BWW Reviews: Singer Matt Zarley Rocks Sterling's
On Sunday April 28 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, Matt Zarley debuted his new show Broadway to Billboard, celebrating his latest album Change Begins With Me. It won the 2012 OutMusic Award as Best Single and Album of the Year. This guy with his powerhouse voice and delicious, down-to-earth charm had his audience swooning from the top. First up, a colorful video montage followed by his opening number, a medley of tunes representing all the Broadway roles he has played so far. Entitled My Great White Way, he included 'What I Did For Love', 'Pinball Wizard' from The Who's Tommy, 'Memory' from Cats, 'Kiss of the Spider Woman', 'All That Jazz' from Chicago, a triumphant march from Les Mis, and closing with another round of 'What I Did For Love' from A Chorus Line, which was his first Broadway show in 1988. When Zarley sings, it's an ecstatic, full-throttle experience. This opening provided all that...and... this was just the beginning.
BWW Reviews: 7th Consecutive Upright Cabaret BROADWAY CHRISTMAS a Winner
For its 7th consecutive year Chris Isaacson presents brought Upright Cabaret's popular A Broadway Christmas to the Catalina Jazz Club for two performances on Tuesday December 11. Featuring an all-star cast of prolific singers, dancers and musicians A Broadway Christmas celebrates the talent of Broadway with the music of the holiday season. Tony and Emmy Award winner Lillias White was the special guest along with American Idol's David Hernandez serving as co-host with producer Isaacson. With colorful holiday projections, designed by Tim Hicks, playing continuously on two video screens to the left and right of the stage and a terrific four-piece orchestra: Matt Lucich on drums, Alex Balderston on bass, Wesley Smith on sax/flute and musical director Jamieson Trotter at the piano, the sights and sounds of Christmas rang out fervently for a dynamite two-hour set.
