Peter Cromarty News

From B'way producer William Franzblau to multi-Tony Award-winner Rupert Holmes-----the screams of laughter certainly woke up the otherwise quiet Tuesday (1/14/20) afternoon crowd at Broadway's venerable Sardi's restaurant. Fun backstage stories about out how the Broadway production of “Say Goodnight, Gracie” came together and the antics of the show's star--- the late Frank Gorshin were the talk of the afternoon. “Seems impossible that 18 years have slipped by so fast”—said Franzblau.

Even though Sheldon Harnick was playing the violin in his High School's Gilbert & Sullivan productions… 'I could still hear the lyrics', he wrote in his alumni magazine of Northwestern University. Harnick continued, 'At that time I was turned on by the patter songs, so I began to familiarize myself with Gilbert and Sullivan. I was more fascinated by the virtuosity than anything else. Little by little, I also realized what a fine poet Gilbert was and how imaginative he was, even in the slower songs. So he became an enormous influence.'

A 90th Birthday party for Marilyn Maye became an impromptu cabaret performance that will forever remain in the musical memories of the Palm Beach folks that were present at Dick Robinson's party for Ms Maye. 

The 9th Annual Heart & Soul Gala chaired by Palm Beach's Anka Palitz and honoring Wendy Whelan and Dr. Omar & Cheryl Almallah was held at The Breakers last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as 'probably the best place for cabaret on the planet' - presented the octogenarian singing legend MARILYN MAYE, this week and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photos below!

Rick Murray and The Crown & Anchor presented Tony and Golden Globe winner Linda Lavin to a wildly enthusiastic Provincetown audience last night and Broadwayworld's Stephen Sorokoff was there. In her cabaret show titled Starting Over, Linda with her musical directer Billy Stritch (who also supplied vocals) brought the packed Crown and Anchor Cabaret Room to it's feet many times during their exciting performance.  Also receiving a standing ovation was Jazz Violinist Aaron Weinstein who is a mainstay in Linda's act.  Jazz guitarist Ron Affif, bassist Steve Doyle and husband Steve Bakunas on drums and vocals executed Billy Stritch's magical arrangements perfectly.  

The new musical Lady Day about Billie Holiday, starring Tony and multiple Grammy Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater will soon open at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) . The cast and creative team just met the press and you can check out photos below!

Multi-award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, along with noted costumes designer Patricia A. Hibbert, and acclaimed lighting designed by Ryan O'Gara will head the design team for the upcoming Billie Holiday musical "Lady Day" starring Tony and multiple Grammy Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater. With an opening set for Thursday, October 3rd(6:30PM) the production will take residence at Times Square's Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Written and directed by Stephen Stahl, the musical will make its New York debut having been produced at the Theatre de Boulogne-Billancourt and Theatre du Gymnase Marie Bell in Paris as well as The Donmar Warehouse and The Piccadilly Theatre in London, where it received critical praise and garnered an Olivier "Best Actress in a Musical" Award nomination for Ms. Bridgewater. Produced by Misty Road Productionsthe show's creative team also includes three-time Emmy Award winning composer & arranger Bill Jolly, who will serve as musical director. Preview performances are slated to begin Thursday, September 19th(8PM).

Jamie deRoy is back at 54 with special guests Larry Gatlin, Tonya Pinkins, Lewis Cleale, Daisy Jopling, and Caroline Rhea. Jamie deRoy & Friends has been thrilling New York City audiences for the past 22 years and serves as the basis for deRoy's award-winning cable television show. Directed by Barry Kleinbort, the show spotlights a wide variety of well-known entertainers and newcomers lighting up the cabaret, theater and comedy worlds. Jamie is the recipient of eight MAC Awards, four BackStage Bistro Awards, ten Telly Awards and CaB Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award for her extensive work on both stage and screen. Check out photos from her opening night show below!

More than 250 guests promenaded the red carpet at the Kravis Center's Cohen Pavilion on Saturday, March 19th for a superb dinner 'a la Sardi's' with dazzling entertainment - in celebration and support of West Palm Beach's longest residing theater company - Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Palm Beach Dramaworks announced that Palm Beach's own 'Grill 264' Restaurant will honor the acclaimed theatre company with a special celebrity bartending event on Thursday, February 24th (5:30-7:30). Located at 264 South County Road, celebrities from the world of show business are planning to be guest mixologists and tend bar for the evening. Some of the them include Seaview Radio Hosts Joe Ranieri & Jo Ann Pflug as well as Dramaworks' producing Artistic Director Bill Hayes. There is no cover charge for this evening.

Palm Beach Dramaworks announced that Palm Beach's own 'Grill 264' Restaurant will honor the acclaimed theatre company with a special celebrity bartending event on Thursday, February 24th (5:30-7:30). Located at 264 South County Road, celebrities from the world of show business are planning to be guest mixologists and tend bar for the evening. Some of the them include Seaview Radio Hosts Joe Ranieri & Jo Ann Pflug as well as Dramaworks' producing Artistic Director Bill Hayes. There is no cover charge for this evening.

Palm Beach Dramaworks announced Broadway's legendary restaurant Sardi's, will be the theme of its 11th annual Spring Gala, an evening of dinner and entertainment on Saturday, March 19th (6:30PM) to benefit and celebrate West Palm Beach's longest residing theater company. At a recent planning meeting for the gala in Manhattan, Sardi's owner Max Klimavicius graciously granted the Gala's co-chairmen Calla and Ralph Guild, permission to use the restaurant's well known logo, elements of the restaurant, and their legendary caricatures as themes for what promises to be a 'must-attend' event this spring.

Audiences will have the opportunity to see a full spectrum of dance companies, local and international, on The Joyce Theater stage during its 2011 spring / summer season.

Liza's at the Palace...! opened on Broadway last night, December 3rd and BroadwayWorld.com was invited to the star-studded Opening Night party so we could share the celebration with you!