Stephen Sorokoff - Page 27

Everyone knows Hugh Hefner, but the man at Hefner's side for all those ground-breaking Playboy years was Victor Lownes, who passed away January 11, 2017. A Celebration of this extraordinary man's life was organized by The Mabel Mercer Foundation and Victor's wife Marilyn Cole Lownes. It was quite fitting, since Victor Lownes and Hugh Hefner bonded at the beginning of Playboy Magazine because of their love of the cabaret artist Mabel Mercer.

Throughout my life one song's melody and lyrics have played on a continuous loop. I've heard it sung by my wife's Russian family and their friends at parties and family affairs. Last night that song in the hands of Charles Busch at Feinstein's/54 Below was it's most heartfelt and profound interpretation I've ever experienced.

Klea Blackhurst the host of the concluding night of The 28th New York Cabaret Convention likes to remind folks that all roads lead to Ethel Merman . Last night's talent filled finale offered up some of the best vocalists in cabaret and all roads started and ended with Klea & Billy Stritch recreating some of their classic interpretations of the music of Hoagy Carmichael & Richard Whiting.

Intimate Nights: The Golden Age of Cabaret was the theme of the Third night of The 28th New York Cabaret Convention held at JALC Rose Theater. It was a grand eventing and the enthusiastic audience got to enjoy the artists quite well during the 3 1/2 hours of music.

The winning bidder at The New York Pops Silent Auction, whose proceeds help finance The Pops/Ed Programs of The New York Pops, got something way above the original listed value. The auction item was for one pianist to play at your private party. However not only did the pianist show up at the appointed time, he was joined by some of the world's greatest pianists and entertainers for the special evening.

In addition to producing great theatre works, Primary Stages produced one of this season's most exciting Galas. The 2017 event, celebrating Artistic Honorees Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Producer Honorees Janet B. Rosen & Marvin Rosen, and Corporate Honorees Jose Mendez and Katie Graziano, was a glamorous and talent-filled evening at Tribeca 360 with a full view of lower Manhattan as a backdrop to the festivities.

Opening this year's Cabaret Convention hosted by Artistic Director KT Sullivan will be Marilyn Maye.

Lynda Carter may be best known for winning our hearts as Wonder Woman, but every time she spins into New York City with her killer band she wins the adulation of the overflow audiences in the Appel Room at JALC.

Rita Wilson has returned to Cafe' Carlyle with her show that centers around songs featured on her self-titled sophomore album, and new material from her upcoming third album of original songs.

Monty Hall could not have offered a more spectacular deal. Four women had the right price and were the top bidders at last year's Primary Stages Gala's Silent Auction. As a result, Tony Award-Winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley came through door #1 at Jamie deRoy's apartment and sang at a private party organized by the winners . Jamie, Catherine Adler, Paula Kaminsky Davis and Christina Rose.

The plaque on the Friars Club building (The Monastery) reads Jerry Lewis. On the main floor it's the The Frank Sinatra Dinning Room. Downstairs we have the Billy Crystal Bar and upstairs are the Milton Berle, Barbra Streisand, Ed Sullivan, and William B. Williams Rooms. Today a very important room often frequented by Friars had a plaque installed.

Besides being an extraordinary and illustrious Broadway actor, singer, dancer, choreographer and director Lee Roy Reams is one of the best raconteurs you could ever spend an evening with.

Patrick Hamilton's mystery thriller Gaslight will be opening Oct 8th on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage at Barrington Stage Company. BroadwayWorld was there for the curtain call at a recent preview.

It's only a matter of time until musician, actor, playwright,author, and seductive beauty Storm Large becomes a super star and one would be wise to catch her current run at Feinstein's/54 Below while you can still experience her up close and personal.

Duncan Sheik the Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist made his Cafe Carlyle debut last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Sheik launched his career in 1996 with his Grammy nominated self-titled debut album. Sheik is the composer for the critically acclaimed musical Spring Awakening, which went on to win eight Tony Awards in 2007, including awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score. The album earned Sheik a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Even If you have premium seating at a Broadway musical or nightclub you still will not be able to feel that the beautiful girl with the spectacular voice performing on stage is singing just for you, and in your living room! Laura Osnes at Cafe Carlyle last night was acting and singing a few feet away from all of us in The Carlyle's legendary living room with her show called Cockeyed Optimists and as they say, you had to see it to believe it . Together with Ted Sperling and Laura's special guest Ryan Silverman they created The World of Rodgers and Hammerstein and it probably would be nominated for a Tony Award if it were in a theatre. The lucky audience that got to be up close and personal with Broadway royalty in Cafe Carlyle were at times overwhelmed with the beauty of the music being made by these three artists, who possess many theatre awards between them. So if you can join them, like all good hosts they are going to make sure there's plenty of good food, wine and conversation during your visit. You will even get to give them a hug and say goodnight to Laura, Ted, and Ryan after the show.

The Tony Award winner (The Sisters Rosensweig) Madeline Kahn was lovingly remembered on what would have been her 75th Birthday by some of her show business friends at the Friars last night and Broadwayworld was there.

Bernie Furshpan pointed out that one door closes and two doors open inasmuch the clubs new home will have two entrances. It would have required many streets in Chelsea to accommodate all the performers and musicians who have appeared at the Metropolitan Room over the last 11 years. Dozens gathered outside with Bernie to celebrate a closing and an opening.

Barry Levitt the acclaimed pianist, conductor, composer, musical director and mensch passed away on September 21 after suffering a massive heart attack at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Sept 21st.

A pianist and a singer alone on a stage is usually not my favorite cabaret experience I usually feel like I'm listening to a rehearsal and musically reduced version of the the real thing. In the case of Three-Time Oliver Award winner Maria Friedman and her pianist Jason Carr on Feinstein's/54 Below stage last night it probably is the best way to soak up every note of a spectacular concert.