Cabaret

My View: Tony Danza….Great Stories & Great Standards at Cafe Carlyle

Published

1 month ago

May 3, 2023

If you had to pick a celebrity that exemplifies the history and entertainment eminence of Cafe Carlyle, Tony Danza, who just began his engagement ( May 2-6) in the legendary supper club would surely be high on your list. Last night Tony, weaved his way through tables filled with adoring fans toward the intimate stage, looking every inch the handsome seasoned star he is, wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo he began his night’s work. Danza makes it look easy, but his well honed performance is the result of years of TV, Stage, Film, and nightclub experiences. With a personality that recalls (to me) the likability of Perry Como, the edginess of Sinatra, coolness of Dean Martin, and physicality of Cagney…. it was all eyes on Danza for the 80 minutes of classic nightclub virtuosity. Tony is the personification of the word “entertainment” He crooned through some of the Greatest tunes of the American Songbook, recanted fascinating show biz stories, played his ukulele, and did a bit of tap and soft shoe while backed by his superb 4 piece band. On opening night Tony’s friend Peter Cincotti joined Tony for a tune. Peter is next up at the Cafe May 9-11 and Anthony Nunziata who was in the audience makes his Cafe Carlyle debut May 12-13.

Tony Danza is also a concerned New Yorker and has always been involved with mentoring young people. He has a new venture….

From Tony…..

In over 10 years of working with New York City’s teenagers, first, in association with the All-Stars Project and then, for the last eight years with the Police Athletic League, better known as Pal, our teen acting program has interacted with over 5,000 teenagers, helping them to see a bright and different future for themselves. Now it is time for us to go out on our own.

We are very excited to announce that we have applied for and received our 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization, “The Stars of Tomorrow Project,” a teen acting program. We have received support from Mr. Danny DeVito, Mr. James L. Brooks and The Eugene M. Lang Foundation, among others. We hope you will join them in supporting us.

We have developed solid relationships with a number of universities and colleges, including SUNY Purchase, Coppin State, among others. These colleges have been helpful in placing our kids in their schools, helping them with financing and orientation. And when our kids are accepted, our main focus is to try to make sure they graduate.

Many of you have supported our efforts through the years and we hope that you will continue that support. We must engage our young people. They so need something else to think about and get interested in. This program provides that! The proliferation of guns among our young people is epidemic. This is what we’re up against and our program offers hope. We attract the kids with free acting, dance and voice, but then, we also teach them about life. Hence our slogan, “When you teach a kid how to act, you teach a kid how to act!” We intend to make stars for many stages.

We will soon be announcing our first benefit show in New York City, which will showcase the incredible talent that we find and are developing.

TONY DANZA

PETER CINCOTTI & TONY DANZA

TONY DANZA

THE BAND: TONY DANZA, JOHN ARBO, JOE DAVIDIAN, DAVE SHOUP, EDDI CACCAVALE

PETER CINCOTTI, (CAFE CARLYLE MAY 9-11

TONY DANZA & ANTHONY NUNZIATA, CAFE CARLYLE MAY 12-13

PETER CINCOTTI, JAMIE deROY, TONY DANZA

TONY DANZA & SUNNY SESSA

ANTHONY NUNZIATA

EDA SOROKOFF

THE CARLYLE

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My View: John Minnock Previews Unreleased Music with A-List Band and Dave Liebman in the BIrdland Theater

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The New York Pops 40th Birthday Gala a Spectacular One Night Only

Stephen Sorokoff

Stephen studied at the Manhattan School of Music. Besides being a pianist, Stephen’s business career was in the Fashion Industry. He was CEO of a textile manufacturing facility and President of an international textile machinery company. Stephen was on the Board of Directors of the “First All Children’s Theatre” which brought the Stephen Schwartz musical The Trip and Captain Louie to the Kennedy Center in Wash DC. His wife Eda, an interior space designer and classical pianist was on the Board of Barrington Stage Company and is still active at BSC. Stephen’s photographs, videos and articles appear on Broadwayworld.com, T2Conline.com and The New York Observer. He is active in the entertainment events at the Friars Club, where he is a member. Stephen is also an Honorary Board Member of The Society For The Preservation of The Great American Songbook. Stephen Sorokoff@gmail.com

Cabaret

Cabaret, Talks and Concerts For June

Published

6 days ago

May 28, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

The summer nights bring excitement to the clubs and cabarets. Here are picks for June.

92 Street Y: 1395 Lexington Ave. 6/1: Music Icons: Graham Nash in Conversation with Anthony DeCurtis; 6/2 and 4: California Dreamin’: Jessica Vosk Sings the Songwriters of Laurel Canyon; 6/12: A New York Evening Celebrating Peggy Lee and 6/16: Focus Features’ Asteroid City: Bryan Cranston in Conversation with MTV’s Josh Horowitz.

Birdland Jazz: 315 West 44 St. Every Monday at 9:30pm Jim Caruso’s Cast Party; Every Tuesday at 8:30pm The Lineup with Susie Mosher; Every Saturday at 7pm Eric Comstock with Sean Smith (Bass) & special guest Barbara Fasano (Voice); 6/5, 12 and 26: Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks in the Theater; 6/5: Billy Stritch & Gabrielle Stravelli “Mel and Ella Swing!”; 6/6 – 10: Stacey Kent; 6/8: Phillip Officer: “Second Time Around” in the Theater; 6/12: The Brat Pack and 6/19: Natalie Douglas: “Freedom Songs: Juneteenth Jubilee”

Cafe Carlyle: 35 E 76th St. until 6-10: Sutton Foster; 6/13 – 17: Mira Sorvino and 6/20 – 24 Megan Hilty.

Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave at 57th St.

Chelsea Table + Stage: Hilton Fashion District Hotel, 152 W 26th St. 6/4: Reeve Carney; 6/7: Nicolas King; 6/26: Samantha Pauly and 6/27: Marieann Meringolo.

Tim Di Pasqua

Don’t Tell Mama: 343 W. 46 St. 6/3: Tim Di Pasqua and 6/16: Tanya Moberly

Dizzys Club Coca Cola: Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street. 6/11: Songbook Sundays Fats Waller

The DJango: 2 Avenue of the Americas. 6/9: Jason Tiemann Quartet

54 Below: 254 West 54 St. 6/1 -4: Clint Holmes: Between the Moon and New York City- The Songs of Peter Allen, feat. Nikki Renée Daniels!; 6/5: Charles Strouse’s 95th Birthday Show! Feat. Stephen Schwartz & more; 6/6: Hands on a Hardbody 10th Anniversary Reunion Concert; 6/8 and 10: Jenn Colella: Out and Proud; 6/12, 14 – 17: Joe Iconis & Family, feat. Lauren Marcus & more!; 6/13:Jeff Harnar & Alex Rybeck: Our 40th Anniversary Songbook; 6/21 – 25: Shaun Cassidy: The Magic of a Midnight Skyand 6/29 – 7/1: Amber Gray

The Green Room 42: 570 10th Ave. 6/10 and 26: Janinie LaManna

Sony Hall: 235 W. 46th St. 6/9: The Manhattan Transfer 50th Anniversary & Final World Tour w/ Special Guest The Diva Jazz Orchestra; 6/23 and 24: Sergio Mendes and 6/26: Broadway Sings Lady Gaga

Theatre at the West Bank Café: 407 West 42 St.

The Triad: 158 W. 72 St.

The Town Hall: 123 West 43rd Street. 6/3: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers; 6/6: PAGEBOY with Elliot Page and 6/12: Irish Repertory Theatre Gala 2023 | All My Loving The Lyrics Of Paul McCartney

Broadway

Broadway’s Samantha Pauly and Reeve Carney Come To Chelsea Table and Stage

Published

7 days ago

May 27, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

On May 29th catch Samantha Pauly for Memorial Day. Best known for originating the role of Katherine Howard in Broadway’s smash hit SIX the Musical, and her captivating performance as Eva Peron in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed revival of Evita on London’s West End, Samantha Pauly has carefully crafted an evening that reflects the last few years of her life. Join this Grammy nominee and Drama Desk Award winner as she revisits some career highlights, Broadway classics, pop/rock favorites, and all the fun stuff in between.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actor Reeve Carneyreturns to Chelsea Table + Stage June 4th to perform a night of music honoring the artistry of the legendary rock n’ roll supergroup Led Zeppelin. Carney is best known for his portrayal of Dorian Grayin on Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, Riff Raff in Fox’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Reimagining, as well as originating the role of Peter Parker in Julie Taymor/U2’s Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. He is currently starring in the Broadway blockbuster, Hadestown. Reeve Carney delivers a one-man-show cabaret that feels more like an invitation-only after-party than a traditional concert performance. Don’t miss this special performance from one of Broadway’s leading actors!

Cabaret

My View: It’s Richard Jay-Alexander’s Birthday!

Published

1 week ago

May 24, 2023

Stephen Sorokoff

If there’s anyone who deserves to be featured in TIMES SQUARE CHRONICLES, on this particular day, May 24, it would be this guy, Richard Jay-Alexander. Born in 1953, today he turns 70 years old, here in New York City. He has walked these city streets more than most, as he pursued and has enjoyed a 49 year career, working on Broadway, in most theaters, clubs and majestic musical institutions, such as Carnegie Hall and The MET. He’s touched many, many lives and has a passion for this business that continues to burn and just this past Sunday, he helmed a thrilling evening, celebrating BroadwayWorld.com‘s 20th Anniversary, at midtown’s historic Sony Hall. On the eve of his birthday, he attended his favorite Tuesday night happening, Susie Mosher’s The LINEUP at Birdland Theatre, and treated the audience to a couple stories, observations on this important birthday and then, with Billy Stritch at the piano, John Miller on Bass and Clint De Canon on drums, performed a moving and heartfelt (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Richard clearly has a gift and a passion for the stage and for music and we are all the better for it, on the receiving end.

Happy Birthday, Young Man! Here’s to many more.

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

BILLY STRITCH & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER & SUSIE MOSHER

RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

SETH SIKES, NICOLAS KING, CARLOS CLEMENZ, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER, STEPHEN SOROKOFF, EDA SOROKOFF

DOUG MIDDLEBROOK, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER, EDA SOROKOFF

BILLY STRITCH, KATE SHINDLE, President Actors’ Equity Association, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

SUSIE MOSHER & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RJA

Cabaret

My View: A Glamorous Celebrity Filled Night With Lorna Dallas at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2023

Stephen Sorokoff

It was a celebrity filled audience last night and the glamor of Manhattan Cabaret nightlife was in abundance for Lorna Dallas and her show at the Laurie Beechman Theatre titled “Glamorous Nights and Rainy Days

Ms. Dallas returned to New York City with a wonderful new show. This was Ms. Dallas’ first appearance in this town since she performed at the Bistro awards prior to the lockdown of 2020. The three years respite has done nothing to dim the luster of Ms Dallas’ exceptional instrument. She stayed in fine voice all evening long. But she is more than just an excellent vocalist. She is also a compelling actress. Her show, skillfully crafted by director Barry Kleinbort, and sensitively accompanied by one of this city’s best musical directors, Christopher Denny, was a joy from start to finish. The star studded audience at the Laurie Beechman theater responded heartily to every one of Lorna’s numbers. Evening high points ran the gamut, from standards like “I Have Dreamed,” to “When the Sun Comes Out;” from an hilarious “By Strauss” by the Gershwin’s to a dramatic “Silent Spring” by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. She also premiered a new song written especially for her by Ann Hampton Callaway and Amanda McBroom, “In My Dreams,” which wowed the savvy New York crowd. Hopefully, Lorna Dallas will return to these shores on a more regular basis. Three years is too long a wait for this powerful soprano’s next appearance..

LORNA DALLAS

CHRISTOPHER DENNY & LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS & DONNA McKECHNIE

LORNA DALLAS & MELISSA ERRICO

MARILYN MAYE & LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS & CHARLES BUSCH

PENNY FULLER & LORNA DALLAS

MELISSA ERRICO & EDA SOROKOFF

DAVID ZIPPEL, LORNA DALLAS, JAMIE deROY

LORNA DALLAS & REX REED

LORNA DALLAS & KT SULLIVAN

SUSIE MOSHER & LORNA DALLAS

DAVID SABELLA & LORNA DALLAS

CRAIG RUBANO & LORNA DALLAS

MARIEANN MERINGOLO & LORNA DALLAS

GEORGE DVORSKY, LORNA DALLAS, ROSIE BENTINCK

EDA SOROKOFF,MARILYN MAYE, CHARLES BUSCH

KT SULLIVAN & ELIZABETH SULLIVAN

KURT PETERSON, LORNA DALLAS

ANN TALMAN &LORNA DALLAS

LORNA DALLAS & SANDY MANLEY

JOYCE BREACH & REX REED

LORNA DALLAS & RICHARD HILLMAN

BARRY KLEINBORT, DIRECTOR

LORNA DALLAS

CHRISTOPHER DENNY & LORNA DALLAS

Cabaret

My View: David Yazbek and Norbert Leo Butz at 54 Below

Published

2 weeks ago

May 17, 2023

Stephen Sorokoff

Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award winning composer/writer/musician David Yazbek and his band were on the stage of 54 Below last night playing some of his new songs from an upcoming album. They also played some great music from the Yazbek songbook and from his Broadway musicals.

In addition to being an award winning composer and lyricist David Yazbek is a formidable pianist possessing a fearless technique generating an extraordinary combination of intoxicating melodious dissonance. . A highlight of the evening for me was when he displayed his unique harmonic and rhythmic pianistic concepts on the Great American Songbook Standard “Over The Rainbow”. Norbert Leo Butz also starred in the the 54 evening titled “David Yazbek and The Bludgeoneers” and he brought the house to it’s feet with the “Dirty Rotten Medley”

The Band: Javier Diaz (Percussion), Tony Orbach (Sax), Sam Sadigursky (Clarinet), Dean Sharenow (Drums), Chris Tordini (Bass), Paul Vercesi (Sax)