David Green - Page 32

The Manhattan Transfer brought their incredible vocal harmonies to The McCallum Theatre last Saturday night to a Standing Room Only Crowd. I know that for a fact - because I was standing! The sold-out to capacity crowd was riveted by a ninety-plus minute "vocal buffet" of as many of the quartets biggest hits and greatest harmonies as they could pack into a one evening event. They are celebrating their fortieth anniversary this season and it was more than apparent why they remain America's masters at vocalese and vocal jazz and every tight harmony in between. The four singers have perfected an almost unnatural blend that can generally only be imitated by the instruments they mimic in style and sound.

I LOVE Broadway. I was not in love with Neil Berg's tribute to Broadway, "101 Years Of Broadway", presented at The McCallum Theatre for two performances last week. The cast was more than credible with ample credits, each and everyone - Broadway stars Ron Bohman, Sandra Joseph, David Elder, Erin Denman and Ted Lewis Levy - and the Broadway revue highlighting some of the greatest music from some of the greatest shows is a tried and true formula that is generally at least satisfying. But something was missing. Perhaps it was, in fact, Neil Berg who is generally at the helm of this production but was out with pneumonia for this leg of the tour. But 101 YEARS was not special. What seemed to be missing was heart.

Soprano Renee Fleming and Mezzo-Soprano Susan Graham, two of the world's foremost stars of opera, join together for a rare recital of duets at The McCallum Theatre tonight, January 22 at 8:00 pm. Through selections from the French, German and American repertoire, the compelling and dynamic singers will create a lively evening of collaboration.

Three of New York's premiere vocalists- Daniel Rodriquez, Michael Amante and Andy Cooney - billed as 'The New York Tenors' will bring an 'evening of vocal excellence' featuring music from Broadway, opera, film and American classics to the McCallum Theatre tonight, January 17, and Friday, January 18.

Neil Berg will brings his all new production, 101 Years of Broadway, to the McCallum Theatre for two performances, tonight, January 15 and the 16th at 8:00 pm. 101 Years of Broadway recreates the biggest moments from the finest shows of the century featuring the stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Evita, Cats,Wonderful Town, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof. Five Broadway Veterans light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred. Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling songs from Broadway's newest hit shows.

Soprano Renee Fleming and Mezzo-Soprano Susan Graham, two of the world's foremost stars of opera, join together for a rare recital of duets at The McCallum Theatre on January 22 at 8:00 pm. Through selections from the French, German and American repertoire, the compelling and dynamic singers will create a lively evening of collaboration.

It is and has always been 'a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll' for America's dynamic duo, brother and sister act, Donny and Marie Osmond. Due to their never-ending popularity, Donny & Marie will continue to entertain sold-out audiences with an extension to perform at Flamingo Las Vegas with shows confirmed through 2013. They were recently voted "Best All-Around Performers," "Best Show" and "Best Singer" by the readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal,

OperaArts will honor the life of Barbara Smith Conrad with "When I Rise…Let Your Voice Be Heard" - a weekend featuring two special events, February 9 and 10, in Palm Springs. In 1957, MS. Conrad was a gifted black opera student at the University of Texas who was thrust into a civil rights storm that changed her life forever. After being expelled from the cast of an opera because of her race, the incident escalated to national news, prompting unexpected support from Harry Belafonte and Eleanor Roosevelt.

The McCallum Theatre will play host to The Manhattan Transfer for one SRO performance on Saturday, January 18 at 8:00 pm as part of their stellar Fitz's Jazz Café series. For more than 30 years, Manhattan Transfer has remained one of the most popular jazz vocal groups of all time. The quartet (Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne) is known for their amazing harmonies, acapella and vocalese stylings. Manhattan Transfer has earned multiple Grammy Awards, worldwide sales in the millions, and legions of dedicated fans. In addition, in 1999, the Manhattan Transfer was among the first class of inductees into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Three of New York's premiere vocalists- Daniel Rodriquez, Michael Amante and Andy Cooney - billed as "The New York Tenors" will bring an "evening of vocal excellence" featuring music from Broadway, opera, film and American classics to the McCallum Theatre on Thursday, January 17, and Friday, January 18. Since the inception of The Three Tenors on July 7, 1990 in Rome at the Baths of Caracalla on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Final, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and the one and only Luciano Pavarotti have opened the doors for other great voices, such as the Irish Tenors, The Canadian Tenors and this nationally renowned trio who pay tribute to the great city of New York through their inimitable vocal stylings.

Neil Berg will brings his all new production, 101 Years of Broadway, to the McCallum Theatre for two performances, January 15 and 16 at 8:00 pm. 101 Years of Broadway recreates the biggest moments from the finest shows of the century featuring the stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Evita, Cats,Wonderful Town, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof. Five Broadway Veterans light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred. Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling songs from Broadway's newest hit shows.

The Mystery Of Edwin Drood Star, Stephanie J. Block, is featured on an all new Christmas CD Recording titled A VERY BROADWAY CHRISTMAS, produced to support the Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts in its mission to promote the arts in public education. Block joins Matthew Morrison, Susan Egan and more in a holiday CD featuring both original and traditional Christmas Songs and can still be purchased in time to stuff it into the stocking of a favorite Broadway lover!

Wicked and Brooklyn star Eden Espinosa is hosting a CD Release Party tonight, December 17 for her debut album, Look Around --- available December 18 on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and EdenEspinosa.com.

Wicked and Brooklyn star Eden Espinosa is hosting a CD Release Party on Monday, December 17 for her debut album, Look Around --- available December 18 on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and Eden Espinosa.com. Joining Eden and her band at Dim Mak Studios in Hollywood, CA will be: Tracie Thoms, Ty Taylor, Sarah Mears, Stefanie Sidler and Paul David. Eden brings an innovative and deeply personal interpretation to some modern Broadway hits. Working with her production team, she has endeavored to create a sound that is accessible to both die-hard Broadway fans and pop music listeners alike. I had the chance to catch up with Eden prior to the CD Release Party - here are some excerpts from that interview.

Pop legend Barry Manilow will be back on Broadway in January, but between now and then he will present a series of six benefit concerts at Palm Desert's McCallum Theatre called "A Gift Of Love" with all proceeds benefiting 27 local (Coachella Valley) charities. He recently celebrated his 50th chart-topping hit on The Billboard Charts with "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" from his new holiday CD, The Classic Christmas Album. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with the entertainment icon backstage at The McCallum and talk "all things Manilow". Here are a few excerpts from that interview.

The internationally acclaimed singing group Straight No Chaser will bring their signature vocal stylings and a little bit of the holiday spirit to The McCallum Theatre tonight, December 4 at 8:00 pm as part of Fitz's Jazz Cafe Series.

Pop legend Barry Manilow will be back on Broadway in January, but between now and then he will present a series of six benefit concerts at Palm Desert's McCallum Theatre called "A Gift Of Love" with all proceeds benefiting 27 local (Coachella Valley) charities. He recently celebrated his 50th chart-topping hit on The Billboard Charts with "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" from his new holiday CD, The Classic Christmas Album. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with the entertainment icon backstage at The McCallum and talk "all things Manilow". Here are a few excerpts from that interview.

The McCallum Theatre presents Steve Soloman's "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish And I'm Home For The Holidays" for three performances December 1 at 8:00 pm and December 2 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. "I'm Home For The Holidays" is a laugh filled evening of chaos featuring hilarious stories and characterizations of his family, friends and all of the other folks he has met along the way that drove him into Therapy in the first place. I had the chance to catch up with the Award winning comedian to talk all things "Steve Soloman" as he prepares for his trip to Palm Desert. Here are a few excerpts from the interview.

Hats off to The McCallum Theatre - Cowboy Hats that is - for presenting the incredible vocal quartet "Ryders In The Sky" in concert as part of their stellar 25th anniversary season. It is always a treat to go into the theatre with no expectations - I had never before seen "Ryders In The Sky" and, since cowboy music is not my thing, never really expected I would. But what a joyful surprise! It turned out to be one of the most entertaining afternoons I have spent in the theatre in years. For a solid ninety minutes I couldn't get enough of their spot on vocal harmonies or their infectious humor. In fact, to my surprise, I even bought a CD in the lobby on my way out.

Unlike the leading character in Stephen Temperly's brilliant comedy SOUVENIR -- the Coyote Stageworks production, now playing through December 2 at The Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, is pitch perfect. Producer, and CSW Founder, Chuck Yates has skillfully assembled a stellar cast and creative team who are "a cut above" and he delivers one of those special evenings in the theatre that is not to be missed.