The international cabaret star Mark Nadler, who opened his new club act, 'Crazy 1961,' on December 1 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, was drenched by the time he came off stage. Nadler, a whirling dervish if there every was one, tops off his mile-a-minute survey of the year 1961 with a ten-minute 50-song medley of the 50 top hits of the year. All told, Nadler packs over 61 songs and 61 newsworthy events in an hour-long show.
Countess Antoinette Guerrini-Maraldi welcomed guests into her home for a relaxed luncheon and a chance to chat with LAMDA alumnus Stacy Keach, currently appearing in the acclaimed Broadway production of Other Desert Cities. Stacy and wife Malgosia mingled with supporters of LAMDA in America who relished hearing stories of his time training at LAMDA alongside fellow alumnus Brian Cox CBE.
The Carlyle Hotel has welcomed acclaimed vocalist Steve Tyrell back to the Cafe Carlyle for his seventh consecutive holiday engagement in the legendary New York venue. Playing through Saturday, December 31, 2011), backed by his swinging big band, Steve will once again offer an evening of standards from the Great American Songbook, holiday favorites, and selections from his many popular recordings in a program entitled This Time of the Year. "There is no place more romantic than New York City during the holidays," declares Mr. Tyrell. "Fortunately, I have a lot of wonderful songs to fit the occasion, and look forward to sharing them in the most romantic room in town." Managing Director Erich Steinbock says "Steve Tyrell at the Cafe Carlyle has become a holiday tradition in New York. He fits the room like a glove, and we look forward to welcoming him, as well all the guests who travel thousands of miles to catch one of his performances." Steve Tyrell: This Time of the Year will play Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:45PM with additional shows Thursday - Saturday evenings at 10:45PM. The music charge is $105 ($80 bar) Tuesday - Thursday and $130 ($95 bar) Friday & Saturday. Dinner (required at all early performances) is served from 6:30PM. Celebrate New Year's Eve in style at the Cafe Carlyle! The following two options are available: NEW YEAR'S EVE AT CAFE CARLYLE Begin the festivities with a complimentary glass of champagne, hors d'oeurves and a performance from Steve Tyrell. Seating at 5:30 p.m. $175 per person excluding tax/gratuity, includes complimentary glass of champagne NEW YEAR'S EVE BLACK TIE GALA DINNER AT CAFE CARLYLE Enjoy a special performance from Mr. Tyrell while dining on a four-course prix fixe menu from Executive Chef Jacques Sorci and toast at midnight with a complimentary glass of champagne. Seating at 9:30 p.m. $600 per person excluding tax/gratuity includes autographed CD and champagne toast at midnight.
On Sunday, November 27, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Christine Ebersole with the Aaron Weinstein Trio (Weinstein on violin/mandolin, Tedd Firth on piano and Tom Hubbard on bass).
On Sunday, November 27, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Christine Ebersole with the Aaron Weinstein Trio (Weinstein on violin/mandolin, Tedd Firth on piano and Tom Hubbard on bass). There were sublime arrangements of unique material by Fats Waller, Dave Frishberg, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and Cannonball Adderly, including 'Can't Take You Nowhere,' 'Moon Dreams,' 'Tangerine,' 'Fine and Dandy,' and 'Shall We Dance.' There is a follow-up show tonight, Monday, November 28 at 7pm. Call Birdland at 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com for reservations.
I knew I was in for a special evening when I found some Traditional Jewish Prayer Books (Siddur) on the lights and sound console. In most Temples the hallways are filled with black & white photos of past Rabbi's, Cantors, and Board Presidents.
Volunteers of America (VOA), one of the nation's oldest and most effective human services organizations in the nation, will launch their 109th Annual Sidewalk Santa ® Campaign. Money collected will go to their Holiday Food Voucher program. The traditional launch for the program will be the annual Sidewalk Santa® parade on Friday, November 25, the morning after Thanksgiving. More than 50 fully-suited Sidewalk Santas® will march on Fifth Avenue, spreading holiday cheer and reminding us to remember our neighbors in need during the holiday season. In preparation, Sidewalk Santa® School took place at VOA Headquarters on the Upper West Side yesterday, November 17. SPIDER-MAN star Patrick Page was there for the special event, and you can check out photos of him in action below!
Andrea Marcovicci wins my Academy Award for creating a marvelous movie and Shelly Markham takes home one for composing a brilliant film score. Her current cabaret act 'No Strings' at the Oak Room is a musical documentary which lets you hitch a ride and romantically travel the past 25 years of Marcovicci's performing at the Algonquin.
I loved taking my children to Barnes & Noble and watching their mesmerized faces as a story was read to them by a good narrator. So it was as I looked upon the faces of the audience at Bebe Neuwirth's show at Feinstein's appropriately named 'Stories With Piano#3.
The Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, & Hollywood Palace shows have disappeared from the TV schedule years ago. Television audiences were always tremendously entertained watching an engaging host, presenting a separate and diverse group of performers in these musical, fun filled hours.
Jamie deRoy performer/host has been delighting cabaret audiences for the past 21 years with these type of variety shows. Her special birthday celebration show at the Metropolitan Room included a mixture of talented troupers who rose to the task of entertaining Jamie's Broadway Producer and industry friends in the celebratory audience.
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.
About one half mile south of The Carlyle Hotel stands a symbol of the perfection achieved when the best of creativity, artistry, and technical virtuosity collide. That symbol is Steve Job's Apple Store, and all that's in it. So it is with John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey's show 'When Worlds Collide'. The evening that they have created is about the best collisions of musical diversity that I've heard.
Even before John Iachetti (Loews Hotels Corporate Director of Entertainment) escorts you to your table at Feinstein's, you are aware of a special excitement in the air. When Marilyn Maye comes into town, the Loews Regency becomes more like a Revival Tent, as the faithful flock to be inspired by the Johnny Carson-dubbed 'super singer'.
THE TOWN HALL'S Seventh Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival concluded with A TRIBUTE TO Judy Garland AND THE ART OF AMERICAN DANCE on Friday, October 28th. Produced by The Town Hall,, the festival wass created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. The evening was also co-hosted by Lorna Luft, Susan Stroman.
On Monday, October 24, award-winning NYC cabaret favorite (and Second City alum) Colleen McHugh brought a hilarious and heartbreaking collection of songs for the terminally hopeful/truly hopeless to the Broadway at Birdland concert series stage.
It was appropriate that Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman clasped each others hands in jubilation at the end of Amanda's cabaret show 'Strange Days'. It is not very often that I've heard such a unity exist between accompanist and vocalist. Michele was not just a supportive partner, her playing perfectly augmented the genius of Amanda McBroom. Of course both Amanda & Michele are both songwriters and they have an uncommonly warm collaboration which made it a truly magical evening.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 20, 21, 22, The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented its 22nd annual Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. More than forty exemplary vocalists and musicians appeared in three diverse programs. heck out photos from the event below!
Donald Smith greeted all the performers as they were about to set upon the stage at the Cabaret Convention last night, but unfortunately it had to be with a letter from him posted backstage at Lincoln Center. Mr. Smith is still in rehab after surgery (back soon) and this was the first time the Mabel Mercer Foundation's founder was not able to be among the assemblage of cabaret fans and marvelous performers that make this three day event the highlight of the 'cabaret year'
However, Mr. Smith's touch was apparent by the quality of the artists chosen to appear in this years convention. Rick Meadows, Director and Production Stage Manager of the show started the evening off with some wonderful words from Donald, and then introduced Andrea Marcovicci to pinch hit for Mr. Smith.
After a successful 2010, with her new CD The Men I Love released on Naim Label, appearances on NY1 and BBC Breakfast TV, a sellout tour of Australia, several highly praised shows in New York, and performances for the first time in St Louis, Cleveland and San Francisco, Barb Jungr is celebrating 2011 with touring the UK with a new live Dylan collection, reforming Girl Talk with Mari Wilson and Gwyneth Herbert, and collaborating again with Kuljit Bhamra and Simon Wallace on Durga Rising.
JASON GRAAE, the L.A. DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD winner and Broadway and cabaret star, opened his acclaimed tribute to Jerry Herman, 'PERFECT HERMANY' at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in West Bank Cafe last night, October 18. Performances run through October 25th.
