Stephen Sorokoff - Page 83

Greatness is sometimes achieved by the collaboration of superbly talented people. Last night, in New York City it was the 50th anniversary of Julie Budd's association with pianist, arranger and musical director Herb Bernstein.

Last night, with photos of some of the greatest entertainers looking down at him in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room, Billy Stritch -- one of the most talented and creative musicians on the planet -- entertained his fellow Friars. I don't know if the velvet fog ever sang in the Monastery, but the closest you will ever get to his music is to hear Billy Stritch perform his Mel Torme show. It's the definitive interpretation of Mel's extraordinary musical genius, performed by the unequaled artistry of Mr. Stritch.

Michael Riedel, theater columnist for the New York Post and author of the best selling book RAZZLE DAZZLE The Battle For Broadway, led a panel discussion at the Friars Club last night.  The book is advertised with the slogan, "everything you wanted to know about Broadway, but were afraid to ask"! 

John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer, who has been called 'hip with a wink' by Town & Country, 'madly creative' by the Los Angeles Times and 'the genial genius of the guitar' by The Toronto Star brought his Swing Seven to Birdland this past week and Broadwayworld was there for his closing night.  Son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, New Jersey native John Pizzarelli has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz. John Pizzarelli has had a multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, known around the world for the cool jazz flavor he brings to classic standards, late-night ballads, and each of his hugely entertaining live performances and masterful recordings. His most recent CD release, Rockin' In Rhythm, combines the enduring work of Duke Ellington with Pizzarelli's incredible ability to reinterpret the Great American Songbook. Rockin' In Rhythm is the follow up to Pizzarelli's critically-acclaimed 2008 release, With A Song In My Heart - John Pizzarelli Sings the Music of Richard Rodgers, which featured Don Sebesky's Grammy-nominated arrangement of 'Johnny One Note.' With his active touring schedule, Pizzarelli continues to charm audiences with his warmth, conversational humor, and musical moxie.

The Metromen were a New York City-based rock group of the late 1970s, early 1980s, that created their own brand of punk/rock music aiming to combine sophistication and humor. They recently re-united and performed at a new venue, THE BARN at The Egremont Village Inn in Egremont, MA. The Metromen rose out of the new wave period which was typified at the time by acts such as Joe Jackson, The Police and Elvis Costello, all of which were a large influence on the music and style of the band.

Mr. Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Company presented The Marcy & Zina show last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

The Dozen Divas (Dorothy Bishop) performed at at the Metropolitan Room last night and Broadwayworld was there.  This was a special show to celebrate the birthday of Sandra McFarland and all the  divas present came wrapped up in one person: international performer and 'America's Got Talent' finalist Dorothy Bishop.

Michael Feinstein presented his Great American Songbook Winners at Feinstein's/54 Below and Broadwayworld was there.

Michael Feinstein returned to the club that bears his name with his brand new show, Summertime Swing, featuring special guest star Marilyn Maye, last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presented the regional premiere of Nina Raine's  award-winning play,Tribes last night on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage and BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night and after party.

The world premiere of Broadway Bounty Hunter, took place at Barrington Stage Company last night and Broadwayworld was there for the opening night festivities at the Sydelle & Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center. Broadway Bounty Hunter features music and lyrics by Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, The Black Suits, Bloodsong of Love), book by Joe Iconis, Lance Rubin (author of Denton Little's Deathdate) and Jason SweetTooth Williams (Off Broadway: Once Upon A Mattress), and choreography by Jeffrey Page (Broadway's Violet). Joel Waggoner (BSC's Presto Change-O, Southern Comfort) serves as music director.

Queens native Robert Davi, is one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world. Davi made his Feinstein's54/Below debut last night and Broadwayworld was there. Mr. Davi completely dominated the stage and every corner of Feinstein's/54 Below with his electrifying music and acting skills. In his show Robert Davi Sings Sinatra, Davi is not Sinatra, he has his own unique well trained rugged voice. However he has the same tough but mellow persona that keeps you hanging on every move and sound he makes. Davi studied acting under the legendary Stella Adler at the world-renowned Actors Studio. As the indelible villain Franz Sanchez in the James Bond film Licence to Kill to more recent film and television appearances, he has thrilled audiences. He appeared opposite Marlon Brando in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, Clint Eastwood in City Heat, Bruce Willis in Die Hard, and Roberto Benigni in Son of the Pink Panther. He also appeared in 88 episodes of the NBC series Profiler playing Agent Baily Malone, and as Commander Acastus Kolya on Showtime's Stargate Atlantis. Other credits include Steven Spielberg's classic The Goonies and Raw Deal, where he first met his close friend Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Cabaret & Broadway star T. Oliver Reid (After Midnight, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Never Gonna dance, La Cage Auz Folles, The Wedding Singer, Mary Poppins, Sister Act, GIRLS) debuted his new show, "Made in America" last night and Broadwayworld was there.  Reid's songfest was filled with the memories and love of the USA as told by this one American boy.  The show contained the songs of Irving Berlin, John Cougar Mellencamp, Dolly Parton, Jim Croce, Aaron Copland, Paul Simon and everything in between.  

In the 1930's Tanglewood was just an idea in the minds of some Massachusetts music lovers, while at the same time in Nazi Germany some great composers were being banned by people who had no love of music or humanity. 

Joe Sirola, one of the worlds most successful voice -over actors, film, TV, and stage actor, was honored in the the Metropolitan Room's famous, "This Is Your Night" series last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Managing partner Bernie Furshpan hosted the evening which had performances by Steve Ross, Shana Farr, Gregory Korostishevsky, Eric Rudy Lee Pfeiffer, Jamie deRoy, and KT Sullivan. Jon Weber served as music director.

KAREN OBERLIN and TEDD FIRTH, frequent performing companions, joined forces in the Berkshires at The Barn at The Egremont Village Inn last night and Broadwayworld was there. Karen and Tedd performed songs that span the ages... from Jerome Kern to Elvis Costello, from Johnny Mercer to Joni Mitchell, and everything in-between. Oberlin has been the recipient of the New York Nightlife Award for Jazz Vocalist of the Year and every major cabaret award, including the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Donald F. Smith Award (presented to her at Jazz at Lincoln Center) and an Honorary Doctorate in Music for her performance work. She is a recording artist with four CD's, including her latest which has becoming a regular play for the legendary radio host Jonathan Schwartz. She has been hailed by the New York Times as one of the premier interpreters of the Great American Songbook and has headlined at such legendary New York venues as the Oak Room at the Algonquin, Birdland, Feinstein's/54 Below, and the Cafe Carlyle along with concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, The Town Hall, among many others, and has toured worldwide, including annual engagements in London and Paris, from which she recently returned.

Shakespeare & Company presented The Two Gentlemen of Verona last night and Broadwayworld was at the opening.  Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Co-Artistic Director Jonathan Croy, this early romantic comedy takes a gleeful look at the fickle nature of young love, playing in-the-round at the Tina Packer Playhouse throughSeptember 4, 2016.

On Monday Nights the Pirates in 'Pirates of Penzance' (the mega hit now playing at Barrington Stage Company) are resting but the set on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage in Pittsfield was the perfect setting for one of the theatre's most perfectly matched couples. 

On Monday Nights the Pirates in 'Pirates of Penzance' (the mega hit now playing at Barrington Stage Company) are resting but the set on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage in Pittsfield was the perfect setting for one of the theatre's most perfectly matched couples. 

Lillias White brought her music director, arranger, and vocal accomplice Billy Stritch to William Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Company last night and BroadwayWorld was there.  The title of her show, The Lillias White Effect is entirely fact-based as Ms. White and Mr. Stritch had a bedazzling effect on the Berkshire audience in Mr. Finn's Cabaret.