Ron Abel to Return to Jazz at Birdland 10/20

Ron Abel, the award-winning composer and arranger, returns to the famous Jazz venue Birdland in New York on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of his spectacular original music and special guest appearances! Ron will perform many of his beloved songs, including his newest showstopper, "Broadway Blond," with lyrics by Chuck Steffan. To see some of Ron's sold out performance at the historic Pantages Theater in Los Angeles earlier this year, including stage and television star Joely Fisher performing his classic "All the Good Men are Gay," visit here: http://www.hwhpr.com/PR/ron_abel/reel/video.html.

Some of the best and brightest stars of Broadway and beyond will be joining Ron for his one-night only appearance where he will also preview one of his brand new songs from his Broadway bound musical "Bricktop," produced by Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Lambert and Jonas Neilson.

Last year, Ron performed a sold-out run at Birdland that New York critics raved "a show-biz event!" and "dazzling," with "amazing guest artists." This year's new show promises to be all that and much more with VIP performers including Golden Globe nominated Lucie Arnaz, Tony nominated Valarie Pettiford, acclaimed London-based actress/singer  Giselle Wolf, and Ron's new sensational find, Rocco Fiorentino.  An audience of Broadway luminaries including veteran star Chita Rivera  will be there to cheer them all on.

Lucie Arnaz is an international stage, television and film actress with over thirty years in show business. She has starred on the New York stage in They're Playing Our Song (Theatre World, LA Drama Critics and Outer Critics Circle Awards), Lost in Yonkers and Grace and Glorie. Television credits include "The Lucie Arnaz Show," "Sons and Daughters," "Abduction of Innocence," and more. Film credits include "The Jazz Singer" (Golden Globe nomination), "Down to You," and more.

Valarie Pettiford is an accomplished actress of stage and screen, with a Tony-nominated turn in the Broadway musical Fosse. Other stage credits include West Side Story and Sophisticated Ladies. Pettiford has appeared in numerous television shows, most recently completing a long run on "Half & Half," with appearances on "CSI: Miami" and "Bones," among many others. Valarie has also appeared in the classic films, "The Wiz," and "The Cotton Club."

Giselle Wolf is an acclaimed, London-based actress with numerous television and stage credits to her name. Most recently she appeared on the BBC as Rhoda on "2 Point 4 Children." She's also appeared on "Bongor," "Nancy Astor," and "The Dybbuk."  On stage, she was cast as the lead in the London production of A Cuckoo in the Nest, and has starred in The Human Voice, Anatol, Company, and her one-woman show Voices From the Heart.

Rocco Fiorentino, at only 11 years old, is an accomplished jazz vocalist and musician who has overcome blindness to become the prodigy sensation he is today. A singer, composer and piano and drum player, Fiorentino has a lengthy resume of performances including his national debut on "The Today Show". Fiorentino is also a huge advocate of  building awareness about blindness and educating the public about the importance of Braille education. He's won multiple awards doing so and is responsible for influencing New Jersey State legislators to dedicate $1.2 million to Braille education and services for blind students.  Under the guidance of Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan, Fiorentino is set to become the next Broadway sensation.

The show will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Birdland (315 West 44th, New York City), Monday, October 20, 2008. For reservations call 212-581-3080. Tickets are $40 and VIP tickets are $50.

For more information on Ron Abel, please visit www.ronabel.com.  

For tickets and show information, please visit: www.birdlandjazz.com.

Photo by Linda Lenzi

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