Andrea Frierson News

Andrea Frierson, Marcus Pe a, Jackie Schiffer, and Marcus Goldhaber are among Broadway performers participating in 'PUMP An End To Hunger with the Broadway Brunchtime Series' New Season Kick-Off to Help Serve Soup, Sandwiches, Snacks, Sips and Songs on Monday, September 25, 2017.

Birdland, the venue that has presented so many music luminaries in it's long history had the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester on it's stage last night. Melissa, one of the true giants of the music world made her Birdland debut and celebrated the release of her 21st album, The Fellas. The album pays tribute to the male singers, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme, and others who influenced her as a young artist.

Banned Together: A Censorship Cabaret welcomes director, Ari Edelson (Building the Wall, 24 Hour Plays) and writer/performers John Cariani (Something Rotten, Author of Almost, Maine), Andrea Frierson (Me & Ella (author & star); Once on this Island- original Broadway cast) and Christine Toy Johnson (The Americans, The Music Man - Broadway revival).

Andrea Frierson (Me & Ella, Once On This Island) and Chris Dilley (Broadway Inspirational Voices, Voca People) will be the featured vocalists in the September 10th installment of 'Russ Kaplan's Broadway Jazz Session,' the popular monthly series which presents In Transit composer Kaplan's innovative jazz interpretations of current Broadway favorites. Guests slated to appear later this year include Tony-winner Debbie Gravitte (Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Chicago) on October 1, and Marva Hicks (Motown; Caroline, or Change) on December 10.

The York Theatre Company's Jerry's Girls, led by Tony Award-nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Christine Pedi (NEWSical the Musical), and Stephanie Umoh (Ragtime), with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and concept by Larry Alford, Wayne Cilento, and Jerry Herman celebrated opening night last night! 

Even if you've never heard a note sung by Ella Fitzgerald (and if that's the case, you should stop reading this review immediately and look up some of her recordings on YouTube) Andrea Frierson's duo-bio solo show, ME & ELLA, can be related to by anyone whose life was influenced by a popular artist they've never met.

Next up in the New2NY Series is 'Me & Ella'. Set against the restless backdrop of the 20th Century and the lush serenity of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook. Set against the restless backdrop of the 20th Century and the lush serenity of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook, Broadway veteran Andrea Frierson's Me & Ella is a valentine to the 'First Lady of Song.' Ms. Frierson's personal storytelling and song stylings provide a loving glimpse into why Ella's music, heart and determination to overcome the challenges in her life and career continue to inspire. Me & Ella was featured last season as part of the York's Developmental Reading Series and commemorates the centennial of the legendary songstress.

The York Theatre Company's 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, The Lion King), direction by the Tony Award-winning team of Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only), with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel (Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, 'Happily Divorced') opened last night, July 16.

Set against the restless backdrop of the 20th Century and the lush serenity of the Ella Fitzgerald songbook, Broadway veteran Andrea Frierson's Me & Ella is a valentine to the "First Lady of Song."

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, The Lion King), direction by the Tony Award-winning team of Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only), with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel (Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, 'Happily Divorced').

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, presents the 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella

Below, meet the cast and creative team of the York Theatre Company's 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, The Lion King), direction by the Tony Award-winning team of Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only), with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel (Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, 'Happily Divorced')!

The security was tight in the Monastery last night as politicians, tennis legends, celebrities and Friars gathered in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room to pay tribute to David Dinkins on his 90th birthday.   The security protection wasn't good enough however to stop one of the greatest comedians on the planet, Dean Emeritus Freddie Roman (MC) to have some fun with the former Mayor.  As a matter of fact Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who made a special trip down from Albany to be at the Friars got some laughs himself during his heartfelt tribute to Mr. Dinkins.  There was much love, laughter, joy, and a few tears in the club during the evening, as there always is in the Friars Club.  I couldn't help thinking as I watched all the Democrats and  Republicans in the room enjoying each others camaraderie, how great it would be if all our representatives in Washington would become Friars, meet in The Monastery, feel the love, and solve the nations problems. 

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced the 2017 summer New2NY Series presentation of the new musical Me & Ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, The Lion King), direction by the Tony Award-winning team of Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (Jay Johnson: The Two and Only), with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel (Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, 'Happily Divorced').

Following its sold out premier, The Spotlight, an acclaimed Studio Senakwami production, returns to the majestic Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center with a new array of performers on June 4 at 7:30pm.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party, the wildly popular happening that has brought Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night since 2003 was very special Monday night as stage, screen and TV star Michele Lee surprised and wowed the audience which included Michael Feinstein.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Interim Executive Director), as part of its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present staged readings of two new musicals: me and ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson, with music direction and arrangements byRon Abel; and Marry Harry, with book by Jennifer Robbins, music by Dan Martin, and lyrics by Michael Biello, at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). 

The York Theatre Company, as part of its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present staged readings of two new musicals: me and ella, written and performed by Andrea Frierson, with music direction and arrangements by Ron Abel; and Marry Harry, with book by Jennifer Robbins, music by Dan Martin, and lyrics by Michael Biello, at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).  

Vivian Reed and her consummate band—led by conductor and pianist Billy McDaniel, and joined by guest vocalists Janinah Burnett and Raun Ruffin—dazzled a packed Metropolitan Room on May 23 with her new show, An Evening with Vivian Reed: Standards and More.

The spirit of jazz legends Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald (with a little Tito Puente) was palpable in the Milton Berle room at New York's Friars Club on April 25 for the second-annual production of Triple Threats. Broadway veterans (including Duke's granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington, who also co-produced the show) joined some of America's most accomplished jazz musicians to celebrate the April birthdays of the music greats and to honor those performers who sing, dance, and act at the highest levels.