Co-producers Tom Toce and Sue Matsuki present the annual Winter Rhythms series at Urban Stages, from Tuesday, December 7 through Sunday, December 19. The award-winning benefit festival brings the talents of well-known and up-and-coming singers, musicians, lyricists and composers to the attention of the New York theater community. All proceeds go to Urban Stages’ Outreach, a program that brings admission-free educational plays and workshops to libraries across NYC and online.
The full schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, December 7 2021—7PM STEVE ROSS & FRIENDS! GALA NIGHT & PATRON DINNER!
Called “The Crown Prince of NY Cabaret” by the New York Times, the incomparable Steve Ross opens this year’s Winter Rhythms as only he can! Doing a program of American Songbook tunes and other surprises! He will be joined by his special guests: Jean Brassard,Tony Cangelosi, Shana Farr and Madalyn Matthews.
Wednesday, December 8 2021—7PM MICHAEL COLBY PRESENTS LUDLOW LADD
The comic Christmas musical, Ludlow Ladd In Concert, is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. This acclaimed piece, once a radio special on WBAI-FM, has been described as “a madcap mix inspired by Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, and Fractured Fairy Tales.” Learn how a Victorian orphan, born on Christmas Eve, finds happiness through Yuletide spirits and a lump of coal. Starring: Shawna Hamic, Nick Lunetta, Luke Nephat, Adam B. Shapiro, Megan Styrna, Maureen Taylor, & Jonathan Turchin as “Ludlow.” Writers: Michael Colby and Gerald Jay Markoe (both Drama Desk Award nominees). Musical Director: Michael Lavine. Director: Sara Louise Lazarus.
Thursday, December 9 2021—7PM TOO CLEVER BY 20% – AN EVENING WITH JOHN FORSTER
Four-time Grammy nominee JOHN FORSTER bursts out of lockdown to perform his uniquely inspired and hilarious songs which have won comparisons to the likes of George Carlin and Frank Zappa. The Boston Globe: “If Joni Mitchell and Daffy Duck had a love child, he’d probably write songs just like JOHN FORSTER. His sharply observed satires range from sheer slapstick to Jon Stewart-acute, so it’s little wonder that songwriting legend Tom Lehrer said, ‘You don’t need me anymore—you’ve got John Forster to kick around.’” More about John here and here
Thursday, December 9 2021—9PM HONORING PIANO BAR ARTISTS – Part 1
It’s time to recognize and honor the incredible talents that sit behind the piano night after night leading others to sing along. These are all incredibly talented singers, songwriters and pianist. Featuring: Clare Cooper, Alex Frederick, Eric Yves Garcia, Yazuhiko Fukuoka and Bill Zeffiro.
Friday, December 10, 2021—7PM RICHARD SKIPPER CELEBRATES BROADWAY & CABARET LEGEND KAREN AKERS! MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC
Described at the “Merv Griffin of our time”, Richard Skipper brings his Podcast LIVE to our stage to have a conversation with the one-and-only Karen Akers. Karen will then perform a few tunes with her Musical Director, Alex Rybeck at the end of this celebration. More about Akers here. More about Skipper here and here
Friday, December 10, 2021—9:30PM HONORING PIANO BAR ARTISTS – Part 2
It’s time to recognize and honor the incredible talents that sit behind the piano night after night leading others to sing along. These are all incredibly talented singers, songwriters and pianist. Featuring: John DiPinto, Michael Mcassey, Ricky Ritzel, Sheree Sano, Tracy Stark and we will open the show with the “OG” of piano bar players, Larry Woodard! More about Larry here
Saturday, December 11, 2021—3PM MICHAEL COLBY PRESENTS LUDLOW LADD
The comic Christmas musical, Ludlow Ladd In Concert, is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. This acclaimed piece, once a radio special on WBAI-FM, has been described as “a madcap mix inspired by Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, and Fractured Fairy Tales.” Learn how a Victorian orphan, born on Christmas Eve, finds happiness through Yuletide spirits and a lump of coal. Starring: Shawna Hamic, Nick Lunetta, Luke Nephat, Adam B. Shapiro, Megan Styrna, Maureen Taylor & Jonathan Turchin as “Ludlow.” Writers: Michael Colby and Gerald Jay Markoe (both Drama Desk Award nominees). Musical Director: Michael Lavine. Director: Sara Louise Lazarus.
Saturday, December 11, 2021—7PM AN EVENING WITH LORI BROWN MIRABAL
Info Coming Soon. loribrownmirabal.com
Sunday, December 12 2021—4PM FOREVER IS NOW: ORGINAL MUSIC BY KENNY PASSARELLI & AMY LOPER
Renowned bassist Kenny Passarelli has recorded, toured and written with such notables as Elton John, Joe Walsh, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, and Hall & Oates. He co-wrote “Rocky Mountain Way” with Walsh. Kenny’s ultimate dream has always been to be a songwriter. He didn’t find the perfect lyricist for his many melodies until 6 ½ years ago when he met his life partner Amy Loper. Come for “Forever Is Now”, an evening of all original music and the unlikely and romantic story of a musician and retired lawyer who have become songwriters.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Passarelli
Tuesday, December 14 2021—7PM THE FUTURE OF CABARET & THEATER – Part 1
David Sabella and Sue Matsuki are proud to present their very talented Fordham University Cabaret class featuring: Stephanie DiDonato – Twila Durate – Justice! – Tori Sen – Giordana Simurdiak – Michael Stack – Anahita Subramanya – David Wilson. Musical Direction by: David Gaines. This was the first time Sabella and Matsuki’s Book, “So You Want to Sing Cabaret” was used to teach a university level, credited class.
Tuesday, December 14 2021—9PM THE FUTURE OF CABARET & THEATER – Part 2
Part 2 of this evening features two 30-minute solo cabaret shows by Michael Stack and Justice! (Sommerville-Adair). Michael will offer a mini-cabaret about the drama and trauma of his first year in college. Justice will be doing some of her favorite tunes and a few original compositions. Musical Direction by: David Gaines.
Wednesday, December 15 2021—9PM AN EVENING WITH SOFIA TOSELLO & YURI JUAREZ AND MARILYN CASTILLO
Join us as Urban Stages presents and evening of Latin American and Mexican American Music with these very special artists celebrating their culture and music. Visit sofiatosello.com/ and facebook.com/marilyn.castillo.7568
Thursday, December 16 2021—7PM RAISSA KATONA BENNETT in CAN’T STOP SINGING – THE MUSIC OF JEROME KERN
Broadway: Raissa Katona appeared as Christine in Phantom of the Opera and also appeared in Chess. First National Tours: she played Jellylorum/Griddlebone and Jennyanydots in Cats and Lizzie in Parade. She is a multi-award winning singer who has headlined at: Feinstein’s, Metropolitan Room, Iridium, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Algonquin, Radio City Music Hall and at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall. Musical Direction by: Jon Webber. raissakatonabennett.com/
Thursday, December 16 2021–9PM FOUR (none of whom were married to Henry VIII)
Four royally talented women sing about life in THIS century. Kea Chan: Whether on stage at The Green Room 42, Feinstein’s 54 Below or virtually on Metropolitan Zoom, Kea has been called “breathtaking” by Broadwayworld.com. Mollie Downes: Recently starred as Roxie Hart in the Broadway National Tour of Chicago and in numerous regional and Off-Broadway roles. Jennifer Noble: an actor, singer, dancer and writer most recently seen on Broadway in King Kong. Sarah Parnicky: recently seen off Broadway in the award winning Desperate Measures where she created the role of the heroine. Pianist: John DiPinto. Directed by Vincent Scott. Conceived by Craig Horsley.
Friday, December 17 2021—7PM LIBERACE & FRIENDS (STARRING DAVID MAIOCCO)
You will not believe your eyes and ears as you watch Mr. Maiocco’s “incarnate” performance of this legendary performer. Tonight he will be joined by special guests: TBA and TBA, David is a Bistro and MAC Award winner for Musical Direction and Outstanding Musical Comedy for his show Lee Squared with Chuck Sweeney (aka Peggy Lee!) facebook.com/davidandleeofficial
Friday, December 17 2021—9:30PM AN EVENING WITH JAZZ VOCALIST VICKI BURNS
Ms. Burns will be join by Art Hirahara on the piano. Vicki Burns is a jazz singer who has been delighting audiences for years. A vocalist with impeccable taste, a sure sense of rhythm and a glorious tone, she infuses each song with heartfelt expression, digging into the lyrics and melody to reveal their richness. No wonder the great jazz drummer; Max Roach once described Vicki’s singing as “a gold mine”! vickiburnsjazz.com
Saturday, December 18 2021—8PM MARVIN GAYATGAY’S THIS IS THE MOMENT
Marvin’s exposure to world-class choral performing began with the College of the Immaculate Conception Chorale in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. He eventually became a bass baritone soloist of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, and has traveled the world through its various tours, most notably as part of the batch that gave the group the rare feat of a second victory at the 2007 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy. A proud city employee of New York as an engineer, Marvin continues to showcase his broad and flexible vocal range to different audiences through various concerts and events, as a soloist, as a member of The St. Paul Inspirit Ensemble in Manhattan and as choirmaster of The Voice of Friendship Singers. He is thrilled to be debuting his first solo show at Urban Stages. Pianist: John DiPinto. Directed by Vincent Scott. Conceived by Craig Horsley.
Sunday, December 19 2021—3PM SONGS OF HOPE III – Tom Toce Presents: Danny Bacher, Laurie Krauz, Aaron Morishita, Tom Toce, and others with Music Director Jon Delfin.
Songs of Hope and More Songs of Hope closed Winter Rhythms in 2018 and 2019. More than ever, we need hope and hopeful songs. Tom Toce will produce the closing program, featuring some of the best cabaret singers in New York, each performing a hopeful song. If this concert doesn’t provide uplift, nothing will! Jon Delfin will once again be the musical director.
© 2010, Urban Stages
All tickets are $30 (except Opening Night Gala). All proceeds benefit art, theater and education (via Urban Stages Outreach Program). Check Out Our Two-Show Deal. $50 for any 2 shows.
For tickets and more information, go to https://urbanstages.org/
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