Tales of Joni: The Storefront Sings Mitchell Presented April 23 & 30

The Storefront has announced plans for its second production of 2006. Tales of Joni: The Storefront Sings Mitchell will be presented on Sundays, April 23rd and 30th at 7pm at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher St., in the heart of New York's West Village).

Tales of Joni follows on the success of We Miss Nancy: The Storefront Sings LaMott, which was presented in both 2005 and 2006. A stellar array of theatre and cabaret performers will present Mitchell's work over the course of the two evenings. Included in the cast will be: Todd Almond, Lisa Asher, Bobby Belfry, Jeff Blumenkrantz (Broadway's Urban Cowboy), Pamela Bob, Jarrod Cafaro (Naked Boys Singing), Nick Cearley, Brandon Cutrell, Sarajean Devenport, Baby Jane Dexter, Tim DiPasqua, Suzanne Fiore, Michael Holland, Karen Mack, Liz McCartney (Broadway's Taboo), Brian Nash, Kate Pazakis, Ricky Ritzel, Gabrielle Stravelli and Rachel Ulanet. Tales of Joni will be produced and directed by Phil Geoffrey Bond, with Musical Direction by Ray Fellman.

"When the dust settles, Joni Mitchell may stand as the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century. Uncompromising and iconoclastic, Mitchell confounded expectations at every turn; restlessly innovative, her music evolved from deeply personal folk stylings into pop, jazz, avant-garde and even world music, presaging the multicultural experimentation of the 1980s and 1990s by over a decade," state press notes.

Mitchell began her rise to acclaim as singer of folk-rock music beginning in the mid-sixties. In addition, she also found success writing songs for other singers--"Both Sides Now" was a hit for Judy Collins, "Eastern Rain" for Fairport Convention" and "The Circle Game" for Tom Rush. Earning a cult following, her 1969 sophomore effort, "Clouds," reached the Top 40, while 1970's "Ladies of the Canyon" sold even better on the strength of the single "Big Yellow Taxi." It also included her anthemic composition, "Woodstock," a major hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. She reached her apex of commercial and critical approval with her landmark 1971 record Blue. Stylistic experimentation would mark follow-up albums such as "For the Roses," "Court and Spark," "Miles of Aisles," "The Hissing of Summer Lawns," "Hejira" and "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter," among others.

Mitchell returned to pop territory for 1982's "Wild Things Run Fast;" the first single, a cover of the Elvis Presley hit "(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care," became her first chart single in eight years. Mitchell made a move into electronic sounds with 1988's "Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm," featuring guests Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and Billy Idol. Albums since include "Night Ride Home," "Taming the Tiger" and "Both Sides Now." Mitchell has announced that 2002's "Travelogue" will be her last album, as she intended to retire. Fortunately, she later renounced those plans.

There is a $12 cover charge ($10 for members of MAC and Cabaret Hotline Online), as well as a two-drink minimum. Credit cards are accepted, and no one under 21 will be permitted. For reservations, please call 212.255.5438.

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