DAY EIGHT 12/12 (Reported by Kati Neiheisel): Singers You Should Know: On a cold night in Manhattan, it’s a pleasure to enter the cozy lobby of Urban Stages Theater, sip a glass of wine and mingle with the pre-show crowd. Spirits were high in anticipation for this show featuring singers that producer 
Sue Matsuki believes should be on our artistic radar. Matsuki met each of the four featured singers randomly, but something about each one of them stayed with her. After settling in our seats, the show began, and we immediately knew we were in good hands with accomplished musical director Ian Herman at the piano. Opening the show was young singer Grace Flavien, whom Matsuki met when they were seated together at a show. It was later that Matsuki discovered Flavien possessed a powerful voice, revealed to us with the song “Here I Am,” from the film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002). The statuesque Flavien girlishly confessed her love of all things French before singing her heartfelt and beautiful version of “In My Dreams,” from the musical Anastasia (2016). Anthony Fett, whom Matsuki met when he provided backup vocals at a memorial performance, appeared on stage with a Vegas vibe and a twinkle in his eye as he performed “Pure Imagination,” from the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and the seasonal “Cool Yule.” The lovely “Christmas Is a Rainbow,” written by Fett and Lynn Portas, was a welcome and touching surprise. Singer Ellis Gage was in fine form with “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and, after noting his love of Irving Berlin, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” This is a voice one would enjoy hearing again, which is how he ended up in this show as a last-minute replacement for an ailing vocalist. 
Matsuki heard Gage for the first time at Seung Choi’s “Christmas Isn’t Just for Asians,” performed on December 5th, as part of Winter Rhythms. She knew he could step right in – and he did, swimmingly! The fourth and final “singer you should know” was the gorgeous Elvira Tortora, who made her solo cabaret debut in the fall of 2023. Tortora noted she was amused when Matsuki asked her to be in a show featuring “emerging” talent at her age of 70, but she was grateful and “living in the moment.” She proved that point with “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” from the musical Bye Bye Birdie (1960), followed by a charming take on “Will He Like Me,” from the musical She Loves Me (1963). Her voice soared in “Always Better” from the musical The Bridges of Madison County (2013). It was a joy meeting the four “singers you should know.”
DAY EIGHT 12/12 (Reported by Sue Matsuki): Circle in the Square’s Broadway Blockbusters: Every year for the past couple of years we are honored and grateful to have director-produce Sara Louise Lazarus with us as part of our Winter Rhythms family because, well, she brings it BIG TIME! This year she directed Michael Colby’s Holiday Regards—and she also brings us an always impressive group show from her “kiddies” at Circle in the Square. Let me just say that the love that this woman has for these incredibly talented young people and her love of the arts is what makes any show connected with her a sensation. Last night’s show was no exception. It was called Broadway Blockbusters for a reason because practically every song was an 11:00 number belted by each cast member until blood came spewing from their ears…well, not really but with the same gusto that it would take to do this. WOW! (I’m using that word a lot in my reviews of these shows but it’s been appropriate for all of them.) First up was the adorable Faith Olson with her slightly snarky puppet (aren’t they all?) who then emcee’d the entire show. She also opened with a perfect rendition of “Tomorrow” (Annie), which, of course, her puppet had to poke fun at. She was in a red dress and her twin was also in the audience, beaming with pride, in a red dress. Then a very funny Kada Switzer sang her version of “Adelaide’s Lament” (Guys and Dolls) where she got every single joke in the song complete with a New Yawk accent. Kian Debenham sang “The Music 
of the Night” (Phantom of the Opera) in his amazingly pure and pitch-perfect bari-tenor. Who doesn’t like the song “Gimme, Gimme” (Thoroughly Modern Millie), which was performed enthusiastically by Jaimee Lee Gaston. Great song, great moment (but they all were!) Next up was a beautifully presented, heartfelt “Maybe This Time” (Cabaret) by Jaylie Barnes, who was dressed more like the Emcee than Sally but boy did the look and the rendition work for me. Honestly, I don’t think I ever need to hear the song “Popular” (Wicked) sung again UNLESS it’s sung by the appropriately perky and pretty Summer Saynt, who sang it to the Elphaba in the cast, Lizah Dunbar—whose reactions cracked me up. Saynt could literally walk into the role tomorrow. One of my personal favorite shows EV-AH was Les Miserable. I saw the original production (’cause I’m old) and this young person, Ben Simpson, a tall drink of water, sang “Bring Him Home”. You could hear a pin drop. I got to hear “My Days” twice tonight in both shows, first by Grace Flavien in the 7:00 show and then by Ellie Falanga in this show. It’s from The Notebook so I didn’t know it, but it’s a song that is now on my radar thanks to both of these lovely singers. Savion Gates then took the stage to sing a wonderful rendition “Morning Glow” (Pippin) with some of the cast coming out to do back ups. It was joyous! I was sad that this next singer sang “Gorgeous” (The Apple Tree) ONLY because it was such a short song and Hayley Trapp was a complete delight. She’s on, she’s off, but boy did she make an impression. Remember everyone, it’s not the length of the part or the song, it’s what you do with it. Brava Hayley!
OK…this review is getting long because there are 14 singers that I absolutely have to mention so…new paragraph. Luke Moskowitz, a seemingly quiet young person morphed into a new age, flaming red-headed version of Barbra to belt out a sassy “Don’t Rain on My Parade” (Funny Girl) and came back to the stage for bows as Luke…PSYCH! They did a great rendition of this iconic tune with a new flair! What would a 
Broadway Blockbuster show be without “No Good Deed” (Wicked)? Lizah Dunbar returned to the stage with just an indication of green on her legs and arms to hit it out of the park. Brought to the stage, again by the funny Faith Olson as, “This is the only role that this person could do in Hamilton, an audience favorite, Sean Crothers took the stage to sing “You’ll Be Back.” Sean is another one who could easily step into this role tomorrow…WOW! (Again with the WOW!). As if all of this was not enough…we get K. “Devin” Hunter’s impassioned version of “Hold Me in Your Heart” (Kinky Boots), which was not only beautifully performed but a really good 11:00 number before the entire cast joined K. on stage to sing the ever popular “Seasons of Love” (Rent).
Huge thanks to Joe Baker, ever stellar at the keys and a proud papa bear on stage watching the young people he and Sara (pictured above) mentor and teach. All I can say to this entire cast besides thank you for being part of our festival and for having one of the biggest houses is that what you did last night, taking a full house of people who could be in any state of emotional whatever and giving them an hour of pure joy and music is your Superpower…never forget that! Best of luck to you all. YOU are the future of theater and musical theater.
