Stephen Sorokoff - Page 78

Legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins returned to Cafe Carlyle with with special guest, Ari Hest, last night and BroadwayWorld was there.  Judy Collins' unique artistry has captivated audiences for over fifty years and landed her a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy will performed her revered solo material as well as duets with Ari Hest. Judy and Ari released a stunning, collaborative album Silver Skies Blueearlier this year.

Chita Rivera's landmark concert CHITA: NOWADAYS arrived at Carnegie Hall last night, November 7, marking the the first time the Broadway legend has headlined the iconic venue. The two-time Tony Award winner also welcomed previously- announced guests Alan Cumming, Andy Karl, Javier Muñoz and Brandon Victor Dixon, the new stars of Hamilton on Broadway; and New York City Gay Men's Chorus.

One of the most gorgeous voices in New York belongs to Corinna Sowers Adler, who offered  the premiere of 'Something Beautiful' at Jazz at Lincoln Center's majestic Appel Room on Saturday November 5 at 7pm and Broadwayworld was there

2014 Tony Nominee Jarrod Spector premiered a brand new show, Jukebox Life at Feinstein's/54 Below last night following his celebrated A Little Help From My Friends concert tour and CD.

Tony Danza performed, and Olympia Dukakis was the guest of honor last night at the 27th annual charity event 'Doodle for Hunger' for the benefit of St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters.  The evening was hosted by Fox News Anchor Ernie Anattos, and the celebrity auctioneer was Tony Lo Bianco. 

Gianni Valenti has guided the 'Jazz Corner of the World' for the past 32 years.  Birdland, the most well known jazz music venue on the planet has been successfully chaperoned by his masterly artistic, restaurant, and business skills for over three decades. That is exactly double the amount of time the original Birdland on 52nd street existed.  Entertainment and menu trends have metamorphosed many times over the last 32 years, but Birdland has consistently been the destination point for New Yorkers and world travelers seeking great music, performed by exceptional artists.  For the past decade, the club has integrated the stars of  the adjacent Broadway Theatre into it's performance schedule under the guidance of Jim Caruso. 

International jazz stylist Sabrina Wender and her Trio were the music treat for the folks at Le Cirque last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the jazz tricks & treats. 

Birdland was a 'scary' place last night as Orfeh and Andy Karl rocked on Halloween night in the Broadway at Birdland concert series!  In their show titled 'Songs from the Crypt' the audience was invited to celebrate the Karls' favorite holiday with some favorite songs. Costumes were encouraged, and there were candy prizes delivered by Andy Karl himself! Their rockin' band included Steven Jamail(Music Director/Pianist), Britt Bonney (Keyboard), Tim Kodres (vocals), Jeremy Yaddaw (Drums), and Micah Burgess (Guitar).

Singer/entertainer Jenene Caramielo brought her thrilling voice to Feinstein's/54 Below last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Jenene graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory, in Virginia, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. She studied private voice, dance and acting as well as piano and improvisation. After college she started working in different regional theaters in Virginia and Florida. With a thirst to travel she continued her career as the headliner on different cruise lines such as Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and most recently she performed as a guest entertainer on a 2013 world tour with Princess Cruises where she sang her way through Australia to the middle east and Italy.

Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin (Big Fish, Giant, John & Jen, Finian's Rainbow, Songbird) concluded her current engagement at Feinstein's/54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there.  In her show, titled Extraordinary Machine, Kate presented an evening of songs and stories, as she candidly and comically deconstructed the facade of being a Broadway star, mother, and Midwest ingenue turned New Jersey suburbanite.

James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director and Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director cut the ribbon last night and revealed the newly renovated York Theater interior at Saint Peter's Church at Citicorp. The project was aided in part by New York City's Cultural Affairs Dept. and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, who injected the event into the Congressional Record.  All agreed the new seats was quite comfortable and it was bottoms up at the celebration at The York Theatre last night.  

Actress/singer Ana Gasteyer made her Cafe Carlyle debut last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Her engagement runs through November 5th.

A few feet away from the stage of the Winter Garden where Lainie Kazan played a Ziegfeld showgirl and understudied Barbra Streisand in 'Funny Girl', a celebrity filled audience and devoted fans got to see Lainie appear on the legendary Iridium nightclub's  stage.   

There's no 'Tomorrow' for this years four day 27th New York Cabaret Convention but there certainly was a thrilling performance of that song by host Kela Blackhurst and the Broadway by the Year Chorus.  The composer and lyricist were in attendance as their songs were performed by a wonderful group of cabaret artists. The convention even produced a 12 year old to recreate the emotions of seeing 'Annie' as Zoe Gelman sang Maybe & NYC to the Rose Theater audience. Luckily there will be a 'tomorrow' for the Mabel Mercer Foundations Cabaret Convention and mark your calendars for the 28th New York Cabaret Convention in 2017.

KT Sullivan made an astute call and turned over the creation of the third night of the Cabaret Convention to host Rex Reed.  If there is anyone in the world who symbolizes music sophistication with a flawless comprehension of what good cabaret performance is about it is the elegant Mr. Reed. The Convention's final evening is yet to be heard (tonight), but last evening must have been one of the finest chapters in the long history of Donald Smith and the Mabel Mercer Foundation's twenty seven year old creation. The musicians, singers, and material, which honored the legendary cabaret performer Sylvia Syms truly represented the highest quality of cabaret performance. Rex also made an important artistic decision….he included himself as one of the vocalists.  Rex Reed was a participating member of the golden age of New York life and his unique ability to verbally convey it's history honored Sylvia Syms, who as Rex pointed out at the start of the evening…..died the way she wanted, singing in a  nightclub (Oak Room Algonquin)  to a standing ovation.  She collapsed into the arms of audience member Cy Coleman.  

The second night of the 27th New York Cabaret Convention at Rose Hall was hosted by long time cabaret artist favorites, Jeff Harnar & Andrea Marcovicci. The evening including performances by: Sally Mayes, Aaron Morishito, Julie Reyburn, Maureen Taylor, Raissa Katona Bennett, Will Nunziata, Anthony Nunziata, Jennifer Sheehan, Kevin Dozier, Sarah Rice, Donna McKechnie, Jon Weber, Marissa Mulder, Eric Michael Gillett, Celia Berk, Josephine Sanges, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Sidney Meyer, Iris Williams, and Marta Sanders. Tonights evening will be hosted by Rex Reed and the Conventions closing night honoring Charles Strouse will be hosted by Klea Blackhurst

Still witty, smart and funny at 95 years of age, the legendary comic Marty Allen was hosted (not roasted) at a Friars Club lunch.  Emmy Award winning Friar Bill Boggs interviewed Marty about his long career in show business.  Marty worked as an opening act for stars such as Sarah Vaughan, Eydie Gorme and Nat King Cole gained enormous fame when he teamed up with singer Steve Rossi and made 44 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.  In 1961 and 1962 Allen appeared on Broadway in Let It Ride! at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and then went on to perform in the pre-Broadway tour and Broadway performances of I Had A Ball.

Lovers of Cabaret flocked to New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theatre last night to attend The 27th New York Cabaret Convention and BroadwayWorld was there. Unlike a political convention there was complete agreement that this annual event produced and sponsored by the Mabel Mercer Foundation is one of the best entertainment experiences of the year.  Madam Chairman' and artistic director KT Sullivan kept complete order as one by one the wonderful vocalists made their case to the extremely knowledgeable 'delegates' filling Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It's not politically correct to pick winners at the annual event, which presents newcomers and veterans of the cabaret art form, but if there's one......  The Audience!  For two hours they hear some great music and get a potpourri of diverse singing styles that make the long evening seem brief.  The superb song stylist and New York based vocalist Natalie Douglas was deservedly presented the prestigious Donald F. Smith award, and legend Maureen McGovern received the Mable Mercer Award. 

The Friars Club hosted a one night only event last night that will be remembered for many years by Ben Vereen.  Chita Rivera brought him to the club for what Ben thought was a small dinner in his honor.  When Ben walked out of the elevator the huge mahogany  doors of the Milton Berle Room and Barbra Streisand Room swung open to a capacity crowd of Friars shouting "SURPRISE" and singing Happy Birthday.   It was an emotional happy celebration as Ben's many friends toasted the legendary performer and humanitarian.  Friar Board Member and Chairman of the Friars Admission Committee Bill Boggs officially made Ben Vereen an Honorary Friar.  As Bill pointed out to Ben in his presentation,  " I have the power to bestow this title on you….. being an Honorary Member entitles you to walk into the club at any time, enjoy a great meal in the Frank Sinatra dinning room…..and pay for it! "  

Christine Ebersole who is currently appearing at Cafe Carlyle dropped in to say "hello" to her friends Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch during their Sunday night residency in Bemelmans .  Of course it wasn't just a "hello".  The lucky folks at The Carlyle got to hear some great singing by Christine, with Billy Stritch at the piano adding some vocal harmonies.  You never know who's going to come in and say "hello" to the sophisticated duo, and now that Billy is also Tony Bennett's pianist/conductor.