Tickets: $20 advance $25 at the door General Admission *Ticketing fee included
Where else, for the price of a movie ticket, can you see not 1 but 7 major award-winning New York City Cabaret, Jazz, Pop, Opera and Theater singers on one stage? Well, tonight at the Danbury Palace, that’s exactly what you will see. On the bill are:
WILLIAM BLAKE SUE MATSUKI ROBERT MATTERN
WILLIAM BLAKE – regional musical theater credits include The Who’s Tommy (Cousin Kevin), Chicago (Mary Sunshine), and The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff). In 2004, William released his first studio album, Daydreamer. Shortly after the release, William auditioned for the fourth season of American Idol and went on to compete in Hollywood. In early 2007, he made his move to New York City to continue his musical career and has since performed at such notable NYC venues as Don’t Tell Mama, Uncle Charlie’s, The Metropolitan Room, and Birdland Jazz Club. In 2010, William was honored to receive an invitation to sing at Carnegie Hall in Standard Time with Michael Feinstein. He also had the privilege of sharing the stage with Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Lucie Arnaz, and many others in The Best of Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Town Hall this past February. In May of this year, he enjoyed the release of his first live album, Live from New York City (Cavern Records), which was recorded at Birdland. "Although he clearly has the talent to sing anything he puts his mind to, his heart is in R&B and it shows. He has such a unique and powerful instrument, and by singing soul and R&B, he truly allows it to shine. Each phrase is heartfelt and infused with emotion, and the freedom to play with the melody allows him to express himself in ways that other styles of music might not." - Broadwayworld.com SUE MATSUKI – (Producer/Host) is the first Julie Wilson Award Winner and multi-MAC Award Winner in 6 different categories, Sue is a singer, writer, reviewer and producer who sings a program of mostly jazz standards and blues. She currently teaches at OLLI at UCONN in Waterbury, CT, her home town. Sue will be bring her award winning show, Ella & Me to this theater on Saturday, March 3rd to kick off the New York Invasions 2012 season at the lovely Danbury Palace.
"When was the last time a jazz singer delivered one liners worthy of a stand-up club? When was the last time a performer captured your heart with simple sincerity? But, it was her vibrant voice and impeccable musicianship that defined the evening." – Essex Journal
ROBERT MATTERN – This Dramatic Tenor has sung leading roles in The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and Donezetti's Viva La Mama in prestigious U.S. Opera Companies including Central City Opera, Monterray Opera and Wolftrap. In Europe he sang at the Salzburg Festival and was guest scholar at the Mozarteum. He appeared in a PBS Master Class with Elizabeth Schwarzkopf from Zurich, Switzerland. In New York, he starred Off-Broadway in A Lover's Rhapsody: The Music of Ivor Norvello and The Four Chords Class Reunion and originated the role of Captain Mayhew in the world premier of Moby Dick.
"Listening to Bob Mattern sing, 'You Raise Me Up' could turn an atheist into a believer" - The Barbados Advocate
SEAN McVERRY JULIE REYBURN SARAH RICE TRACY STARK
SEAN MCVERRY -This Junior at SUNY at Purchase is a musical prodigy. Last year Sean recorded two demos with his band Great Dane. Most songs were written on piano, and showcased his influences: Ben Folds, Scott Joplin, and Cole Porter. However, he is challenging himself on the guitar. A regular guest at Hi5TV.net’s 1st Thursdays series in Woodbury, CT (Sean’s home town), Sean is one the most popular guests in this series. Sue Matsuki was so impressed with Sean that she presented him in her “The People You Should Know” show which was his New York City debut gig at Don’t Tell Mama. He was also a finalist in the CT Northwest Idol Finals in 2007. One critic wrote:
“He is pretty much the most incredible boy and talent I have every met!”
JULIE REYBURN - Julie was awarded the 2011 MAC Award for Major Artist. She is a 4 time MAC, 2 time Bistro award winner who has appeared in many of the top clubs in Manhattan. Her ability to connect to a lyric with unique interpretations has established her as one of New York’s celebrated female vocalist. She is the first ever Nightlife Award recipient for Outstanding Female Vocalist (2003) and again in 2005 and 2009 as a finalist. In 2007 Julie was also presented with the coveted Julie Wilson Award. As a member of Actor’s Equity, Julie has performed Off-Broadway in new musicals, I Prefer to Dream at the Triad, Character Breakdown at Abington Theatre, War Brides at The York Theatre, The AtrainPlays at Neighborhood Playhouse, Falsettos for Storefront Theatre Company and in the award winning musical Africa & Plumbridge at the NY International Fringe Festival. “Her deeper understanding of what a song can offer is demonstrated by her dynamic ability to interpret the lyric. Reyburn proves she’s not a comet at all but a blazing new star.” - Siegel Entertainment Syndicate SARAH RICE - Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince chose Sarah to become part of musical theatre history by casting her as the original Johanna in Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on Broadway for which she won a Theatre World Award. The RCA recording of this show won a Grammy for best show album and SWEENEY swept the Tony awards, including best show. Sarah is currently the producer of The Broadway Concerts Series. She also won the MAC Award for Best Female Vocalist in 2011. She originated the roles of Susan in the Virginia Woolf musical, The Waves at the New York Theatre Workshop, Eloise in that Abelard and Eloise musical, Eternal Love, off-off Broadway, Belle in A Christmas Carol for Eastern Opera Theatre, and Elizabeth in Swan Song at the York Theatre Company.
“Among those who give as good as they get, Sarah Rice, a charming plot meddler with an exquisite soprano.” (for her role as Elizabeth in Swan Song) – New York Post
TRACY STARK – Serving as the Musical Director for this show, Tracy is also an Arranger/Conductor/Singer/Songwriter and a 5-time MAC Award winner, in the categories of Piano Bar Entertainer (2008, 2009), Music Director (2009, 2010), and Song of the Year (2011). She is also a Bistro Award winner for Musical Direction and winner of the Dottie Burman Songwriter of the Year Award. Tracy has worked with Lesley Gore, Phoebe Snow, Karen Black, Randy Jones (Village People), Jimmy Osmond, Tovah Feldshuh, Eric Millegan, Tonya Pinkins, Ann Crumb, Marni Nixon, and hundreds of other rock, jazz, and Broadway vocalists. She has conducted, played, and sung at all the finest and the sleaziest venues all over the world. She has played/conducted on numerous television shows, including The Today Show. Her songs are included on at least 20 different compilations, and have been winning accolades in songwriting competitions for the past 2 decades.
“…a captivating artist with goosebump-raising skill. One of our country’s best musicians.” - Songwriter’s Monthly
“…perceptive and poignant, cool and hip, sassy and funny.” - Backstage
"...call her Miss Stark with a spark.” - Cabaret Exchange
*As with all live performances, the cast is subject to last minute changes or surprises!
Tickets: $20 advance $25 at the door General Admission *Ticketing fee included
ELLA & ME – A Tribute to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald
Saturday, March 3rd 2012 8:00 pm
Tickets: $20 advance $25 at the door General Admission *Ticketing fee included BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
Bringing a few of her stellar jazz musicians with her, multi-award winning singer and MAC Award Winner for Female Jazz Vocalist, Sue Matsuki, will offer a tribute show of the tunes that Ella made famous during her American Songbook Series recorded on Capital Records. Music by Berlin, Porter, Cahn, Gillespie, Mercer, Arlen, Burke and featuring some of her most famous songs like: “How High the Moon”; her famous version of “Mack the Knife”; “Miss Otis Regrets”; “Lullaby of Birdland”; “A Night in Tunisia”; “Blue Skies”; “Love for Sale” and more! Please read her praises for this and other shows below!
SUE MATSUKI – Is the first Julie Wilson Award Winner for Cabaret excellence and a multi-MAC Award Winner in 7 different categories. Sue is a singer, songwriter, reviewer, columnist and producer and currently teaches a Cabaret course for OLLI at UCONN in Waterbury, CT, her home town.
What “they” are saying:
"This is the music she was born to sing...I urge you, no I beg you to see this show!" – Stu Hamstra, CabaretHotlineOnLine.com
"When was the last time a jazz singer delivered one liners worthy of a stand-up club? When was the last time a performer captured your heart with simple sincerity? But, it was her vibrant voice and impeccable musicianship that defined the evening." – Bill Van Sant, Essex Journal
"A relaxed and engaging alto that one could listen to for hours with a sweet sound that recalls Carol Sloane." – John Hoglund, Backstage Magazine
"Matsuki brings out the best of Ella and can be graded as the current "First Lady of Song" – Bea Smith, Essex Journal
"Matsuki's new show not only represents her best work to date, it is also one of the finest shows I've seen anyone deliver this year. The most striking element of the evening is the remarkable quality of her interpretations – each based on a chosen point of view, devoid of extraneous frills or gestures. There are times when I absolutely love what I do. This is one of them." – Roy Sander, Backstage.com
"...WOW, I was absolutely floored. Feminine, sure, unusual, mature, incredibly tasteful and tasty, extremely entertaining, outstanding singing and a band that understands what accompaniment means. – Betsyann Faiella, Savoy Communications
Tickets: $20 advance $25 at the door General Admission *Ticketing fee included BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
You know you love it. You know you want it. It's the original high school musical. See it like you've never seen it before... The Grease Sing-A-Long
Rydell High's most famous graduating class is going back to school.
Join Danny and Sandy along with your own crew of Pink Ladies at T-Birds when Rydell High's most famous graduating class comes to The Palace Danbury's screen as a sing-a-long.
You're the one that we want at the Grease Sing-A-Long
A newly restored print brings the highest-grossing musical of all time, 'Grease', to the big screen as a sing-along.
Tickets: $15.00 Advance $18.00 At The Door Buy your tickets now
