Melissa Bailey News

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.

In this chat, actor Cortes Alexander talks about the challenges of doing this play, Dangerous Corner at Crown City Theatre, and his musical work, including how his group The Tonics skyrocketed to fame.

Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13. 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.

On Monday August 13th, Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal is proud to present Cortes Alexander in "The Swell Show". The show features songs from his debut cd aptly called "SWELL" as well as a mixture of standards & originals. Musical direction is by Ross Kalling & co stars Melissa Bailey & Jennifer Rappo as his "Swell Girls."

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the theater once again, we welcome you to the debut installment of Music City Confidential, all the news that's fit to print (or not-depending on your perspective) from Nashville's ever-growing, ever-fascinating (okay, so we obviously don't have enough to occupy ourselves) live theater industry (we're trying that out-does it work? Let us know, theaterati!) Here amid the florid prose and flowery praise, you'll find all the stories that don't quite fit elsewhere, some of 'em kind of gossipy, some of 'em stone-cold serious, some of 'em just lists of names you need to know. You'll also find photos from our new "Intermission@" series, details about the latest cast parties and various and sundry minutiae-the veritable flotsam and jetsam-from backstage, onstage, offstage and beyond…

Housed in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Spa, The Coterie is LA's newest musical playground. On any given night, audiences can expect to see performances from the best musical talent from Broadway, Film, TV, and the Indie Music scene.

The Coterie is set to present Cortes Alexander, star of Broadway's Liza's at the Palace, in an exclusive Los Angeles two-week residency.

The Coterie is set to present Cortes Alexander, star of Broadway's Liza's at the Palace, in an exclusive Los Angeles two-week residency.

Los Angeles' premier modern furniture store, Vioski, became host Thursday night to "While You Weren't Looking," an exclusive reception celebrating art, fashion and design, presented by Vioski and John Wolf Fine Art.

Singer-songwriter and performer Cortes Alexander, who most recently starred in the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Liza's At The Palace, will present The Swell Show, a live show featuring the performance of songs from his debut album, Swell, at Barre Vermont in Los Angeles, on Nov. 14.

Singer-songwriter and performer Cortes Alexander, who most recently starred in the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Liza's At The Palace, will present The Swell Show, a live show featuring the performance of songs from his debut album, Swell, at Barre Vermont in Los Angeles, on Nov. 14.

While the women in Nashville theatre might garner more critical attention, showier roles and sparklier costumes, the men, clearly, are no slouches themselves. Capable and committed, the men who assay roles on Nashville stages are a pretty impressive collection of actors who can take on the most traditional of roles one week, while tackling parts that require them to be more experimental and brave the next. In 2009, Nashville's best actors showed their range while strutting themselves in some of the best productions we've seen in years.

While there were plenty of productions to be excited about during the 2009 Nashville theatre season, as with any year the most memorable theatrical moments were due to the many fine individual performances seen on local stages. Featuring a blend of both veterans and newcomers, the 2009 season proved once again that Music City has an impressive retinue of actors to call upon. Whether it's in an emotionally draining drama, a laugh-out-loud comedy or a joyously inspiring musical, there are actors here who can deliver the goods, time after time.

A Piece of My Heart, Shirley Lauro's celebration of women who served and sacrificed in Vietnam, has received an overwhelming emotional response from audiences of all ages and backgrounds during its current run at Arlington's Gunston Arts Center.

The American Century Theater (TACT) is proud to announce that it has been asked by the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation to perform excerpts from A Piece of My Heart by Shirley Lauro at the Women's Memorial on the National Mall this Veterans Day.

A Piece of My Heart, Shirley Lauro's celebration of women who served and sacrificed in Vietnam, has received an overwhelming emotional response from audiences of all ages and backgrounds during its current run at Arlington's Gunston Arts Center.

The American Century Theater (TACT) is proud to announce that it has been asked by the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation to perform excerpts from A Piece of My Heart by Shirley Lauro at the Women's Memorial on the National Mall this Veterans Day.