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Cabaret

Broadway By The Year Brings Favorites Max von Essen, Brian Charles Rooney and More To Town Hall

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Broadway By The Year: Volume 1: Broadway Musicals of 2000-2004 created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel played at The Town Hall. This launched Broadway By The Year©’s 20th landmark season.

Scott Siegel Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The cast included:

Max von Essen (An American In Paris)

Max von Essen Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Max von Essen Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Jenny Lee Stern (Forbidden Broadway)

Jenny Lee Stern Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

 Ben Jones.

Ben Jones Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Nicole Henry (Soul Train award winner)

Nicole Henry Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Yuriko Miyake and Michael Santomassimo

Lianne Marie Dobbs (Himself and Nora)

Lianne Marie Dobbs Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Lianne Marie Dobbs Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Lianne Marie Dobbs Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The fabulous Brian Charles Rooney

Brian Charles Rooney Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Brian Charles Rooney Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Brian Charles Rooney Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Brian Charles Rooney Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

And the fabulous Tovah Feldshuh (Golda’s Balcony)

Tovah Feldshuh Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Tovah Feldshuh Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Ben Jones Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Danny Gardner (Choreographer) and the Broadway By The Year Dance Troupe that includes-Emily Applebaum, Anna Backer, Ashley Bice, Bailey Callahan, Hannah Fairman, Kirsty Fuller, Illana Garbiella, Erin Joy Grgas, Bryan Hunt, Megan Kelly, Ryan Koerber, Oren Kornenblum, Sarah Fagan Kunce, Lily Lewis, Chris McNiff Yuriko Miyake, Melinda Moeller, Vince Orabona, Sean Quinn, Emilie Renier, Joseph Sammour, Michael Santomassimo, Kelly Sheehan, Christine Sienicki Edward Tolve and Michael Verre Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Broadway By The Year Chorus that includes-Christopher Brian, Pedro Coppeti, Mara Friedman, Brian J. Gabriel, Esmeralda Garza, Emily Janes, Dongwoo Kang, Emma Maxwell, Emily Royer and Ashley Ryan Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Tovah Feldshuh, Lianne Marie Dobbs and Jenny Lee Stern Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Ben Jones, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Danny Gardner, Tovah Feldshuh, Max von Essen, Jenny Lee Stern and Scott Siegel Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Danny Gardner and the ladies of the Broadway by The Year Dance Troupe that includes-Emily Applebaum, Anna Backer, Ashley Bice, Bailey Callahan, Hannah Fairman, Kirsty Fuller, Illana Gabriella, Erin Joy Grgas, Megan Kelly, Sarah Fagan Kunce, Lily Lewis, Yuriko Miyake, Melinda Moeller, Emilie Renier, Kelly Sheehan and Christine Sienicki Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Danny Gardner and the men of the Broadway By The Year Dance Troupe that includes-Bryan Hunt, Ryan Koerber, Oren Korenblum, Chris McNiff, Vince Orabona, Sean Quinn, Joseph Sammour, Michael Santomassimo, Edward Tolve and Michael Verre Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Scott Siegel and Nicole Henry Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Lianne Marie Dobbs, Scott Siegel, Nicole Henry, Tovah Feldshuh and Jenny Lee Stern Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Lianne Marie Dobbs and Danny Gardner Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Ben Jones Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Scott Siegel and the Broadway By The Year Chorus that includes- Christoper Brian, Pedro Coppeti, Mara Friedman, Brian J. Gabriel, Esmeralda Garza, Emily Janes, Dongwoo Kang, Emma Maxwell, Emily Royer and Ashley Ryan Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Cabaret

My View: Palm Beach This Week…Paul Anka, Rita Rudner, Linda Purl & BIlly Stritch!

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If there was any doubt that Cafe Centro was a bona fide Cabaret Venue it was dispelled last night.  Billy Stritch was seated at the Cafe’s Grand Piano and Linda Purl was the songstress headlining on the cabaret stage of the South Florida restaurant.  The SRO crowd that had managed to snag dinner/show tickets got to hear one of the most skillful performances of the Great American Songbook and Broadway show tunes currently out there in Cabaret world.   Linda Purl, an extraordinary actor is also an extremely talented vocalist who makes you fall in love with the song and also with Linda Purl, and I might add she is oh so great to focus on through my camera lens.

Billy Stritch was the music director for this gig and he brought his creative, virtuosic, jazz infused piano playing to accompany her.  Billy was an engine of harmony and rhythm that coupled with Linda’s natural swing and romantic ballads perfectly.  The overflow crowd loved every note of the performance. Mr. Stritch usually adds his lush voice underneath his stable of super singers to create some fantastic musical symmetry, as he has done for some of show biz’s legendary entertainers (Liza Minnelli, Christine Ebersole, Linda Lavin, Linda Eder, and Marilyn Maye to name a few.) During this show he wowed us all with his keyboard artistry.  BTW,  BIlly, an extraordinary singer/ entertainer on the cabaret and concert stages worldwide can be seen at the new WICK Museum nightclub on April 1st for a special one night only engagement performing his Cy Coleman show.  Not to be missed by music lovers.

Sanford Fisher produced the Linda Purl evening. It brought these two super stars of the Cabaret and Concert stages together for an outstanding evening at Cafe Centro,  our local oasis of live music in Palm Beach. 

Another great Palm Beach event this week…..the “LADY IN RED” LIFE Gala at The Breakers……Congratulations to Lois Pope, the Board of LIFE and Entertainment Chair Sunny Sessa for creating a fantastic evening……

RITA RUDNER & PAUL ANKA……What a show!

LINDA PURL

BILLY STRITCH & LINDA PURL

BILLY STRITCH & LINDA PURL

PAUL ANKA

LOIS POPE, MAX V. ANHALT, SUNNY SESSA

EDA SOROKOFF & PAUL ANKA

LINDA PURL

SANFORD FISHER & LINDA PURL

STEPHEN SOROKOFF & LINDA PURL

SUNNY SESSA & LINDA PURL

FRAN WEISSLER & BILLY STRITCH

SANFORD FISHER & ISANNE FISHER

ANTHONY NUNZIATA & EDA SOROKOFF

BOB MURRAY & SHARON BUSH

MERI ZIEV & PATTY CHAMBERLAIN

GARDINER HEMPEL & LINDA PURL

LESLIE LAREDO, JEFF LEIBOWITZ, LARRY WEISSFELD, JANE SHEVELL

JULIANNA SHARELL, JANINE SHARELL, EDA SOROKOFF

CAFE CENTRO

ANTHONY NUNZIATA, MAY 11….Todd Murray April 20

VALARIE CHRISTOPHER, STEPHEN SOROKOFF, SUNNY SESSA

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Cabaret

The Marvelous Marilyn Maye Received Twelve Standing Ovations At The New York Pops

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Karen Akers, Jim Caruso, Tony Danza, Jamie deRoy, Max von Essen, Melissa Errico, Bob Mackie, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Josh Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Rex Reed, Randy Roberts, Mo Rocca , Mark Sendroff, Lee Roy Reams, Brenda Vaccaro and David Zippel were there to see and honor Cabaret legend and Grammy nominee Marilyn Maye. Maye who turns 95 April 10th, made her at Carnegie Hall solo debut last night with The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke.

Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, Grammy nominated recording artist and a musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song and performance and it showed with the 12 standing ovations she received.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Maye appeared 76 times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, she was “discovered” by Steve Allen and had a RCA recording contract, seven albums and 34 singles.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The evening started out with the superlative New York Pops Overture of Mame, which Maye had played the title role.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Next a Cole Porter Medley with “Looking at You,”  Concentrate On You,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” It’s Alright With Me,””Just One of Those Things,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “All of You”. This was Marilyn’s second standing ovation. The first was when she stood on that stage for the first time and the audience was rapturous.

Marilyn Maye and Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

A terrific “It’s Today” from Mame with high flying kicks was the third ovation and wow can that woman kick.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

A rainbow medley included “Look To The Rainbow” from Finnian’s Rainbow, the iconic “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” the jazzy “Make Me Rainbows” and of course “The Rainbow Connection.” And with that another standing ovation.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

“Put On A Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Tedd Firth and Marilyn Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Frank Loesser’s Joey, Joey, Joey brought on a fifth standing ovation. This song was a masterclass in acting and vocal nuance. For that matter every song that comes out of Ms. Maye’s mouth is perfection. Part of the brilliance of this night is her musical director, arranger, and pianist Ted Firth. That man is a genius.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Lerner and Loewe’s “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady ended the first act with a sixth standing ovation.

Steven Reineke Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The overture from Hello Dolly! and then Cabaret shows Marilyn Maye also starred in opened the second act. The New York Pops sounded phenomenal as always.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

“Your Gonna Hear From Me” from “Inside Daisy Clover was an appropriate starter for this next round as the audience got to its feet.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Maye’s most requested song “Guess Who I Saw Today” from New Faces of 1952 was followed by a show stopping “Fifty Percent” from Ballroom and of course another standing ovation.

Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Her next song was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute to be included in its permanent collection of recordings from the 20th century. Her recording of “Too Late Now” is considered by the Smithsonian to be one of the 110 Best American Compositions of the Twentieth Century and Ms. Maye showed us why and again another standing ovation.

Being presented with flowers

A proclamation from The City of New York read by Steven Reineke to Marilyn Maye made this day Marilyn Maye Day. This treasure cried with joy as she sang Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here.” Though she forgot some of the lyric, Ms. Maye proved performing is all on the intent and connecting to the audience. Two more standing ovations were added here.

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

For encores, I was thrilled to hear James Taylor’s “Circle of Life” and “Here’s To Life,” which is my personal favorite, finally going back into “It’s Today” with those high kicks and a twelfth standing ovation. Bravo Ms. Maye!

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye with the proclamation Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

If you are a singer and do not catch Ms. Maye live, you really do not care about your craft. Last night Ms. Maye made it clear why she’s been celebrated as one of America’s greatest jazz singers for more than 50 years and this was a night I will always remember. Thank-you New York Pops.

Marilyn Maye By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Steven Reineke, Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Jamie deRoy and Tony Danza Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Eric Gabbard., Steven Reineke, Jim Caruso and Max von Essen Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye and Melissa Errico Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Bob Mackie and Marilyn Maye Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Marilyn Maye and Mark Sendroff Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Karen Akers, Sidney Myer, Marilyn Maye and Lee Roy Reams Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Josh Prince, Marilyn Maye and Michael Novak Photo By Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Don’t miss the Pop’s 40th Birthday Gala: This One’s For You: The Music Of Barry Manilow on Monday, May 1st. The gala will star Sean Bell, Erich Bergen, Betty Buckley, Charo, Deborah Cox, Danny Kornfeld, Norm Lewis, Melissa Manchester, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Billy Stritch, Steven Telsey, Max von Essen, Dionne Warwick, and more to be announced. This will be yet another New York Pop’s Night not to miss.

 

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Cabaret

My View: It’s Today! It’s Tonight! Marilyn Maye Rehearses For Her New York Pops Carnegie Hall Debut

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Sometimes you have to pinch yourself at the opportunities you are presented with.  TODAY would be one of those.  Or as Marilyn Maye might sing to you, “It’s Today.”

This afternoon I had the privilege of witnessing the 95 year old star, rehearsing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, under the baton of Maestro Steven Reineke, in front of the mighty New York Pops Orchestra.  It all happens tonight and has been a lifetime in the making.  As if The New York Times piece, bylined by Melissa Errico, wasn’t enough to whet your appetite for what is sure to be a historic evening, maybe these photos will help get you even more excited.  Thank you to all who made this happen for me, to present to you….Humbly Yours, Stephen

MARILYN MAYE & STEVEN REINEKE

MARILYN MAYE

MARILYN MAYE & STEVEN REINEKE

MARILYN MAYE & STEVEN REINEKE

CARNEGIE HALL

MARILYN MAYE

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