Nicky Silver's The Lyons

Cast of "The Lyons", Photo Credit: Carol RoseggAfter a successful sold-out, twice-extended run at The Vineyard Theatre, Nicky Silver is making his playwrighting Broadway debut with "The Lyons." This gem of a play is a laugh out loud experience. Nicky is a brilliant playwright because he has written a dark comedy that actually deals with many emotional topics: family relations, death, illness, homosexuality, sobriety, and loneliness.

"The Lyons" tells the story of "Rita Lyons," the indomitable matriarch of a dysfunctional family at a major crossroads. Her husband is dying, her son is in a dubious relationship, her daughter is barely holding it together. And worst of all, Rita can't figure out how to redesign her living room!

Linda Lavin, Photo Credit: Carol RoseggDick Latessa and Brenda Pressley, Photo Credit: Carol RoseggHelping bring this show to life is a cast of extraordinary performers: Tony and Golden Globe Award winner Linda Lavin, as "Rita Lyons," Tony Award winner Dick Latessa as "Ben Lyons," Michael Esper as "Curtis Lyons," Kate Jennings Grant as "Lisa Lyons," Brenda Pressley as "A Nurse," and Gregory Wooddell as "Brian."

The whole cast deserves a standing ovation, even though Linda Lavin definitely leads the cast with her equisite acting skills, especially her facial expressions, which perfectly captures her thoughts (on a personal note, it was quite amazing to watch Linda last night belt out all the great songs from her debut CD "Possibilities" and then to see her tonight as "Rita Lyons." It's no wonder Linda received a Tony nomination for this role). Dick Latessa is well cast as "Ben Lyons," helping make the show very enjoyable. Michael Esper and Kate Jennings Grant are great as "Curtis and Lisa Lyons." Their performances are strong and emotional, making me feel as though they were real life siblings. Brenda brings a lot of heart as the "Nurse" to her scenes, especially in the second act, while Gregory did a wonderful job letting the audience in on many revelations about "The Lyons."

Kate Jennings Grant and Michael Esper, Photo Credit: Carol RoseggMichael Esper and Gregory Wooddell, Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg"The Lyons" is such a strong show, the time just flew by. Another reason Nicky and this cast should be applauded is because "The Lyons" allowed me laugh at difficult topics and really connect with each character. If you are looking for a moving show that will also lift your spirits, I would highly suggest spending time with "The Lyons" at the Cort Theatre in NYC (138 West 48th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenue). Click here for tickets!

Linda Lavin at The Metropolitan Room: Possibilities CD Release Party

Linda Lavin and Adam Rothenberg, Photo Credit: Chip DuckettTo get to hear Linda Lavin sing is a treat, but to get to see Linda Lavin sing live is a gift. That's exactly what I thought while attending her CD release party, at the Metropolitan Room in NYC, for her debut CD "Possibilities," released on the Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight record label.

On CD, I can tell Linda enjoys singing, but watching Linda perform these songs live, gave me the full view of just how much energy, love, and joy she gets from singing. Backed by her incredibly talented band, consisting of the legendary Billy Stritch who was her musical director in addition to pianist, Linda's talented husband Steve Bakunas on drums, and the amazing Steve Doyle on bass, it was great getting to hear Linda sing so many wonderful songs.

Linda Lavin "Possibilties" CD Release Party, Photo Credit: Stephen SorokoffLinda Lavin "Possibilties" CD Release Party, Photo Credit: Stephen SorokoffFrom the quiet moments on "Two For The Road" or "Corcovado (Quiet Night Of Quiet Stars)" to the upbeat tunes on "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" or "There's A Small Hotel" to her beautiful belt on "The Song Remembers When" or "You've Got Possibilties," Linda is in tune with her vocal power. She performed many of the songs from "Possibilities" as well as a few surprises such as the "Alice" theme song and "The Boy From..." which she sang in the original Off-Broadway production of "The Mad Show." 

The other great aspect of attending a live Linda Lavin show, which I'm glad this CD release party was a release concert, is the numerous stories she tells in between songs. Linda's a natural story teller. The stories flow out of her so effortlessly and made me feel like were just sitting around her living room talking. See, that is another key aspect to Linda's live shows, the way she makes everyone feel so comfortable and relaxed. One of my favorite stories was hearing Linda talk about her days singing in the "downstairs" of night clubs when she first came to NY as she was tyring to get theatre work. She jokes about how all the clubs she sang in were "downstairs," and now it means so much to perform street level now.

Linda has created an amazing career for herself. From TV to theatre to music, Linda can do it all. "Possibilities" is a strong debut and I hope it's just the beginning of a long recording career! Linda's singing voice needs to be heard and let's hope there will always be a live show to along with that singing.

"Possibilities" is available now through Amazon, iTunes, and Sh-K-Boom records. For more on Linda and "Possibilities" check out my interview with Linda, "Possibilites" review, and of course http://www.lindalavin.com or her Official Facebook Fan Page!

Linda Lavin's Debut CD: Possibilities

If you are looking for a CD to relax you after a long day or take with you on vacation, then I would highly recommend picking up Linda Lavin's debut CD "Possibilities." Inspired from Linda's nightclub act, with the title coming from "You've Got Possibilities," which Linda sang in the Broadway production of Hal Prince's "It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman," Linda has recorded an album made for everyone.

From jazz and swing to the American Songbook, "Possibilities" takes you on a journey of love, hope, and reflection. Linda's voice is in fine form on "Possibilities!" She hits all the right notes on each and every song. A few of my favorite songs are "The Songs Remember When," "There's A Small Hotel," "Rhode Island Is Famous For You," and "You've Got Possibilities."

I love these particular songs because of their message of love and hope. "The Song Remembers When" is one of my all time favorite songs about looking back on lost love. Linda does a great job with this song. She really touches upon the emotional ties of the song. "There's A Small Hotel," "Rhode Island Is Famous For You," and "You've Got Possibilties" are three fun songs about one lover wanting to be with the other. All three songs talk about moving a relationship from one level to the next, in different ways. Linda's energy and upbeat vocals on these songs really show the strong feeling of love and hope.

"Possibilities" is a fun album that crosses many genres and styles. It's an album that will make you feel good! Linda is celebrating "Possibilities" with a release party at The Metropolitan Room in NYC (34 West 22nd Street between 5th & 6th Avenue) on Sunday, May 6 and Monday, May 7 at 9:30pm! Click here for tickets to an enjoyable evening of music by a talented singer!

For more on Linda be sure to visit http://www.lindalavin.com and on herOfficial Facebook Fan Page!

Life of the Party: Good Times

On Thursday, May 3, 2012, I attended the world premiere of Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe's "Life of the Party" at LaGuardia High School. Directed by Paul Lincoln, "Life of the Party" is performed by the junior and senior class students of LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts.

"Life of the Party" is a new opera written especially for the students of La Guardia High School of Music and Arts. This show is set in the Soviet Union in 1953 is about a naive young Party apparatchik handed a suicidal mission: create a Communist movie musical to compete with the West and glorify Stalin. She tracks down her favorite director, now disgraced and laboring in the gulag, and he in turn hires the ex-wife who denounced him.

As much as I love attending Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, I truly enjoy the times I get to see a show at one of NY's colleges or universities or, in this case, one of NY's most famed high schools. The best part about attending these shows is the reminder that there is a new generation of performers being taught. Each of these students have a gift and it's great that their gifts are being nurtured by some of the most established professionals in the industry.

Nell and Laurence wrote a fun show with well placed throughout. My own personal experience with Nell and Laurence's music together is that of "Legally Blonde The Musical," so the opera infused music/songs were a nice change for me. What makes Nell and Laurence so talented is their capability to vary their writing style. I may not be a huge opera fan, but I am able to appreciate well written music and songs and Nell and Laurence scored with this new show.

This was my first introduction to Paul Lincoln's directing and I thought he did a great job. He had to work with a big cast, but everyone seemed to know exactly what they were there to do. I was also impressed with the production value of the show. To me, it was first rate! The students and everyone involved in this production of "Life of the Party" should be very proud of themselves!

With just a few performances left, "Life of the Party" runs through this Sunday, May 6 at LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts (100 Amersterdam Street at 65th Street)! Click here for tickets!

Scott Backman: Hilarious, Energetic, and Fresh

Hilarious, energetic, and fresh are just some of the words I would use to describe Scott Backman's comedy show which I attended on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Stand-Up NY. Scott was a welcome addition to this straight induced line-up. His spot on humor and high energy electrified the room with laughter. Scott had quite a challenge by the time it was his turn to take the stage. You see, Scott had to follow a very homophobic comedian whose comedy style brought the whole room down, but when Scott took the stage, he turned that room around. Scott's gay-themed, but relatable humor, brought smiles and laughter back to the audience! The great thing about Scott is that he knows how to connect with an audience without alienating them. Scott's comedic timing is great and he will continue to climb up the comedy ladder.

Lucky for NY, Scott has one more show in NY before heading back to LA. Scott will performing at Therapy on 52nd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue) this Sunday, May 6 at 10pm! For some comic relief, come on down and let Scott's humor lift you up!