Billy Strayhorn News

Tony-winner Donna McKechnie will soon grace the stage of 54 Below in a brand new show: a musical déjà vu celebrating the scintillating 70?s in New York City - the heyday of Studio 54. McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also well-known for her Broadway appearances in State Fair, On the Town, Company, Promises, Promises and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For these five very special performances, Donna will salute this remarkable era via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Strayhorn, and Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements and music direction by John McDaniel. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge just chatted with the Broadway legend about the upcoming gig and you can check out the full interview below!

By the last August, I had fallen so far behind on writing reviews of cabaret shows from the spring and early summer (I guess it's a positive when there are more performers and shows in New York than days in the week) that I decided to play catch up by combining a bunch of critiques into one big column. I hadn't planned on doing that again, but this fall there were so many shows that once again I couldn't keep up. but at least I've beaten my self-imposed deadline New Year's Eve deadline of posting these reviews of 12 shows, all staged between September-December by lovely, attractive women (okay, so one is a gender-bender) of varying talents and levels on the cabaret depth chart, from established stars to MAC and Bistro Award-winners to comeback 'kids' to interesting beginners and occasional performers who are in the game to follow their bliss. Whether their performances were rave-worthy, earning of qualified praise, or not quite up to snuff, they all deserve kudos for taking the plunge.

Tony-winner Donna McKechnie graces the stage of 54 Below in a brand new show: a musical deja vu celebrating the scintillating 70?s in New York City - the heyday of Studio 54. McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also well-known for her Broadway appearances in State Fair, On the Town, Company, Promises, Promises and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For these five very special performances, Donna (Broadway Royalty!) will salute this remarkable era via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Strayhorn, and Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements and music direction by John McDaniel. She gave a special press preview from her upcoming engagement at 54 Below yesterday, and BroadwayWorld brings you complete coverage below!

The Music Institute of Chicago welcomes families for Duke It Out, a concert showcasing both traditional and jazz-inflected versions of The Nutcracker Suite, preceded by an open house today, December 8 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

The Music Institute of Chicago presents esteemed performers and ensemble-in-residence WarnerNuzova tonight, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

The Music Institute of Chicago welcomes families for Duke It Out, a concert showcasing both traditional and jazz-inflected versions of The Nutcracker Suite, preceded by an open house on Saturday, December 8 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

The Music Institute of Chicago presents the Barkada Quartet, winner of the coveted 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Grand Prize and the Senior Wind Division Gold Medal. Only the fourth non-string ensemble to take top honors at Fischoff, the Barkada Quartet performs today, October 21 at 3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. As a Fischoff Winner's Tour presenting partner, Nichols is a key stop on the Barkada Quartet's Midwestern tour, which spans the month of October.

In a remarkable paring down of his own Ryan Greer Jazz Group, acclaimed for its reinvention of the Great American Songbook, vocalist Ryan Greer teams with bandmate John Feliciano on upright for a standard-bending collaboration between voice and bass. The duo will play The Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22nd St.) tonight, October 11 at 9:30 p.m.

The Music Institute of Chicago welcomes families for a musical open house followed by a concert of dueling Nutcrackerperformances Saturday, December 8, 9 a.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

In a remarkable paring down of his own Ryan Greer Jazz Group, acclaimed for its reinvention of the Great American Songbook, vocalist Ryan Greer teams with bandmate John Feliciano on upright for a standard-bending collaboration between voice and bass. The duo will play The Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22nd St.) on Thursday, October 11 at 9:30 p.m.

The Music Institute of Chicago presents esteemed performers and ensemble-in-residence WarnerNuzova Saturday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

Vocalist Ryan Greer teams with bandmate John Feliciano on upright for a standard-bending collaboration between voice and bass. Ryan and John spark a solid chemistry with their imaginative interplay on classic jazz compositions. The performance will take place on Thursday, October 11th at 9:30 pm at The Metropolitan Room.

The Music Institute of Chicago has announced the appointment of vocalist Tammy McCann as Artist in Residence.McCann will perform and present master classes at the Music Institute, as well as represent the institution and its mission to the wider community.

As the first of 10 musical performances celebrating 10 years at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, the Music Institute of Chicago presents ensemble in residence and faculty members The Lincoln Trio today, September 23.

In conjunction with its October 26-28 Billy Strayhorn Festival, the Music Institute of Chicago Jazz Studies Program is holding a Billy Strayhorn Songwriting Contest for high school students in Cook, Lake and DuPage Counties. The submission deadline is Monday, October 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Honoring the work and legacy of one of the great jazz composers and collaborators, the Music Institute of Chicago presents a Billy Strayhorn Festival October 26-28. The festival, presented in partnership with Billy Strayhorn Songs Inc., a family corporation of the Strayhorn heirs, includes two star-studded concerts featuring trumpet great Terell Stafford and a screening of the award-winning film Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life followed by a panel discussion. The festival takes place at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

The Music Institute of Chicago presents the Barkada Quartet, winner of the coveted 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Grand Prize and the Senior Wind Division Gold Medal. Only the fourth non-string ensemble to take top honors at Fischoff, the Barkada Quartet performs Sunday, October 21 at 3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. As a Fischoff Winner's Tour presenting partner, Nichols is a key stop on the Barkada Quartet's Midwestern tour, which spans the month of October.

As the first of 10 musical performances celebrating 10 years at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, the Music Institute of Chicago presents ensemble in residence and faculty members The Lincoln Trio September 23.

The 38th Annual Jazz Record Collectors Bash will be held June 29th - 30th at the Hilton Woodbridge in Iselin, New Jersey. Buy, sell, swap or trade 78s, LPs, CDs, memorabilia, rare jazz films and more.