Kari Strand News

Some more music history was made on the Birdland stage last night and Broadwayworld's Stephen Sorokoff was there. Two entertainers who have never performed together were on the Birdland stage last night.  For those of us who were in the audience for this under the radar/radio event, it turned out to be a not to be forgotten evening that added to the long list of Birdland historic musical moments.  Ann Hampton Callaway taped the first segment of her new radio program "This Is Cabaret" and had as her guest at the inaugural show none other than Steve Tyrell, a legend in the world of male pop/jazz singers.  His unique sensual voice is unmistakable and loved by millions via his recordings, movie soundtracks, and live appearances.  Steve is also a walking Wikipedia of the recording industry because of his career as a recording executive and producer.  He was there for many momentous musical creations as head of A&R for Scepter Records. Tyrell's singing "The Way You Look Tonight" in the Father of the Bride movie starring Steve Martin made him a household name. 

Birdland was the scene of a very special show last night as friends and family gathered for the Wedding Celebration of Ann Hampton Callaway and Kari Strand. Broadway at Birdland and Jim Caruso's Cast Party have seen many famous and talented people on that legendary stage but it will be hard to top last night's list of guests. Broadwayworld was there and here are some of the friends and relatives of Ann and Kari.

Marilyn Maye was an audience member at Ann Hampton Callaway's final performance of her show 'On My Way To You' at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there. Marilyn joined Ann for some spontaneous improvising and signing as did sister Liz Callaway who was also in the house. 'On My Way To You' just completed a sold out run.

TACT/The Actors Company Theatre celebrated its 22nd Anniversary at its annual Spring Gala last night, May 11th at The University Club (One East 54th Street @ 5th Avenue). The celebratory evening kicked off with a cocktail reception featuring a silent auction and the popular 'Pick-a-Prize' Raffle, followed by dinner and live auction featuring celebrity auctioneer David Silverman. Scroll down for phtoos of honoree Cynthia Harris and more!

Show business' brightest stars memorialized one of their own yesterday, at A Tribute to Polly Bergen, at the American Airlines Theatre (227 W. 42nd Street). An Emmy Award-winning actress and singer, Ms. Bergen's career spanned more than six decades in films, TV, Broadway musicals and concerts. She passed away from natural causes September 20 at age 84. A Tribute to Polly Bergen, produced by Rex Reed and Michael Alden with creative consultant Deborah Grace Winer, celebrated her life and career with a star studded lineup of participants. They included Christine Andreas, Harry Belafonte, Arlene Dahl, Raul Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Gregory Harrison, Judith Ivey, Chris Matthews, Phyllis Newman, Kelli O'Hara and cast members from the 2001 revival of Follies.

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.

'The Story Goes On', and Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire were in the audience as Liz Callaway ended her Christmas show with one of their songwriting masterpieces.

Last year at this time, Ann Hampton Callaway beamed love from the stage. This November, she's a newlywed. Though the musical life journey she shared last night at the opening of her new 54 Below show, Turning Points, contains a couple of dark numbers, on the whole it's celebratory. Callaway is incandescent. You'll feel it in your bones.

During her musically spectacular performance at 54 Below last night Ann playfully introduces her pianist as George Gershwin. Ted Rosenthal may probably be able to play Gershwin's music with more accuracy than the composer did. However, I'm sure George Gershwin would never be able to accompany Ann as good as Ted Rosenthal does.

A bevy of Broadway's best honored Broadway legend Len Cariou on the occasion of his 75th birthday , including appearances from James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Betty Buckley, Liz &Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Robertson, Veanne Cox, Lee Roy Reams, Sarah Rice & many more! From his Tony award-winning role in Sweeney Todd to his creation of roles in A Little Night Music, Applause & Dance a Little Closer among many others, Broadway has been in love with Len for nearly 50 years. Check out photos from the special celebration below!

I'm happy to confess that this piece was a total, happy accident.

54 Below presented two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole in an exciting new show last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Currently starring on the hit TBS comedy series Sullivan & Son, Christine Ebersole returns to the New York nightclub scene with her first new show in two years. From pop to Broadway, and a few standards and jazz in between, the new show features Musical Director Bette Sussman(Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, Darlene Love, Whitney Houston) and a full band.

Leonard Bernstein titled a book 'The Joy Of Music'. The first time I attended a New York Pops concert with Steven Reineke at the helm that's the first thing I thought of. By the time the last note was played I realized the Pops new music director was much more than that. Steven also represents The Joy Of Life. Then, Steven met Eric, an equivalently matched person with whom to travel on life's journey.

Ann Hampton Callawayand Liz Callaway return to 54 Below with SIBLING RIVERLRY, continuing through April 19. The show is a loosely-based musical autobiography outlining their lives from their childhood in Chicago, to their move to New York City, to the ever-continuing adventures of their luminous careers.

Hailed by The Wall Street Journal as being 'blessed with strong voices and leading man looks,' Will & Anthony Nunziata made their 54 Below debut with a special one-night only concert 'Broadway, Our Way,' last night. The singers, actors and recording artists have won acclaim for their concert and symphony performances throughout the country and around the world putting their fresh take on pop standards, Broadway showstoppers, as well as contemporary and classic Italian music. Check out photos below!

On December 21 at 2:00PM in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute presented A Charlie Brown Christmas in a special holiday Family Concert with The New York Pops and Music Director Steven Reineke. The staged concert version of Charles M. Schulz's iconic television special brought the beloved Peanuts characters to life through special choreography performed by dancers from New York Theatre Ballet and child actors from TADA! Youth Theater. Tony Award nominee John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Sesame Street) narrates the heart-warming story, underscored by the music of Vince Guaraldi, performed by The New York Pops and Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside rehearsal below!

A tribute to one of the great Friars was held at the legendary club last night. Significantly it was held in the Frank Sinatra room, the crooner who is most identified with Sammy Cahn's songs. Songwriter Sammy Cahn career was presented in live performance, rare video clips, and historical lecture.

Continuing August 29 at 7PM, August 30 & 31 at 8PM & August 30 at 11PM at 54 Below is Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway in SIBLING RIVERLRY. The show is a loosely-based musical autobiography outlining their lives from their childhood in Chicago, to their move to New York City, to the ever-continuing adventures of their luminous careers.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd Artistic Director and TriStan Wilson Managing Director present Mr. Finn's Cabaret, located on the lower level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. Mr. Finn's Cabaret, named after the Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist of Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Artistic Producer of BSC's Musical Theatre Lab, continued with Sibling Revelry Starring Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway. Sisters and Tony-nominated Broadway divas put the revelry into rivalry in this award-winning show of great songs and witty banter. Join Liz and Ann in a cabaret The New York Times calls "a thrilling display of vocal prowess."

Club Helsinki in association with SHOWSTOPPERS NY is proud to present some of Broadway's top performers on Sunday nights at seven in a new series called HELSINKI ON BROADWAY. Ann Hampton Callaway was featured and you can check out photos of her in action below!