Stephen Sorokoff - Page 35

Mario Lanza brought Opera to Hollywood and Sean Patrick Murtagh brought Mario Lanza to the Cabaret World at The Green Room 42 last night. Sean's lyric baritone effectively handled the repertoire usually sung by a tenor's voice and brought a distinctive vivacity to the songs usually associated with Mario Lanza and other celebrated tenors. Actually this show was about Mario and Richard (not Tucker). It was a heartfelt tribute to Sean's vocal teacher Richard who first exposed him to the Mario Lanza songbook. With his superior musical theater acting skills and charming personality Sean Patrick Murtagh is an exciting addition to the Cabaret World. Similar to the Metropolitan Opera, The Green Room 42 was full of Bravo's last night and I was thinking 3 Tenors plus 1 great Lyric Baritone would also make a great performance.

In the theater community Jamie deRoy is a well known Broadway producer but in the Friars community she is also acclaimed as an entertainer. Friar Jamie deRoy furthermore has the distinction of being the 8th woman to become a Friar subsequent to the men's only club changing it's rules in 1988. Jamie deRoy who is usually the earliest to spot an opportunity had to wait behind the likes of Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers Gloria Allred, and Brooke Shields who were also among the first to join the Friars Club.

You can physically build a welcoming and attractive Cabaret Room (in this case Mr. Finn's at Barrington Stage). You can have a name on the door that represents important musical theater (William Finn). However it really doesn't have any greatness unless the music and artists that appear on it's stage are of the highest order.

Nunziata fans are now going to be able to “take home Anthony” after his solo concert shows.  He's in the famed Samurai Hotel Recording Studios in Astoria, N.Y. recording his solo debut album as we speak.   You will not be able to take home his twin brother Will Nunziata on this CD.  It's only going to be Anthony's inspiring voice with soulful takes on classics like, “The Very Thought of You”, “When I Fall in Love”, “Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You”, “Somewhere”, 'Unchained Melody”, Can't Help Falling in Love with You” as well as his original songs including “I Found a Home,” Love Me Anyway”, and “Will You Be My Everyday?”

Entertainment royalty came out to see show biz royalty last night at Feinstein's/54 Below. Lorna Luft thoroughly enthralled a celebrity filled audience as she shared the music that was a part of her early years. The Beatles were very present in her song list and we learned that Lorna had a major crush on George Harrison. As Lorna related, “coming from a show biz family has it's perks”. She was able to meet them back stage after a concert she attended with her friend Leslie Bogart and her mother Lauren Bacall. Ms. Bacall warned the two youngsters that daughters of celebrities are not supposed to jump up and down and scream, consequently Lorna and Leslie were the only girls in the stadium quietly sitting with a stern look on their faces during The Beatle Concert!

Donna McKechnie, the Tony Award Winning Actress for A Chorus Line was in a different line last night. The super star was in The Lineup hosted by Susie Mosher at the Birdland Theater. Wether you're upstairs, downstairs, or on the line waiting to get into the club, there are celebs all over the place at Birdland and last night was no different. Tony Award winner Chita Rivera was in the house cheering a performance by her daughter Lisa Mordente who sang in Susie's wild variety show. It also wasn't to shabby that TV ( Madam Secretary) Film (Jersey Boys) and Broadway star Erich Bergen was in last night's Lineup too.

His show is titled “I Happen To Like New York” and at opening night at Feinstein's/54 Below New Yorkers happened to like Michael Feinstein in a very big way. In fact from coast to coast when the words Great American Songbook are spoken it's probably in the same sentence as the name Feinstein. Known to music lovers everywhere as America's ambassador of the songs that define our musical heritage for much of the 20th century, last night Michael thrilled an overflow audience at the club that has his name on the door. From multi-platinum recordings that have earned him five Grammy Award nominations to his Emmy nominated PBS-TV specials, his acclaimed NPR series, and concerts spanning the globe, his work as an educator and archivist define Feinstein as one of the most important musical forces of our time.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented singer/pianist Steve Ross in “Songs I Love” last night. Steve looked back at his long career and revisited songs from his first recording (1979) and his more recent efforts celebrating Alan Jay Lerner, Noel Coward and Stephen Sondheim. KT Sullivan who is currently appearing with Steve at the Irish Repertory Theatre in LOVE, NOEL: The Songs and Letters of Noel Coward (written and devised by Barry Day) joined Steve for a few songs.

I don't know if Benny Goodman “The King of Swing” ever performed at the original Birdland on Broadway at 52nd Street which was more known for the Bebop Jazz of Charlie Parker. However, his music was gloriously celebrated last night by John Pizzarelli and his special guest Clarinetist Ken Peplowski at the current Birdland on 44th Street. The link to the past was firmly established by the extraordinary artistry of Pizzarelli and Peplowski as they toured the Benny Goodman Songbook. The link was also established by the many stories both had about Benny Goodman. Ken Peplowski played in Benny's last band, and John's father Bucky was also was a featured guitarist with Goodman. In fact as John in his “Bucky Voice” recounted a funny story, when he was a youngster tagging along with Bucky John even got to strum a few notes for Benny Goodman until Bucky said “come on kid we gotta get home”! It was all smiles and happy swing music last night as John Pizzarelli and his trio with Ken Peplowski filled Birdland with great music and great conversation. The tradition of exceptional music continues at 'The Jazz Corner of The World”

The man who has a supreme dexterity with words, who possess an ability to weave them together and create harmonious and engrossing ideas came to see the man ( and woman) who do the same with music notes last night at Birdland. Stephen Holden the esteemed music and theatre critic of the New York Times, now retired came to hear John Pizzarelli and his special but not surprising guest (wife) Jessica Molaskey.

It's in the Steinbrenner genes, known for excellence, excitement, and showmanship in all things they endeavor. Haley Swindal, Broadway and Concert star continues the legacy of one of America's most well known families and used her formidable talents in an homage to her idol Liza Minnelli last night at Feinstein's/54 Below. Whenever Haley takes time off from her Broadway commitments (presently CHICAGO) her Cabaret concerts are a major happening and last night Broadway's Supper Club was the place to be in New York City. Haley's significant voice and acting abilities, her physical stature and blond hair may be different then Liza's but the audience arousal and passion she evokes is similar to the legend.

The Theater & Cabaret Audiences are flocking to the return engagement of Sherie Rene Scott & Norbert Leo Butz at Feinstein's/54 Below and this show seems to be one of the hottest tickets in town.

Mr. Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Company has become one of the countries leading presenters of the art form of cabaret. The road going from Birdland and Feinstein's/54 Below to Pittsfield Ma. now also comes from Las Vegas. Clint Holmes, one of the main attractions on the strip and in nightclubs around the country came to Barrington Stage Company last night and made the Berkshires and Mr. Finn's officially become part of the nightclub circuit.

Alan Cumming said it best: 'I've known Frances for almost 30 years but she never ceases to surprise and amaze me with the ways she reinvents herself, finding new levels of expression and excellence, always with total commitment and her signature sensual passion. I cannot wait to see what she does next.'

Last night at The Green Room 42 (570 10th Avenue), Broadway star and recording artist Luba Mason (Chicago, Jekyll & Hyde, How to Succeed, recently earned a Lucille Lortel nomination for her role in the acclaimed Public Theater production of Girl From The North Country) premiered a new Broadway-centric concert, Luba Mason - 5' 10' with the pianist & music director to so many Broadway stars and legendary singers, Billy Stritch!

Barrington Stage Co. presented award-winning composer, lyricist, arranger, orchestrator, director, virtuoso pianist, humorist and humanitarian Jason Robert Brown, on its stage for a concert last night, July 9.

Caruso's Cast Party with Billy Stritch, which is a New York City institution and sought after attraction at important cabaret venues nationwide wowed the audience at Mr. Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Co. last night. Mr. (William) Finn himself was present for the always funny and sophisticated show biz banter that is the hallmark of any Cast Party when Caruso and Stritch bring their music and comedy to what is arguably the most famous 'Open Mic' in the entertainment world.

Joanna Gleason gave a  memorable performance in her superbly crafted, written and directed show last night at Feinstein's54 Below. Jeffrey Klitz, her music director and pianist, created some of the most haunting and extraordinary arrangements for a group of musicians consisting of guitar, banjo, autoharp, cello, percussion and 3 back-up vocalists called the Moontones.

You recently saw the television camera focus on David Yazbek seated in the audience at the Tony Awards and last night if you were at Feinstein's54 Below you saw him seated on the piano bench with his killer band and special guest Etai Benson in a thrilling performance by the composer himself.

Christine Andreas opened her show at the Beach Cafe last night by telling the intimate group of Cabaret lovers that contrary to current trends, her show had no theme. It would simply contain songs she liked to sing. By the end of her performance it was obvious the show did have a theme…..Great Songs Sung by a Great SingerActor. I've often said that the best musical experience is when the singer happens to be the pianist. The fingers join the vocal chords and create the most well planned arrangements. I may be wrong. Having your spouse as your pianist and music director also creates a rare and inspired musical experience. Martin Silvestri creates exceptional accompaniments. He is a true artist at the keyboard and happens also to be an Accordion virtuoso, which is extremely effective when Christine sings her unforgettable Piaf medley.