Stephen Sorokoff News

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.

The only thing RIDICULOUS about this annual event is that Tony Award winner Bill Finn only does it once a year. I remember observing a session of his Music Theater class at NYU when Professor Finn had an extraordinary group of singers perform his students final exams. The unconventional Mr. Finn had instructed his class to write songs based upon unorthodox, outlandish, zany and sometimes kinky subject matter. The result was hilarious, witty, intelligent and downright entertaining. Mr. Finn is the Artistic Head of Barrington Stage Company's Musical Theatre Lab, and his NYU classroom modus operandi has become an annual 'show' at this Berkshire institution. Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist William Finn (Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) narrates this fresh, fun introduction to new voices in musical theatre. Direction is by Drama League Directors Project Musical Directing Fellow Shakina Nayfack (Assistant Director BSC's The Game and Mormons, Mothers and Monsters).

I was at the opening of the Barrington Bagel Company, and the (renovated-not original) opening of the MAHAWIE, COLONIAL, and BARRINGTON STAGE CO. Now the Berkshires have a new venue for Cabaret. Founded by Sandy Fisher (Berkshire Opera Co.) a Richmond, Ma resident, the new venture is dedicated to bringing the best cabaret singers and musicians to Berkshire audiences throughout the year.

It was standing room only at BSC for folk icon Judy Collins. Even though she commented 'if you remember the 60's you didn't live in the 60's', there were many wonderful memories of her poetic lyrics that galvanized a generation in this evening's concert.

The tension begins as soon as Chiam Potok's young Hasidic loner says, 'My Name Is Asher Lev'. This story, powerfully brought to the stage by Aaron Posner (writer & director) is about the hostility that often occurs between Art & Religion. The play keeps you riveted and totally absorbed in it's characters. This production by Barrington may be on it's STAGE 2 but it's sure going to be number ONE with the Berkshire audiences. 'You Don't Have To Be Jewish' to like this one. You just have to like great theatre........

The roads connecting the Upper West Side to the Berkshires have been well traveled by Julianne Boyd. As the artistic director & founder of the Barrington Stage Co. she has always presented 'Broadway caliber' works as well as new and experimental productions to her ever growing Berkshire audiences. It has also been a 'two way road' with Barrington sending back to Broadway some pretty impressive BSC productions. ‘THE GAME starring Drama Desk winner Rachel York & Graham Rowat may be the next one to travel that road (along with the just completed sold out run of Mark St. Germain;s 'The Best of Enemies).

It's the BERKSHIRES! not East Hampton, and it's SUMMER not WINTER, but when Christine Ebersole sang 'Another Winter in a Summer Town' (from her hit show Grey Gardens) the MAHAIWE audience was held spellbound by her vocal and acting virtuosity.

George M Cohan, Al Jolson, Will Rogers, John & Ethel Barrymore & Sarah Bernhardt have all walked out on the stage of the famed Colonial Theatre and excited, entertained and thrilled Berkshire audiences.

When you take your (comfortable) seat in The MAHAIWE Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington Ma. you can't help imagining all the performers that have graced it's stage since it opened as a vaudeville house in 1905. No sound system then, just great acoustics. Now Berkshire audiences have the best of both worlds. The theatre has been lovingly restored to it's former self, with the added benefit of state of the art lights & sound.

During the performance of "THE BEST OF ENEMIES", I nudged my wife and pointed out a gentleman across the aisle dabbing a tear away. It was only during the curtain calls that he was acknowledged by the actors on stage, and I realized he was the real Bill Riddick (Clifton Duncan was cast as Bill in the play).

On Tuesday, July 26th, Sardi's was the setting for a most unusual benefit for The American Songbook Project, which is quickly gaining a reputation for the most creative benefits in town. Last night was no exception. Guests heard Tyler DeAngelo, author of 'Learn Just Enough to Get Laid,' read excerpts from his book, and each excerpt was followed by a song from the American Songbook which was related to that subject. For example, astronomy, cooking, magic, and construction were represented by 'Lost in the Stars,' 'I Can Cook Too,' 'Witchcraft,' and 'I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise.' These were performed by some of Broadway and cabaret's most illustrious men and, in honor of New York's recent Equal Marriage Bill, one spot was reserved for a woman. Singers included: Peter Gallagher, Jeremiah James, Christian Campbell, Robert Petkoff, Sean Harkness, John Malino, and Ms. Lea DeLaria. Lance Horne musical directed.

William Finn in his remarks to the opening night audience at Barrington Stage Co said , 'I do not want to overpraise Wilbur Aronson and Sam Salmond because I would like you to discover their great talent on your own.' He also added in typical Finn fashion 'it's the only Mormon show this year you can get tickets to (and it's not really a Mormon show either). I hope you greet it with open arms and an open heart.'

If I were delusional enough to think my scribblings could turn an unknown into a star overnight, then I'd be writing these words fully confident that by tomorrow morning every Broadway producer in town would want to sign a young musical comedy actress named Oakley Boycott.  Yes, Oakley Boycott is her actual name and as a performer she's as unique as her moniker.  I first saw her two years ago at one of Town Hall's Broadway's Rising Stars concerts, where she floored the place as a rhythmically-challenged singer awkwardly pounding her way through John Kroner's 'Where's The Beat.'  Since then it seems her New York appearances have been limited to Scott Siegel's Town Hall concerts and doing concert musicals for Mel Miller's Musicals Tonight!

Jim Caruso presented Broadway and television personality Julie Halston at Birdland (315 West 44th Street, NYC) on Monday, July 11. Her show, Old, New, Borrowed, Blue, is part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, and combined her usual hysterical observations of life, show biz and the fall of Western Civilization.

The Town Hall, New York's landmark theatre and concert venue is presenting the 5th Annual Summer Broadway Festival, created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. Presented on three consecutive Monday nights in July at 8PM, the festival kicked-off with BROADWAY WINNERS! THE AWARD WINNING MUSIC OF BROADWAY on July 11th. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

Sutton Foster, Betty Buckley, David Burnham, Andrea Marcovicci and a host of other Broadway & Cabaret notables have sung her songs. But when the 'Institution' known as Christine Lavin is in concert at another 'Institution', The Guthrie Center in the Berkshires, the standing room only crowd was treated to the unique Lavin experience. Christine wears many hats (probably some she knitted), Singer/Songwriter/ Guitarist/recording artist (20 albums), radio host, and is the author of many books (Cold Pizza For Breakfast her latest). She also writes freelance for the Washington Post , St Petersburg Times and Delta Sky Magazine. Her song 'Amoeba Hop' has been turned into a science/music book by illustrator Bestsy Frano Feeney and received the stamp of approval from The International Society of Prostistologists. But her most meaningful stamp of approval comes from her fans worldwide. The wildy enthusiastic crowd at the Center founded by Arlo Guthrie was no exception. Appearing with Christine was the very funny Don White.