John Boswell News

MAUDE MAGGART - the acclaimed vocalist hailed as 'singular and arresting' by the New York Times, 'wonderful' by Business Week and 'ingenious' by the Village Voice - will make her debut at the Cafe Carlyle with a special engagement from February 25 to March 1. Her new show 'The Door Opened' will feature numbers by golden-age songwriters Irving Berlin ('I Used To Be Color Blind'), Harry Warren ('Serenade In Blue') and Dorothy Fields ('Blue Again'), in addition to rarely-heard songbook gems including 'Why Am I So Romantic?' (introduced in the legendary Marx Brothers film Animal Crackers) and 'I May Be Wrong, But I Think You're Wonderful' (performed by Maude's grandmother). The evening will feature Music Director John Boswell on piano. She will preview the Carlyle run with two performances at the Gardenia in Los Angeles on February 14 and 15.

It's no surprise that Bruce Kimmel's monthly Kritzerland series (this is show #38) has gained such a loyal following at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. For true musical lovers it is the rare opportunity to hear beautiful, funny and surprisingly touching songs from musicals you may never get to see.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents THE STORY GOES ON: The Songs of Richard Maltby & David Shire on MONDAY, October 7, 2013 - 7:00 PM, featuring Heather Barr, Will Collyer, Ashley Fox Linton, Sally Mayes, John Sloman, Shannon Warne and music director John Boswell.

On Sunday evening September 1, Kritzerland celebrated its third anniversary and 37th show at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Entitled The Songs That Got Away II, it featured a batch of songs from various composers/musicals that Bruce Kimmel considers great but that over time have received far less airplay than deserved. In short, they have just not attained a solid popularity. Many of these songs are familiar like 'Some People' from Gypsy, but, it certainly did not gain the fame of, say, 'Everything's Coming Up Roses'... but should have. Some of the lesser known but beautiful tunes like 'It Must Be Spring' by Michel Legrand and the Bergmans are so good that it seems a shame it did get nominated for awards. Featured on this stellar program were dynamic singers Valerie Perri, Kay Cole, Jane Noseworthy, speciaLguest star Sharon McNight, Dan Callaway, Joshua Finkel, Jenna Lee Rosen, and sisters Sami and Sarah Staitman. John Boswell brilliantly served as musical director at the piano throughout the 90-minute set.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents its third anniversary show, THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY - II today, September 1, 2013 - 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents its third anniversary show, THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY - II SUNDAY, September 1, 2013 - 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angles Drama Critic's Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will present OUR BROADWAY SCRAPBOOK, a benefit concert at their new venue: Santa Monica's Ann and Jerry Moss Theatre. OUR BROADWAY SCRAPBOOK, a celebration benefit introducing the Musical Theatre Guild, will be presented September 22, 2013 at 7:00 pm, two months in advance of their inaugural Moss Theatre season opening. All proceeds from this one-night-only event will benefit the New Roads School

Los Angeles cabaret performer Keri Kelsey brings her latest show, "Darin' To Do Bobby" to the Arthur Newman Theater in the Joslyn Center onSunday, September 8, 2013 at 2 PM. The show is done as a tribute to one of show business's favorite entertainers, Bobby Darin, whose career spanned several decades with recordings, stage, television and films. Keri will combine Darin's endless hits with stories of his career and personal life mixed with how his music has touched her own life and performance style as well.

Kritzerland at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents its third anniversary show, THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY - II, set for Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

On Sunday June 23 consummate singer Eileen Barnett brought a new version of her night club show to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal entitled You Must Believe in Spring with superb musical direction from John Boswell and crisp direction from Kristen Benton Chandler.

Below, check out video for NEW GIRL's 'Kiss Me Like a Man' Auto-Tune Mash-up remix by DJ John Boswell. The last two episodes of the season air Tuesday May 7 & 14 at 9/8c on FOX!

Too Marvelous for Words presents some of the much-loved songs of Johnny Mercer - one of America's great lyricists- and captures them at their most intimate. Linda Purl and Lee Lessack return to Three Stages in a powerhouse evening, dedicated to the heartwarming music of Georgia's favorite son. Four-time Academy Award-winning songwriter Johnny Mercer comes to life as the two artists weave heretofore little-known stories with his timeless tunes, including Moon River, Autumn Leaves, Black Magic, My Shining Hour, Come Rain or Come Shine, and more.

When it comes to the number of award shows staged in a given season, the film, TV and recording industry no longer leave New York Cabaret in the stardust. Kicking off a 10-week period during which the Big Apple cabaret scene will now feature four award ceremonies (including the first-ever BroadwayWorld.com Awards on February 21, the 28th annual Bistro Awards on March 4, and the 27th annual MAC Awards on March 21), the 11th annual Nightlife Awards (voted on by a select group of cabaret and nightlife writers and critics) was staged at The Town Hall on January 14 and, for the most part, was a pleasantly entertaining event. Co-produced by Max Weintraub and nightlife impresario Scott Siegel (Broadway by the Year, 11 O'Clock Numbers at 11 O'Clock, Broadway Ballyhoo, et al), this year's show featured the usual mix of nightclub singing legends, budding cabaret stars, solid veterans of musical theater, outstanding jazz vocalists, stellar instrumentalists, and quirky comedians, almost all delivering the goods under the smooth direction of Scott Coulter.

Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13, and as I wrote then 'What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song!' Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC. Alexander sings many of his own compositions and has a fine, smooth, easy-going style that pulls you in the minute he opens his mouth. On Monday December 10, Alexander came back to the Federal for the Christmas version of his show called Have a Swell Holiday. His Swell girls were also on hand Melissa Bailey and this time Julie Garnye with musical director John Boswell at piano, Norman Ludwin on bass, Terry Schoenig on percussion, and Paul Landry on guitar. The total effect of these stellar musicians made for a jazzy, swinging evening of musical mirth.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Spring 2012 season with Maude Maggart and her new show "Into The Garden." Inspired by the recent centennial of the Titanic, the evening will focus on landmark events, music, cultural shifts one hundred years ago.

On Saturday, April 21st, Broadway's top rated revue 3 MEN AND A BABY...GRAND comes to the Palladium. Three Broadway stars, Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack, and John Boswell, present their signature collection of show tunes and Rat Pack favorites. The show will take place at 8 p.m.

The Palladium and St. Petersburg College will present A Grand Night for Broadway Gala on Saturday, April 21, featuring Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack and John Boswell. Tickets for the gala event are $125 and benefit the Friends of the Palladium. To purchase tickets, contact Cory Adler-Leidersdorff, (727) 341-7918.

On Saturday, April 21st, Broadway's top rated revue 3 MEN AND A BABY...GRAND comes to the Palladium. Three Broadway stars, Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack, and John Boswell, present their signature collection of show tunes and Rat Pack favorites. The show will take place at 8 p.m.

It will be a "Grand Night for Broadway" at the historic Palladium Theater on Saturday, April 21st. when Three Men and a Baby…Grand! comes to our stage. Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack, and John Boswell present their signature collection of show tunes and Rat Pack favorites in a spirited performance.

The Palladium and St. Petersburg College will present A Grand Night for Broadway Gala on Saturday, April 21, featuring Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack and John Boswell. Tickets for the gala event are $125 and benefit the Friends of the Palladium. To purchase tickets, contact Cory Adler-Leidersdorff, (727) 341-7918.