In case anyone forgot the power of melody, remind yourself and try to snag a ticket to MANILOW BROADWAY. I know I’ve previously called some other music events “happenings” but nothing can compare to what “happens” at Barry Manilow’s show currently playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. If your ears were working in the 70’s and 80’s his songs are imbedded in your musical memory forever. The producers probably should have removed the seats from the theatre and just gave you a spot to stand. The audience cannot control their emotions as Barry performs his songbook and they give him a standing ovation from the first notes of a familiar intro, rising again as he brings the MELODY a key higher, and jumping out of their seats once more as he hits the last bars. Manilow, takes you on a journey through his life starting with humble beginnings in Williamsburg Brooklyn. We even got to hear Barry’s first recording, albeit scratchy low fi. His grandfather who early on identified Barry’s musicality took his grandson to Times Square to one of those “record your own record” booths and coaxed him to sing Happy Birthday.

Mandy, New York City Rhythm, Can’t Smile Without You, Even Now, Looks Like We Made It, Copacabana, I Write The Songs, and 2 hours of all his hits with a driving orchestra on stage comprised of fantastic musicians constantly keep you in a state of euphoria for every second of this show. The lights, media effects, back up singers and videos are amazing and you’re even given a pair of 3D glasses to experience Barry flying through New York City like superman . My friends…..this was truly a HAPPENING!

On a purely personal note, Aug 2, 1969 Eda & I were married. Barry Manilow music has been a part of our life and what better anniversary present (from Sunny Sessa) could you ever get. BTW, the Honeymoon is tonight with Barbra Streisand at Madison Square Garden.

Eda Sorokoff, Barry Manilow, Sunny Sessa, Anthony Nunziata

Steven Reineke, Caroline Sorokoff, Eric Gabbard at Forest Hills NY POPS CONCERT

Art

Ken Fallin’s Broadway: Celebrating Hadestown’s 1000th Performance

Published

24 mins ago

March 24, 2023

Ken Fallin

On Sunday, March 19, 2023, Hadestown celebrated the first day of spring and the show’s recently-achieved milestone of 1,000 performances at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre.

The handsome artist with Anais Mitchell

On hand were songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin, Tony Award winner Lillias White, original Broadway cast member Jewelle Blackman as Persephone, Grammy Award winner Reeve Carney as Orpheus, Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt as Hades, and two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada as Eurydice. were joined by Amelia Cormack, Shea Renne, and Soara-Joye Ross as the Fates. The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Alex Puette, Trent Saunders, and Grace Yoo.

The winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Hadestown is the most honored show of the 2018-2019 Broadway season. In addition to the Tony and Grammy Awards, it has been honored with four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.

Broadway

Broadway Up Close (R) Gives Dance Workshops In Times Square

Published

26 mins ago

March 24, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

A fun way to get active, learn and have fun: InterContinental New York Times Square has partnered with Broadway Up Close to provide monthly dance workshops. The new series offers the opportunity to learn choreography with current Broadway professionals, and to join them in conversation about their Broadway careers.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023 join Broadway Performer Sarah Meahl (Bad Cinderella, Hello, Dolly!, Kiss Me, Kate) and on Sunday, May 13, 2023 – Broadway Performer Thayne Jasperson (Hamilton, Newsies, Matilda).

All classes are scheduled from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and include 60 minutes of dance class and 30 minutes to learn and connect.

Following the class, an à la carte lunch menu is provided at The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen for an additional cost; perfect timing for a matinee performance.

Tickets are $36.25 and you can tickets here.

Broadway

Happy Birthday To Andrew Lloyd Webber On His Opening Night

Published

28 mins ago

March 24, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Although composer Andrew Lloyd Webber wasn’t in the house, and missed last night’s opening of his new musical, Bad Cinderella (the first time he’s ever been absent one of his Broadway opening nights), the cast and entire sold-out crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the Tony Award winning Broadway legend and wheeled out a five-foot birthday cake after the bows at the show’s final preview performance last night.

Lloyd Webber explained his absence in a statement he issued last week.

A STATEMENT FROM ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill.

As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised.

I therefore have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella and as things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on Opening Night this Thursday.

We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family.

Bad Cinderella opened last night, Thursday, March 23, at the Imperial Theatre in front of an expected audience of film stars, stage legends, senators, media moguls, and various ‘Real Housewives.’