Joan Ryan News

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In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

Voting is now underway for Los Angeles! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Please help salute renowned music historian Rick Starr, former manager of the legendary sheet music store Hollywood Sheet Music, and pillar of the entertainment community. Rick offered his expertise in classic popular song and theatre music to scores of singers over the years.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are proud to announce the upcoming lineup at Feinstein's at the Nikko for January 2014. Artists include actor and singer Tom Wopat, star of stage and screen Cheyenne Jackson, Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess, Emmy Award winning actor and comedian Leslie Jordan, and more! Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Please help salute renowned music historian Rick Starr, former manager of the legendary sheet music store Hollywood Sheet Music, and pillar of the entertainment community. Rick offered his expertise in classic popular song and theatre music to scores of singers over the years.

Co-Producers Juliana Hansen and Jonathan White will present a one night only benefit performance, ONE STARRY NIGHT: Hollywood and Broadway Come Together to Fight ALS, on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 8pm, hosted by The Pasadena Playhouse. The evening will also include a silent auction and VIP post-show meet-and-greet. Proceeds will provide critical funding for The ALS Association Golden West Chapter's mission priorities in care services, public policy, and cutting-edge global research toward treatments and cure.

Tituss Burgess, best known for his recurring role on the hit NBC series '30 Rock' and for originating roles in JERSEY BOYS and THE LITTLE MERMAID on Broadway, will join actress/singer Joan Ryan in Joan Ryan LIVE, written and directed by Andrew MacBean (associate director with Trevor Nunn on Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Aspects of Love' and 'Sunset Boulevard') and musical direction from Todd Schroeder (musical director for Sam Harris, Jason Alexander), tonight, October 26 at 11pm at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) in Manhattan.

Actress and Singer Joan Ryan, who boasts an impressive four octave range will make her long awaited return to the NYC cabaret stage with her self-titled show JOAN RYAN LIVE, written and directed by Andrew MacBean (associate director with Trevor Nunn on Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Aspects of Love" and "Sunset Boulevard") with musical direction from Todd Schroeder (musical director for Sam Harris, Jason Alexander) and featuring special guest Tituss Burgess ('30 Rock,' JERSEY BOYS) on Saturday, October 26 at 11pm at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) in Manhattan.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

One night only - Please help salute renowned musicologist Rick Starr, former manager of the legendary Hollywood Sheet Music. Rick was a pillar of the entertainment community who offered his expertise in classic popular song and theatre music to scores of singers. All proceeds will be donated to The Actors Fund. Directed by David Galligan, celebrated director of the famed annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Concert Series. Musical director, Tom Griep, along with Randy Landas on bass and Denise Fraser on drums, leads an outstanding line-up of performers singing songs chosen for them by Rick. All proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund.

Tituss Burgess, best known for his recurring role on the hit NBC series '30 Rock' and for originating roles in JERSEY BOYS and THE LITTLE MERMAID on Broadway, will join actress/singer Joan Ryan in JOAN RYAN LIVE, written and directed by Andrew MacBean (associate director with Trevor Nunn on Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Aspects of Love' and 'Sunset Boulevard') and musical direction from Todd Schroeder (musical director for Sam Harris, Jason Alexander), on Saturday, October 26 at 11pm at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) in Manhattan.

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.

Actress and Singer Joan Ryan, who boasts an impressive four octave range will make her long awaited return to the NYC cabaret stage with her self-titled show JOAN RYAN LIVE, written and directed by Andrew MacBean (associate director with Trevor Nunn on Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Aspects of Love" and "Sunset Boulevard") and musical direction from Todd Schroeder (musical director for Sam Harris, Jason Alexander), on Saturday, October 26 at 11pm at 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) in Manhattan.

Singer/actress Joan Ryan made a rare appearance with a brand new show An Evening with Joan Ryan at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Sunday, July 28 prior to a cross country tour which includes 54 Below in New York. This lady, who has an entire comedic medley labeling herself a belta-holic, remains a consummate vocalist, one of the best there is. She possesses an incredibly powerful range, has a glowing personality that will not quit, and knows how to work a cabaret room, literally from back to front, side to side with superior direction from Andrew MacBean.

I can't help but borrow from the genius of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse when I affirm it was The Roar of Kritzerland, The Smell of the burgers at the Federal on Sunday May 5 - Cinco de Mayo, no less - as Kritzerland presented its 33rd show in its current home at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, entitled Once in a Lifetime: The Songs of Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse. And it was a lollapalooza of an evening!

When I first heard Janene Lovullo at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in January of 2010, I was captivated by her beautifully fragile soprano voice and how well she was able to convey the delicacy of the lyrics of each song to a large audience. I also remember telling her how she needed to record, as, unlike many singers, hers is a voice that is ideally suited to record. Well, she released the lovely album This Moment in 2012...and now, just released as of February 2013, comes her second album Broadway, Intimate. As I listened, I can truthfully say that I haven't been this excited about a singer since Joan Ryan's 'Shall We Dance?' several years ago. Unusually different arrangements and an up close, personal interpretation that sends the already popular tune soaring to brand new heights....such are the accomplishments of Janene Lovullo.

On Saturday September 8, Kritzerland live performance concerts turned two years old and Bruce Kimmel celebrated the event with a potpourri of The Songs That Got Away at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, Kritzerland's newest monthly home base. Assisting Kimmel were regulars Dennis Kyle, Juliana Hansen, Jane Noseworthy, Lisa Livesay, joined this time by Kevin Symons, 13 year-old Jenna Rosen and sisters Sami and Sarah Staitman. There was not one guest star, not two, not three... but five, yes five and all exceptional talents: Back to the Future's favorite mom and TV's favorite Caroline in the City Lea Thompson, showboy Jason Graae and representing Ruthless, LA's 1993 runaway musical hit: Joan Ryan, Rita McKenzie and Lindsay Ridgeway.