Barbara Cook News

On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:30pm at Opera America's National Opera Center, New York Festival of Song opens the 2013-14 edition of its forward-looking NYFOS Next series with MARK ADAMO & FRIENDS.

Join two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy nominated Michael Feinstein as he rings in the New Year with two special performances tonight, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. at Feinstein's at the Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco). Considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards, Michael will perform a range of classics from the Great American songbook.

2013 saw some really good, interesting shows that will be remembered and cherished by those who saw them or who will see them. Top among these is Michael Jackson ONE, Cirque du Soleil's newest entry in the Las Vegas market and its newest show anywhere. It is stunning, spectacular. The title comes from Jackson himself. He said, 'We're putting love back into the world. To remind the world that love is important. To love each other. We are one.'

Ah, yes. 2013 was indeed an outstanding year for theater in Southern California. Even better: Orange County---my home base---boasted some of the best shows, period---marking an exciting theater renaissance in brilliance and artistry that I hope continues to grow here inside L.A.'s next door neighbor. With that said, here is my Top 10 Stage Shows of 2013 from Orange County and adjacent locales nearby, followed by my picks for the year's best performances.

Steve Goodman, the Chicago-born folk music singer-songwriter whose promising career was cut short in 1984, is brought to life by Elaine St. George, in a loving and irreverent tribute that begins an extended run at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, on Wednesday January 29 at 7:30pm.

New York City night club and cabaret venue Feinstein's at Loews Regency closed almost a year ago on December 31, 2012, and according to the New York Times, music legend Michael Feinstein is currently working on opening a new venue. Feinstein has teamed with Birdland owner Gianni Valenti to open 'Feinstein's on Broadway' in midtown Manhattan.

Today we are talking to a standout star of the internationally adored period-set drama series DOWNTON ABBEY all about her unforgettable character on the show as well as what we can expect from the highly anticipated upcoming extended Christmas episode - the convivial Lesley Nicol. Looking back at an incredibly accomplished career thus far, Nicol shares some insights on her favorite TV and film roles to date while also casting a glance back at some of her most memorable stage performances - as an original cast member of the inaugural West End JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as well as a multi-year run in long-running hi MAMMA MIA! included. Most importantly, Nicol outlines the finer points of her charming and committed characterization of the belabored chef of Downton Abbey itself and imparts her enthusiasm and enjoyment with the delectable and dramatic storylines conjured up by creator Julian Fellowes as well as shares some of her own favorite scene partners and events in the show's rich history. Additionally, Nicol clues us in on this year's Christmas ep and her own impressions of this year's sequence of events just as US viewers gear up for the first stateside showings of Season 4, starting in early 2014. Plus, Nicol looks ahead to DOWNTON ABBEY Season 5, set to film in 2014, and beyond. All of that and much, much more awaits!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Birdland's 'extreme' open mic, is proud to announce the upcoming MENTOR MONDAYS segment, which takes place on the last Monday of every month. MENTOR MONDAYS pairs up-and-coming singers and composers with established artists to create a featured performance for the historic Birdland stage. MENTOR MONDAYS gives emerging young performers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with some of New York's most talented musical theater songsmiths, including Adam Guettel, Lisa Lambert, Frank Wildhorn, Amanda Green, John Bucchino and Georgia Stitt, as well as singers Jane Monheit and Billy Porter.

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking to two of the hottest producers in Hollywood and on Broadway all about their recent smash hit December with the ratings bonanza of NBC's live presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC as well as the three-network tent-pole two-night TV event, BONNIE & CLYDE - the peerless Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Discussing all aspects of the unprecedented live presentation, Zadan and Meron outline the process of bringing the gigantic production to the small screen and grant us a vivid look behind the scenes of the big show. Additionally, Zadan and Meron comment on the social media frenzy that occurred during the 25+ million-viewed telecast as well as their reaction to criticism of country music superstar Carrie Underwood in the starring role, as well as their longstanding relationship with NBC in general. Plus, Zadan and Meron also clue us in on what elements they seek out in special events such as this as we look ahead to next year's confirmed major live musical - whatever could it be?! Besides all about THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Zadan and Meron also offer us the 411 on a number of other projects immediately upcoming in 2014 and far beyond, with a special focus on their just-announced Harvey Weinstein collaboration on a feature film version of Stephen Schwartz's beloved PIPPIN, as well as first news on a forthcoming original Beach Boys jukebox musical currently in development and preliminary information on the pilot for a new musical series inspired by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren titled SONGBYRD, set to shoot in January. All of that, reflections on last year's sensational Academy Awards broadcast hosted by the controversial Seth MacFarlane and a look ahead to this year's Zadan & Meron-produced Oscars show - set to be hosted by daytime queen Ellen Degeneres - as well as stories from their early years producing cabaret showcases and penning books on theatre as well as much, much more in this all-encompassing conversation with the most important men in movie musicals.

Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute presents The Song Continues, an annual series led by renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, designed to explore the song repertoire through workshops and concerts with the goal of encouraging, supporting, and preserving the art of the vocal recital. This year also marks Ms. Horne's 80th birthday and in celebration, The Song Continues series concludes with a recital honoring Ms. Horne and featuring an all-star line-up of special guest artists on Thursday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall. The evening's concert, hosted by Samuel Ramey and Frederica von Stade, will feature appearances by vocalist Barbara Cook; soprano Renee Fleming; mezzo-sopranos Jamie Barton and Isabel Leonard; countertenor David Daniels; tenor Piotr Becza?a; and many more. See below for complete program information.

Ann Hampton Callaway's latest show in late November at 54 Below—her new home away from home—was another one of those slam dunk entertainments she's produced in the past year or so that clearly have put her near the top, if not at the very top, of the female cabaret performer depth chart. Listen, not counting the Broadway stars like Patti LuPone (who are now doing cabaret, mainly at 54 Below), or the top-notch jazz singers like Jane Monheit, you be hard-pressed to think of any major veteran cabaret singer in the country—and that includes Barbara Cook, Marilyn Maye, Andrea Marcovicci, and Amanda McBroom—who are plying the trade better these days than Ann Hampton Callaway.

Bay Area Cabaret celebrates the New Year by welcoming back Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli and Broadway actress/singer Jessica Molaskey. The charming husband and wife duo will perform their critically acclaimed Cafe Carlyle show This Must Be the Place, which The New York Times called, 'brilliant,' praising Ms. Molaskey as 'a singer whose radar yields infallible insight into a song's emotional crosscurrents.' Pizzarelli and Molaskey will perform 5pm, Sunday, January 19, at the historic Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street. Tickets ($48) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) has announced the dates, creative team and leading actress for its next production - the new musical ARLINGTON by Victor Lodato and Polly Pen - with previews set to begin Wednesday, February 12 prior to its official opening night on Sunday, March 2, according to Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director, and Sarah Stern, Co-Artistic Director.

Carnegie Hall has announced its January 2014 calendar updates. Details below!

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Cabaret and Broadway favorites Jeff Harnar, Linda Hart, Nicolas King and Jennifer Sheehan in 'COME FLY WITH ME' tonight, November 21, 2013.

Directed by Tony Award-winner and frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, SIX BY SONDHEIM is a highly personal profile of a great American artist as revealed through the creation and performance of six of his iconic songs. Told primarily in Sondheim's own words, this feature documentary weaves together dozens of interviews with the composer, rarely seen archival material spanning more than half a century (including newly discoveRed Footage of Ethel Merman performing 'Gypsy') and re-stagings of three songs produced especially for the film. Executive produced by James Lapine and Frank Rich, the exclusive HBO presentation debuts MONDAY, DEC. 9 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT). BroadwayWorld was there for the New York City premiere last night and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

As BroadwayWorld.com continues to celebrate the site's landmark 10th anniversary, with a variety of special features, today we're turning our spotlight on the wonderful photography of Linda Lenzi.

Continuing its tradition of bringing Broadway's favorites back to life, SMTC has announced their next production, the beloved classic musical The Music Man, for a special engagement. Performances will take place at the intimate 300-seat Dorrance Auditorium on the beautiful campus at Phoenix Country Day School in Paradise Valley. All SMTC shows feature the best local talent in the valley and a live 20+ piece orchestra.

The concert event tonight, November 14th is titled, 'Bright Stars of Broadway' and, because there are multiple blessings accounted for, the concert is dedicated to Zahava Furshpan, Bernie's mom, who died almost three years ago.

It's an exciting holiday theatre season in Toronto, with lots of great options for children and grown ups alike! One option which is bound to appeal to people of all ages is the classic tale of ANNIE - being presented by Young People's Theatre and starring newcomer Jenny Weisz in the iconic role. You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't know the story of Annie (or it's timeless tunes such as 'Tomorrow', 'Hard Knock Life' and 'Maybe') but it's been a long time since Toronto had a professional production on stage in the city. In the iconic role is newcomer Jenny Weisz, and 'Annie' marks her very first professional gig after graduating from Theatre Sheridan this past year. BWW sat down to talk with her about playing the famous little redheaded girl, reaching her dream of performing with YPT and her musical theatre influence.