Genre-spanning cellist Ben Sollee brought the 2013 season of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook to a rousing close at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, with a selection of songs echoing his diverse interest in classical music, Applachian folk traditions, and popular song. The New York Times said this of Sollee and the closing concert: “Joy peeked through the music like rays of sunshine in the Kentucky wood.”
See photos of Saturday’s concert here.
(Ben Sollee on far right. Photo: Kevin Yatarola)
Known for their blurred line between musical theater and pop music, critically-acclaimed Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk are one of the most celebrated writing teams of their generation and their upcoming show this Friday at 8:00 at the Penthouse is set to show off some of their exquisite work with the help of Sutton Foster, Jeremy Jordan, Nikki M. James, Michael Arden, and Josh Young.
Ben Sollee closes the season with his signature blend of smoky-smooth vocals, intricate arrangements, honest storytelling and thrilling cello. Saturday evening’s 8:00 Penthouse performance promises to be filled with his explosive musical mix of folk, bluegrass, jazz, and R&B and expressively emotional resonance.
(Photo credits: Ben Sollee - GLINTstudios, Brian Lowdermilk - Monica Simoes, Kait Kerrigan - Monica Simoes, Kerrigan & Lowdermilk - Jenny Woodward, Sutton Foster - Tim Schultheis, , Josh Young - Hurley Productions LLC, Michael Arden - Mike Sharkey, Nikki M. James - Melissa Hamburg)
Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe is one of the most versatile of today’s opera singers, even more so with her personal tribute to the late, great singer Kate Smith, who used songs to heal the nation after World War II with her tremendous voice. Blythe’s celebration of Smith from Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Festival airs on Live From Lincoln Center on PBS this Friday (check local listings). And, if you want more Blythe, tune in April 26 to see her in the New York Philharmonic’s staging of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel.
Read more about Blythe and Smith in this interview from ClassicalTV.com
(Photo: Kevin Yatarola)
This weekend’s American Songbook events include Cristin Milioti’s solo show tonight and Ricky Ian Gordon’s latest song cycle Green Sneakers tomorrow. Find out more about both events at AmericanSongbook.org.
(Photo: Ricky Ian Gordon by Duncan Hannah)
Look who showed up at Saturday’s American Songbook concert with Meow Meow? None other than Liza Minelli herself. See more photos from this sold-out star-studded performance.
(Photo: Kevin Yatarola)
From the most popular of them all in Wicked to the preciously petite Sally in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and from the tempting Eve in The Apple Tree to the misguided Fran in Promises, Promises, Kristin Chenoweth has run quite the gamut of Broadway roles and in Kristin Chenoweth: The Dames of Broadway… All of ‘Em!!! she salutes the leading ladies and sidekick scene stealers that make the theatre great.
Tune in this Sunday, March 24th for the PBS broadcast of the show – hey, some philosophies are simple! (Check Local Listings)
(Photo: Kevin Yatarola)
Born and raised in New York City, indie-pop singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson has sold millions of singles, sold out tours, been featured in some of the most popular television shows on air (including Grey’s Anatomy, Bones, and One Tree Hill), and has even performed for President Obama – all without a major label. Beautifully crafted folk-pop melodies blended with Ingrid’s quirky and adorable personality lend themselves to what will be an uplifting and lovely evening.
Join us tonight at the Allen Room.
Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey blend echoes of classic musical theater with raw rock ‘n’ roll, foot stomping country, and beyond. The duo, who shares the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2009 Tony Award for Best Original Score (Next to Normal), are celebrated tonight in a special evening of their songs with Alice Ripley (Tony Award winner, Next to Normal), Jennifer Damiano (Tony Award nominee, Next to Normal), Brian d’Arcy James (Tony Award nominee, Sweet Smell of Success, Shrek the Musical), Idina Menzel (Tony Award winner, Wicked), and more.
You won’t want to miss this one.
(Photo of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey: Anita Shevett)
Lost in the Trees joins us from Chapel Hill, North Carolina tonight and brings with them their spellbinding folk-influenced songs featuring “extraordinary arrangements for strings and choral voices” (Wall Street Journal). Ari Picker, the classically trained central member and composer, has paid deeply personal tribute to his late mother in their most recent release, and yet there is something strangely uplifting in the musical structure of the songs – as if the soul of your loved ones is wrapped around you as you listen.
Join us tonight at The Allen Room for an evening of personal narrative through striking song.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) serves three primary roles: presenter of superb artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community relations, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. As a presenter of some 5,000 programs and events annually, LCPA’s offerings include American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival, White Light Festival, and Live From Lincoln Center. In addition, LCPA is leading a series of major capital projects, now nearly complete, on behalf of the resident organizations across the campus. Lincoln Center is a 16-acre campus housing 11 prestigious cultural organizations including LCPA. The other 10 are the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Juilliard School, Lincoln Center Theater, the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and the School of American Ballet. Like us on facebook. Watch us on YouTube
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