SARAH RICE TO APPEAR

SARAH RICE

Glamorous Nights & Careless Rapture

Music of the Era of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and more...

Featuring the songs of Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and British Music Hall.

March 3 @ 7PM

Sunday

Sarah Rice, Vocals & Theremin

William Zeffiro, Piano & Vocals

Maria Banks, Harp

Jonathan Russell, Violin

One of the most dazzling and beloved singers on the worldwide cabaret and concert scene today, multiple award winner Sarah Rice brings Glamorous Nights and Careless Rapture -- Music of the Era of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and more... to 54 Below in a special one night only performance.

Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince chose Sarah to become part of musical theatre history when she was cast as the original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway, for which she won a Theatre World Award and recorded on RCA. This recording won a Grammy for best show album and SWEENEY swept the Tony awards, including best show. Her recording of "Green Finch and Linnet Bird", was recently chosen by Stephen Sondheim to be on a CD of his favorite renditions of his own works, "Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far..." on the Masterworks Broadway/Legacy label. She has since gone on to perform leading soprano and dramatic roles all over the world.

An evening to delight the senses, join Sarah as she takes you back in time to an era of glamorous elegance and exquisite beauty, depicted in the film and television classics Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, and more! A match made in musical heaven, celebrating the songs of Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and British Music Hall and more, she is accompanied by Bill Zeffiro, Piano, Maria Banks, Harp, and Jonathan Russell, Violin. And maybe she will even play a tune on the theremin!  Think evening brandy & tiaras. Dress for dinner! White tie and tails optional. www.SarahRice.com

"Another highlight, Sarah Rice, the original Johanna from "Sweeney Todd," singing in her spine-tingling soprano, "I Could be Happy with One Little, Little Boy" moved off the stage and elegantly through the crowd, searching each male face. I felt like Odysseus tied to the mast when this siren caught me in her gaze and sang directly to me." By Tom Dworetzky / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 2013

"Gloriously sung, or held back, the showcase presents different sides of the radiant Rice voice." -- Rob Lester, Cabaret Scenes

"it is evident that her voice remains a ravishing instrument" -- Roy Sander, Bistro Awards

"And this Tuesday night she wasn't just funny. She played the theremin (would you believe!),  — and she just brought the house down." By Tom Dworetzky / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 2013

54 Below

254 W 54th St, Cellar

New York, NY 10019

Maitre D' & Reservations: (646) 476-3551

To purchase tickets visit TicketWeb.com or call (866) 468-7619

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3355314

For more information and questions

please call the club directly at:

(646) 476-3551

MANILOW PRODUCES A MANI-FEST

It might have been a disappointment for Barry Manilow fans with the delay of his Tuesday opening, but it was worth the wait to see Manilow On Broadway.  I saw the performance on Thursday evening, giving him enough time for his voice to shape up even more.  Despite his throat sometimes sounding a bit horse, he held and hit the notes.

Glow sticks given to the audience, no ban on photo taking and a mass of standing ovations after most of his numbers, the night was a Mani-fest.  The atmosphere felt more like an outdoor concert without “an opening act”.  He was determined to sing all of his songs referring to himself as the “Justin Bieber of the 70’s”.

There were stories to tell complete with a background screen.   One had him on a past television program playing the piano and singing as he joined in at the baby grand to complete the song.   Yes, at times he would either play the piano at one side of the stage or the keyboard on the other.  

Growing up in Brooklyn was a hot topic as he lived in Williamsburg and at that time going to “the worst high school in the city”. He said that he had three choices: sports (which he was no good at), music, or joining a gang. "Can you imagine… me… in a gang?" he asked the audience with a smiling incredulity. Music was always a passion with having a grandfather to be supportive since he was a toddler.  We got to hear his first “recording” as well as seeing a movie depicting him and his grandfather strolling. 

When he got an apartment in Manhattan, it was small.   That didn’t stop him from buying his dream baby grand piano that he slept under as the pull out bed stretched somewhat beneath it. 

“Fanilows” were there to cheer the 69-year-old on.   I could imagine back in my parent’s time sitting at a Frank Sinatra concert.  Cheering, screaming, even crying.   Barry gave them the opportunity to sing along and it appeared that this audience knew every word. 

Total high energy of Low wafted throughout the St. James Theatre on West 44^th Street.  Me?  I was seated in the fourth row, aisle seat on the left.   Couldn’t get better than that and surrounded by what appeared to be Barry’s fan club for the VIP seats, worth every cent to them.  One avid fan, Susan Liben, seated next to me, appeared in shock being so close to the stage and trying to refrain from singing out loud.

I have never been a fan or not a fan of Manilow.   As a lover of music and singer, having learned the piano, I enjoyed practicing with Manilow music.   Along with enough Manilow hits, I had no problem recognizing the songs (accept for two) or knowing the lyrics.   He’s not dancing but does some movements to the screams of fans.    

What songs did he sing?  Here is my rendition of Barry Manilow having a conversation with himself:  "Could It Be Magic? Looks Like We Made It, A Weekend In New England.  Now, Are You Ready To Take A Chance?  Okay, I Write The Songs.  Flashback. It’s A Miracle that I Made It Through the Rain to the Copacabana where I have a Memory of doing the New York City Rhythm of Bandstand Boogie, Somewhere In The Night until Daybreak.  A toast!  To, Mandy, my dentist, I Can’t Smile Without You.  Well, I’ve come a long way since the Brooklyn Blues. Even Now I say, 'Grandpa, This One’s For You'. "