Stephen Sorokoff - Page 41

It was Up UP and Away last night at the Eissey Campus Theatre as Jimmy Webb, one of America's most highly regarded songwriters spent an evening playing and singing his music for the Palm Beach Audience. It's always thrilling to hear the stories behind the creation of iconic music, and I was thinking as Jimmy performed his songs, I guess this it what have been like if the likes of George Gershwin and the other great composers were around to spend an evening describing the process and inspiration of creating music and lyrics.

The tables at Table 26 were all filled last night. There was also a long wait list for any last minute openings at this trendy West Palm Beach restaurant. However, it wasn't just because of the menu….. the 'Special of the Night' was arguably one of the most popular singers of The Great American Songbook, Steve Tyrell. He will be performing at the chic Dixie Highway establishment for five shows thru March 24th. Steve's voice, in addition to being recognizable all over the planet is very familiar to the folks in Palm Beach because of his many sold out seasons at the legendary Royal Room at The Colony Hotel during it's years as The Place' to be for Palm Beach entertainment. His music is also constantly heard on the air waves in South Florida and worldwide on Dick Robinson's Legends Radio stations. 'The Old Jock' Mr. Robinson and family were in the house for Steve's opening night. Legend Radio's popular morning hosts Jill & Rich Switzer, who are also skilled performers were the opening act for Mr. Tyrell, and it's safe to say that this had to be one of the best nights ever at Table 26. Who know's Eddie and Ozzie of Table 26 might be singing 'This Could Be The Start Of Something Big' after Tyrell's engagement. Stay tuned.

It was the luck of the Irish, the Italians, the Jews and everyone else in the Pelican Cafe last night.  

The Footlighters Club was ground zero for Comedy yesterday as Freddie Roman, Dick Capri, Scott Record and Rick Corso celebrated one of their peers, the acclaimed entertainer Sarge who is one of the most admired improvisational comedians, singer and musical piano savant in show business. President and producer of the event Errol Dante started off the afternoon with his stirring rendition of Granada but then it was all laughs as the jokes flew wild and feverishly and there were probably more laughs at the Miami Shores Country Club per square inch than any other place on the planet. The humor heard at the Footlighters event must out of political necessity stay inside the Footlighters but rest assured no one was left unscathed.

Judy Gold and Chipper Lowell were booked in the same show at Valencia Shores last night and the impact from this comedic evening had the audience laughing hysterically at both their acts till it hurt.

Anka Palitz, The Actors Fund National Ambassador Vice Chair and founder of the Heart & Soul Gala was honored at the Gala's 10th Anniversary in Palm Beach at The Breakers last night, along with Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Ethan Stiefel, Principal guest instructor at the American Ballet Theatre. Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer/dancer Bebe Neuwirth hosted The Actors Fund event which featured performances by local Florida dancers.

Musical wish list: Liza Minelli, Executive Producer, Tedd Firth, Musical Director, The Kravis Center Pops Orchestra Big Band, and Michael Feinstein singing the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra. It happened last night in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall at The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Michael Feinstein, Ambassador of the Great American Songbook, has built a dazzling career over the last three decades bringing the music of the Great American Songbook to the world and he expertly and nostalgically brought the music of the 'chairman of the board to an audience that remembers it well at The Kravis Center. The Kravis Big Band filled the hall with Tedd Firth arrangements and Michael wowed the audience with his performance, which included Michael at the piano with the Kravis Center Big Band. In true Mr. Sinatra fashion, Mr. Feinstein and crew were on a Jet to NYC as the folks were leaving the parking lot, to hook up with Liza Minelli for some musical adventures in the Big Apple.

It's usually the vocalists who garner the most enthusiasm and devotion from the music loving public.  The human voice and a singer's personality are able to convey emotion and musicality in a very distinct way.  Then there is the the charisma and trumpet of Chris Botti to challenge that hypothesis.  Chris Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist because of his artistry and ability to electrify an audience with his music and his gracious and elegant personality.  Early on in his concert last night Botti referred to The Kravis Center as Carnegie Hall South. With music programming like this in West Palm Beach he might have to greet a New York City audience at the legendary Concert Hall on 57th street by saying welcome to the Kravis Center North!

Masters of Impressions was the title of a show performed by two celebrated and sought after impressionists,Tony Pace and Karen Grainger at The Polo Club last night. The production is wrapped in a visual media marvel bringing to life the moments of the Legendary Voices they present. The two are great singers with their own voices but also had the unique ability, backed by a great band playing authentic arrangements, to bring a slew of legendary performers to the stage.

Fresh from the 40th Anniversary Actors Fund benefit concert of 'They're Playing Our Song' at the Music Box Theatre in NYC, it's star Lucie Arnaz joined entertainer and Key West impresario Randy Roberts for 'We're Singing Our Songs' at the Tennessee Williams Cabaret Theatre.

There is an historic house in Key West, La Terraza De Marti, which was the home of cigar manufacturer Teodoro Perez who was a symbol of Key West's strong ties to Cuba. On May 3, 1883 Perez welcomed Jose Marti, the man who was the symbol of Cuba's bid for independence from Spain to speak from his 2nd story balcony to thousands of Cuban sympathizers. Marti was an integral factor in freeing Cuba from Spanish rule.

It was all about the love that Paul Anka has for sharing his music with audiences and the love those audiences have for him at The Kravis Center last night.

There were thrilling moments at The Kravis Center Pops Orchestra concert last night conducted by Maestro Michael Feinstein. One was being able to hear one of the most extraordinary vocalists of our generation, Maureen McGovern perform with the orchestra. Another was the Maestro leaving the podium to sing 'I've Got You Under My Skin' with Ms McGovern. In the first half of the concert Will & Anthony Nunziata, two other great voices also thrilled the audience in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall with their mash up of Unchained Melody/Someone Like You.

Billy Stritch, continuing his 'My Winter Valentine' at The Birdland Theater had his long time friend Sally Mayes as his special guest last night. It's too bad only about 100 or so lovers could be in the room to hear their version of the signature Valentines Day song My Funny Valentine.

It's BIlly Stritch with his Winter Valentine at Birdland this week, and his first night with special guest Gabrielle Stravelli filled the Birdland Theater with loads of romantic notes last night.

A party hosted by Jamie deRoy, Board member of Primary Stages was attended by some of the most esteemed members of the theatre community last night. Primary Stages is an Off-Broadway not-for-profit theater company dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and sharing the art of playwriting. The kitchen of Ms. deRoy, the 'hostess with the (theatre) mostess' was also recently used by Rita Moreno for a cooking demonstration for a PBS American Masters series and featured in this weeks New York Times.

In honor of Nat King Cole and the musical monarch's centennial The New York Pops will perform all the songs that made us fall in L-O-V-E with Nat King Cole at tonight's concert. The Carnegie audience will also hear selections by the fellow legends he inspired. Check out the rehearsal photos with guest soloists Nikki Renee Daniels and Ryan Shaw.

Wearing a suit that seemed to be inspired by the celebrated decor of Feinstein's/54 Below, Tony Award nominee and two-time MAC Award winner Charles Busch returned to the club last night with a new show that gets to the essence of this legendary theatrical figure. The Actor/playwright/cabaret entertainer, with an eclectic songbook from the 70's and early 80's unfolded an outrageously comic yet also poignant tale of his early years as he strived to find a place for himself. Charles has found a place for himself and he is a living legend and a very theatrical New York audience filled Feinstein's/54 Below to hear his wit and music.

One of the funniest stand up comics aroun, John Pizzarelli has the Birdland audiences laughing at his great stories and jokes.

Put together two super actor/singers to perform The Songs Of Kander & Ebb and it's like Mantle and Maris hitting back to back homers in the world series. Oops, I promised myself I would avoid the Baseball references, however watching Haley Swindal you cannot help but wonder how this enormously talented lady became such an exciting entertainer coming from a sports/business family. Then again, George Steinbrenner did create exciting entertainment for millions with the Yankee franchise and he was also an avid fan and investor in Broadway shows.