Feinstein's at the Regency's fall line-up will feature leading ladies of American popular song, including Dame Cleo Laine, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Polly Bergen and Barbara Cook.
The fall line-up marks the first anniversary of a collaboration between singer and cabaret star Michael Feinstein and The Regency, a Loews Hotel. Prior to the October 1999 opening of Feinstein's, the musical theatre community in New York was seeking another venue after the closing of the Rainbow Room.
Feinstein's fall line-up begins with Dame Cleo Laine, who performs Sept. 12-23 along with her husband and collaborator, John Dankworth. Laine is the only female vocalist to have receive Grammy nominations in all of the following categories: jazz, pop and classical. Often compared to such singers as Betty Carter and Rosemary Clooney, Cleo Laine began her career in 1952 with a big band led by Dankworth. Together they recorded for such labels as Esquire, MGM and Pye. Married in 1958, the Dankworths made a mid-'60s transition to pursue Laine's solo career which led to such highlights as Laine's Carnegie Hall recordings. On the theatrical stage, Laine has had a variety of roles in such plays as Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, the title role in Ibsen's Hedda Gabler and a starring role in the Broadway musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood which earned her a Theater World Award and Tony and Drama Desk nominations.
In addition to his work with Laine, John Dankworth has composed, arranged or recorded music with such artists as Mel Torme, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dizzy Gillespie and Al Hirt.
Dee Dee Bridgewater, considered one of the most versatile jazz singers of her generation, play Feinstein's Sept. 26 - Oct. 7. Bridgewater has performed with Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Max Roach, and many other jazz legends and has recorded such best-selling albums as her Grammy Award-winning tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, "Dear Ella." Singer Polly Bergen plays Feinstein's Oct. 10-21 with her first solo New York cabaret engagement since 1965. In her new show, "Sing One, Act Two," sophisticated Bergen tackles a variety of familiar standards.
Broadway legend Barbara Cook plays Feinstein's Oct. 24 - Nov. 25, in what is being billed as the grand final of the club's fall season, "In Good Company." Together with her musical arranger and accompanist Wally Harper, Cook will perform a selection of Stephen Sondheim songs.
In its first year, Feinstein's has presented Rosemary Clooney, The John Pizzarelli Trio, Lucie Arnaz, Linda Eder, and Feinstein himself.
Clearly happy with the success of the club, the Grammy nominated Feinstein said, "I've always wanted to create a venue that would evoke the intimacy and style of that gloriously romantic era." In a joint statement, Jonathan Tisch, president and chief executive officer of Loews Hotels echoed Feinstein's enthusiasm, emphasizing the importance of bringing top talent to the venue.
Feinstein's at the Regency is located at 540 Park Avenue (at 61 St.), Tickets are $50 Tue.- Fri.; $75 for the early show on Fri.; and $75 for all Sat. shows. Separate food and beverage minimums apply to all performances. For ticket reservations, club information, and exact schedule for each performer, call (212) 339-4095. Tickets are also available on-line at ticketmaster.com.
-- By Murdoch McBride
