Starting in the back of the packed Feinstein's/54 Below house with 'It's a New World' (Harold Arlen/Ira Gershwin), Molly Pope has your attention. The band has played the overture; now it is her turn, crooning in silence.
As suddenly as the first number ends, you're launched into the energetic 'Gotta Have Me Go with You,' Pope working her way through the crowd to the stage to join Brian Beach and Danny Bevins, her pair of enthusiastic backup dancers for the evening and the final pieces of her very complete transformation into Vicki Lester.
'Without Dietrich, there would have been no Madonna...and no Gaga,' Janice Hall announced at the outset of her brilliant revival of GRAND ILLUSIONS: THE MUSIC OF MARLENE DIETRICH, the most recent installment of Stephen Hanks' New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits. Co-produced by Father Jeffrey R. Hamblin and flawlessly directed by Peter Napolitano, Hall's show---for which the former opera singer won both MAC and Bistro awards in 2011 and 2012, respectively---seamlessly weaves together the music and life of the enigmatic movie star and international cabaret sensation whose greatest creation, in Hall's words, 'was herself.'
Continuing the tradition of preserving and celebrating timeless recordings, The Recording Academy® has announced the newest additions to its vaunted GRAMMY Hall Of Fame®.
Last night, I attended the thrilling opening performance of Have Faith. Entering the quaint venue, I was fairly positive that a live performance of the album would be just as electrifying, if not more so, than the recorded tracks, and I'm ecstatic to report that Mary Testa, Michael Starobin, and cellist Alisa Horn absolutely exceeded my expectations and blew me away with their superb performances.
MARY TESTA -- the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress -- and MICHAEL STAROBIN, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger will perform four concerts in January to promote their new album Have Faith from Ghostlight Records.
Having seen Mary Testa in a cabaret concert in Houston, I feel I had an idea of what to expect from her and Michael Starobin's album HAVE FAITH. While I expected it to be eccentrically eclectic and haunting, nothing could have prepared me for how it was beautifully hypnotizing and simultaneously so unlike anything I've ever heard before. The unique album utilizes well-known pop songs (hits from The Beach Boys to Alanis Morissette) and songs written by William Finn and Michael John LaChiusa to explore thoughts on faith and doubt in ways that are equally alluring and unexpected.
Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the new CD from MARY TESTA - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress currently starring in Wicked on Broadway - and MICHAEL STAROBIN, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger. The album will be available in stores and via online outlets today, December 2, 2014. Mary and Michael will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 7:00 PM. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com.
Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.
Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the new CD from MARY TESTA - the two time Tony Award nominated singer and actress currently starring in Wicked on Broadway - and MICHAEL STAROBIN, the Tony Award winning orchestrator and arranger. The album will be available in stores and via online outlets December 2, 2014. Mary and Michael will perform a special CD release engagement at The Laurie Beechman Theater at The West Bank Cafe January 4-5,11-12, 2015 at 7:00 PM. For tickets, please visit www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com.
A sterling new debut album from up-and-coming vocalist Nick Ziobro featuring a slew of musical theatre showstoppers titled A LOT OF LIVIN' TO DO is now available to order.
Warehouse Theatre Company will open it's 2014 season with the world premiere musical BIG VOICE: THE ETHEL MERMAN EXPERIENCE, a unique concert experience that features the music of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Ray Henderson, Jule Styne, and George Gershwin.
Nick Ziobro, the 17 year-old pop/jazz vocal sensation, will release his debut album A Lot of Livin' to Do on Tuesday, May 20. The new disc, produced by Michael Feinstein - the two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated vocalist, pianist and musicologist - and available through Titanium Entertainment, will be available in stores and digital outlets such as iTunes and Amazon.com. The album's debut single 'This Guy's In Love with You' is now available on iTunes.
It's a simple tale, mostly predictable, but somehow perfect for the Goodspeed stage. It's light, fun and lends itself to big dance numbers and colorful costumes (Tracy Christensen, design), though nothing just smacks of the '20s, interestingly.
Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 50th Anniversary Season with a new production of the classic musical Good News!. This high spirited musical comedy will run from April 12 - June 22 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Good News! will be sponsored by Liberty Bank and Updike, Kelley & Spellacy. [Official Press Opening will be May 1, 2013] BroadwayWorld has a first look at the first performance show party. Check them out below!
Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its 50th Anniversary Season with a new production of the classic musical Good News!. This high spirited musical comedy will run from April 12 - June 22 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Good News! will be sponsored by Liberty Bank and Updike, Kelley & Spellacy. [Official Press Opening will be May 1, 2013]
Join Goodspeed Musicals as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Don't miss your chance to get the best seats at the greatest values for each of the three fantastic musicals specially selected to commemorate our Golden Anniversary season at the Goodspeed Opera House. Due to this extraordinary milestone, demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale for the 2013 season so audience members are encouraged to call right away. The Box Office will open at 10 a.m. this Today offering great deals on three terrific musicals that are sure to delight theatre-goers: sweet and spirited Good News!; the beloved Hello, Dolly!; and The Most Happy Fella, a charming and romantic musical from the creator of Guys and Dolls. Be among the first to purchase tickets for all three shows at Goodspeed Musicals, the first regional theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards.
Join Goodspeed Musicals as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Don't miss your chance to get the best seats at the greatest values for each of the three fantastic musicals specially selected to commemorate our Golden Anniversary season at the Goodspeed Opera House. Due to this extraordinary milestone, demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale for the 2013 season so audience members are encouraged to call right away. The Box Office will open at 10 a.m. this Sunday offering great deals on three terrific musicals that are sure to delight theatre-goers: sweet and spirited Good News!; the beloved Hello, Dolly!; and The Most Happy Fella, a charming and romantic musical from the creator of Guys and Dolls. Be among the first to purchase tickets for all three shows at Goodspeed Musicals, the first regional theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards.
Two time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals, under the leadership of Executive Director Michael P. Price, is delighted to announce its Golden Anniversary season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. The 50th season includes three very special musicals that are sure to please theatregoers: the charming collegiate comedy Good News will run from April 12 - June 22; Jerry Herman's beloved Hello, Dolly! will run from June 28 - September 8; and Frank Loesser's enchanting Broadway hit The Most Happy Fella will run from September 20 - December 1, 2013.
"To the cheers of many, on June 18, 1963 the footlights were once again lit on the Goodspeed Opera House stage. And now, fifty years later, we are in awe that so much has happened in and because of this gem of a building. It truly was an impossible dream that, from this tiny stage, the world of American musical theatre would be changed forever. Our Golden Anniversary celebration will feature three extraordinary musicals which we believe uniquely highlight what Goodspeed does best," said Mr. Price.
