David Friedman News

With so many gifted cabaret artists to populate today's nightclubs, Stephen Mosher takes some time out to remember Nancy LaMott, one of the talented artists from the past.

Broadway couple Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus believe that help is on the way... so much so, that they decided to sing about it. Watch below as they perform David Friedman's 'Help is on the Way.'

Following the official release of his “I KNOW MORE NOW” CD on February 21, award-winning actor and cabaret singer BRIAN De LORENZO will dazzle Greater Boston audiences with music from his new album and some past favorites, at a concert on Wednesday, March 18 at Harvard Square's OBERON, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the concert begins at 7:30 PM. Admission is $22 plus a $3 ticket fee. For tickets, visit here or call (617) 547-8300.

Michael Childers' presents One Night Only benefitting the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. a?oeThe Way We Were: Songs of the '70'sa?? features the best of Broadway and pop music from that era, for one performance only on April 22 at 6:30 pm, at The McCallum Theatre. With Direction & Choreography by Scott Coulter and Music Direction by Todd Schroeder, the cast features the best of Broadway and Hollywood performers. I had the chance to catch up with director, Scott Coulter, as he was preparing the production for rehearsal. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

By Popular Demand, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented the return of Julie Halston to the stage.  This special one-night-only event, entitled “Judge Julie Presiding” took place on February 3 at Birdland, located in the heart of Manhattan's Theater District.  The sold-out house was left helpless with laughter, thanks to Ms. Halston's rants, raves and readings!

Southeastern Theatre Conference in partnership with Stage Rights, the licensing company that represents The Marvelous Wonderettes, announces A Singular They by Aliza Goldstein as the winning play of the 2020 Ready to Publish playwriting competition.

The most unique and most beloved man in the cabaret business came out of retirement in 2018 and discovered he still had it. That's why he is PANGEA'S choice to ring in the new year with their discerning clientele.

The Morris Museum commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with an exhibition of paintings by David Friedmann (1893-1980), a renowned portraitist in Berlin and Prague before his deportation to Lodz Ghetto in 1941. The works on view portray Friedmann's haunting memories of survival during the Holocaust, from life in the Ghetto, to internment at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and sub camps Gleiwitz I and Blechhammer until his liberation in 1945.  The selected works, created in Prague from 1945-1948, are part of a series entitled, Because They Were Jews!

When Actor/Singer Scott Raneri was pondering a theme for his New York Solo Cabaret Debut Show, he decided to go back to his roots-literally. Last December, Raneri registered to take a DNA test with the ubiquitous genetic testing company 23andMe. Raneri wanted to learn more about his ancestry and his health profile. When he found he was a genetic match with a cousin he didn't know he had, that led to a more startling discovery-that his grandfather was NOT the man who was married to his grandmother, but was a family friend named Butch Marzo. Hence, the show's title.

Vocalist and composer Céline Rudolph glides between Berlin, São Paulo, Paris and New York, between tongues and genres, always landing in the very heart of music. Céline is beyond happy to return to New York to play the second time at Club Bonafide with spectacular musicians Helio Alves (p), Edward Perez (b) and Mauricio Zottarelli (dr).

Broadway actress-singer, MAC and Bistro Award winner, Raissa Katona Bennett, returns to the cabaret stage in November with her celebration of the Great American Songbook, Can't Help Singing a?" The Music of Jerome Kern. The show plays Nov.1st at 7pm & Nov. 2nd at 8pm at Don't Tell Mama in the heart of the theater district. Kern chestnuts like a?oeSmoke Gets in Your Eyes,a?? a?oeAll the Things You Area?? and a?oeThe Way You Look Tonight,a?? will make an appearance in a varied and entertaining repertoire that is fun and romantic.

This Fall DO40 is saluting and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the 100th birthday of DO40 Advisory Board member Marge Champion. 

Direct from New York City after its closing last Fall, The Winter Park Playhouse opens the country's first professional production of the Off-Broadway hit - Desperate Measures - September 20 through October 13.

This Fall DO40 is saluting and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the 100th birthday of DO40 Advisory Board member Marge Champion. Special guests and performances from the Joseph cast include Bill Hutton (Joseph), Gordon Stanley (Jacob), Conductor David Friedman, along with Stephen McNaughton, Stephen Hope, Lorraine Barrett, Philip Carruba, Jonni Masella, Dorothy Dybisz, Katharine Buffaloe-Harris, Barry Tarallo, Michael Deane and Karen Bogan. There will be representation from the BAM production as well as Broadway. And, musical accompaniment by the always great Steven Webber.

The fifth annual Broadway's Got Guts will feature Broadway's brightest singing wonderful standards recorded by the late, great Nancy LaMott plus other exciting numbers on the 24th anniversary of her death, to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation on Monday, October 21 at 6 PM at the Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd St., NYC.

When Actor/Singer Scott Raneri was pondering a theme for his New York Solo Cabaret Debut Show, he decided to go back to his rootsa?"literally.

Direct from New York City after its closing last Fall, The Winter Park Playhouse opens the country's first professional production of the Off-Broadway hit - Desperate Measures - September 20 through October 13. This uproarious musical comedy won both the 2018 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and is set for its national premiere at The Winter Park Playhouse September 20 through October 13. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Saturday matinee performances at 2 p.m. and select Friday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Manoa Valley Theatre kicks off its 51st season Anniversary with a play season that blends exciting Hawaii premieres with Hawaii favorites. The lineup features comedy, musical comedy, drama, mystery and a local-kine Hawaii favorite. It will be an innovative season that promises some of Hawaii's most exciting productions for 2019-20.

National New Play Network, the country's alliance of nonprofit theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays, announces its 90th Rolling World Premiere (RWP): My Lord, What a Night by Deborah Brevoort.

For decades NBC has opened the door for countless comedians and continues to carry the legacy as a home for comedy with the launch of its new competition show, “Bring the Funny.”