Jerome Kern News

Klein & Alvarez Productions, LLC has announced a magnetic and diverse lineup, as well as a new partnership and venue, for its third season of Magic Thread Cabaret. The new year will bring performances to the near westside and downtown Indianapolis and The Cat in Carmel, where Magic Thread Cabaret is a resident company.

Acclaimed singer and songwriter SPENCER DAY will be joined by special guest Jane Monheit when he returns to Los Angeles at Feinstein's at Vitello's this week. His performances are Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6 at 8:00 PM, and she will join him for the Friday evening show. Day is the unique #1 Billboard charting pop/jazz performer has appeared at venues from Lincoln Center to the Hollywood Bowl. The December shows will showcase his diverse and eclectic original songs, in addition to a preview of Broadway By Day, his upcoming theater-based collection of Rodgers & Hammerstein (a?oeBali Ha'ia??), Marvin Hamlisch (a?oeWhat I Did for Lovea??), Jerome Kern (a?oeOl' Man Rivera??) and more. The album will feature Jerry Herman's a?oeIt Only Takes a Momenta?? as a duet with Ms. Monheit. Tickets to the Los Angeles shows are available HERE.

Jason Graae is soon to star once again as the title character in a?oeScrooge in Love!a?? at 42nd Street Moon, where has found a sort of Bay Area artistic home in recent years. This eternally youthful performer is now a veritable showbiz veteran, having starred on Broadway several times, toured the country with legendary composer Jerry Herman, recorded almost 50 CD's and most recently played The Wizard of Oz in the national tour of a?oeWicked.a?? Known for his spirited comic performances and sterling vocals, you might expect Mr. Graae to be a lot of fun to talk to, and you would be right about that. While quick to express heartfelt gratitude to colleagues, he is also the irrepressible imp who can't resist entertaining you with his mischievous sense of humor.

General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced that an innovative new work celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and a cabaret-style favorite that returns by popular demand comprise the 2020 Explorations series. The series leads audiences on a delightful journey of musical discovery through eclectic works performed in Lyric Opera's Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building in the Crossroads District.

San Francisco Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, November 15–December 7.

On Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 8:00 p.m., jazz supergroup Artemis make their Carnegie Hall debut in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Each renowned for their outstanding solo work, these powerhouse musicians including Cécile McLorin Salvant (Vocals), Renee Rosnes (Music Director and Piano), Anat Cohen (Clarinet and Bass Clarinet), Melissa Aldana (Tenor Saxophone), Ingrid Jensen (Trumpet), Noriko Ueda (Bass), and Allison Miller (Drums) captivate audiences with bold new arrangements of classics by The Beatles to Thelonious Monk, as well as strikingly original compositions by the group's members.

For her 4th CD release, vocalist/violinist Calabria Foti wanted to do an album like her vocal heroes did back in the day; that is, with a big orchestra and legendary arrangers on the podium in an iconic Hollywood recording studio. Ms. Foti says, “This is the most expansive project I have ever done, and at the same time, it's the most intimate and personal. I recorded at Capitol Records with a full orchestra, singing some of the most endearing, sentimental songs ever written, all for my loved ones. This album is a full-production tear-jerker!”

Broadway soprano and film/tv actress Raissa Katona Bennett brings all the warmth and brightness of her voice and personality to her much-loved Jerome Kern show, making a reappearance at Don't Tell Mama.

The jazz singer continues her climb to the heights of artistry and fame in a concert celebrating her new CD, including the great Ted Nash, and audiences were beside themselves with the musical feast to which they were treated.

San Francisco Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, November 15–December 7. Last seen on the War Memorial Opera House stage nearly two decades ago, the popular fairy-tale opera returns in an “enchanting” (The Times, UK) new co-production with London's Royal Opera by director and production designer Antony McDonald. Humperdinck's sweeping score will be conducted by Christopher Franklin and sung in English translation by a cast including mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke as Hansel, Heidi Stober as Gretel and Robert Brubaker as the Witch.

Broadway actress-singer, MAC and Bistro Award winner, Raissa Katona Bennett, returns to the cabaret stage with her celebration of the Great American Songbook in Can't Help Singing-The Music of Jerome Kern. The show plays Friday, November 1st at 7 pm and Saturday, November 2nd at 8pm at Don't Tell Mama. Pianist, Mark Berman ('The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'), joins the singer as Musical Director, with Tom Hubbard on bass.

Jackie Draper and Repeal the Blues returned to the Laurie Beechman Theatre last night. Draper performed in song and dance, in English and French, to banish the blues. Composers and lyricists presented include Charles Aznavour, Irving Berlin, Cy Coleman, Dietz & Schwartz, the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Michele Legrand, Lieber & Stoller, Johnny Mandel and many more.

Jackie Draper and her musicians, along with her dance partner, will blast the blues with songs in English and French, on Thursday, October 24 at 7 PM at The Laurie Beechman Theatre. Draper's musical team is Music Director Gregory Toroian at the piano, Robbyn Tongue on woodwinds and Frank Wagner on bass, with guest artist/dancer Milo Saidl. Kimberly Vaughn directs.

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for the Bay Area premiere of Groundhog Day the Musical, the hit Broadway comedy adapted from the timeless Bill Murray film. Danny Rubin, co-writer of the 1993 film, wrote the book, with music and lyrics supplied by Tony-winner Tim Minchin (Matilda). Susi Damilano will direct the Playhouse production, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer.

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.

Kate Baldwin, a two-time Broadway Tony Award nominee and former Milwaukeean, will headline the Skylight Night Gala, an annual fundraiser benefiting Skylight Music Theatre.

A musical love letter to Paris and NYC, Forbidden Drive, the debut music album from vocal powerhouse Jen Fellman with songs from the worlds of jazz, standards, Broadway, and French chanson, is released today 9/27 by Broadway Records.

The American Songbook Association Gala honoring Sheldon Harnick will be a star studded fundraiser benefiting the ASA and its ambition to preserve and share the great songs of this country.

Seattle-based singer, pianist and musical director David DuVall performs his one-man tribute to the legendary Bobby Short, 'So Naughty, So Nice, Songs Bobby Short Taught Me' on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 2 pm at the Arthur Newman Theater in Palm Desert.

With his NYC cabaret debut, Sean Patrick Murtagh holds forth on all things Mario Lanza and darlings he's got the voice to back it up.