BACK-2-BASICS Returns To Don't Tell Mama, 5/25 & 6/25

Frank Zagottis returns to Don't Tell Mama with his sell out cabaret show BACK 2 BASICS on May 25th at 7pm with an additional "Gay Pride Weekend" performance on Saturday, June 25 at 6pm. Rather than creating a more conventional evening of cabaret filled with nightclub standards or show-tune torches, Zagottis has created an evening of unique material from different musical genres. All of which when combined take the audience through a bit of musical journey; one that explores what we go through when we "look back at where we've been, so that we can know where we're going."

Stu Hamstra of Cabaret Online said, "Any combination of great writing, well chosen songs and a beautiful voice is a guarantee of fine cabaret. This is EXCEEDINGLY fine cabaret. - Clear and never wavering from the key, Frank's vocal coloring, phrasing and timing are flawless."

John Hoglund of Backstage said of Frank's performance that he was "impressed with his warm, expressive tenor... a beautiful voice and a warm personality that is sure to gain him considerable attention. Zagottis created some magical moments. His gusty vocal inflections carried the show, giving each song a sense of purpose."

Back-2 Basics was written by Frank Zagottis with musical direction by Mario Sprouse. Directed by Bill Daugherty.

Don't Tell Mama is located at 343 West 46th Street in New York City. For reservations, please call 212-757-0788. Admission is $15.00 and a 2 drink minimum.

Back-2-Basics: Frank has created an autobiographical journey through music and text that emulates an evening of theater more than traditional cabaret. The material varies from broadway to pop. In selecting the material, Frank worked very hard to include music that wasn't readily associated with any one performer, show, or composer allowing the audience to hear the text rather than simply "enjoy a song."

Answering the question, "What do you do when life as you know it is blown out of the water?", Frank takes the audience on a journey, examining what our initials desires and objectives were "way back then at the start of our adult life" so that the path to move forward can be that much clearer. With great humor and compassion, he shares key moments in his past that shaped his life, slowly unfolding layer after layer of experiences, both good and bad allowing the audience to find their own personal connections in his stories. For more info: http://www.back2basics2011.com

Frank Zagottis: Off Broadway; Lucky Stiff (Playwrights Horizons), The Emperor's New Clothes (Theaterworks USA). Regional: Chess, Evita, They're Playing Our Song, Lady In The Dark, Joseph and the Amazing..., Jesus Christ Superstar, Merrily We Roll Along, 1940's Radio Hour, Pippin, Oliver, Fiddler On The Roof, Mame, Guys and Dolls, Grease, As You Like It, The Rivals, As Is, Maids of Honor, Dracula, A Prayer for My Daughter. Somewhere in between were stints with Opryland USA and Celebrity Cruises.

Frank has written and directed cabaret for singer Linda Harris (Open Your Heart), a season of 8 musical revues for a group of singing waiters on Cape Cod, directed a production of Hello Dolly in the round after shaving it down to 90 minutes and using only 14 actors, and was even granted permission by Carol Burnett and Joe Hamilton Productions to use a musical Cinderella skit that was featured on the Carol Burnett Show (Cinderella Gets It On) and adapt it for a live performance. Frank holds a BFA in Musical Theater Acting/Directing from the University of Bridgeport, having had the honor of studying for two years under the classic direction of Morris Carnovsky and Phoebe Brand, charter members of the Group Theater. He continues to study acting under the direction of Jeffrey Zeiner (currently inspiring students at the Weist Barron Studios). You may have even caught a glimpse of Frank on the still-running-two-years-later commercial for 7-Eyewitness News shouting out, "Eyewitness News! They're everywhere!" As HBO's DVD producer, Frank supervised the domestic and international production of hundreds of titles including SEX AND THE CITY, SIX FEET UNDER, OZ, THE SOPRANOS, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and ANGELS IN AMERICA. In producing over 160 original audio commentary tracks he conducted personal interviews with personalities such as Billy Crystal, Tom Fontana, David Chase, Michael Patrick King, Larry Gelbart, Hall Needham, Rozie Perez, John Leguizamo, Peter Bogdanovich, Michael Imperioli, Steve Buscemi, and Moises Kaufman. His years as an audio, video and DVD producer led him to the world of film making. He recently completed graduate studies at Long Island University receiving his MA in Media Arts/Production, has written and directed the short films "Isn't That What Friend(ing)s Are For", "A Family Album", and the award winning short, "Just Off Sunset". Currently he is the lead male singer of the rock cover band FEEDBACK (www.feedbackbandonline.com), is directing a documentary feature film on the life of Vincent Van Gogh (with Mario Sprouse as his producer on the project), is serving as producer on a narrative feature film currently in pre-production entitled "Men Of Color", and is also developing a series for television.

Interview inquiries with Frank Zagottis or press tickets, please call Michael Martinez at 845-201-8820.
WHEN:Wednesday, May 25th at 7pm
and Saturday, June 25th at 6pm

WHERE:Don't Tell Mama
343 West 46th Street
between 8th & 9th Avenue
212-757-0788
http://www.donttellmamanyc.com

Subway: A.C,E,1,2,3,S,&,N,Q,R,W to 42nd Street - Times Square
C,E to 50th Street