Johnny Mercer News

Now that the legendary Elaine Stritch and Julie Wilson have retired from performing, the only celebrity 80-plusers who have been performing regularly on the cabaret circuit are the equally legendary Barbara Cook and Marilyn Maye. But now there's another octogenarian on the scene and while he may not be a legend, George Marcy is an 86-year-old former Broadway musical theater actor/dancer who recently staged a totally charming and entertaining show at Don't Tell Mama.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) has announced that its first full season in their new state-of-the-art theatre located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, will open with the international smash hit, Les Miserables.

Benanti proves why she has one of Broadway's best voices with a benefit performance at George Mason University.

Despite a torrential rainstorm midway through the performance, the 4th Annual Broadway Under the Stars played to an SRO crowd in an elegant tent on the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey property of Cherie King, The Development Wing and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing and Vice President, The Johnny Mercer Foundation. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

Amas Musical Theatre will present three free staged readings of 'Bleeding Love, a post-apocalyptic new musical comedy', book by Jason Schafer, music by Arthur Lafrentz Bacon, lyrics by Harris Doran, directed by Michael Bush. The readings will take place on Tuesday, October 15th at 3:00pm and 7:00pm, and Wednesday, October 16th at 1pm at The Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 314 East 14th Street.

Marcus Stevens and Natalie Charle Ellis, recently of Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking, are just two of the Broadway and Off-Broadway luminaries who will appear in Dorks, Drunks, and Dinosaurs: The Songs of Jeff Bienstock on October 21st at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Stevens will also be taking on directorial duties as he and his former co-star take part in an evening of music and lyrics by the multifaceted and award-winning Bienstock.

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold its exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from several new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King, President, The Development Wing and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing and Vice Chairman, The Johnny Mercer Foundation.

Café Carlyle, the New York City bastion of classic cabaret entertainment, will present the historic venue's debut of multi-award winning singer Jennifer Sheehan on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct. 25, both shows at 10:45 pm, when she performs her critically acclaimed show 'YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU - Timeless Classics and New Treasures from the American Songbook.'

It was announced today that Carole King will be honored as the 2014 MusiCares() Person of the Year on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Grammy-winning jazz great Herb Alpert is Steppin' Out on November 19 with a new album on Shout! Factory.

Sutton Foster may be a Tony-Award winning Broadway Musical Theatre darling, but if her opening-night show this past Wednesday at Café Carlyle (which launched her current three-week run until September 28) is the best she can do, she's far from also being considered a nightclub/cabaret diva.

The award-winning Vital Theatre Company just announced FANCY NANCY THE MUSICAL, book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music and lyrics by Danny Abosch, and Direction/Choreography by Sam Viverito, based on the book series by Jane O'Conner and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, returns to the McGinn/Cazale Theatre tonight, September 14th.

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold its exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from several new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King, President, The Development Wing and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing and Vice Chairman, The Johnny Mercer Foundation.

On Stage Touring, LLC, in association with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), announced today that it will kick off the 2013/2014 touring season of the acclaimed theatrical attraction ELVIS LIVES 'THE ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST EVENT' in Folsom, Calif. on October 7, 2013. Dean Z, the newly crowned 2013 winner of EPE's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will join the touring cast ofELVIS LIVES during its winter 2014 engagements. American Express will be providing marketing support and giving fans priority access to tickets for the tour. As of today, 18 markets are booked for the tour with more to be added.

Nine of Miles Davis' earliest albums on Columbia Records, encompassing music that he recorded for the label in monaural sound from 1956 to 1961 (and released from 1957 to 1964), will be issued together on CD for the first time as Miles Davis:The Original Mono Recordings.

This week's CEC feature is by a very talented songwriting team from Canada, Akiva Romer-Segal and Colleen Dauncey. 'It's Been a While' was performed by Wicked's Derek Klena and Next to Normal's Emma Hunton at our CEC concert at NYMF 2012. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Called 'the greatest singer in the world' by Frank Sinatra, the always charming, classy and debonair Tony Bennett crooned his way into the heart of America. In this sexy musical revue, three superb male singers perform an anthology of Bennett's best work - from 'Rags to Riches' to 'Put On a Happy Face' to the title track and many more - celebrating more than six decades of remarkable music in this swingin' walk down memory lane. David Grapes and Todd Olson are co-creators for the production; Todd Olson will also be directing The Rep's production. Original piano and vocal arrangements for I Left My Heart are by Vince di Mura. The cast features singers Eric Jon Mahlum, Andrew McMath and Rob Tucker, all making their Rep debuts, and Richard Carsey, well-known to Milwaukee audiences from his years with Skylight Music Theatre, will accompany them on piano. Carsey is also the Music Director for the production. I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett runs in the Stackner Cabaret from tonight, August 23 - October 20 and opens Sunday, August 25.

In conjunction with Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Sony Masterworks is proud to present The Toast of Hollywood, a new 2-CD set celebrating legendary tenor Mario Lanza's extraordinary film and recording career, available on August 27, 2013.

"I wanted to launch A Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series with something a little special," said organizer and host of the event, Lynn DiMenna. "'Perfect Pairs at The Palace' teams up some of the best entertainers in the different genres which will bring something unexpected and exciting to the mix that I think our audiences will love!" This fall Courtyard by Marriott Stamford presents A Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series "Perfect Pairs at The Palace." This exciting new series will feature the very best dynamic duos in Broadway, Cabaret and Jazz performing in an intimate setting on the HARMAN Stage on four evenings throughout the fall and winter. This series is made possible through the generosity of Presenting Sponsor Courtyard by Marriott Stamford and supporting sponsor Norman Drubner.

Called "the greatest singer in the world" by Frank Sinatra, the always charming, classy and debonair Tony Bennett crooned his way into the heart of America. In this sexy musical revue, three superb male singers perform an anthology of Bennett's best work - from "Rags to Riches" to "Put On a Happy Face" to the title track and many more - celebrating more than six decades of remarkable music in this swingin' walk down memory lane. David Grapes and Todd Olson are co-creators for the production; Todd Olson will also be directing The Rep's production. Original piano and vocal arrangements for I Left My Heart are by Vince di Mura. The cast features singers Eric Jon Mahlum, Andrew McMath and Rob Tucker, all making their Rep debuts, and Richard Carsey, well-known to Milwaukee audiences from his years with Skylight Music Theatre, will accompany them on piano. Carsey is also the Music Director for the production. I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett runs in the Stackner Cabaret from August 23 - October 20 and opens Sunday, August 25.