Jimmy Van Heusen News

A.J. Lambert, as the granddaughter of Frank Sinatra, is not intimidated at all in singing through the entirety of IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS, a pioneering concept album released by Sinatra in 1955 exploring heartbreak (including a torturous breakup with his second wife, Ava Gardner) with all songs handpicked by the artist himself, during a time when a label would tell a singer what to record. Last month at Feinstein's/54 Below, Lambert told tales of growing up with her grandfather and paid tribute to a highly-esteemed album with an incredible story behind it, with reverence, soul, and jazzy musicality.

The Schimmel Center presents American Dance Spectacular! on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m., exploring the history of American popular dance throughout the 20th century, including the Charleston, Lindy hop, jitterbug, twist, voguing, and more. The performance is directed, co-written and created by Daniel C. Levine (Broadway's Les Mis rables, Chicago, and Mamma Mia!) with choreography by Al Blackstone (Fox's So You Think You Can Dance), music direction by Bryan Perri (Broadway's Wicked and Next to Normal), and book by Susan Batten (Lifetime's Showing Roots) together with six Broadway dancers backed by three vocalists and a live band.

On September 8 2017, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the final three titles in The Frank Sinatra Collection on DVD and digital formats. On license from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE), the definitive collection pulls together some of the finest performances on television, in the recording studio and in concert from the greatest entertainer of the 20th century.

Regeneration Theatre will revive SKYSCRAPER. Not seen anywhere since its original production with Julie Harris, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Peter Marshall, which closed in 1966, SKYCRAPER received 5 Tony Award nominations in a year that also included Man of La Mancha, Mame, and Sweet Charity. Not too shabby.

Kitoliscious Music will release 'Love to Me', the new album by Bob Mundy, on October 2nd. In celebration of the album's release, Munday will be appearing at New York City's Laura Beechman Theatre, 409 W 42nd St (at 9th Ave), featuring musical direction by Dan Kaufman.

Regeneration Theatre will revive SKYSCRAPER. Not seen anywhere since its original production with Julie Harris, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Peter Marshall, which closed in 1966, SKYCRAPER received 5 Tony Award nominations in a year that also included Man of La Mancha, Mame, and Sweet Charity. Not too shabby.

Marquee Theatre Company and Producer Miles McKee proudly present the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie at the West Boca Performing Arts Theater. Based on the 1956 British musical Chrysanthemum, the successful film version of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 1967, starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing and Beatrice Lilly, sparked a bit of a cult following that paved the way for a Tony Award winning stage version in 2002.

The new musical Ben, Virginia and Me: The Liberace Musical will get its NY debut as part of the New York Musical Festival.

The new musical Ben, Virginia and Me: The Liberace Musical will get its NY debut as part of the New York Musical Festival.

On September 8 2017, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the final three titles in The Frank Sinatra Collection on DVD and digital formats. On license from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE), the definitive collection pulls together some of the finest performances on television, in the recording studio and in concert from the greatest entertainer of the 20th century.

Feinstein's/54 Below is a a chameleon of a performance space because of the eclectic mix of entertainment that perform on it's stage. Broadway is the main theme but sometimes it becomes one of the great nightclubs of the 50's & 60's like Basin Street East, The Embers, The Persian Room etc. 

Harold Sanditen, the versatile performer and host of the uber popular Harold Sanditen's Open Mic Party at London's Crazy Coqs will be taking FLYIN' HIGH to his hometown of Tulsa for one night only. On Monday, May 22nd at 7pm, he will be appearing at the Performing Arts Center at Cascia Hall as part of Life Senior Services Musical Monday series.

???????The legendary recordings of Tony Bennett and Bill Evans will be performed by the Joel Zelnik Trio with singer Annette Sanders at the Bickford Theatre on Monday, March 27, at 8:00 p.m.  Joining pianist Joel Zelnik will be Brian Glassman on bass and David Cox on drums.

Though all of Harvey Granat's midday events are illuminating and entertaining, his most recent SONGS AND STORIES on March 16 at 92Y could've easily continued at least another half hour buoyed by audience enthusiasm. The event's special guests, author/producer/journalist Will Friedwald (who has his own 92Y series), and President of Jimmy Van Heusen's catalog, his great nephew, Brook Babcock, were both knowledgeable, engaging raconteurs. It was also a great pleasure to watch the two men join infectiously enjoying the afternoon.

???????The indomitable Baby Jane Dexter continues to march to her own drummer as she resurrects her critically acclaimed "Body & Soul" for three encore performances at the Metropolitan Room in March and April.

Alex Leonard is a classy performer. His relaxed, minimalist style and adherence to vocals as written take one back to an agreeable past. Jazz riffs weave around rather than obscure melody. Lyric meaning is gracefully maintained. Aided and abetted by expert veterans Jay Leonhart on bass and Al Gafa on guitar, Leonard saluted the great Nat King Cole at Pangea on January 18 with a bit of history, a couple of illuminating anecdotes, and signature songs.

Raconteur/vocalist/historian/producer Harvey Granat's entertaining series SONGS AND STORIES at 92Y ended for the season Thursday with ON BURT BACHARACH (with Special Guest, author/columnist/producer Will Friedwald and pianist David Lahm).

On Today, December 6 at 8:00 p.m., Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE) presents its winter-inspired program When Icicles Hang by the Wall at the Loreto Theater at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, as part of the ensemble's 25th anniversary season. The concert features soprano Vira Slywotzky, tenor Scott Murphree, and baritone Mischa Bouvier, together with pianist Grant Wenaus.  

On Tuesday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m., Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE) presents its winter-inspired program When Icicles Hang by the Wall at the Loreto Theater at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, as part of the ensemble's 25th anniversary season. The concert features soprano Vira Slywotzky, tenor Scott Murphree, and baritone Mischa Bouvier, together with pianist Grant Wenaus.  

Adelaide's Gilbert and Sullivan Society expanded their repertoire some time ago, and they haven't looked back.