Ben Lanzarone News

The fourth annual CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN LOS ANGELES, Benefit Concert series for The Actors Fund, conceived by David Galligan and presented by Fraser Entertainment Group, takes place October 6th 8th, with two nights at Tom Rolla's Gardenia, plus Sunday evening at the Catalina Jazz Club.

At the E Spot Lounge, upstairs at Vitello's, Studio City on Tuesday April 18, Amy Brothman and Dianne Fraser produced a delightfully eclectic evening of song and storytelling under the supervision of musical director Michael Lavine, titled simply Michael Lavine & Friends. What a treat! Lavine, who lives most of the year in New York, is a director, performer, coach and musical genius par excellence. He has produced a CD also entitled Michale Lavine & Friends, which, like the show, offers rarely heard songs from less familiar Broadway shows. Some of these are musical gems, and for one reason or another, never hit the charts.

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Nikka Graff Lanzarone in Hero Worship tonight, February 23, 2017 at 7pm.

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Nikka Graff Lanzarone in Hero Worship on February 23, 2017 at 7pm.

President and Founder of The Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a very special Lobby Exhibit unveiling, featuring items and from the career of Tippi Hedren (including items worn in the film 'The Birds,' Edith Head's dress form designed to Tippi's exact measurements, her Golden Globe and a personal gift presented by Alfred Hitchcock when he and his wife, Alma, informed her that she had been chosen to portray Melanie Daniels in 'The Birds).

The third annual CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN LOS ANGELES, Benefit Concert series for The Actors Fund conceived by David Galligan and presented by Fraser Entertainment Group, takes place Oct. 14th-16th with two nights at Tom Rolla's Gardenia, plus Sunday evening at the Catalina Jazz Club.

The third annual CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN LOS ANGELES, Benefit Concert series for The Actors Fund conceived by David Galligan and presented by Fraser Entertainment Group, takes place Oct. 14th-16th with two nights at Tom Rolla's Gardenia, plus Sunday evening at the Catalina Jazz Club.

Hard to believe, but Kritzerland turned 6 on Sunday September 4 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Bruce Kimmel and his record company Kritzerland began their series of concerts at the Gardenia for the first year, then moved to Vitello's with Michael Sterling and onto the Federal four years ago. Kimmel and Kritzerland are joined at the hip; it's his brainchild ... and he brings all of his ingenious theatricality and cleverness to each show. This anniversary show was over.the.moon great with terribly eclectic, funny numbers and some absolutely wonderful talent. On board were steadies Sharon McNight, Nick Santa Maria, Ilene Graff and hubbie Ben Lanzarone, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman and special appearance by composer Richard M. Sherman. Newcomers Marc Ginsburg, Reagan Pasternak and little Hayley Shukiar joined 'Guy Haines' for a heartfelt and laugh-filled concert. Wonderful Richard Allen served as musical director and accompanist for most of the songs throughout the 90-minute set.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Grammy-nominated recording artist, television and Broadway star Ilene Graff, along with her husband, ASCAP-Award winning musical director Ben Lanzarone, with their big band show 'It's Better With A Band' on the Birdland stage Monday, June 13.  The show featured Ben's one-of-a-kind arrangements of songs from Broadway, the movies, and the pop world played by twelve of the best musicians in town. Their very special guest was their daughter, Broadway performer and podcast host ('The Ensemblist'), Nikka Graff Lanzarone.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for June 13-19, featuring Mike Stern and Bill Evans Quartet with Dennis Chambers, Bucky Pizzarelli, Sean Harkness Duo and more!

On Sunday, May 15, The Actors Fund gathered at the home of Western Council member Ilyanne Morden Kichaven and her husband Mike for their annual west coast celebration of Edwin Forrest Day and Shakespeare's birthday. The Actors Fund was honored to have acclaimed star of stage and screen Liev Schreiber as their special guest for the afternoon. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its June 2016 schedule, featuring: Bill Charlap Trio, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Mike Stern and Bill Evans Quartet, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ravi Coltrane, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Birdland Big Band, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series has announced that Grammy-nominated recording artist, television and Broadway star Ilene Graff, along with her husband, ASCAP-Award winning musical director Ben Lanzarone, will present their big band show "It's Better With A Band!" on the Birdland stage Monday, June 13, 2016 at 7 PM. For tickets, call 212-581-3080 or go to birdlandjazz.com.

How many of these great songs do you know from underappreciated musicals?

The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program celebrated the 2015 Looking Ahead Awards with a star-studded gala on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA. Below, check out photos from the star-studded event, featuring Tatyana Ali, Alfonso Ribeiro, Rose Marie, and more!

The second annual Cabaret Is Alive and Well and Living in Los Angeles, a 4-night, 3-show, 3-venue celebration of Los Angeles Cabaret as a benefit for The Actors Fund will take place this weekend, November 13th-16th.

The second annual Cabaret Is Alive and Well and Living in Los Angeles, a 4-night, 3-show, 3-venue celebration of Los Angeles Cabaret as a benefit for The Actors Fund will take place November 13th-16th.

ILENE GRAFF, Grammy-nominated recording artist, television, and Broadway star, along with her husband, ASCAP-Award winning Musical Director BEN LANZARONE, present their big band show: 'IT'S BETTER WITH A BAND!' tonight, June 24, 2015 at 8:30 P.M. at Hollywood's premiere live music venue, Catalina's Jazz Club ( 6275 Sunset Blvd.).

ILENE GRAFF, Grammy-nominated recording artist, television, and Broadway star, along with her husband, ASCAP-Award winning Musical Director BEN LANZARONE, present their big band show: 'IT'S BETTER WITH A BAND!' on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 8:30 P.M. at Hollywood's premiere live music venue, Catalina's Jazz Club ( 6275 Sunset Blvd.).

On Monday, April 27, Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland was the place to celebrate Andy Propst's new book, 'You Fascinate Me So: The Life and Times of Cy Coleman.' Scroll down for photos from the concert!