Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA — Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra — have announced their all-star 2017-2018 season. The diverse line-up will include a tribute to legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin, a special evening combining yoga with the APO's favorite standards, a new family show based on the classic tale Around the World in 80 Days, and a program celebrating the wit of iconic songwriter Cole Porter. Unless otherwise noted, all shows are at the Orchestra's new home, Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street SW). Tickets to all shows are now on sale at www.AmericanPops.org.
Producer Rick Murray will present two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell in his Provincetown debut, Sunday August 6 for two performances only, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. in the Paramount Theatre at The Crown & Anchor. Mr. Mitchell will be accompanied by acclaimed music director and conductor Mark Hummel.
Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will launch their all-star third season with a special benefit event featuring a rare DC-area appearance of vocal legend Marilyn Maye.
The Broadway at Birdland concert series was pleased to present Broadway leading lady Melissa Errico, who performed a special summer holiday concert on Monday, July 3.
The world fell in love with Ella Fitzgerald in her six-decade career. Michael Feinstein conjured this unending love for Fitzgerald at The Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center in his final JAZZ & POPULAR SONG concert of the 2017 season with ELLA ON MY MIND.
Brian Stokes Mitchell is a man of many talents. He's a stage and film veteran with the most glorious baritone voice. The gifted actor took the stage at Feinstein's/54 Below on his own for the first time this month with a concert of songs, mainly from his forthcoming album PLAYING WITH MUSIC.
It's one thing to be able to act and sing like Brian Stokes Mitchell, but in addition, there is a whole other level of musicianship Brian possesses that enabled him to conceive and create his opening number, 'There's No Business Like Show Business'. As 'Stokes' pointed out, his musical mind is in sync with his brilliant music director, Tedd Firth. The two of them have produced an arrangement of this Irving Berlin standard that takes you on a roller coaster ride of meter and key changes. A little bit of math proficiency was also probably needed because the Stokes/Firth arrangement starts off as a ballad and then weaves it's way through a variety of tempos which include 7/8 & 5/4. It certainly was indicative of the title of his cabaret show, 'Playing With Music.'
In Melissa Errico's latest show, MELISSA ERRICO SINGS SONDHEIM, at the famed Feinstein's/54 Below, she may have performed some of the composer's must oversung showstoppers, but it felt as though the audience was hearing them for the first time.
Next week, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.
There are not too many places in the world where you can see and hear music performances like the concert/shows produced in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room. Before the music starts you get to see one of the most exciting views NYC has to offer of Central Park & Columbus Circle. Then just as you're silently singing 'can't take my eyes off of you' the off-stage announcement is made 'and now ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Michael Feinstein.'
Laura Osnes ('Bandstand,' 'Cinderella'), Taylor Louderman ('Kinky Boots,' 'Bring It On: The Musical'), and Desi Oakley ('Wicked,' 'Evita') sang 'The Princess Power Medley,' arranged by musical director Benjamin Rauhala at Feinstein's/54 Below's 5th Anniversary Celebration on June 5th, 2017. Check out the video below!
Last night, Feinstein's/54 Below's celebrated its 5th Anniversary with an all-star celebration featuring treasured resident artists and audience favorites from 'Broadway's Living Room.' Scroll down for photos from the star-studded event!
Russ Woolley presents Richard Skipper Celebrates ... A Special Father's Day Brunch Show celebrating the birthdays of Jeanette MacDonald and Sammy Cahn, and remembering Peter Allen on the anniversary of his passing. Sunday, June 18th at 1 pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre below The West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42 Street.
A veteran of 10 Broadway shows that have garnered him a slew of awards including two Tonys and most recently induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame, Brian Stokes Mitchell, star of Ragtime, Man of La Mancha, and Kiss Me Kate will make his long-awaited Feinstein's/54 Below solo debut, June 13-24.
If you know Haley Swindal's pedigree you will understand why I will refrain from commenting that her show 'knocked it out of the park'. I will also not say she swung and sung for the fences and hit a home run. I will resist the temptation to say that 'Team Haley' went to it's talented bench to put together the winning combination of Tedd Firth musical director and Will Nunziata, concert director (who conceived the show). However I will say that her grandfather George Steinbrenner, who in addition to being 'The Boss' of the New York Yankees, loved music and had a passion for Broadway. He would have been giving a standing ovation (with the rest of the crowd) to Haley Swindal at the conclusion of her ground breaking new show titled Golden Girl at Feinstein's/54 Below last night.
Broadway leading lady and Tony Award nominee Melissa Errico will return to the Broadway at Birdland Concert Series with 'Broadway Firecracker' on Monday, July 3 at 7pm at Birdland Jazz (315 West 44th Street), bringing this special summer holiday concert to her favorite jazz venue.
Critically-acclaimed cabarettist MOLLY POPE returns to Joe's Pub at the Public Theater with her show 'An Audience with Molly Pope' for a live album recording on Thursday, May 25 at 9:30 PM. Drawing from a catalogue of recontextualized pop, theater and standards, the 'viscerally thrilling alto' (Time Out New York) wryly constructs and deconstructs herself with her signature neo-retro style. Part concert, monologue, sing-a-long and heart-to-heart, she echoes the heyday of Greenwich Village nightclubs in a current context. Ms. Pope's 'powerhouse vocals and sassy wit' (Out.com) paint the madcap picture of a 21st century singer with the band. Tedd Firth will lead an all-star five-piece band. You are all cordially invited to 'An Audience with Molly Pope.'
