The versatile David Sabella continues to celebrate his return to drag, after 25 years, with his one man/woman show Amanda Reckonwith Returns, at Pangea on Tuesday, February 7 at 7 PM—a special “for your consideration” appearance for MAC award consideration (MAC Members receive “no cover charge” tickets for this performance only). Music Direction and arrangements are by Mark Hartman.
The show kicks off an international tour with performances in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and London, England. Additionally, the tour also features Sabella’s performances of The Razzle Dazzle of CHICAGO and Amanda & Lee—a special duo show with David Maiocco as Liberace.
Amanda Reckonwith Returns features Sabella in in drag as the international opera diva and Broadway legend, Amanda Reckonwith, returning to stage after a 25 year retirement/rest cure. Once a lyric soprano, Reckonwith reached international stardom on both Broadway, and Opera stages around the globe, before settling down (way down) to have children, raise them, and have them eventually leave her (they all do). Now, known to the world as her generation’s leading “Spento” soprano, (otherwise known on Broadway as a belter), Amanda Reckonwith returns to stage with her unique interpretations of Broadway and Great American Songbook favorites.
In The Razzle Dazzle Of CHICAGO, Sabella appears as himself, singing Kander & Ebb favorites, while sharing stories of the creation of the mega-hit musical, his time in the show, and his very personal life-story of being one of the first gay men in America to marry and adopt children, all while starring on Broadway.
Both Shows are conceived, written, directed, and performed by David Sabella, with music direction and arrangements by Mark Hartman.
Sabella is an award-winning singer and actor. As a male soprano (countertenor) in classical music/opera, Sabella was integral in the formation of the “American tradition” of countertenor voice in the mid 1990’s, for which he is internationally recognized. In 1995 Sabella won the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition when Maestro Pavarotti, so moved by Sabella’s performance, stopped him before the end of his audition and publicly declared “I don’t have to hear to the end. This is excellent! Not good, excellent!” His 4+octave range also landed him opportunities in voice-over work for Disney.
On Broadway, Sabella originated the starring role of “Mary Sunshine” in the 1996 revival of Chicago with Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, and Joel Grey. He remained in that show for the better part of ten years, both on Broadway and on the national tour (Las Vegas), and performed with a host of luminaries including Chita Rivera, Hall Linden, Melanie Griffith, Patrick Swayze, Linda Carter and Marilu Henner, just to name a few. He has also starred Off-Broadway in Jules: The Julian Eltinge Story and The Phillie Trilogy, for which he won the Fresh Fruit Festival award for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play.” Returning to solo concert performance in 2016, Sabella has performed at venues throughout the country including Jazz at Lincoln Center (Rose Hall), Feinstein’s/54 Below, Birdland Theater, Laurie Beechman Theatre, Pangea and others. He is the 2022 MAC Award winner for “Major Male Artist.”
There is a $25 Music Cover (Cash at the door)/$20 food/beverage min/person (credit cards accepted). For reservations, click here. MAC Members/Voters call 212-995-0900 to reserve your NO COVER ticket.
Pangea is located at 178 2nd Avenue (between 11th & 12th Street), NYC
