Rex Benincasa News

The Sylvan Winds announce the opening concert of the 2016-17 Season celebrating music, art, culture, and history.

Twelve years after his last full show and a full 36 since he performed at the venerable Laurie Beechman Theatre, entertainer (and Don't Tell Mama booker) Sidney Myer commanded the stage as if he'd been there yesterday. I attended the second of three sold-out presentations marked as fundraisers for The Mabel Mercer Foundation, likely the only organization for which Sidney would take on such a project. The concerts are a 'thank you' to the art's standard bearer and its creator Donald Smith, who gave Sidney wide exposure and exceptional latitude at every Cabaret Convention from the third on, a tradition maintained today.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present 'A Sophisticated Reunion' on Monday, May 23. The one-night-only event starred Terri Klausner, Valarie Pettiford and Ty Stephens, who met in Sophisticated Ladies, a Broadway musical review based on the music of Duke Ellington, which opened in March of 1981.

Back by popular demand - Apollo's Fire reprises its latest creative crossover program by Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell, in collaboration with guest co-director Nell Snaidas.

Back by popular demand - Apollo's Fire reprises its latest creative crossover program by Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell, in collaboration with guest co-director Nell Snaidas.  “Sephardic Journey: Wanderings of the Spanish Jews” premiered in five sold-out concerts in February 2014.  The program will be performed during February 4-7 at several venues, including an important debut at the new Maltz Performing Arts Center of Case Western Reserve University. The performances will coincide with a highly anticipated release of the program on CD, for British record label AVIE.

Celebrated solo cabaret performer Stearns Matthews recently released his debut solo album SPARK. The record serves as a wonderful introduction to his earnest and soothing lyrical baritone instrument. Each of the 11 tracks on the album is a song most already know and love, piquing interest in SPARK. Yet, Stearns Matthews wins us over as he sings them in such a way that the numbers sound completely brand new again.

The Friars were a mens only club until 1988. Last night some great women Friars entertained their fellow members in the newly named Jerry Lewis Monastery.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Apollo's Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, proudly announces its 23rd season under Music Director Jeannette Sorrell. Recently praised for its "European stylishness combined with 'can-do' American entrepreneurism" (THE TELEGRAPH, LONDON), and described as "American bohemian chic…exuberant…flamboyant and fun." (THE BIRMINGHAM POST, U.K.), Apollo's Fire plays to sold-out houses around the world - from London and Madrid to New York, Boston, Toronto and Los Angeles. The ensemble strives to revive the true spirit of baroque performances-not only with period instruments, but with the emotional impact the music was intended to convey. In addition to being in high demand for international touring, Apollo's Fire also enjoys one of the largest baroque subscription audiences in the nation, and its subscription programs in Northeast Ohio have repeatedly been chosen by GRAMOPHONE and BBC MAGAZINE as among the "Top 20 Concerts in North America."

Apollo's Fire proudly unveils a new, creative program by Music Director Jeannette Sorrell, in collaboration with guest Co-Director Nell Snaidas. Sephardic Journey will be premiered in five concerts throughout Northeast Ohio, including two performances at a synagogue.

Apollo's Fire proudly unveils a new, creative program by Music Director Jeannette Sorrell, in collaboration with guest Co-Director Nell Snaidas. Sephardic Journey will be premiered in five concerts throughout Northeast Ohio, including two performances at a synagogue.

In cabaret, there are variety shows and there are VARIETY shows. Going on close to three years as a reviewer and attending a myriad of these affairs that can range in feel from Ed Sullivan to the Gong Show, I no longer have much patience for the lower case version. But every once in a while there's a multi-performer extravaganza that screams capital letters. It turns out that MAC-Award winning singer Lauren Fox has acquired the knack for staging 'Big V' variety shows because they are all about the themes, the stories, and the music, and not about the performers. And wouldn't you know it? With the egos being upstaged by everyone's joy and passion for the project, everybody wins . . . especially the audience. That was the case last night at 54 Below with the Fox produced 'One Night of Peace & Music: A Tribute to Woodstock.'

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular 'Backstage' with Susie Mosher is 15:54, and more:

While Woodstock 1969 will probably forever be known as the ultimate rock n roll festival of all time, NYC cabaret hot spot 54 Below is lining up an impossibly impressive assortment of stars for a one night only Woodstock tribute in August, led by two-time Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz and Broadway/Hollywood notable Raul Esparza.

Apollo's Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, proudly announces its 22nd season under Music Director Jeannette Sorrell. Hailed as the "U.S.A's hottest baroque band" (Classical Music Magazine) Apollo's Fire has enjoyed enormous growth over the past three years both at home in Northeast Ohio and abroad. Four of the group's most recent CD releases have become Billboard Classical Chart Bestsellers - three of these have hit the Top 10 Chart! With an increased national and international following, Apollo's Fire will complete its third international tour in the Spring of 2014 in addition to its slated North American tour in October/November 2013.

ALBA - Sketches of Spain will be presented by Gotham Early Music Scene (GEMS) today, March 7, 2013 at 1:15pm at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street), New York, NY. The concert features Margo Gezairlian Grib, voice, vielle; Haig Manoukian, oud; Rex Benincasa, percussion; and Christopher Morrongiello, lute, baroque guitar.

ALBA - Sketches of Spain will be presented by Gotham Early Music Scene (GEMS) on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 1:15pm at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street), New York, NY. The concert features Margo Gezairlian Grib, voice, vielle; Haig Manoukian, oud; Rex Benincasa, percussion; and Christopher Morrongiello, lute, baroque guitar.

No matter if you call it All Soul's Night, Halloween or Samhain, this is the most mystical night of the Celtic New Year. This biggest and most important holiday is also called Ancestor Night. The music must portray mystery, mystique and magic. It must be ethereal, otherworldly. It is a time when anything is possible.

No matter if you call it All Soul's Night, Halloween or Samhain, this is the most mystical night of the Celtic New Year. This biggest and most important holiday is also called Ancestor Night. The music must portray mystery, mystique and magic. It must be ethereal, otherworldly. It is a time when anything is possible.

Urban Stages brings its award-winning ON TOUR Series Off-Broadway. For more than 20 Years, Urban Stages has brought free original productions that are family-friendly, educational and extremely entertaining to libraries and schools throughout NYC's five boroughs. Urban Stages 20th Anniversary celebration, OCTOBERFEST, will take place from today, October 7- November 4, 2012 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 W 30 Street). All these performances are FREE to the public (with a suggested donation).