Theatre Museum's Transatlantic Talent Showcases Cabaret

By: BWW News Desk Apr. 17, 2006

For a trio of Thursdays in May and June, London's Theatre Museum in Covent Garden will host a brand new series of musical soirees. Transatlantic Talent: Best of Both Worlds will showcase established and emerging British and American artists, with performances taking place cabaret-style in the Museum's Paintings Gallery.
In the first season of the series, all three shows will take the form of a double bill of hand-picked performers paired for one night only.

Transatlantic Talent: Best of Both Worlds will set sail for its inaugural journey on Thursday, 4 May at 8.00pm, with Holly Penfield and Ray Jessel at the helm. On Thursday 1 June, London cabaret performer Dusty Limits and New York Liza Minnelli impersonator Rick Skye will continue to make waves across the Atlantic, and on Thursday 29 June, West End regulars Valerie Cutko and Oliver Tompsett will come aboard for the transatlantic trip.

Singer / songwriter Penfield's UK cabaret career has included residencies at The Café Royal and Too2Much, sold-out shows at the Savoy, Pizza on the Park and many other venues. Her Hot Spot was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, where this year she will present her show Both Sides Now. Her CD of the same title features several original songs. In the US, she has performed in New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

At 75 years old, Jessel is a self-professed "sit-down comedian." His work as a songwriter has been recorded by artists including Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong, and Michael Feinstein. He was the last lyricist to work with Richard Rodgers, contributing lyrics to songs in I Remember Mama, and his Broadway show Baker Street featured a song that was recorded by Richard Burton. Jessel, who only began performing his own work at 72, is an award-winning singer / songwriter who has also worked as a writer / producer for hit US television shows including "The Dean Martin Show" and "The Love Boat."

Comic singer Dusty Limits has performed at the Pit Bar at the Old Vic, at the legendary Duckie and also on the Battersea Barge. He is a favourite performer with the Burly Q Revue and in Edinburgh's Bongo Club, and returns to the West End following his recent successful New York debut at Don't Tell Mama and Joe's Pub.

Skye impersonates Liza Minnelli in his show A Slice O'Minnelli, which will grace the London stage for the very first time. "The Broadway veteran and award-winning New York cabaret performer shines in a tribute with a twist, revelling in deliciously parodic lyrics and a pair of unquestionably alluring legs," state press notes.

Baltimore-born Cutko has featured on Broadway in Grand Hotel and in Nine and Fanny at the Papermill Playhouse. Her UK theatre credits include Silk Stockings at Sadler's Wells, My Fair Lady at the National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Beautiful and Damned, Phantom of the Opera and Camelot. She has performed her solo cabaret at London venues including Jermyn Street, the Pit Bar at the Old Vic, Too2Much, the Zetter and LauderDale House. She appeared in the film of Phantom of the Opera and recently performed in the UK première of Michael John LaChiusa's Lucky Nurse.

24 year old Tompsett, who has previously performed the work of Michael John LaChiusa in the West End's critically acclaimed Notes from New York series at the Trafalgar Studios, is currently appearing in The RoyAl Hunt of the Sun at The National Theatre, with previous credits including the role of Sky in Mamma Mia in the West End.

Following its season at the Theatre Museum, Transatlantic Talent: Best of Both Worlds will resume its voyage with more adventurous Anglo-American cabaret in the Autumn.

The Theatre Museum is located at Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2. Doors open at 7.30pm with bar available before, during and after the show. For more information and tickets, call the Box Office at 08700 600 100, or 0207 943 4750 . Visit www.transatlantictalent.co.uk for more information.

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