammy-nominated performer entertained with a selection of jazz, popular standards and bossa nova by a range of songwriters including Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, Michel Legrand and the Bergmans, and Brazilian composers Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ivan Lins. 

Broadway actress-singer Raissa Katona Bennett has a very full and exciting calendar of performances getting underway this week, beginning with the premiere of Spoolie Girl, a new and original fractured rock fairytale by Rosemary Loar. Spoolie Girl runs Oct. 17th through Oct. 27th at Actors Temple Theatre. 

Kelli Rabke, who was the 'Narrator' in Broadway's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 'Eponine' in Les Miserables on Broadway, and 'Yonah' in the American Premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden , makes her Green Room 42 debut in Feels Like Home. A deeply personal show, it traces her journey from stage to motherhood and back again, sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor and honesty. Featuring music from both the worlds of musical theatre and pop, it has everything from Laura Nyro to Sara Bareilles, from Working to Wicked, also including the iconic songs that were highlights in her career. Feels Like Home is a musical melting pot, performed by her phenomenal 6 piece band made up of some of the best, award-winning musicians that NYC has to offer. Join her for an unforgettable journey!

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with week one of the "Second Annual Celebration of Ron Carter" with Ron Carter's Great Big Band, Billy Stritch 'Autumn in the City,' Pasquale Grasso Trio, and more!

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.

Russ Woolley presents Season Three of Richard Skipper Celebrates.

The Berkshires is one of the most beautiful and cultural geographical places in the United States. It's hills have been the playpen of artists, actors, and musicians since the 1920's. The area welcomed one of our generations finest pop/jazz vocalists this weekend in Mr. Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Co.

Russ Woolley once again joins with the leader of cabaret entertainment, Richard Skipper, to present the third season of the wildly popular musical series, Richard Skipper Celebrates.

Marvelous Marilyn Maye has moved into the brand-new Birdland Theater for two weeks, much to the delight of the club's staff, as well as Marilyn's legion of fans. The "Queen of Cabaret" will be in residence for two weeks, running Tuesday to Saturday through August 4, with shows at 7pm each night.

All the glamour and excitement of a Cafe Carlyle opening night happened last night as Billy Stritch seated at the piano announced, (after the bands opening instrumental 'Lady Be Good') 'Ladies and Gentlemen Linda Lavin!'

It was January 25 2011 and Raissa Katona Bennett brought her new show, exploring the music of Jerome Kern to Feinstein's at The Regency Hotel. It got rave reviews from the critics at that time. Amazingly looking and sounding even better, Raissa returned to the cabaret stage last night at The Laurie Beechman Theatre's West Bank Cafe' and Broadwayworld was there. Check out the photos.

Broadway actress-singer, MAC and Bistro Award winner, Raissa Katona Bennett, returns to the cabaret stage in April celebrating the release of her third recording, CAN'T HELP SINGING - THE MUSIC OF JEROME KERN. This romantic celebration of Kern's greatest hits, including 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,' 'All the Things You Are' and 'The Way You Look Tonight,' will play April 26th & May 3rd at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Pianist, Jon Weber, joins Katona Bennett as Musical Director for this engagement. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is in the rear and downstairs at the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036. For tickets/reservations call 212.695.6909 or visit: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/986039.

Marilyn Maye proudly celebrated her 90th birthday on April 10th by starting the run of her latest show at Feinstein's/54Below. It would be an understatement to say she blew the roof off the sold out room on opening night. (people said it was the loudest cheering they'd ever heard in the club).

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present award-winning singer Natalie Douglas with another one of her very special "Tributes!" On Monday, April 9, she threw an onstage celebration of the music and magic of the one and only Elvis Presley. Songs included "Blue Suede Shoes," "Viva Las Vegas," and "If I Can Dream."

Broadway actress-singer, MAC and Bistro Award winner, Raissa Katona Bennett, returns to the cabaret stage in April celebrating the release of her third recording, CAN'T HELP SINGING - THE MUSIC OF JEROME KERN. This romantic celebration of Kern's greatest hits, including "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "All the Things You Are" and "The Way You Look Tonight," will play April 26th & May 3rd at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Pianist, Jon Weber, joins Katona Bennett as Musical Director for this engagement.