Halloween came early to the Metropolitan Room last night because a room full of cabaret connoisseurs were treated to a wonderfully entertaining show by an extremely beautiful and multi - talented performer.
Yesterday, October 13, Bill Cosby, Chita Rivera and Mark Nadler led the benefit for ART START, an organization that operates with the mission of providing underprivileged children of New York with confidence, creativity and hope through the arts. The volunteers of ART START visit shelters all over the city armed with paintbrushes, mics and instruments - and with them, an opportunity to change a young person's life. Check out the after party below!
The picture of Bill Cosby in the middle of the crowded and hectic Town Hall lobby, giving advise to a young ART START youth says it all! ART START is an organization dedicated to providing creative arts to help transform New York's at-risk kids. There have been many important evenings in Town Hall's long history, but last night's will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most meaningful and entertaining events every held at the institution. National treasures Bill Cosby and Chita Rivera joined internationally acclaimed virtuoso Mark Nadler for an evening of music and comedy to benefit ART START, which has been providing visual and performing arts programs for some of New York City's most at-risk-youth since 1991.
Missing the Presidential debate to attend the exciting and elegant opening of Clint's show at the Carlyle (JFK) brought this phrase to mind. 'I knew Bobby Short, Mr. Holmes (dramatic pause) and I'm sure that he was in the room last night, smiling, and just as overwhelmed and captivated by your talent as your star studded audience was.'
Message to Congress and Presidential hopefuls - go see Mark St. German's 'The Best of Enemies' before you start the political campaign rhetoric.
The Friars Club established the Friars Foundation in 1977 as it's charitable arm. It's mission is to help performing arts groups create excellent innovative and affordable programs for the enrichment, education, and enjoyment of diverse audiences and participants. The Foundation also helps prepare the next generation of performers and musical artists through scholarship programs for students studying the performing arts.
Like entering a Rolls Royce, taking your seat in Feinstein's at Loews Regency to see a headliner, is your start of an unparalleled ride. Betty Buckley is that kind of experience. Words cannot make you hear the voice, the musicality, or the presence this Tony Award winning singer actress displays in her new show 'AH MEN! THE BOYS OF BROADWAY!' now at Feinstein's. Her show consists of songs originally sung by men, and her superb voice presents them in a powerful and emotional new light. Being a William Finn fan, I was extremely moved by her rendition of VENICE (from Elegies). Just when she brings a tear to your eye with her ballads, she brings you back to a happy place with her great jazz ability in the up tempos. We all have our 'memories' of Betty Buckley from her triumphs' on Broadway and this show reinforces the justification for using the word Extraordinary when describing Betty Buckley.
For her October shows the title should have been Jamie deRoy & her very talented Songwriter friends. Jamie, as she always does, interacts with her guest artists in a way that stimulates them to give performances that are unique and hugely entertaining. As William Finn (who appeared in a prior Jamie deRoy & Friends) remarked, 'Jamie's interview of me was the best I've ever had'. The show was directed by Jamie's extremely creative friend Barry Kleinbort who also displayed his wonderful performance abilities. Music Director was Shelly Markham.
52nd Street was the Jazz Center of NYC in the 1930s 40s & 50s. For those yearning for great music, the ambience (and black & white photos) of that glorious bygone era, you can now find it on 61st Street & Park Avenue. Harry Allen's Monday Night Jazz brings you back to that time with an assemblage of some of the finest musicians and vocalists in the world. It all takes place in the glamorous setting of Feinstein's and with dinner, dancing plus 3 sets of music. Adding to the fun were these great musicians 'hanging' with the audience on their breaks. The night I was there the group consisted of (I'll avoid the superlatives) Mike Renzi on piano, Dan Barrett trombone, Joel Forbes bass, Chuck Riggs drums and of course Harry Allen on sax. The vocalists were Rebecca Kilgore, Lynn Roberts, and Nicki Parrott. Harry's next show is an evening of Brazilian music with Jobim alumni Maucha Adnet and Deduce DaFonseca on November 7th.
Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: September 17-23!
According to The New York Times, the production may be headed for Broadway: a source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the paper that talks are underway between Disney and the Nederlander Organization and Jujamcyn Theaters, who seek to house the show for the upcoming season. All announcements from Disney have noted that the production was intended to set the oft-requested show up for licensing, not for a commercial transfer, though insiders have been speculating that positive reviews (which the show received) would result in a move.
Celeste Holm said to her husband Frank Basile 'What took you so long?' (when he informed her he was preparing a Cabaret Act). Everyone that has seen Frank's sold out shows at the Metropolitan Room has asked the same question.
The on stage premiere of NEWSIES just opened last night, September 25, at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, and BroadwayWorld was there for the big event! Check out photos from the after party below!
The on stage premiere of NEWSIES just opened last night, September 25, at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, and BroadwayWorld was there for the big event! Check out photos from the first official curatin call below!
I've been around many machines in my other life of manufacturing and have always bemoaned the fact that the United States was loosing it's supremacy in this area. I have now found a Human Cabaret Machine in West Greenwich Village in the person of Colleen Mchugh. This machine besides looking and sounding good, has a hard drive capable of massive amounts of lyric retention, a flash card that ad libs with awesome speed, and the ability to create new and distinct shows in rapid time. But unlike most machines, it can really think funny, witty and smart.
Last night in an East Side Penthouse overlooking the congestion at the United Nations Bick Goss was honored by the organization he founded in 1999. Mr. Goss began his career as a Bob Fosse dancer (original companies of Little Me, Sweet Charity, Dancin' and Chicago). In his role as director-choreographer-producer he has worked with Billy Crystal, Harold Prince, Gwen Verdon and with many performers who were present and performed at the festive celebration in the home of Mary Ellen Ashley & Cyrus Rubin.
I forgot which one said it, Donny or Marie, but Feinstein's at Loews Regency had a 'Little Bit of Country' last night. For one night only, Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks brought their entertaining musical satire of Robert Altman's movie 'Nashville' to the cabaret stage usually inhabited by the American Songbooks most skilled performers, (Michael Feinstein & Lina Eder currently residing).
If Joe's last name sounds familiar it is because his father, Richard Stilgoe, is the famed lyricist of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, and also contributed lyrics to Phantom of the Opera and Cats. Joe's formidable piano technique and vocal stylings, which seem so effortless, actually stem from a classical training. This extremely entertaining show is part Victor Borge/Oscar Peterson/Steve Ross/Steve Martin/Michael Feinstein. Joe has appeared at Ronnie Scott's, the Royal Festival Hall, The London Jazz Festival, The Edinburgh Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival and in jazz clubs from Berlin to Kuala Lumpur. Michael Putman Estwanik of the American Songbook Project is introducing Joe to Manhattan. He will appearing at the Metropolitan Room Wed Sept 14th at 7 PM.
Gentlemen, Ladies, hurry up! Take your spouse, girlfriend, partner or any one else you are in love with and make a reservation at the ALGONQUIN hotel (first go to the Oak Room and hear Howard McGillin). His show 'ISN'T IT ROMANTIC' is unquestionably one of the finest musical expressions of Romance you will hear in a Cabaret. The tip off to my knowing that I'm experiencing a compelling, poignant and superior musical event, is the tear that occurs when I hear a great voice sing a great song. In Mr. McGillin's show that happened for all of his love songs. Add in the piano artistry of Joseph Thalken and you are transported to a world of uncomplicated and effortless musical perferction. Sitting with Barry Kleinbort as Howard sang his song TIME (Lyrics Kleinbort, Music Thalken) was an additional emotional highlight.
Among the requirements of being a member in good standing of the Friars Club is that you commit to having a good time, laugh a lot, and have a pallet appreciative of good food & spirits. Once again Friar Randi Levine Miller produced and hosted a special evening.
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