Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit? Check out this list of options to help you have a festive month and bookmark this page for handy reference! (To be updated with new shows as announced).
On September 15th, 1 host, 12 singers, 2 musical directors, 1 comedian, and a packed house of friends and invited guests celebrated Michael Sterling's birthday at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. The night, appropriately titled A Sterling Affair, was a sparkling tribute to the man whose name has come to be synonymous with Los Angeles cabaret.
The Broadway at Birdland concert series welcomed Broadway's Clarke Thorell in Songs I Wish I'd Written for one night only, Monday, August 5 at 7pm. The concert featured songs by Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney, Adam Guettel, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Elvis Costello, Chris Thile, and Sting. Joining Clarke were Musical Director/pianist Dan Lipton, along with singers Brian d'Arcy James, Cortes Alexander, Haven Burton and Jim Caruso. The band also included Simon Kafka on guitar & other strings, Mark Vanderpoel on bass and Shannon Ford on drums. Scroll down for photos!
On Monday, May 13, Cortes Alexander stormed the Broadway at Birdland stage with 'The Swell Show,' along with Billy Stritch at the piano, Ray Marchica on drums, Norman Ludwin on bass, Clarke Thorell on guitar/ukulele, and Julie Garnye and Melissa Bailey as 'The Swell Girls.' Scroll down for photos from the concert!
The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.
It's Friday and time for another regional news recap! Today, we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 10! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!
Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13, and as I wrote then 'What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song!' Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC. Alexander sings many of his own compositions and has a fine, smooth, easy-going style that pulls you in the minute he opens his mouth. On Monday December 10, Alexander came back to the Federal for the Christmas version of his show called Have a Swell Holiday. His Swell girls were also on hand Melissa Bailey and this time Julie Garnye with musical director John Boswell at piano, Norman Ludwin on bass, Terry Schoenig on percussion, and Paul Landry on guitar. The total effect of these stellar musicians made for a jazzy, swinging evening of musical mirth.
The combination of music (mostly Broadway and Great American Songbook fare) and California gourmet cuisine at this North Hollywood, NoHo Arts District hot spot, registers cool chic as Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal which - by its very mission - engages thoughtful sensibilities and the good taste of its namesake and producer Michael Sterling. In other words, Sterling's offering of a west coast supper club with an east coast mentality translates to New York style cabaret planted smack dab in the middle of movie town, USA. And to seal the deal, talent like Lainie Kazan, Tony Award winners Faith Prince and Daisy Eagan; Tony nominee Euan Morton; Broadway's Kim Huber, Beth Malone, Jason Graae, Melody Hollis, Kay Cole, Ilene Graff, Cortes Alexander, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland Records monthly salutes, and a host of other musical theatre A-listers from one side of the county to the have appeared on the stage at Sterling's. But they're not the only performers who illuminate Sterling's Upstairs (formerly housed at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City, CA) now in its 6th year of operation, and 6th month at The Federal.
Dangerous Corner, an intriguing play about relationships written by J.B. Priestley in 1932 has a fresh, new look at Crown City Theatre. Director Gary Lamb's vision brings the play into the 60s and puts the spirit of a deceased character on stage, singing, playing the piano, lounging imperiously and fluttering about as he controls the heated discussion of his supposed suicide. When it becomes clear that there are two divergent directions that the plot could take, this new charade seems entirely appropriate and, in fact, greatly enhances Priestley's perspective on disclosing truth versus half-truths. Now at Crown through November 4, Dangerous Corner has a captivating cast.
Crown City Theatre announces its new season featuring DANGEROUS CORNER by J.B. Priestley tonight, Sept. 27th, 2012, COMPANY by George Furth and Stephen Sondheim Feb. 14th, 2013, and THE FOREIGNER by Larry Shue May 23rd, 2013. Also, keep a look out for their surprise Christmas show to be announced in October(Dates and shows subject to change.)
Another week, another roundup! Today, we bring you a list of the most-read stories in our regional markets for the week of September 21. Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, check out what productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!
In this chat, actor Cortes Alexander talks about the challenges of doing this play, Dangerous Corner at Crown City Theatre, and his musical work, including how his group The Tonics skyrocketed to fame.
Crown City Theatre announces its new season featuring DANGEROUS CORNER by J.B. Priestley Sept. 27th, 2012, COMPANY by George Furth and Stephen Sondheim Feb. 14th, 2013, and THE FOREIGNER by Larry Shue May 23rd, 2013. Also, keep a look out for their surprise Christmas show to be announced in October(Dates and shows subject to change.)
At BroadwayWorld we pride ourselves in showcasing theater content from all corners of the globe. Our regional contributors do an amazing job each day of bringing you the latest theater news in their cities and countries and to acknowledge this, we launched a new weekly column called 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week'. Read on for our most-read features, interviews, breaking news and more for the week of August 13!
Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13. What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song! Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC.
The 28th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E.- just presented ORIGINAL CAST 3, a musical celebration showcasingartists from theater, television and cabaret performing songs they originated in musical productions. This year, the annual event, which benefits AIDS Project Los Angeles, returned to the Saban Theatre Beverly Hills. Check out photos from the celebration below!
Tony-nominated actor Brian Lane Green (Starmites) joins the lineup of Broadway talent performing in the March 30th concert with John Bucchino. In addition to Lane is Broadway funnyman Todd Buonopane (…Spelling Bee) and renowned singer/songwriter Lindy Robbins.
The Coterie will present the internationally renowned composer John Bucchino live in concert March 30th. This intimate live concert event will feature an astounding lineup of Broadway talent includingRichard Kind (Les Miserables), Milena Govich (Cabaret, "Law & Order), Olivier and Ovation Award-winner Lesli Margherita, Deborah S. Craig (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, "Hart of Dixie"), Cortes Alexander (Liza at The Palace), Victoria Strong, Julie Garnye and more. An Intimate Evening with John Bucchino & Friends will take place March 30th in The Coterie's home at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is the extreme open mic that has been running at Birdland in New York City every single Monday night for the past nine years. Recently, host Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch have taken the Party on the road, celebrating musical talent in Chicago, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Orlando, Austin, Delray Beach, and even on the high seas! Last week, the dynamic duo made a return to Los Angeles, where some highly entertaining locals sang and cavorted for a jam-packed house of friends and fans at The Coterie in the Renaissance Hotel.
From Nick Jonas and Michael Urie to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Raul Esparza, Barbra Streisand to Alan Menken, Bernadette Peters to Susan Boyle, Colin Quinn to GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2012 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!
