Eda Sorokoff News

In its ninth star-studded year at Birdland, Jim Caruso will bring his celebrated Cast Party back to the big stage at Town Hall for a second year. The Best of Jim Caruso's Cast Party will take place on Thursday, February 23 at 8PM and will be presented by the one and only Scott Siegel. Tickets are $25, $50, and $75 and are available by calling 800-982-2787 or visiting TicketMaster.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund.

Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook returns to the elegant Allen Room in January for its fourteenth season celebrating the diversity of American popular song. Closing out Week One of the series was composer William Finn (Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), along with guest vocalists, performing a song cycle inspired by the poetry of William Blake. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert, and we bring you full photo coverage from the event below!

Last night, January 12th, Nightlife Award Winner Marilyn Maye, Maya Days (Aida), Joan Almedilla (Kim in MISS SAIGON), and vocalist Natalie Douglas took to the stage at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in the latest installment of Broadway Ballyhoo. As in weeks past, this cast performed Broadway show tunes in the new series that changes every Thursday night with a new cast singing entirely different songs every week.

The Carlyle Hotel's legendary Café Carlyle just kicked off a concert series last night, January 10, featuring Tony winner Paulo Szot. Szot will ring in the New Year with an all new program in a three-week return engagement through January 28 with Billy Stritch, Musical Director.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY opened its Winter 2012 season with the return of Lucie Arnaz in a show based on her new CD 'Latin Roots.' In an eclectic celebration of her musical heritage, Arnaz playfully wended her way through pop south of the border sounds, enduring American standards, enhanced with a Brazilian accent or basted by a Bossa Nova beat and she took on some of the fiery Latin classics of her father, Desi Arnaz. Check out photos from the concert below!

The ASCAP Foundation honored composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz for his lifetime contributions to the Musical Theater with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers Award. On hand to make the presentation was Richard Rodgers' grandson and fellow musical theater composer Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza). The accolade was presented today during the Foundation's 16th Annual Awards Ceremony, held at the Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, in New York City. The invitation-only event, hosted by ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams, also honored a wide variety of Scholarship and Award recipients, all of whom benefit from programs of The ASCAP Foundation.

The Carlyle Hotel has welcomed acclaimed vocalist Steve Tyrell back to the Cafe Carlyle for his seventh consecutive holiday engagement in the legendary New York venue. Playing through Saturday, December 31, 2011), backed by his swinging big band, Steve will once again offer an evening of standards from the Great American Songbook, holiday favorites, and selections from his many popular recordings in a program entitled This Time of the Year. "There is no place more romantic than New York City during the holidays," declares Mr. Tyrell. "Fortunately, I have a lot of wonderful songs to fit the occasion, and look forward to sharing them in the most romantic room in town." Managing Director Erich Steinbock says "Steve Tyrell at the Cafe Carlyle has become a holiday tradition in New York. He fits the room like a glove, and we look forward to welcoming him, as well all the guests who travel thousands of miles to catch one of his performances." Steve Tyrell: This Time of the Year will play Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:45PM with additional shows Thursday - Saturday evenings at 10:45PM. The music charge is $105 ($80 bar) Tuesday - Thursday and $130 ($95 bar) Friday & Saturday. Dinner (required at all early performances) is served from 6:30PM. Celebrate New Year's Eve in style at the Cafe Carlyle! The following two options are available: NEW YEAR'S EVE AT CAFE CARLYLE Begin the festivities with a complimentary glass of champagne, hors d'oeurves and a performance from Steve Tyrell. Seating at 5:30 p.m. $175 per person excluding tax/gratuity, includes complimentary glass of champagne NEW YEAR'S EVE BLACK TIE GALA DINNER AT CAFE CARLYLE Enjoy a special performance from Mr. Tyrell while dining on a four-course prix fixe menu from Executive Chef Jacques Sorci and toast at midnight with a complimentary glass of champagne. Seating at 9:30 p.m. $600 per person excluding tax/gratuity includes autographed CD and champagne toast at midnight.

I knew I was in for a special evening when I found some Traditional Jewish Prayer Books (Siddur) on the lights and sound console. In most Temples the hallways are filled with black & white photos of past Rabbi's, Cantors, and Board Presidents.

Andrea Marcovicci wins my Academy Award for creating a marvelous movie and Shelly Markham takes home one for composing a brilliant film score. Her current cabaret act 'No Strings' at the Oak Room is a musical documentary which lets you hitch a ride and romantically travel the past 25 years of Marcovicci's performing at the Algonquin.

On Friday, November 4th, The American Songbook Project held its annual signature event, their 'Name That Tune' benefit at the historic Hudson Theater in New York. Their mission is to preserve the American Songbook by bringing professional singers in the NYC schools. This year they honored Broadway composer Jerry Herman and Guild Hall (East Hampton), both of whom celebrated their 80th birthdays this year. Liz Smith emceed the Jerry Herman tribute and her passionate, loving remarks about her friend included 'It is said by show biz insiders that Jerry is so universal the you just hear a song of his once and you can hum it or sing it. And you probably can't stop. That is pretty damned great. He is universal in the musical theater, the songsmith of modern American life.' Mr. Herman's tribute included performances by James Darrah recreating his role of Ambrose Kemper from the last Carol Channing revival of Hello Dolly singing 'It Only Takes a Moment;' Meredith Patterson and Jeffry Denman performing 'Tap Your Troubles Away' from Mack and Mabel; and Andrea McArdle singing 'If He Walked into My Life Today' from Mame accompanied movingly by nine-year old Kyrian Friedenberg on trumpet.

Even before John Iachetti (Loews Hotels Corporate Director of Entertainment) escorts you to your table at Feinstein's, you are aware of a special excitement in the air. When Marilyn Maye comes into town, the Loews Regency becomes more like a Revival Tent, as the faithful flock to be inspired by the Johnny Carson-dubbed 'super singer'.

It was appropriate that Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman clasped each others hands in jubilation at the end of Amanda's cabaret show 'Strange Days'. It is not very often that I've heard such a unity exist between accompanist and vocalist. Michele was not just a supportive partner, her playing perfectly augmented the genius of Amanda McBroom. Of course both Amanda & Michele are both songwriters and they have an uncommonly warm collaboration which made it a truly magical evening.

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 20, 21, 22, The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented its 22nd annual Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. More than forty exemplary vocalists and musicians appeared in three diverse programs. heck out photos from the event below!

Donald Smith greeted all the performers as they were about to set upon the stage at the Cabaret Convention last night, but unfortunately it had to be with a letter from him posted backstage at Lincoln Center. Mr. Smith is still in rehab after surgery (back soon) and this was the first time the Mabel Mercer Foundation's founder was not able to be among the assemblage of cabaret fans and marvelous performers that make this three day event the highlight of the 'cabaret year' However, Mr. Smith's touch was apparent by the quality of the artists chosen to appear in this years convention. Rick Meadows, Director and Production Stage Manager of the show started the evening off with some wonderful words from Donald, and then introduced Andrea Marcovicci to pinch hit for Mr. Smith.

JASON GRAAE, the L.A. DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD winner and Broadway and cabaret star, opened his acclaimed tribute to Jerry Herman, 'PERFECT HERMANY' at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in West Bank Cafe last night, October 18. Performances run through October 25th.

Halloween came early to the Metropolitan Room last night because a room full of cabaret connoisseurs were treated to a wonderfully entertaining show by an extremely beautiful and multi - talented performer.

Yesterday, October 13, Bill Cosby, Chita Rivera and Mark Nadler led the benefit for ART START, an organization that operates with the mission of providing underprivileged children of New York with confidence, creativity and hope through the arts. The volunteers of ART START visit shelters all over the city armed with paintbrushes, mics and instruments - and with them, an opportunity to change a young person's life. Check out the after party below!

Message to Congress and Presidential hopefuls - go see Mark St. German's 'The Best of Enemies' before you start the political campaign rhetoric.

Like entering a Rolls Royce, taking your seat in Feinstein's at Loews Regency to see a headliner, is your start of an unparalleled ride. Betty Buckley is that kind of experience. Words cannot make you hear the voice, the musicality, or the presence this Tony Award winning singer actress displays in her new show 'AH MEN! THE BOYS OF BROADWAY!' now at Feinstein's. Her show consists of songs originally sung by men, and her superb voice presents them in a powerful and emotional new light. Being a William Finn fan, I was extremely moved by her rendition of VENICE (from Elegies). Just when she brings a tear to your eye with her ballads, she brings you back to a happy place with her great jazz ability in the up tempos. We all have our 'memories' of Betty Buckley from her triumphs' on Broadway and this show reinforces the justification for using the word Extraordinary when describing Betty Buckley.