Urban Stages Artistic Director Frances Hill has announced the 12th annual awarding-winning cabaret series, Winter Rhythms, streaming online between Monday, November 30th through Friday, December 18th. Produced by Tom Toce and co-produced by Sue Matsuki, the series is directed/edited by Kristan Seemel, with Kim T Sharp, videographer, Vincent Scott, Assistant Director, lighting design by Madeleine Burrow and sound design by Jaime Terrazzino.
This year’s Winter Rhythms will celebrate songwriters via six shows highlighting the works of many long-time Winter Rhythms artists—with new songs featured. Proceeds from the event benefit Urban Stages Outreach, Arts in Education presentations, which normally tour throughout libraries in all five boroughs of NYC. Since March, Outreach has gone virtual, working with New York, Brooklyn and Queens Public libraries to bring free plays and workshops online via Facebook, YouTube and other platforms.
The schedule for Winter Rhythms 2020 is:
Sue Matsuki & Gregory Toroian in “How Original!”
Premieres Monday, November 30 @ 8:30 pm EST then accessible online through to Thursday, December 3. MAC and Bistro award-winning songwriters and jazz duo are presenting a program of their own original tunes along with some of their friends’ tunes. Featuring Skip Ward on bass with Guest Stars: Audrey Appleby and Deborah Stone. Sponsors of show: Wright Bros. Real Estate & Bra Tenders.
Meg Flather, Rosemary Atwood and Tracy Stark in “Unexpected Trio”
Premieres Thursday, December 3 @ 8:30 pm EST then accessible online through to Sunday, December 6. Each with a different writing style, this multi-award-winning trio for singing, music direction, and songwriting team up for an unforgettable, evening of their original songs, literally singing each other’s praises!
Tom Toce presents “Songs from the Quarantine”
Premieres Sunday, December 6 @ 8:30 pm EST then accessible online through to Wednesday, December 9. A group of Tom’s songwriting friends join him to present the songs that were written or practiced during the Pandemic. Starring: Tom Toce, Matt Corriel and Jo Kroger.
Gretchen Myer and Tracy Stark in “The Tracy & Gretchen Show”
Premieres Wednesday, December 9 @ 8:30 pm EST then accessible online through to Saturday, December 12. This year’s MAC award winner for Major Female Vocalist and Bistro Award winner for Best CD, Gretchen Meyer joins her long-time, multi-award winning, Songwriter/Music Director Tracy Stark for an evening of their original songs. The sublime to the WHAT?!
“My Side of Town: The Music of Steve Sieck”
Premieres Saturday, December 12 @ 8:30 pm EST then accessible online through to Tuesday, December 15. Starring: Mary Sue Daniels, Robert Fowler, Bobby Harden, Tanya Holt, Lina Koutrakos, Susan Mack, Larry Marshall, Katie Dunne McGrath, Jeannine Otis, Erli Perez, Doug Sheppard, Gregory Toroian, Dorian Woodruff, Lisa Yaeger and the songwriter himself, Steve Sieck with Special Guest: Karen Mason. Music Director: Gregory Toroian. Director: Lina Koutrakos.
“Urban Stages’ Artists Entertain!”
Premieres Tuesday, December 15 @ 8:30 pm EST then accessible online through to Friday, December 18. Starring: Karen Akers, Aya Aziz, Aaron Lee Battle, Natalie Douglas, several cast members from the play Bars and Measures by Idris Goodwin, Roderick Lawrence and Salma Shaw all singing the original music of their friends and collaborators. We also pay tribute and honor the musical genius of composer, musical director the late, Barry Levitt a special friend of Urban Stages. Music Director: Tracy Stark.
Tickets are $20.00 (per show with a 50% discount for your 2nd show) and $60.00 for a Festival Pass for all six shows.
Purchase tickets at urbanstages.org
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