Stephen Sorokoff - Page 35

Gabrielle Stravelli performed at SubCulture last night to celebrate the launch of her new CD Dream Ago and BroadwayWorld was there.

For it's 35th season Inside Broadway and it's Creating the Magic program invited 2,500 NYC school children inside the Neil Simon Theatre to get a behind the scenes look at how the musical CATS happens.  The cast and crew of CATS, along with Inside Broadway CEO Michael Presser were on hand to show the excited kids how a Broadway musical comes to life.

Bryna Wasserman officially stepped down as executive director of The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) last night at a lavish gala concert and dinner honoring Golden Globe nominee and Tony winner Liev Schreiber.  The 'Golden Gala' at the Museum of Jewish Heritage featured a concert starring a line-up of young performers with dazzling voices, including three stars of the Drama Desk-nominated musical, 'The Golden Bride,' Rachel Policar, Cameron Johnson and Adam B. Shapiro. They were joined by two superlative young singers, Grace Field and Daniel Greenwood.  Folksbiene's artistic director Zalmen Mlotek led a 16-piece orchestra.

The Chairman of the Board couldn't make his 101st birthday party but it wasn't a surprise that Steve Tyrell, who's currently singing at Cafe Carlyle headed up the festivities at Patsy's Italian Restaurant (Frank Sinatra's favorite haunt).  It was a great afternoon as everyone dined on some of Mr.Sinatra's preferred dishes and heard Steve Tyrell interview many show business legends talk about their relationship with 'The Voice'.  There were many famous telephone call in's to Steve's SIRIUS Radio live broadcast.

Some of the best stories begin in the "Green Room" at the 77WABC studios where "The Late" Joey Reynolds broadcasts very live. Last night's guests included Academy Award Nominated Actor and Cabaret performer Danny Aiello, Super Singer Julie Budd, and comic Steven Scott. KT Sullivan was also scheduled, but was having so much fun at that Green Room party that she didn't make it into the studio on time. Danny Aiello talked about his Annual Christmas Party which takes place at The Triad on December 19th and Julie Budd, who appeared with "The Chairman" many times appropriately brought her new album for his birthday -  Mr. Sinatra. Joey Reynolds' famous Cheese Cake also made an appearance on the show.   

Remember in the golden era of live night club shows when the star of the show had a great opening act?  A Boca Raton audience got a double dose of entertainment last night as legendary actor, comedian, (and if you didn't know it WW ll hero) Marty Allen brought his show to the Boca Black Box.  In true show biz tradition the audience was warmed up, or more accurately put thrilled and fired up by the exciting vocalist pianist, and songwriter, Karon Kate Backwell.  She possesses all the excitement and talents of a Wayne Newton, Jerry Lee Lewis and Celine Dion. The audience gave her a standing ovation and so did her husband of 31 years Marty Allen.  

Seven-time Grammy Award-winner Gladys Knight, known as the 'Empress of Soul' performed at the 23rd Annual LIFE 'Lady in Red' Gala and BroadwayWorld was there.

He's been swinging and singing the holiday season at The Carlyle for the past 11 years, and Tyrell's songs, warmth, good feelings and musicianship have never been more impressively on display then in his 12th year. Last night he welcomed New Yorkers to his 2016 engagement at the legendary hotel.  You can only compare a Steve Tyrell performance to the happiness an audience must have experienced when seeing such super stars as Perry Como, Dean Martin, Glen Campbell or similar male vocalists. Singers who kept their audiences tunefully engrossed and mentally jubilant during their shows.  The Grammy Award-winner and two-time Emmy nominee has settled in for a five-week run at Cafe Carlyle. 

Playwright, screenwriter, and author Tony Kushner was presented the Louis Auchincloss Prize last night at The Museum Of The City Of New York and BroadwayWorld was there.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party, the wildly popular happening that has brought Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night since 2003 was very special Monday night as stage, screen and TV star Michele Lee surprised and wowed the audience which included Michael Feinstein.

TV producer and comedian Angela LaGreca hosted the Sunshine Commitee's Comedy & Raffle Night at the Friars Club last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the fun.  A group of very funny comics kept the Friars laughing in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room as they raised funds for the important work of the Sunshine Committee.

Husband-and-wife duo John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey made their annual fall pilgrimage to Cafe Carlyle with an all-new show, The Arc of a Love Affair  last night and BroadwayWorld was there. The show runs November 22-December 1.

Vineyard Theatre's production of Nicky Silver's play THIS DAY FORWARD, opened last night at the Vineyard Theatre starting it's 2016-2017.

Joe Sirola, who has been seen or heard in over 10,000 commercials brought his one man show "With A Little Bit Of Luck" to the Metropolitan Room yesterday. The audience didn't need much selling to realize why this fantastic actor has had such a successful career in Film, TV and on the stage.  Unlike his commercials which were replayed many times (much to his financial pleasure) it was a one time event at the world famous Cabaret on 22nd street in Manhattan.    

Lynda Carter brought her show Long-Legged women to The Appel Room last night at Jazz at Lincoln Center and BroadwayWorld was there.  

The 90th Macy's Day parade balloons will not pass by the Friars Club on 55th street but the celebrity guests at the club got to see some great photos of them yesterday at the club.  Sheldon and Margery Harnick hosted a Book Launch Party for Matt Harnick who has a wonderful new book © Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: A New York City Holiday Tradition, Rizzoli N.Y. 2016, which is filled with exclusive photography by Matt, along with archival images of the spectacular floating balloons.  The book offers a never-before-seen look at the planning and preparation of the parade.  Italy features text by Stephen M. Silverman, Foreword by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Afterword by Terry J. Lindgren, Chairman & CEO of Macy's Inc. in conjunction with this milestone anniversary.  The guests in the Milton Berle Room of the Friars Club were also treated to a performance by Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin and a conversation with Sheldon Harnick, Matt Harnick and Amy Kule, Executive Producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  It was a great afternoon and it was nice and warm watching the parade go by inside the club.

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, in association with Staci Levine and What's Cookin' LLC, presented the New York premiere of the saucy new musical A Taste of Things to Come, with book, music and lyrics by Debra Barsha (Radiant Baby) and Hollye Levin (Funny Business) last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night.

The hip-hop continued with Othello: The Remix and it's opening night audience with DJ Supernova playing hits for the celebrants at Stage 48 and BroadwayWorld was there.

The hip-hop continued with Othello: The Remix and it's opening night audience with DJ SuperNova playing hits for the celebrants at Stage 48 and BroadwayWorld was there.

It was appropriate that two-time Tony Award winner William Finn was present at The First Annual Berkshire Theatre Award ceremony held in Pittsfield MA. on  Sunday November 13th. Mr. Finn won a Tony for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which was home grown up in The Berkshires at Barrington Stage Company. Although he didn't have any work in contention for the prestigious award, Finn did accept a few 'Berkies' for some artists who could not receive their awards in person.