Ron Abel News

The 92nd Street Y has announced casting for the 2010 season of Lyrics & Lyricists. Lucie Arnaz, Debby Boone, Capathia Jenkins, James Naughton and Raúl Esparza are among the performers who will present the music of the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, Johnny Burke and Hoagy Carmichael. The season also includes a night of songs made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and one devoted to the art of the satirical song, featuring works by Tom Lehrer, 'Yip' Harburg, Stephen Sondheim and others. The season is curated by series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer, and a line-up of guest artistic directors - Lucie Arnaz, Daryl Sherman, Rob Fisher, and Ted Sperling.

On Sat & Sun, Sept 19 & 20, 2009 at 9pm (8pm Sunday) - Upright Cabaret proudly presents the West Coast premiere of Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford's 'Valarie Pettiford - The Concert' at the new Upright Cabaret on Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, Ca 90027.

On Sat & Sun, Sept 19 & 20, 2009 at 9pm (8pm Sunday) - Upright Cabaret proudly presents the West Coast premiere of Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford's 'Valarie Pettiford - The Concert' at the new Upright Cabaret on Vermont, 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, Ca 90027.

At Broadway at Birdland on Monday, August 25, Broadway belter Sally Mayes celebrated a big ol' birthday onstage with friends and co-workers from her past! The sold-out house was privy to performances from Closer Than Ever (with Lynne Wintersteller, Patrick Brady & Bob Renino), Pete 'n Keely (with George Dvorsky), and her first cabaret ventures (with Billy Stritch, Sharon Montgomery, Lena Koutrakos, Jessica Wright & Jim Caruso).

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine, and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its 10th Anniversary season with the debut of world renowned recording artist, MICHAEL AMANTE.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine, and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its 10th Anniversary season with the debut of world renowned recording artist, MICHAEL AMANTE.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine, and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, continues its 10th Anniversary season with the debut of world renowned recording artist, MICHAEL AMANTE.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to present RON ABEL, one of New York's hottest theatrical composer/arrangers, in a return engagement to the Broadway at Birdland series. This very special concert will take place on Monday, July 29 at 7pm. Joining Ron will be some of his fabulously talented friends (Lucie Arnaz and Valarie Pettiford) for a fun 'raising the roof' evening of entertainment. Abel is hosting this gala for longtime close friend, Richard Aborn, who is running for the office of District Attorney for Manhattan. (Richard is a leading advocate for the gun control movement, police brutality, and many other important issues.)

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to present RON ABEL, one of New York's hottest theatrical composer/arrangers, in a return engagement to the Broadway at Birdland series. This very special concert will take place on Monday, July 29 at 7pm. Joining Ron will be some of his fabulously talented friends (Lucie Arnaz and Valarie Pettiford) for a fun 'raising the roof' evening of entertainment. Abel is hosting this gala for longtime close friend, Richard Aborn, who is running for the office of District Attorney for Manhattan. (Richard is a leading advocate for the gun control movement, police brutality, and many other important issues.)

Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford will present a series of shows entitled 'Valarie Pettiford - The Concert' with songwriting duo Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan beginning May 4 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan.

Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford will present a series of shows entitled 'Valarie Pettiford - The Concert' with songwriting duo Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan beginning May 4 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan.

This past weekend, Broadway and recording star Billy Porter brought his new hit one man show 'The Standard' to Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant for two sold-out SRO engagements. Upright Cabaret producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in association with Lenny Beer and Suzi Dietz proudly presented Porter to Los Angeles audiences, with those in attendance including Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and 'Dreamgirls' film director Bill Condon.

STANDARD TIME presents JOHNNY MERCER: OUR HUCKLEBERRY FRIEND A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, be at Zankel Hall on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM Michael Feinstein is the Artistic Director Lucie Arnaz and Capathia Jenkins will be the special guests. With Pianists: Ron Abel Andy Ezrin Johnny Mercer died in 1976. he wrote the lyrics to numerous Broadway shows including St. Louis Woman, L'il Abner, and Saratoga. Tickets are available from $90 at www.carnegiehall.org. 'Multitasking singer, pianist, all-around entertainer, intrepid archivist, and strict watchdog of old-guard pop traditions'-New York Times

An invitation-only, closed-door jazz session officially launches the Broadway musical 'Bricktop, Queen of the Night,' (original music and lyrics by Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan) based on the life of Ada 'Bricktop' Smith. The musical is being produced by Paul Lambert, Jonas Neilson and Whoopi Goldberg.

An invitation-only, closed-door jazz session officially launches the Broadway musical 'Bricktop, Queen of the Night,' (original music and lyrics by Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan) based on the life of Ada 'Bricktop' Smith. The musical is being produced by Paul Lambert, Jonas Neilson and Whoopi Goldberg.

POZ's 'Bacharch to the Future' Fundraiser brought music and promise to the New World Stages on Monday, December 1, 2008, World AIDS Day. The premier performance of Bacharach to the Future, a fund-raiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, honored music legend Burt Bacharach, the composer of 'That's What Friends Are For,' the pioneering recording that benefited The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in 1985.

Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant was filled to the brim with two sold-out star-studded audiences as Valarie Pettiford took to the stage with her new show inspired by the things she is thankful for in her life; including her well deserved Tony Nomination in 'Fosse', her family whom she said 'filled her life with music' and of course, her fans who have supported her on her journey from her first job in the legendary film 'The Wiz' to her work in UPN's 'Half and Half.'

Upright Cabaret presents Tony-nominated actress Valarie Pettiford in her new show, 'Thankful,' directed by Ron Abel and written and directed by David Galligan at Mark's Restaurant in Hollywood. Accompanied by a stellar band, Pettiford blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theater.

Tony Nominated VALARIE PETTIFORD will be joined by Brazilian percussionist CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA as her special guest for VALARIE PETTIFORD's THANKFUL at Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant this Friday and Saturday, Nov 14-15, 2008 at 9pm.

Ron Abel, the award-winning composer and arranger, is set to perform his hilarious, unforgettable song, 'All the Good Men are Gay,' at the famous Jazz venue Birdland in New York on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Written with producer Bruce Newberg, Ron will delight the audience with this uproarious melody and perform a bevy of original songs from his musical library.