Jeff Harris News

Hunter College president Jennifer J. Raab announced today that Hunter Theater Project will present a strictly limited return engagement for Red Bull Theater's critically acclaimed production of Mac Beth, adapted and directed by Erica Schmidt, from the play by William Shakespeare.

The sensational Amy Beth Williams ,in her latest show ,proves the singer is one of he best cabaret artists working in New York City today.

Concluding the official main stage season, the historic Sharon Playhouse will hold it's an annual Spotlight Gala fundraiser on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

To begin its 26th Season, the Sonoran Desert Chorale is announcing the appointment of new Artistic Director, Dr. Carric Smolnik. With the retirement of Founding Director Jeff Harris at the end of the Chorale's 25th Season, an extensive search was conducted to find a new director and Dr. Smolnik was selected from a field of more than 20 candidates. 

In its 114 year life the Dutch Treat Club has had a membership that included, Jimmy Cagney, George S. Kaufman, Walter Cronkite, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein ll, and Presidents Hoover, Eisenhower, Truman, and Ford. The great Broadway producer George Abbot was a member for 52 years when he died at the age of 107. But enough about the past. This year this historic New York City institution which was founded by and for creative people decided to honor someone young, creative and contemporary, so they chose...Marilyn Maye…an artist for every generation.

At the April 15, 2019 Mesa City Council meeting, Mayor John Giles presented a proclamation honoring the 25th Anniversary Season of the Sonoran Desert Chorale to Founding Director, Jeff Harris. The Council declared Saturday, May 4 to be celebrated as Sonoran Desert Chorale Day in Mesa. In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Harris spoke of the Chorale's long association with the City and its residents. The City was instrumental in supporting the Chorale in its early days.

Auditions for membership in the Sonoran Desert Chorale will take place onThursday evening, May 16, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, 15 E First Ave, Mesa. Auditions will be scheduled by appointment.

As a capstone for its celebration of 25 years in song, the Chorale shares a tribute to songs of the heart - 'If music be the food of love, Sing On.' Sing On performances will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 7:30 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Avenue, Mesa and Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 3:00 P.M. at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 

'What the world needs now is love, sweet love...' And with those lyrics Marilyn Maye returned to the Iridium Music Club and set the theme for her Valentine's week show, 'Always From The Heart'.

A confidential settlement with CSX Transportation has been reached in the wrongful death case involving camera assistant Sarah Jones, who was killed in 2014 while filming the movie “Midnight Rider” in Georgia. A satisfaction of judgment in the case was filed on Jan. 25 in Chatham County State Court in Savannah, Ga.

Singer, bandleader and cabaret artist Eddie Bruce will celebrate the music of one of the most popular performers/composers in the history of the music business, the legendary Anthony Newley, at Don't Tell Mama in New York City today, December 8 at 7:00pm. Seating for this eagerly-anticipated performance, under the baton of Musical Director/pianist Jeff Harris, starts at 6:30pm. Don't Tell Mama is located on 343 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue. Reservations/information: 212-757-0788 and/or donttellmamanyc.com.

Singer, bandleader and cabaret artist Eddie Bruce will celebrate the music of one of the most popular performers/composers in the history of the music business, the legendary Anthony Newley, at Don't Tell Mama in New York City on Saturday, December 8 at 7:00pm. Seating for this eagerly-anticipated performance, under the baton of Musical Director/pianist Jeff Harris, starts at 6:30pm. Don't Tell Mama is located on 343 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue. Reservations/information: 212-757-0788 and/or donttellmamanyc.com.

In the wake of his successful New York engagements, Roger Schmelzer will put the American Songbook to generous and charming use once again in an upbeat, tuneful evening at Germano's Piattini in Baltimore on November 10 at 7:30pm, directed by Marilyn Maye.

In the wake of his successful New York engagements, Roger Schmelzer will put the American Songbook to generous and charming use once again in an upbeat, tuneful evening at Germano's Piattini in Baltimore on November 10 at 7:30pm, directed by Marilyn Maye.

Today, The Collaborator Party, headed by theatrical sound designers Lindsay Jones and John Gromada, announced that their event was a complete sell-out for the fourth year in a row. The Collaborator Party is the official Tony night party for the entire theatre community. The main party was held June 10, 2018 at Houston Hall (222 W. Houston St. in New York City) from 7pm-11pm, with additional parties held simultaneously in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and southern Indiana.

Today, The Collaborator Party, headed by theatrical sound designers Lindsay Jones and John Gromada, announced that their event will return for its fourth year in New York City, after three years of the now legendary sold-out parties across the country. The Collaborator Party is the official Tony night party for the entire theatre community. This year, the main party will be held June 10, 2018 at Houston Hall (222 W. Houston St. in New York City) from 7pm-11pm EDT, with additional parties taking place simultaneously in Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A full video invitation for this year's event can be viewed at https://youtu.be/3hpjMkxngZM or http://www.collaboratorparty.com.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present singer Maureen McGovern, who stormed the historic stage in celebration of the 45th Anniversary of her theme song, "The Morning After.' The song, which won the Oscar for Best Song of the Year in 1973, became an international Gold Record and garnered Ms. McGovern a Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist.

Have you thought about becoming a member of the Sonoran Desert Chorale? Now is your opportunity to audition for this East Valley group. There are multiple openings for tenors, but all voice parts are welcome. 

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

The Chorale closes this season with a story of survival - the journey in song of African people in bondage, from slavery to emancipation. We share this important part of our American musical heritage through the spirituals, hollers, and signal songs that eased the burdens of captivity and voiced a common humanity including There is a Balm in Gilead, Wade in the Water, I Got Shoes, and many more.