On the evening of October 27, 2012, an almost full-capacity house at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa definitely had two reasons to celebrate: first, that five-time Grammy-nominated singer/composer Michael Feinstein is back in concert in Orange County; and, second, that he's brought with him an awesome, 17-piece big band to perform an enjoyable musical tribute to Frank Sinatra. The one-night-only concert -- part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' 2012-2013 Cabaret series -- didn't disappoint, bringing the O.C. an entertaining mixture of rousing jazz-swing numbers, heartfelt ballads, and amusingly-delivered historical facts about the legendary icon, with Feinstein serving as both charming lecturer and talented headliner all in the same breath.
Bay Area Cabaret kicks off its 2012-2013 season with Motown legend Mary Wilson, back for her first show in the historic Venetian room since performing there with the "Supremes" more than two decades ago.
Matthew Broderick (Nice Work If You Can Get It), Tony Danza ("Who's The Boss"), Kathleen Marshall (Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Pajama Game), Greg Naughton (Founder: Blue Light Theater Company), James Naughton (Chicago), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Tom Kitt (Next To Normal), Peter Cincotti (How Deep Is The Ocean) Eric Leviton (How Deep Is The Ocean), Lorinda Lisitza (Triumphant Baby!), and Michael Ogborn (Baby Case) and others to be announced will appear at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) 2012 Annual Gala honoring Broadway star and multiple time Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee Kelli O'Hara on Sunday, November 11th at The Hudson Theatre (145 W. 44th Street) beginning at 6:00pm. Kelli is currently starring on Broadway in Nice Work If You Can Get It, and was seen on Broadway in South Pacific, The Pajama Game, The Light In The Piazza and many others.
A 2011 Kennedy Center honoree and one of popular music's greatest soprano voices, her impressive career spans over 50 years from Broadway ingenue to legendary recording artist. On Wednesday, November 7 at 7:30pm, join McCarter Theatre Center in celebrating Barbara Cook's 85th birthday through an awe-inspiring performance of Broadway and American Songbook classics.
Barbara Cook and the Los Angeles Philharmonic launch the 2012/13 Songbook Series at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Wednesday, November 14 at 8:00 PM to celebrate the legendary Broadway lyric soprano's 85th birthday. For their first performance together at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Cook and the Los Angeles Philharmonic will explore the American songbook and timeless classics. The evening's performance also marks the first time the LA Phil performs a concert in the Songbook Series.
Celebrating the American Spirit, performed by Essential Voices USA (EVUSA) and conducted by Judith Clurman along with guest artists, Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara and Ron Raines and composer-arranger Larry Hochman, represents an American songbook for the 21st century.
I've said it before, but it is hard to find a more perfect venue than The McCallum Theatre for just about any theatrical production of any genre. And it was great to be back, as The McCallum kicks off it's 25th Anniversary Season - a season that promises to feature something for everyone - from Howie Mandell to Jackie Evancho, from Rock of Ages to Beauty And The Beast to West Side Story, and from Barbara Cook and Michael Feinstein to Yo Yo Ma and Chris Botti. Last night The McCallum played host to a multi-media touring production called THIS IS THE 60's and it was a great "warm up act" for everything that will follow. For those who came back for the second half, after a somewhat "underwhelming" first Act (there was a minor exodus in the parking lot at intermission), it turned out to be a rousing evening or musical nostalgia that brought the crowd to their feet dancing in the aisles - literally.
The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, will present the Bay Area debut of "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" on Tuesday, November 6 at 8:00 PM. "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" is a wildly popular weekly event that has been bringing a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night for the past nine years. The hilariously impromptu evening has also been celebrating local talent across the country, in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cleveland, Austin, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and on the high seas.
Barbara Cook returns to Carnegie Hall to celebrate her 85th birthday tonight, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. with a special performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.
Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Cook takes to the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall stage with a performance showcasing her silvery soprano voice on Saturday, November 3 at 8pm. In her first performance ever at the Meyerhoff, Ms. Cook will celebrate her 85th birthday through inspiring performances from jazz, swing and pop songs. Note: The BSO does not perform on this program. Please see below for complete program details.
Singer-actress- cabaret performer Shana Farr will receive the 2012 Julie Wilson Award, presented annually by the Mabel Mercer Foundation 'to a cabaret singer who is a rising star,' at the 23rd New York Cabaret Convention at the Rose Theater, Jazz At Lincoln Center, today, October 17, at 6 PM, the Opening Night of the Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention, hosted by KT Sullivan, Artistic Director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation.
Acclaimed international concert and cabaret artist Anna Bergman returns to Feinstein's at Loews Regency (540 Park Avenue @ 61st Street) tonight, October 15 and October 21, 22, 28 & 29 (8:00pm) with her show "You & the Night & the Music: An Evening of Musical Imports & Exports". This showfeatures her musical director and arranger Alex Rybeck, Jered Egan on bass and is directed by Jeff Harnar.
You know that saying that 'two is better than one?' Well it couldn't have been a more enjoyably appropriate description than the swingin'-est concert to hit Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in some time: the double-bill of jazz powerhouses Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli. The two talented stars--each accompanied by their own incredible traveling bands--played to an almost-packed house this past Friday, October 5 as the rousing season opener for the 2012-2013 Cabaret Series at the Center.
On September 25th, music legend Barbara Cook released an all new recording, Loverman, her latest from DRG Records. Loverman is a brilliant departure from Ms. Cook's traditional Broadway repertoire, featuring a large collection of jazz and standards. On October 18th, Ms. Cook will perform a concert at Carnegie Hall in celebration her 85th birthday with Ted Rosenthal and Lee Musiker and a few surprise guests.
We are used to calling them triple threats - musical theatre performers who can sing, dance and act. But what do you call a guy who does all that and more? High achiever and hard worker are understatements with David Campbell (and he just might be the nicest guy in the business!). Here is a little of his brain on musical theatre ...
Singer-actress- cabaret performer Shana Farr will receive the 2012 Julie Wilson Award, presented annually by the Mabel Mercer Foundation 'to a cabaret singer who is a rising star,' at the 23rd New York Cabaret Convention at the Rose Theater, Jazz At Lincoln Center, on Wednesday, October 17, at 6 PM, the Opening Night of the Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention, hosted by KT Sullivan, Artistic Director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation.
An accomplished, world renowned jazz vocalist with a clear affinity for musical theater, Jane Monheit is set to appear in Costa Mesa on October 5 for a one-night-only concert alongside fellow jazz star John Pizzarelli as part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' 2012-2013 Cabaret series. Recently, the two-time Grammy nominated songstress chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos about her upcoming OC return engagement and why she's so in love with showtunes.
