The third night of the Mabel Mercer Foundation's New York Cabaret Convention hosted by Judy Garland expert John Fricke and actor, singer, humorist Klea Blackhurst had many noteworthy performances during it's three hours last night at Rose Theater. However, the most touching and dramatic Judy Garland minute was not musical. It happened when Sidney Myer a New York City Cabaret superstar related a story from his youth. It seems that Sidney survived the stress of the 50's and 60's of being “different” in the all boy New Jersey Prep School he attended (which Sidney recalled was populated by boys who specialized in terrorism) by focusing on his love of music and his worship of Judy Garland. He described to a spellbound Convention audience of being brought to a Judy Garland concert by his parents, he had his sign “ We Love Judy” in hand and with thousands cheering her as she walked down the aisle in a twist of fate he accidentally came face to face with her. Judy shook his hand and he managed to get out a “thank you” even though he had rehearsed a speech for years if this kind of moment ever happened. . There wasn't a dry eye in the house after his story. The evening had many humorous and emotional moments as Emmy Award winning host John Fricke, who is considered the preeminent Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz authority related many stories about Garland. Klea Blackhurst is probably one of the most effective and beloved Convention hosts and she used her wit and music to make it as always one of the most enjoyable of Convention nights.
Day one of the 2019 Cabaret Convention presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation featured Deborah Grace Winder hosting, 'The Sunny Side of the Street: Celebrating Dorothy Fields & Great Women Songwriters' starring Christine Andreas, Karrin Allyson, and more!
Actress/singer Pamela Clay has been performing a show she wrote about Edith Piaf entitled Forever Piaf for quite some time to great acclaim! She will perform it locally at Feinstein's Upstairs at Vitello's on October 16. In our conversation she talks about growing up in a musical family and how Piaf's outlook became the cornerstone of her life.
Tell us about your background. As a child, how did you become interested in music? When did you know that it would be your career?
PC: One of the first things I remember was hearing classical music. Both my parents were blessed with beautiful voices, played piano, and my father also played trumpet. Daddy was a child prodigy who played classical piano live on the radio at age five,
The woman who stole the hearts of many and revolutionized iconic roles in 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'The Little Mermaid', will be making her Cabaret 313 debut on Saturday, October 19 at the Cube at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center (3711 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201).
In a combined triumph for the Classic Popular Songbook, its purveyors and adherents, and the professionalism and perseverance of THE MABEL MERCER FOUNDATION, that unique organization presents its 30th Annual New York Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Monday, October 28th and running through Thursday, October 31st. The four individual concerts will be offered at 6:00 PM each evening, and more than seventy-five vocalists and musicians are scheduled to perform. Tickets are on sale at the Jazz at Lincoln Center box office and www.jazz.org starting today, Monday, September 9.
In a combined triumph for the Classic Popular Songbook, its purveyors and adherents, and the professionalism and perseverance of The Mabel Mercer Foundation, that unique organization presents its THIRTIETH annual New York Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Monday, October 28th and running through Thursday, October 31th. The four individual concerts will be offered at 6 o'clock each evening, and more than seventy-five vocalists and musicians are scheduled to perform.
Christine Andreas opened her show at the Beach Cafe last night by telling the intimate group of Cabaret lovers that contrary to current trends, her show had no theme. It would simply contain songs she liked to sing. By the end of her performance it was obvious the show did have a theme…..Great Songs Sung by a Great SingerActor. I've often said that the best musical experience is when the singer happens to be the pianist. The fingers join the vocal chords and create the most well planned arrangements. I may be wrong. Having your spouse as your pianist and music director also creates a rare and inspired musical experience. Martin Silvestri creates exceptional accompaniments. He is a true artist at the keyboard and happens also to be an Accordion virtuoso, which is extremely effective when Christine sings her unforgettable Piaf medley.
It's hard to dream up a better way to kick off LGBTQ Pride Month than with a Judy Garland-themed concert hosted by a queer artist and raising money for an LGBTQ organization.
The seventh annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Sayre - featured the musical talents of two time Tony Award-nominee Christine Andreas (My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!), Nathan Lee Graham (Zoolander, 'LA to Vegas'), Brittain Ashford (The Great Comet of 1812), Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, The Book of Mormon), Julian Fleisher (New York Public Radio), Molly Pope (Cafe Caryle, Adelaide Festival), Kat Cunning (HBO's 'The Deuce,' Company XIV), and Amber Martin (John Cameron Mitchell's The Origin of Love).
Tony Award winning legend Kelli O'Hara and Tony nominee and Nashville TV show superstar Will Chase will take center stage at the 4th annual Arts for Autism benefit concert at the Gershwin Theatre on Monday, June 24, 2019 at 7:30pm.
The seventh annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Sayre - will feature the musical talents of two time Tony Award-nominee Christine Andreas (My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!), Nathan Lee Graham(Zoolander, "LA to Vegas"), Brittain Ashford (The Great Comet of 1812), Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, The Book of Mormon), Julian Fleisher (New York Public Radio), Molly Pope (Cafe Caryle, Adelaide Festival), Kat Cunning (HBO's "The Deuce," Company XIV), and Amber Martin(John Cameron Mitchell's The Origin of Love).
Broadway award-winning star and concert star Christine Andreas will release limited signed vinyl of her newest album Christine Andreas Piaf-No Regrets on PS Classics available online only starting on April 23, 2019. Christine has been touring the U.S. and abroad with her much-acclaimed one-woman show Piaf, No Regrets.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! opened last night, April 7, at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre. It will play a limited engagement through Sunday, September 1, 2019.
Lynn University welcomed renowned singer, actress and recording artist Christien Andreas last night with her acclaimed show, PIAF-No Regrets. Christine brings to life the triumphs and heartbreaks of the famed French chanteuse, in her own words and those of her friends-and of course-her music.
Oklahoma! is back on the Great White Way! Oklahoma! is no stranger to Broadway. In fact, it's been here five times before. Take a look back at the Broadway history of this iconic musical!
In 10th Grade, I was in the chorus of a production of Oklahoma! in the auditorium of my synagogue and it was the best theatrical experience I've ever had. I remember getting home from the closing night cast party and crying myself to sleep. I could cry now putting on the movie or listening to 'The Farmer and the Cowman,' or maybe most of all, if I sing a little bit of the introduction to the title song.
Michael Childers' star-studded musical production of One Night Only Broadway Showstoppers will be presented on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 @ 6:30pm, at the McCallum Theatre. This year's show benefits Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. In SHOWSTOPPERS, twenty celebrated performers will come together for an evening of all your favorite songs from the greatest musicals. One Night Only will be directed by famed Broadway choreographer and director Larry Fuller, with music direction by Christopher Marlowe.
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