Celebrate with The Glorious Irish Tenor,  Ronan Tynan!
Ronan Tynan, introduced to international audiences as a member of the Irish Tenors, became known for his unique voice and irresistible appeal.  His legs were amputated in his twenties due to a childhood disability, but he went on to become a medical doctor, international recording star and motivational speaker. Tynan rose to great fame in New York after 9/11 performing at many benefits and memorials for fallen members of the NYPD and FDNY. His performance at the Yankee games in those dark months cemented his legend. His album, Ronan, with the heartfelt song "Passing Through" honoring his mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s, was the 8th best-selling classical album of 2005.  ONE NIGHT ONLY Monday, March 15th!

Jack Jones will appear on the WBT STAGE on March 1, 2010!

Jack Jones is an important musical force known for his unparalleled voice and a career that spans jazz, popular songs and show tunes. Jones is considered one of the best exponents of the great American songbook.

WBT is thrilled to have Jack and his ensemble; Mike Renzi on Piano, Chris Colangelo on Bass, and Kendall Kay on Drums, for this exciting one night only concert!

Inspired after seeing Frank Sinatra perform at his high school, Jack Jones decided to pursue a music career. His first demo, on which he sang “This Could Be the Start of Something Big” captured the attention of a club owner who booked Jones for a three week run. The performances

gave Jones valuable exposure, and he was signed to a music label.

His rise to the top has included consistently sold-out shows and more than 50 albums – 17 of them charting Billboard’s Top 20 – including “The Race Is On”, “Lady”, “Call Me Irresponsible”, and “What I did for Love”. The legendary crooner won two Grammys for “Best Male Vocal Performance,” and he was nominated for the songs “The Impossible Dream”, “Wives and Lovers”, “Lollipops and Roses” and the album “Jack Jones Paints a Tribute to Tony Bennett”, in which Jones pays homage to his longtime friend and American icon. The New York Times proclaimed: “Note for note phase by phrase, he is arguably the most technically accomplished male pop singer of a vanishing ilk.”

In addition to a successful recording career, Jones has performed to wide applause in musical theater, appearing in Guys and Dolls, South Pacific, She Loves Me, and The Pajama Game. He also received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Don Quixote in the national tour of Man of La Mancha. He was a staple on television variety shows in the 60s and 70s including: Toast Of The Town (also known as The Ed Sullivan Show), The Andy Williams Show, The Smothers Brother Comedy Hour, Bandstand, and The Steve Allen Show. Many Americans recognize Jones’ voice on the theme song for the popular television series The Love Boat, on which he also guest-starred. In the early summer of 2008 the world’s most recognized hotel brand, Holiday Inn

Hotels and Resorts, launched their “M.B.A.” (Master is Business Accommodations)

marketing campaign bringing the timeless voice of Jack Jones singing a new recording of The Love Boat Theme. Jones also recently shared his voice with a whole new generation when he sang “Boat of Romance” as part of an episode on the emmy nominated Disney Channel animated musical television series Phineas and Ferb.

THE CAB CALLOWAY

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

MONDAY – May 4, 2009

On Monday, May 4, 2009, The Westchester Broadway Theatre will again, be hosting the annual Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2009.  Cab Calloway was a resident of Elmsford, N.Y. for approximately 34 years. His career spanned over six decades and was highlighted by his work on stage, film, television and in the recording industry. The Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Awards are meant to honor his commitment to excellence in the performing arts as well as his dedication and support for young, rising talent. It is an honor that the award bears his name.

The recipients are recognized for their body of work, dedication and contribution to some aspect of the performing arts in Westchester County. The criteria for consideration include some specific guidelines. Since the award is for “Lifetime achievement”, the individual should be of sufficient age to warrant such an honor. The individual must have made some significant contribution to the performing arts. This criterion can cover performers, educators, entrepreneurs, technicians, designers, producers, directors, choreographers, composers, librettists, conductors, actors, dancers, mentors or even individuals who, through their continuous support, have had a positive effect on some aspect of the performing arts in Westchester.  Recipients are chosen by an advisory panel from names submitted by any of the following: The Cab Calloway Foundation, previous recipients of the award, or individuals who know a person worthy of the honor. The awards were established by George Puello in 2001.

The special guest presenter will be Lloyd Price (Mr. Personality ). He was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 crowning a career that included over eleven major albums (and  was featured on an additional seventy), numerous television specials, countless tours, and major hit singles such as "PERSONALITY", "LAWDY MISS CLAWDY" and "STAGGER LEE".   Guest appearances by; Barry Liebman, The Westchester Chordsmen, Dorina DiLullo, The Westchester Ballet, Anthony Valbiro, Anthony DeCosta and The Lighthouse Protégé Choral Ensemble. A portion of the evening will be devoted to celebrate the life of MICHAEL TIMMONS, previous recipient of The Cab Calloway lifetime Achievement Award, who died earlier this year. 

THE 2009 HONOREES ARE:

BARBARA SIMONETTI, HAL SIMONETTI AND SUSAN GEFFEN

Founders of The Armonk Players at The North Castle Public Library and Lifelong supporters of the Arts in Westchester.

The Armonk Players has been "home" to Barbara Simonetti since its start in 1997. Whether producing, performing, or backstage, she has experienced deep personal satisfaction with a group of actors and crew that has become family. Barbara is a realtor with Houlihan Lawrence in Armonk, has been a town resident for 36 years.

Hal Simonetti , Co-Founder, Producer, has built many sets for the Players, Directed 84 Charing Cross Road and was in numerous productions and several staged readings. Hal also served on the North Castle Planning Board 

Susan Geffen. Co-Founder, Producer, Front of House, President of the Friends of The NorthCastle for 1998-2000 and 2004-2008. Susan serves on the North Castle Architectural Review Board and she is a juror for the Armonk Outdoor Art Show. Public Library

MARGARET MARY PIKE

Founder of The Margaret Pike School in Yonkers. An  Irish Immigrant, She devoted her life to instructing children and adults in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Irish Step Dancing, and Ballroom. of Dance

ANASTASSIO (STASH) ROSSI

Now retired, Doc (Stash) Rossi Was The Choral Director at WestlakeHigh School and the driving force of their Musical Theatre program, contributing his directorial, designing and  technical  skills. He is Associate Director of The Westchester Chordsmen, Director of The Sweet Adelines Chorus (Golden Apple).

BETH FRITZ-LOGREA AND JEAN LOGREA

Co-Artistic Directors of the  Westchester Ballet Company since 1989 and Co-Directors of the Logrea Dance Academy. Annually, they produce the spectacular Nutcracker at the WestchesterCountyCenter .

PAULA LAMONT

She is an active member of The Harrison Players since 1969. She is a Graduate of the AMERICAN THEATRE WING where she studied with Agnes DeMille and Jose Limon. She is the Director of The Paula Lamont School of Creative Dancing and National President of the Ziegfeld Club

*ELISABETH RAE LAMONT (1907-1996), Will be honored posthumously.  She was a Radio and television personality (ABC: Good Looks And Good Living). She was a member  of  The Ziegfeld Follies and  for nine years served as President  of The Ziegfeld Club. She was the creator of the  Elisabeth Rae Lamont Cosmetic line which was extensively used by prominent Broadway  actors because of it’s quality.

* IRMA DENER  will  be honored posthumously for her lifelong support of the arts in Westchester and in particular for her thirty–five year patronage of THE WESTCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE.

DOORS OPEN FOR DINNER AT 6:00 PM  CEREMONY AND ENTERTAINMENT 7:3OPM

TICKET PRICE:  ARENA SEATS – $40.00  LUXURY BOXES – $50.00

INCLUDES: COMPLETE DINNER, SHOW, TAX AND GRATUITY (ON MEAL PORTION)  *CASH BAR AVAILABLE

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 914-592-2222

ALL TICKETS WILL BE HELD AT THE BOX OFFICE FOR PICK UP ON MONDAY.

*A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION MAY BE MADE THAT EVENING TO THE CHARITY DESIGNATED BY EACH HONOREE 

 Back by popular demand!  Just in time for St Patrick’s Day! One night only! Monday, March 9th!

   EXCITING NEWS! Our very own special Oktoberfest celebration is coming back on October 7th !!!  Traditionally, The Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October The Oktoberfest tradition started in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese.. The citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate the happy royal event which was held on a large meadow in Munich, named after the princess — Theresienwiese (Theresa’s fields) — and featured a horse race, beer, food, music and dancing.

The citizens of Munich have enjoyed re-creating this celebration ever since. As Germans emigrated to North America, smaller Oktoberfests sprouted up in their communities.

 After a special opening parade and ceremony — where the festival hosts along with musical bands and the waitresses arrive on decorated carriages to the festival grounds — the doors of all 11 beer tents burst open and people rush in to get their steins of beer. Oktoberfest beer is of a variety called Märzen which is darker and stronger than traditional beer.  Just 6 Munich breweries – Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten - are permitted to serve beer at the festival.

Revelers in Munich enjoy traditional hearty fare such as Hendl, whole chickens grilled on a spit, roasted meats, potato dumplings served up with the traditional red cabbage and the apple dish (Blaukohl). Local specialties such as roasted ox tails, grilled pork knuckles, or Bavarian Weißwürste, steamed white veal sausages served with sweet mustard, sauerkraut, and a pretzel or bread roll are found on just about every menu. Typical dessert dishes include Dampfnudel, a steamed honey-dumpling served with vanilla sauce, apple strudel, and Kaiserschmarrn, a sugared pancake with raisins.

Music performances include oompah music, popular and traditional folk music, marches, and polkas which Germany is stereotypically famous for around the world.  As the evening wears on, the music becomes louder and more and more people begin to sing, linking arms and swinging beer mugs from side to side, some standing and swaying and dancing on benches or tables. Before each break, the band will offer up "ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit", a toast to contentment, congeniality, and relaxation.  

At WBT, we’ll have all the fun and excitement of the traditional music, dancers and performers along with Oktoberfest culinary specialties & of course, THE BEER!  JOIN OUR OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION on  OCTOBER 7th!  Call The Box Office at (914) 592-2222 or The Website: www.broadwaytheatre.com For All the Delicious Details!!    

  Our sides will surely ache at The Comedy Night here at WBT on April 1st!! SIX seasoned comedians will commemorate the day of trickery with humor that will have us guffawing!

April Fools Day, sometimes called All Fools Day, is the day most of the western world knows is set aside for good hearted pranks, hoaxes, gags, and giggles. The day is generally observed by playing a practical joke on a "victim" who soon becomes known as an April Fool. This custom is thought to have started in France during the 16th century but the British are credited with bringing it to the United States.  The commonly accepted origin of April Fool’s Day involves changes in the calendar. At one time, the New Year celebration began on March 25 and ended on April 1. However, in 1582, King Charles IX adopted the Gregorian calendar and accepted the beginning of the new year as January 1. Those who refused to acknowledge the new date or simply forgot received foolish gifts and invitations to nonexistent parties. The butt of such a prank was known as a "poisson d’avril" or "April fish." In Scotland the person is called a gowk (cuckoo), the symbol of a simpleton. (more…)

Appearing Tuesday, December 11th, Tony Kenny lends his talents to the Westchester Broadway Theatre stage.  A little about Mr. Kenny from his site;

In the world of Irish Music, Tony Kenny needs little introduction. Tony Kenny, Ireland’s 1998 “Entertainer of the Year,” has thrilled audiences around the world with his exceptional talent.  Tony began his career as the star of the internationally acclaimed stage musicals, “Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, where critics described his performances as both “powerful and compelling.”

 To learn more about this wonderfully talented artist, visit his web site at http://www.tonykenny.com

Appearing on the Westchester Broadway Theatre stage this Monday, December 10th – Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge. This is a legendary group performing many hits from the past. A little about them from their own website, http://www.j-maestro-bklyn-bridge.com …

The story of Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge is one that spans virtually the entire rock era. It begins with The Crests in the latter half of the 50′s, as the marriage of swing, blues and country music was giving birth to rock n’roll, and it continues today, in a period of musical and technological sophistication, with The Brooklyn Bridge, through new recordings, and a stage show that is one of the strongest and most popular on the east coast. In these live appearances, the Bridge takes its audience on a tour through the history of the band and its members, and also offers a glimpse of its current musical direction, all the while showcasing the power and artistry of the incomparable Johnny Maestro. Johnny Maestro began his career singing (more…)