Stephen Sorokoff - Page 69

The Belle Of Tombstone a musical with music by Michele Brourman, co-Book/Lyrics by Sheila Rae, and co book by Thomas Edward West had a staged reading last night at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. 

Gianni Russo best known for his portrayal of Carlo Russo in 'The Godfather' also knows how to do a killer of a music show and helped an important charity save lives at Le Cirque last night.

 Broadway Producer and three time Tony Award winner Jamie deRoy held her annual Jamie deRoy & friends Tony Award show last night and the Red Carpet was rolled out at Birdland for the star studded event.  Jamie's fans and friends had their cell phone cameras at the ready as one by one Jamie introduced her award-winning cast which included, Chuck Cooper (The Life) Penny Fuller (Sunday in the Park with George, Cabaret), Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton, In the Heights), Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) with special guest, Patti Cohenour (War Paint, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Doreen Montalvo (On Your Feet, In the Heights) and Paulo Szot (South Pacific) with Billy Stritch.  

The 92Y celebrated Songbook Classics By Unsung Lyricists last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Last night the non-profit Gold Coast Arts Center and Gold Coast International Film Festival honored  legendary Chef Jacques Pépin at an exclusive fundraising event celebrating his life and career and BroadwayWorld was there.

There was only high comedy and some serious wine from one of the highest mountains in Greece at the Friars Club last night as Laura Slutsky hosted 'Whine Women & Wine'. 

Many organizations protect, defend, and keep the Great American Songbook alive. Corinna Sowers Adler is at the forefront of that noble task with her NiCori Studios Productions.  

Joey Reynolds is far from dead, though rumors have the always creative and playful jock styling himself as 'the late Joey Reynolds'. 

Deana Martin performs this tribute show to her father Dean Martin all over the country, but last night it was something special at The Ciconne Theatre in New Jersey. The evening also honored the Scognamillo family's world famous Patsy's Italian Restaurant, the place that Frank, Dean, and families called their New York City home.

There is no one who possesses the skill set of John Pizzarelli.  Well, not quite. According to John, whenever he plays some intricate jazz guitar riff for his dad Bucky, his famous father says..'that's pretty good, but listen to this!' 

Chazz, or 'C' as his friends called him in The Bronx told some great stories to his fellow Friars in the Frank Sinatra Room last night. It was after an Italian  Buffet Feast in the Milton Berle and Barbra Streisand Rooms at the 'Monastery' on 55th street that Chazz explained that he was doing nothing different then what he used to do as a youngster in The Bronx.  His friend's would say 'let Chazz tell the story.'  

As with all Stecher and Horowitz events it's all about the music and helping gifted young pianists navigate the demanding career they have chosen.  This years annual gala at the legendary architectural landmark University Club in New York City was attended by some of New York's most respected a accomplished citizens who share the Foundation's mission and who have a love of classical music.  

Lynda Carter spun 90 minutes of great music with her band on the Appel Room's stage with the backdrop of New York behind her last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The only trouble with her show is that it only plays for two nights.

Carnegie Hall is home to some of the greatest 'serious' music created by mankind and when Maestro and Music Director Steven Reineke takes the stage with the 78 member New York Pops Orchestra it's also about great music, great entertainment, and great fun.   The final concert of the season was titled 'You've Got a Friend: A Celebration of Singers and Songwriters and it featured guest artists Will Chase, Christopher Jackson, Jessie Mueller and Adrienne Warren. 

This ticket is getting harder to get than Hello Dolly.  The New York Pops Concert is once again sold out for tonight but BroadwayWorld got a seat at the rehearsal with Will, Chase, Christopher Jackson, Jessie Mueller and Adrienne Warren.

Yankee Stadium has it's 'Legends Seats' and Monuments prominently displayed in the 'House That Ruth Built'.  Then the current team takes the field and future legends start to play ball.  In the Friars Club show biz past and present are always in the house.  Their photos are on the wall and names are engraved on the chairs in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room.  Then as so often happens an 'insiders' great show is produced for the members and those legends current and future entertain their fellow Friars.  So it happened last night as the Friars Club honored Bobby Short, the legendary cabaret singer/pianist who was best known for his three decade plus music residency at Cafe Carlyle in New York City.  The music of Bobby Short was brought to life by some current Cafe Carlye and Bemelmans Bar stars in a spectacular evening produced and hosted by Friar Jeff Leibowitz and Co-Produced by Friar Will Friedwald.

Shakespeare & Company's newly appointed Artistic Director Allyn Burrows announced the famed (and largest) Shakespeare Festivals in the country lineup for the 2017 Berkshire summer season at at a press event at Chez Josephine  in New York City and BroadwayWorld was there.  This season includes three Shakespeare plays: Cymbeline, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night's Dream; plus two Edith Wharton comedies, Roman Fever and the newly adapted The Fullness of Life. Additional titles include the Obie Award winning 4,000 Miles by Amy Herzog; New York Drama Critics Circle and the Outer Critics Circle Recipient, Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage; and Tony Award Winner, God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza.

It might require a bit of stamina but if you can move fast you can hear Marilyn Maye at a 7PM show at Feinstein's/54 Below… only stay for one standing ovation and then scoot down to Birdland at 44th street just in time for Ann Hampton Callaway's taking the stage to another standing ovation at 'The Jazz Corner of The World'.  Is there another place on the planet where 2 of the greatest female jazz/pop vocalists are appearing within 1/2 mile?  Marilyn's show is called 'Carrying The Torch' and as the world knows she is capable of running with that torch and lighting the flame at the Olympics but in this case she is keeping the flame of the American Songbook burning.

The word Artist is never more accurately applied to an entertainer then when it is used to describe Clint Holmes.  Clint starts with a familiar song title on a blank music  page, and then goes on to create something you never thought that tune could become.   His vocal, jazz, acting ability, combined with his creativity cross every music red, blue, black and white music line you ever laid down.  Most of the audience at Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland Series were already 'educated consumers' at his performance celebrating the CD Release of 'Rendezvous'  last night.  However, for all, it was a reminder of what a truly great performer can brilliantly accomplish with the same 12 notes and combination of beats that all vocalists have at their disposal.  

The Royal Room in The Colony Hotel is known as The Palm Beach Home of The American Songbook.  Last night, probably two gentlemen who are associated with preserving America's musical heritage, Michael Feinstein and Legend Radio's Dick Robinson happened to be in the house for the opening night of a elegant lady who is an exceptional performer of our countries great music....Mary Wilson.