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by: Linda Amiel Burns

 
Scott Siegel’s Broadway Originals! series gives audiences the opportunity to hear and see performers who created the roles in past musical theater productions or revivals.

 

 

For more than half a dozen years, Scott Siegel held his much-beloved Broadway Originals! Concert at the 1500 seat Town Hall, but on May 20, 2016 he brought this popular series to the intimate surroundings of Feinstein’s/54 Below, giving audiences an opportunity to see performers who created roles in first-run Broadway shows and revivals up close and personal. With the help of musical director, Ian Herman, Scott assembled a terrific cast of Tony winners and nominees who first thrilled audiences when they created the roles on the Great White Way in shows from the 60’s such as Zorba, Nine, Hair, Promises, Promises to revivals in the 2000’s like Jesus Christ Superstar and Ragtime.

 

Outstanding was Lorraine Serabian from the 1969 production of Zorba who sang a dramatic interpretation of “Life Is” demonstrating that 47 years later, she still has what it takes.
In 1982 Karen Akers played Guido Contini’s wife in Nine and her interpretation of “My Husband Makes Movies” and “Be On Your Own” was stunning. Another highlight was Carole Demas, the original Sandy in the 1971 production of Grease, who revived “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” to the delight of the audience. Another singer who proved that you only get better with age was Jill O’Hara who starred in Promises, Promises in 1968 and sang “Whoever Your Are.”

 

SSC_0063 Karen Akers

Karen Akers

SSC_0074 Josh Young

Josh Young

 

It Shoulda Been You was on Broadway only last season and “shoulda” run forever, especially when you heard the talented Lisa Howard perform “Jenny’s Blues” that she also sang on the Tony Awards to great acclaim. Another favorite was the lovely Christiane Noll who sang a moving rendition of “Back To Before” from the most recent revival of Ragtime. There were only two males in the cast, one was Josh Young, Tony Nominated for the 2012 revival of Jesus Christ, Superstar who performed a strong “Heaven on Their Minds, and the brilliant Martin Vidnovic who starred in many shows over the years, but was in the 1980 revival of Oklahoma and sang “unplugged” (without a microphone), Judd’s lament “Lonely Room” from that show.

SSC_0049 Carole Demas

Carole Demas

SSC_0059 Jill O'Hara

Jill O’Hara

 

Look for other Scott Siegel Productions at Feinstein’s/54 Below coming up soon. On Monday, May 23, Scott’s Broadway By The Year Series will be at The Town Hall celebrating the songs of the 60’s.

Broadway’s Supper Club – 254 West 54th Street
www.54Below.com/Feinsteins

Photos: Maryann  Lopinto

 

SSC_0040 Christiane Noll

Christiane Noll

SSC_0044 Lisa Howard

Lisa Howard

 

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Scott Siegel