Cast Party & the Upcoming Victoria Shaw/Ramin Karimloo Concert
Linda Lavin is a force of nature. This year alone, she has starred in an NBC sitcom (“Sean Saves the World”), received raves for her performance in the new Nicky Silver play at The Vinyard Theatre (Too Much Sun), and can be seen in movie theaters in “A Short History of Decay.” If that wasn’t enough, she’s doing concerts up and down the Eastern Seaboard. We were lucky enough to get her for one night at Birdland, and as usual, Ms. Lavin didn’t disappoint. She’s a musician and raconteur of the highest quality, singing, swinging, scatting and story-telling to the delight of a packed house of Lavin-files. The concert, entitled Every Time’s The First Time, gave the crowd a chance to know her up-close and personal as she recalled her roots in the theater, her life-long obsession with big bands, and history of performing in nightclubs. My favorite line of the night was, “In the 60’s, every club I played had the word “downstairs” in it. Downstairs at the Duplex. Downstairs at the Upstairs. I’m so proud to be at Birdland…street level at last!” Of course, Linda’s longtime musical director Billy Stritch certainly added to the party atmosphere, as did bassist Steve Doyle and drummer/husband Steve Bakunas! Special guest violinist Aaron Weinstein brought his jazzy sound and wry sense of humor to the proceedings. It was perfect party, to be sure!
The following Cast Party kept the good energy and entertainment flowing! It’s always great to see and hear Ruby Locknar (left). She, of the pink hair and big voice, entertained us with a very funny ditty. In Ye Olden Days of Cast Party, I had to get on my knees to interview her…she was such a little peanut! Now, she’s taller than me, and certainly one of the most talented kids on the planet! Speaking of talent, our Canadian friend Alex Samaras is always a welcome addition to the stage. Boy, can he swing! We were thrilled that The Frank DiBussolo Group brought their amazing sound to us, and Jérémy Charvet came all the way from Paris to chantez admirablement. Two-time Grammy winner Fernando Otero thrilled us at the piano, that’s for sure. Nathan Chang made a great Birdland debut, as did Avery Kadish, Kylie Caughey, Isabella Moner, Christopher Michaels, John Thomas, Tim Schall, Rob Davis, the Fable composers, and Sarah Reynolds. Regulars like Michael WInther, Victoria Shaw (see below), Eric Hoffman, Trevor McQueen, Natalie Arneson, Kesinee Haney and the ravishing Jane Monheit all took part in the musical fun. There were newbies, old-timers and a few we can’t describe — but it was all fun, thanks to the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Billy Stritch, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass).
All photos by Kevin Alvey
Coming up:
Hosted by award winning songwriter Victoria Shaw, Under The Covers has become a favorite recurring highlight at Birdland, featuring a wide variety of top-selling songwriters and musical acts from across the pop, rock and country worlds, and offering intimate acoustic performances of huge hit songs — along with the little-known stories behind them. This event is part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series. Victoria’s very special guest will be Ramin Karimloo, the Tony-nominated Jean Valjean in the current Broadway production of Les Miserables and country music singer/songwriter James Dean Hicks.
In the world of theatrical performers, Ramin Karimloo is known as one of the most formidable talents in the industry. Heralded for his portrayal of leading roles Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Karimloo is a musical force unlike any other. In fact, it was his unbridaled reputation that led to his performance in the recent Oscar tribute to Les Misérables. Iranian-born, Canadian actor/singer Ramin is recognized as the favorite leading man to perform in London’s West End Musical Theatre by WhatsOnStage. Ramin has played starring roles in both of the West End’s longest running musicals; Jean Valjean, Enjolras and Marius in Les Misérables and the Phantom and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. Ramin was hand picked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to portray the lead role in his sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies. He originated the role of Phantom in this sequel, a role that won him the prestigious Theatregoer’s Choice Award and the BroadwayWorld award for Best Actor in a musical. For this performance, he was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Earlier this year Ramin played The Phantom for three performances alongside Love Never Dies co-star Sierra Boggess in the unique “25th Anniversary Production of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall,” that was streamed live to cinemas across the world, providing an even larger stage for this theatrical superstar’s talent. Additionally, he performed the title song, “Music Of The Night,” during the Broadway 25th Anniversary of Phantom of the Opera. Ramin also played the role of Enjolras in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena in London where it has been one of the most widely viewed shows in PBS history. Ramin’s debut album, “Human Heart,” combines his love for country, bluegrass, rock and roll. Citing influences as diverse as The Tragically Hip, Johnny Cash, Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers, a typical musical theater album was never a possibility.
At the age of 10, country music artist James Dean Hicks began making the trip from his home on a farm near Bardstown, Kentucky, to the big-city streets of Nashville. There he appeared regularly on the “WSM Midnight Jamboree” with the Grand Ole Opry greats, including Ernest Tubb and Hank Snow. By the time he was 13, James had opened concerts for Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. From this almost legendary beginning, James has traveled on to success as one of America’s premier songwriter/artists. Two of James’ compositions, “It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow)” and “This Crazy Love,” became #1 hits for the Oak Ridge Boys. Then came “Goodbye Time” for Conway Twitty, and “Jesus and Mama,” recorded by Confederate Railroad which became James’ third #1 hit, followed closely by Sammy Kershaw’s chart-topper “National Working Woman’s Holiday.” James’ song “Grandpa Told Me So” soared up the charts for Kenny Chesney, “The Hole” was a hit by Randy Travis and “God Gave Me You” was a hit for Bryan White. He also wrote the title cut “Sweet Kisses” for pop sensation, Jessica Simpson, as well as “Life is a Party” by Aaron Carter. His song “Goodbye Time” was a #1 hit again when it was recorded by Blake Shelton. The list of artists who have recorded James Dean Hicks’ songs is long. It includes Crystal Gayle, Charlie Daniels, Linda Davis, and Conway Twitty. Some of country’s hottest young performers are also well-represented on that list — John Michael Montgomery, Neal McCoy, Collin Raye, Lorrie Morgan, Bryan White, Skip Ewing, and pop superstars, Aaron Neville and Tony Rich.
Victoria Shaw is a pop/country songwriter responsible for over 65 million cd sales! As a singer, she had the great opportunity to open for Garth Brooks in the historic 1997 Central Park concert. Victoria also wrote one of Garth’s biggest hits of all-time, “The River.” The two-time Emmy Award-winning composer also wrote “I Love The Way You Love Me” for John Michael Montgomery and “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely” for Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. Her songs have been recorded by Olivia Newton John, Boyzone, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntyre, Tricia Yearwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Michael McDonald. She co-produced the debut cd for Lady Antebellum, which went gold, thanks to two hit singles, and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Victoria Shaw “Under The Covers”
With Ramin Karimloo & James Dean Hicks
Monday, July 21 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum