Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director, Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director of Musical Theatre Development) proudly announces additions to the line-up for this year’s Award Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2 and will feature some of New York’s best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue). Tickets are $25 per show and may be purchased by visiting urbanstages.org or by calling (866) 811-4111.
WINTER RHYTHMS 2015 SCHEDULE*
Wednesday, December 2
7PM Any Wednesday Sings Again.
An all-star reunion of performers from the popular CD release concert series held at the former Lincoln Center locations of Tower Records and Barnes & Noble. Featuring Billy Stritch, KT Sullivan & Jeff Harnar, Natalie Douglas, Barbara Fasano & Eric Comstock, Cynthia Crane, Gary Crawford, Karen Oberlin, Daryl Sherman, Julian Yeo and special surprise guests! Hosted and produced by Bart Greenberg. Musical Director: Billy Stritch. A champagne reception with the artists follows!
Thursday, December 3
7PM Marissa Mulder and Bill Zeffiro in Unconventional.
This pair of MAC Award-winning artists reprise their acclaimed program of beloved standards, contemporary classics-to-be and special material by Zeffiro, including a sneak preview of their upcoming tribute to music from the films of Woody Allen. Directed by Peter Napolitano.
9PM Tim Connell in Here’s the Thing
This talented and affable Broadway veteran and cabaret artist shares songs and stories about the diversity of life’s moments, including material by Dan Fogelberg, The Carpenters, Stephen Sondheim and more. Directed by Steven Petrillo. Musical Director: James Followell.
Friday, December 4
7PM UNTIL NOW…The Songs of Ron Abel & Chuck Steffan
A musical combination of Abel/Steffan songs along with a bevy of dynamic singers, including Broadway/ Theatre/Cabaret Veterans: Raissa Katona Bennett, (Phantom, CATS, Parade) Klea Blackhurst, (Oil City Symphony, Gypsy, Hazel), Andrea Frierson (Once on This Island, Lion King, Marie Christine), Valarie Pettiford (Tony Award nominee for Fosse, NBC-TV’s “The Blacklist”) and Ty Stephens (Sophisticated Ladies, Marilyn: an American Fable) will be presenting an evening that could only be titled, UNTIL NOW…. In addition, be among the first to hear song highlights from Abel and Steffan’s most talked about new musical, HAZEL, the beloved maid originally created by cartoonist Ted Key. HAZEL will open at the famous Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago this coming Spring as it moves on to Broadway.
9:30PM ZaZa Peaks and her Holiday Balls…um, Belles or A Holiday Drag Spectacular!
Joseph Macchia, producer of NYC’s Next Top Drag Queen Competition and Tom Gamblin, host of Metrostar Talent Challenge, join forces to present an all live-singing drag extravaganza! With ZaZa Peaks, Rev. Yolanda, Louvel, Strawberry Fields, Witty Repartee, Ruby Powers and Nomi SAS. Musical Director: Tracy Stark.
Saturday, December 5
3PM Two Are Better Than One: An Evening of Famous, Historical Duets!
A stellar cast of New York’s award-winning singers pair up to perform legendary duets from Broadway, pop, jazz, and more. With Danny Bacher, Edd Clark & Sue Matsuki, Rich Flanders & Ann Tarpey Flanders, Dana Lorge & Warren Schein, Julie Reyburn & Susan Winter, Rob Langeder & Stacie Perlman Langeder, Joan Crowe & Greg Paul, Minda Larsen & Josephine Sanges, Joanna Morton Gary & David LaMarr, Robert Mattern & John Patrick Schutz, David Vernon & Sarah Rice (Original Johanna – Sweeney Todd), Wendy Scherl & Matthew Martin Ward, Lisa Asher & Daryl Glenn, Mark Aaron James & Ina Wood, Scot Albertson & Flip Peters, Gregory & Renee Toroian. Hosted and Produced by Sue Matsuki. Musical Director: Gregory Toroian.
7PM ROCKARRANGE: Paying Tribute to the Top 20 Groups of All Time
Great classic rock tunes, given a new point of view and a fresh arrangement. From the Supremes to Metallica, you’ll be hearing your favorite songs in a whole new way, performed by Natasha Castillo, Tommy J. Dose, Karen Mack, Wendy Russell, Jim Speake, Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Lynne Hildebrand, Maria Moncada, and Christy Trapp . Hosted, directed and conceived by Lennie Watts. Musical Directors: Ted Stafford & Steven Ray Watkins.
Sunday, December 6
3PM New and Noteworthy Today: Excerpts from Solo Musicals
Trezana Beverley (Tony Award Winner for For Colored Girls…), Jana Robbins (The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Footloose, Gypsy) and songwriter Steve Schalchlin (The Last Session, The Big Voice: God or Merman?) perform self-contained excerpts from their solo musicals. Ms. Beverley will be presenting a portion of her portrait of famed singer Mabel Mercer. Ms. Robbins will perform highlights from her critically acclaimed autobiographical show, I’m Still Here, and Mr. Schalchlin will offer The Best of The Bonus Round, featuring original material from his body of work.
7PM New and Noteworthy Tonight: Excerpts from Musicals in Progress
Discover four exciting American musicals by some of NY’s most promising musical theatre writers: Superhero by Kevin Hammonds & Kristin Blair, Sold! by Paul Libman & Gary Apple, Indigo by Scott Evan Davis, and The Piglets by Christiana Cole & Dina Pruzhansky.
Monday, December 7
7PM That Way In Concert
Songs from a new musical by Peter Napolitano and Barry Levitt about a gay man’s memories spanning fifty years, from the silence in the sixties to the AIDS crisis in the eighties to progress towards acceptance in the present. The cast includes Adam B. Shapiro, Brian Charles Rooney, Janice Hall and Deborah Tranelli. Party afterwards to celebrate Mr. Napolitano’s 60th Birthday!
Tuesday, December 8
7PM The Best of Ricky Ritzel’s Broadway
Sidney Myer, Alison Nusbaum, Aaron Morishita, Tommy J. Dose, Barb Malley, Christina Aranda, Michelle Dowdy, Bob Diamond, Jon Satrom, Laura Pavles, Tara Moran, Eadie Scott and Sean Bernardi perform highlights of the acclaimed series produced and hosted by Ricky Ritzel, featuring songs from classic hits like Hello, Dolly! and cult favorites like 70 Girls 70 and Mack and Mabel.
9PM Dawn Derow in Songs for a Winter’s Night
A world premiere of a seasonal themed show featuring both the classical and contemporary talents of the award-winning cabaret artist. With special guest Victor Khodadad, Tenor. Directed by Lina Koutrakos. Musical Director: Mark Janas.
Thursday, December 10
7PM A Charles Dickens Christmas
This one-hour musical follows Charles as he struggles to provide his publisher with a Christmas story he promised to write. With the aid of his artistic muse, Dickens faces and comes to terms with his own troubled youth in this highly original take on A Christmas Carol. The cast includes Ryan Silverman (Passion) as Charles, Tony Sheldon (Tony nominee for Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as John Dickens and Nancy Anderson (Yank!) as Elizabeth Dickens. Music by Douglas J. Cohen, Lyrics by Tom Toce, Book by Robert Owens Scott, Directed by Don Stephenson. Musical Director: Lawrence Yurman.
9PM Minda Larsen in Johnny Mercer: Trav’lin’ Light
The winner of the 2015 Metropolitan Room Metrostar Talent Challenge performs a personal tribute to one of the great American songwriters, focusing on his (and her) Southern roots. Directed by Peter Napolitano. Musical Director: Neal Kirkwood.
Friday, December 11
7PM The Lovers, The Dreamers and Jim
Returning by popular demand from last year’s series, this musical celebration of the life and creations of the late, great Jim Henson is hosted by Adam B. Shapiro, featuring a fantastic lineup of singers, including Tony nominee Stephanie D’Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Russell Fischer (Jersey Boys), Rebecca Larkin (South Pacific), Brian Charles Rooney (Threepenny Opera), Rob Langeder, Stacie Perlman Langeder, Samantha Northart, Andrea Prestinario, Deb Radloff and Joanna Russell.
9PM Somewhere in This Song: The Music and Lyrics of Nicholas Levin
The acclaimed revue written by the six-time MAC Award nominee that Roy Sander of Bistroawards.com called “…an exceptional presentation of the work of an exceptional songwriter!” Starring Mick Bleyer, Kristin Maloney, Marissa Mulder and Adam B. Shapiro. Directed by Peter Napolitano. Musical Director: Matthew Martin Ward.
Saturday, December 12
3PM A Charles Dickens Christmas (see Dec. 10, 7PM)
7PM Happy Birthday, Ol’ Blue Eyes: The Frank Sinatra Centennial Celebration
Outstanding performers from Broadway, jazz and cabaret including Robert Cuccioli (Tony nominee for Jekyll & Hyde), Tony Babino, Alexis Cole, Eric Yves Garcia, Marcus Goldhaber, Kristoffer Lowe, Marissa Mulder, Warren Schein and Bill Zeffiro join host/producer Stephen Hanks to pay tribute to the “Chairman of the Board” on the 100th anniversary of his birth! Musical Director: Jon Weber.
Sunday, December 13
2PM The Algonquin Kid
Songs, stories, and priceless projections based on the popular new book about the history of the Algonquin Hotel and how Michael Elihu Colby grew up there, a real-life counterpart to Eloise of the Plaza. Hosted by MIchael with a stellar cast including Robert Creighton (Cagney, Edwin Drood), Natalie Douglas, Leah Hocking (The Last Ship, Billy Elliot) and Martin Vidnovic (Baby, Guys and Dolls). Musical Director: Bill Zeffiro.
7PM From All of Us to All of You: Seasonal Songs and Disney, Too.
Our traditional closing holiday show with a Disney twist. Cast includes Savannah & Chase, Nina Hennessy, Deb Berman, Janice Hall, Kathleen France, Kleban Award winner Beth Falcone, Ritt Henn, Helena Grenot, Charlotte Patton, Jamie Hartman, Elli King of Broadway, Warren Schein, Barbara Porteus, Steven Carl McCasland and more. Hosted by Adam B. Shapiro. Musical Director: Barry Levitt. A champagne reception with the artists follows!
*Artists, programming and schedule subject to change
