You can "Jump Shout Boogie" at The Big Barry Birthday Bash, Celebrating the Birthday and Music of Barry Manilow. The bash will commence at Don't Tell Mama on Monday, June 18, at 7 PM and 9:30 PM.
A salute to the music that special Tony winner Manilow has composed, arranged and performed for more than two decades, this celebratory cabaret will be hosted by Laura Davis. It features the musical talents of Cornelius Bates, John Flynn, Rosemary Loar, Karen Mack, Nancy McGraw and Tom Schmid. Special guests include James Beaman, Michael Ferreri, Jeanne MacDonald, Sidney Myer and Chanelle Schaffer.
Jim Abbott, who currently acts as the first keyboard player/dance arranger at Aida, leads the The Big Barry Birthday Bash band. Drummer Gary Seligson is also with Aida and bassist Owen Yost plays for Lesley Gore. Among the songs scheduled to be performed are "Jump Shout Boogie," "Somewhere Down The Road," "Perfect Isn't Easy," "All The Time," "Studio Musician," and "One Voice."
Davis, in addition to hosting the event, is also its producer and founder. She introduced the bash in Minneapolis in 1996, where it continued for three years until it moved to New York. This year marks its third at Don't Tell Mama, and its sixth, in total.
Barry Manilow is considered to be the number-one Adult Contemporary Artist of all time, based on industry charts. He has received many awards over the course of his career, including those of the Tony (for his 1977 Broadway concert), Grammy and Emmy variety. He is also the recipient of the 2000 Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) Board of Directors Award, honoring his roots as a musician in the NY cabaret scene of the 1970's. Although this Brooklyn-born musician is being celebrated on June 18, Manilow's actual birthday falls on June 17. The Big Barry Birthday Bash takes place June 18, 7 PM and 9:30 PM at Don't Tell Mama, located at 343 West 46th Street in Manhattan. Tickets are $12 plus a 2-drink minimum. MAC members are entitled to a 50 percent discount. For reservations, which are recommended, call Don't Tell Mama at 212-757-0788. Visit the website at www.tomschmid.com/barry for more information.
-- by Esther Sapan
