Barbara Cook News

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. The second weekend of Kaplan Penthouse performances, the sixth week of American Songbook 2013, runs April 5-6, 2013. April 5th belongs to Cristin Milioti, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for her lead role in the musical Once.

In this week's edition, we caught up with N'Kenge, who is starring as 'Mary Wells' in Motown- currently playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

NEW DRAMATISTS, Tony Honor recipient and the nation's premiere playwright development workshop, has announced that they will honor entertainment lawyer and New Dramatists Chairman of the Board Seth Gelblum with their 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award at its 64th Annual Spring Luncheon tribute, to be held Tuesday, May 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Among those performing tributes will be Tony Award nominee Keith Carradine (Hands on a Hardbody, The Will Rogers Follies) and Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change; Jelly's Last Jam). The event co-chairs are Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, and Barry and Fran Weissler.

This April and May, 54 BELOW, the performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife, presents an exciting lineup of Broadway's brightest talent. Located just below legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, 54 Below continues to present its special series: 'Backstage' with Susie Mosher will be joined by '54 Piano Bar,' a new vocal competition - 'The Callback,' and more.

Eva Kantor, 2012 MetroStar Finalist, brings her first solo show 'The Way I Am' to The Laurie Beechman Theatre, now through April 21, 2013, directed by Eric Michael Gillett, with musical direction by Don Rebi and produced by Cookie Stark. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from her performance below!

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of March 25

Eva Kantor, 2012 MetroStar Finalist, will bring her first solo show 'The Way I Am' to The Laurie Beechman Theatre, tonight, March 29-April 21, 2013, directed by Eric Michael Gillett, with musical direction by Don Rebi and produced by Cookie Stark.

Now in its 15th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook celebrates the best in American singing and songwriting with a new chapter in the Songbook story: 'American Songbook in the Penthouse,' a series of weekend-only performances by performers and composers presented in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, an intimate yet elegant venue that brings artists closer to the audience in a cabaret-style setting. 'American Songbook in the Penthouse' embraces adventuresome performers and celebrates composers and lyricists, both newer and veteran. With a seating capacity of just 225, the Kaplan Penthouse allows acoustic performers to be heard the way they intend - near to the audience and without elaborate amplification. The size of the space also allows performers to interact with their audience to make them an integral part of their performance, something difficult to do in a larger, more formal venue.

A human ball of silver glitter hanging from a cord is lowered above what looks like a bungalow-sized muffin top.  (It's supposed to represent a turtle shell.)  Before the glitter ball makes its landing the cover is removed to reveal what looks like a tribe of humanish amphibians bouncing on trampolines and twirling on the muffin/turtle's frame.  Shortly after, a sleazy-looking clown in a tropical shirt tosses a condom to a woman in the front row and says, 'Call me!'  Yes, dear readers, Cirque du Soleil is back in town.

It is probably not the best form for a writer to begin a composition with “There are No Words To Describe” … but that is the first thing that came to mind after spending a glorious evening in the theatre with a true American Musical Theatre treasure, Barbara Cook, last Thursday at The McCallum. In actuality, there are words. Marvelous. Magnificent. Mesmerizing. And, many more. It was one of those – “Pinch me -- I'm so lucky to be here tonight” sort of evenings and one I will not soon forget. Ms. Cook, at 85, was suffering from an infection in her vocal chords and began the show with a tongue in cheek disclaimer – “Now, don't go home and tell everybody she's losing her voice” – but even at “partial voice' it was an evening not to be missed.

Live From Lincoln Center presents 'Kristin Chenoweth: The Dames of Broadway...All of 'Em!!!', a specially conceived concert for Lincoln Center's 2013 American Songbook series, which salutes the great roles for leading ladies and the sidekick scene stealers from an array of Broadway composers and lyricists, creating a performance that promises to be at once intimate and filled with her trademark 'razzle dazzle.' 'Kristin Chenoweth: The Dames of Broadway...All of 'Em!!!' is hosted by Live From Lincoln Center series host Audra McDonald and will air on PBS stations tonight, March 24, at 8 p.m. (ET) (check local listings).

Bay Area Cabaret will present the singer, songwriter, and actress Nellie McKay in a special performance with San Francisco's multiple Grammy winning a cappella ensemble, Chanticleer.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has just announced the return of its most famous resident, Elaine Stritch, to the Café Carlyle for her final engagement. Her new show, Elaine Stritch at the Carlyle: Movin' Over and Out, a freeform evening of story and song, will play for one week only. This will be the final chance to see Ms. Stritch – who has been dubbed the Carlyle's own “Octogenarian Eloise” – give one of her now-legendary performances at her home venue, before she leaves the Carlyle Hotel and the city of New York for good. (Ms. Stritch will be relocating to her home state of Michigan.) Elaine Stritch has played 4 sold-out engagements at the Café Carlyle over the past 7 years.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel welcomes the Grammy Award-winning vocalist Debby Boone for her debut at the Cafe Carlyle with her new program 'Swing This'. Ms. Boone opened at the Cafe Carlyle last night and will play through March 30th, where she will be joined by her music director, John Oddo, and a nine piece band for what she has described as, 'The party I've been waiting my whole life to throw!' Check out photos from her opening night show below!

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has announced the line-up of performers for the upcoming season at the legendary Cafe Carlyle. Following Debby Boone's engagement from March 19-30th, the Cafe Carlyle will host the John Pizzarelli Quartet with special guest Bucky Pizzarelli, Paul Williams, Steve Tyrell, Lea Salonga, Rossano Sportiello, and John Lloyd Young for back to back engagements into June. Woody Allen & the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band will continue with their Monday night spot until June 17th.

The Amanda McBroom Project: 1 Great Songwriter, 4 Magical Nights, 30 Incredible Women! played the Laurie Beechman Theatre on March 8, 9 and 15, and continues tonight, March 16 at 7pm. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and brings you photos below!

Eva Kantor, 2012 MetroStar Finalist, will bring her first solo show 'The Way I Am' to The Laurie Beechman Theatre, March 29-April 21, 2013, directed by Eric Michael Gillett, with musical direction by Don Rebi and produced by Cookie Stark.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel will welcome the Grammy Award-winning vocalist Debby Boone for her debut at the Cafe Carlyle with her new program "Swing This". Ms. Boone opens at the Cafe Carlyle on March 19th and will play through March 30th, where she will be joined by her music director, John Oddo, and a nine piece band for what she has described as, "The party I've been waiting my whole life to throw!'

The Amanda McBroom Project: 1 Great Songwriter, 4 Magical Nights, 30 Incredible Women! will play the Laurie Beechman Theatre, tonight, March 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 7pm.

The New-York Historical Society is proud to announce a partnership with Bank of America to bring free cultural programming to the Upper West Side on Friday nights in the spring of 2013.