Claybourne Elder, Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC & More Set for Signature's Sizzlin' Summer Nights Cabaret Series

By: May. 17, 2016
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Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its' air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. Two and a half weeks of live music and performances by Signature favorites, DC area stars, and some of New York's most exciting Broadway performers. The cabaret series runs July 5 through July 22, with a different performance every night.

Star of Signature's critically acclaimed Sunday in the Park with George, Claybourne Elder (The Public Theatre's Road Show, Encores' Do I Hear a Waltz) brings his solo cabaret Sondheim & Beyond. Award-winning songwriters Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich (Taylor the Latte Boy, Ever After) return to explore their eclectic and hilarious songbook and singer/songwriter Robbie Schaefer from the acclaimed indie band Eddie from Ohio makes his Signature Theatre debut. Helen Hayes Award winner Erin Driscoll (Signature's Road Show, The Threepenny Opera) kicks off the series, which also includes cabarets by Signature favorites Will Garthsore (Signature's The Fix, Showboat), Susan Derry (Signature's Sunset Boulevard) and Shayna Blass (Signature's The Mystery of Love & Sex, Cabaret). The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC returns with a special cabaret celebrating the music of legends Frank Sinatra, Stephen Sondheim and Barbara Streisand.

Other performances include vocalist Addi McDaniel and harpist Jacqueline Kerrod, Ines Nassara (Crossing), Delores King Williams (Showboat), Urban Arias, and Bob McDonald (Putting it Together).

The Sizzlin' Summer Bash with Signature favorites returns by popular demand and on July 6, Signature launches The Showcase highlighting the hottest up-and-coming talent from DC area universities.

Complete schedule and descriptions of all performers' cabarets appear below.

Individual tickets to cabarets in the series are just $35 each and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at sigtheatre.org, in person at the Box Office, or by calling 703 820 9771.

All-Access passes are available for $175, and can only be purchased through the Box Office by phone or in person. The All-Access Pass allows patrons to choose any (or all) of the Cabarets for one low price.

SHOW DESCRIPTIONS & SCHEDULE

Erin Driscoll: Arias and Attitude
Tuesday, July 5 at 8PM

Helen Hayes Award Winner and Signature favorite Erin Driscoll (Road Show, Sunday in the Park with George) explores the evolution of opera in this eclectic evening of classical arias, musical theater and rock. Driscoll tackles everything from La Boheme to The Pirates of Penzance to The Who's Tommy and so much more.

The Showcase
Wednesday, July 6 at 8PM

The hottest up-and-coming talent from DC area universities present for the first time on the Signature stage. Come see the stars of tomorrow get their first big break!

Robbie Schaefer: Songs from a Small Light
Thursday, July 7 at 8 PM

Robbie Schaefer, songwriter and guitarist from the indie folk band, Eddie From Ohio, performs songs from A Small Light in a Dark Room, which is currently in development and marks his first foray into musical theater. In addition Robbie will feature music from his most recent album, Ruby, and more.

Addi and Jacq: Less Likely Places
Friday, July 8 at 7 PM

Performing original songs that run the gamut from delicate, folk-tinged ballads to layered, electric harp grooves, vocalist Addi McDaniel and harpist Jacqueline Kerrod fuse classical music with an irresistible pop sensibility. This duo was voted "best emerging band in NYC" when they won the 2015 WNYC Battle of the Boroughs.

Ines Nassara: A Case of Her
Friday, July 8 at 9 PM

Ines Nassara (Crossing) and her band, Heroine, perform beautiful and hypnotic original music and classic covers by heroine songwriters. Inspired by the Joni Mitchell classic "A Case of You" this cabaret tackles the obsessions and addictions of love from the female standpoint.

Sizzlin' Summer Bash
Saturday, July 9 at 7 PM & 9 PM

A cast of Signature favorites heats up the stage with the sounds of summer, featuring pop and Broadway's hottest tunes. Get ready because we are having a "Heat Wave!"

Delores King Williams with Howard Breitbart: Movie Madness
Tuesday, July 12 at 8 PM

Passions always run high when artists honor their own and the Academy Awards have had more than their share of jaw-dropping moments. Delores King Williams and Musical Director Howard Breitbart perform favorite music from the movies and tell outrageous stories from behind-the-scenes!

Urban Arias: Keep Calm and Sing On...
Wednesday, July 13 at 8 PM

UrbanArias favorite Melissa Wimbish portrays three women persevering through difficult situations in an original evening of opera. From a comedic blind date to be at a museum, to Tennessee Williams's iconic Southern Belle Blanche deBois to world famous entertainer Josephine Baker.

Will Gartshore with Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan: Fear No More - A Courageous Cabaret
Thursday, July 14 at 8 PM
Friday, July 15 at 7 PM

Screw your courage to the sticking place for this song-filled evening of stoics, heroics and paranoid schizophrenia. Will Gartshore and Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan join forces for a full-throated adventurous program of pop, rock and musical theater standards.

Shayna Blass: Wait How'd I Get Here?
Friday, July 15 at 9 PM

Take a trip with Shayna (The Mystery of Love & Sex) as she retraces her steps to figure out why she decided to become an actress and what keeps her on the stage. She'll sing some of her favorite songs as well as songs of reflections on what life has been like since the first Clinton administration.

The Marcy and Zina Show
Saturday, July 16 at 7 PM and 9 PM

Join award-winning romantic comedy songwriters Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich (Taylor the Latte Boy, Ever After, Hollywood Romance) as they bring their vivacious, eclectic, and seriously funny songbook.

The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC: The S* Show (Sinatra, Sondheim and Streisand)
Tuesday, July 19 at 8 PM

Featuring songs and stories of the singers' sometimes dysfunctional relationship with the music of legends Frank Sinatra, Stephen Sondheim and Barbra Streisand.

Bob McDonald: Red, White and Bob - From the Great White Way to The White House
Wednesday, July 20 at 8PM and Friday, July 22 at 9 PM

In this exciting election year, Signature regular and singing soldier Bob McDonald shares highlights from his career singing Broadway and other favorites for United States Presidents.

Claybourne Elder: Sondheim & Beyond
Thursday, July 21 at 8 PM

In this candid, hilarious and heartfelt show, Clay (Sunday in the Park with George) won't just sing show tunes and share reminiscences about the theater, but also reflections on travel, adventure, romance - and open up about his life growing up in rural Utah as a Mormon.

Susan Derry: It's Got To Be Love
Friday, July 22 at 7 PM

With her gorgeous soprano, Susan Derry (Sunset Boulevard) hosts a charming evening about life, love and pursuing happiness among the high notes.



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