Rick Hinkson News

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, who made her concert debut at the iconic music room on Monday, September 11.

BROADWAY BY THE TEAR, a dynamic evening of torch songs, produced, written, and hosted by NY's critically acclaimed impresario, Scott Siegel at Feinstein's/54 Below on July 29th, featured Garth Kravits (The Drowsy Chaperone), Meredith Inglesby (Beauty and the Beast), Farah Alvin, (Nine, Saturday Night Fever, It Shoulda Been You), Mia Gerachis, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (A Little Night Music), Philippa Lynas (Australian singing star), Pepe Nufrio (54 Sings Broadway's Greatest Hits!), Jenny Lee Stern (Forbidden Broadway, Rocky: The Musical, Spamilton), Morissa Trunzo (Occasion for Sin), Remy Zaken and Rashad Naylor, with Ryan Shirar on the keys.

On Monday, January 9, Birdland once again hosted Justin "Squigs" Robertson as special guest artist-in-residence at Jim Caruso's Cast Party. Over twenty impromptu performers were delighted by the gift of an original "Squigs," swiftly drawn during their performance on the Birdland stage.

Wilson's play, originally produced at The Spike, was written three years before the Ramrod leather bar massacre in November 1980, in which a man armed with a machine gun shot eight people, killing two. It is a dark, comic look at the bar's patrons and their attempts to defend it from both physical attacks as well as political attempts to close it.

Last night at The Town Hall, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Broadway Rising Stars Concert Series (which features the brightest talent selected from some of the nation's finest theatrical institutions), for the very first time, previous Rising Stars from the last nine years returned to join the show.

Drama Desk Awards Nominees Rachel Bay Jones (Pippin, Hair, Broadway's upcoming Dear Evan Hanson), Robert Creighton (Cagney, Chicago) & Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes, Grease, Saturday Night Fever), in addition to Noah Racey (Never Gonna Dance, Curtains, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Morgan Weed (American Psycho, Rent) & Maxine Linehan just took part in Town Hall's Broadway by the Year Series last night, June 20, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF THE 1970s (this is the 16th year of the series).

Two-time Drama Desk Award-nominee & YouTube sensation Christina Bianco, two-time Nightlife Award-winner Scott Coulter (who travels around the world performing with Stephen Schwartz), Jeannette Bayardelle (original cast of The Color Purple), Cooper Grodin (plays The Phantom in the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera), Tony-nominee Christiane Noll (Ragtime) and Drama Desk Award-nominee Kerry O'Malley (Into the Woods,Irving Berlin's White Christmas) just took part in Town Hall's Broadway by the Year Series last night- THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF THE 1960s (this is the 16th year of the series).

After BroadwayWorld launched its New York Cabaret Awards in 2012, the cabaret section's editors realized that the selected categories and the popular vote nature of the election didn't adequately recognize some great performances and shows for that particular year. So in 2013, BWW added "Editor's Choice Awards" to the mix to not only reward special performances but also to acknowledge people who have helped grow cabaret and foster the spirit of the art form. This year, BWW New York Cabaret Editor Stephen Hanks and his reviewing staff-including Alix Cohen, David Clarke, Billie Roe, Rembert Block, and John Hoglund-selected seven stars of cabaret for this special honor. Now that the Awards for 2015 performances and shows are official, we wanted to tell you a bit about this year's "Editor's Choice Award" winners and offer them a chance to thank the New York cabaret community. Congratulations to all these worthy Award recipients.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present acclaimed singer, actor and impressionist Christina Bianco, who returned to the historic stage with her solo show, PARTY OF ONE, this past Sunday and Monday. Scroll down for photos from the concerts!

Once a year, Scott Siegel demonstrates to audiences the glories of the unamplified human voice.

Postponed from last January when the fake blizzard closed New York City, Broadway Unplugged, the critically acclaimed annual concert returned last night, July 20, 2015. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out backstage photos below!

On Monday, December 29, the Broadway at Birdland concert stage was the place singer/actor Erich Bergen chose to celebrate his 29th birthday with not one, but two sold-out concerts. Best known for his performance as Bob Gaudio in the Clint Eastwood film "Jersey Boys," and the current hit CBS drama "Madam Secretary," Erich brought his dry wit, smooth vocals, ten piece band, three background singers and two-toned shoes to the Birdland stage, featuring songs from his stage and screen career, and material from his two EP releases.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present a Very Special Jamie deRoy & friends on Monday, September 22 at 7pm. The one-night-only event benefited the Actors Fund.

The Town Hall 2014 Summer Season: Broadway Preludes just presented Broadway Rising Stars, the annual revue giving recent graduates from the nation's leading performing arts schools a chance to showcase their talents and perform on the legendary stage. Directed by Scott Coulter, Broadway Rising Stars is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel and features the brightest talent from AMDA, CAP 21, Circle in the Square, Juilliard, Marymount, The New School, NYU's Steinhardt and Tisch, Pace University, and more. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special night below!

The Town Hall 2014 Summer Season: Broadway Preludes presents Broadway Rising Stars, the annual revue giving recent graduates from the nation's leading performing arts schools a chance to showcase their talents and perform on the legendary stage. Directed by Scott Coulter, Broadway Rising Stars is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel and features the brightest talent from AMDA, CAP 21, Circle in the Square, Juilliard, Marymount, The New School, NYU's Steinhardt and Tisch, Pace University, and more. The event will feature a special guest appearance by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Fool Moon). Broadway Rising Stars plays one night only, Monday, July 14 at 8PM at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street.) Below, check out photos from inside rehearsals!

On Friday, November 4th, The American Songbook Project held its annual signature event, their 'Name That Tune' benefit at the historic Hudson Theater in New York. Their mission is to preserve the American Songbook by bringing professional singers in the NYC schools. This year they honored Broadway composer Jerry Herman and Guild Hall (East Hampton), both of whom celebrated their 80th birthdays this year. Liz Smith emceed the Jerry Herman tribute and her passionate, loving remarks about her friend included 'It is said by show biz insiders that Jerry is so universal the you just hear a song of his once and you can hum it or sing it. And you probably can't stop. That is pretty damned great. He is universal in the musical theater, the songsmith of modern American life.' Mr. Herman's tribute included performances by James Darrah recreating his role of Ambrose Kemper from the last Carol Channing revival of Hello Dolly singing 'It Only Takes a Moment;' Meredith Patterson and Jeffry Denman performing 'Tap Your Troubles Away' from Mack and Mabel; and Andrea McArdle singing 'If He Walked into My Life Today' from Mame accompanied movingly by nine-year old Kyrian Friedenberg on trumpet.

Eric C. Bailey, Alex Bond, Christopher Borg, Ron Bopst, J.Stephen Brantley, Marc Castle, Johnathan Cedano, Desmond Dutcher, Rick Hinkson, Oliver Houser, Robert Locke, Nick Mathews, Jim Nugent, Aaron Tone, Chris Weikel, and Elizabeth Whitney are set for a pay-what-you-can benefit reading of Doric Wilson's THE WEST STREET GANG at ART/NY.

Eric C. Bailey, Alex Bond, Christopher Borg, Ron Bopst, J.Stephen Brantley, Marc Castle, Johnathan Cedano, Desmond Dutcher, Rick Hinkson, Oliver Houser, Robert Locke, Nick Mathews, Jim Nugent, Aaron Tone, Chris Weikel, and Elizabeth Whitney are set for a pay-what-you-can benefit reading of Doric Wilson's THE WEST STREET GANG at ART/NY.