For those of you who read my reviews regularly, you know how excited I was by last summer’s Cabaret series at CVRep. Every Thursday, the audience was treated to a blockbuster performance by some of theatre’s most illustrious performers. If you were lucky enough to attend this year’s inaugural concert on May 4, 2023, then you know it was an amazing launch to their second season of summer cabarets. Blessed with a beautiful voice and a genuinely warm and likeable personality, Melissa Errico wowed the sold-out house with an evening of meticulously sung songs and humorous anecdotes in a heart-felt remembrance of Stephen Sondheim. Accompanied by the masterful Tedd Firth on the piano, Ms. Errico sang a wide variety of Sondheim’s personal favorites including songs from PASSION, INTO THE WOODS and SWEENY TODD , among others. She is gifted with a beautiful and soulful voice which can bring laughter one minute and a tear the next The evening flew by and she received a truly well-deserved standing ovation.
Now, this was just the first Thursday evening of the summer’s great line-up. Here are some of the other amazingly talented people scheduled to appear this summer……
ALAN H. GREEN – May 11, 2023
“Powerful voice,” “dynamic stage presence” and “incredible versatility” are all phrases used to describe this charismatic Broadway veteran. Green has appeared in hit shows such as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, School of Rock, Sister Act and Play On! Off-Broadway credits include Broadway Bounty Hunter and Happiness at Lincoln Center. He has been featured in regional theatre productions across the county. Green received a prestigious Berkie Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical and BroadwayWorld’s Best Performer. In addition to his stage and television work, Green has performed at the White House, Radio City Music Hall, and the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Not only will you enjoy this dynamic performer but the evening will feature a “Sip & Social” event beginning at 5:30 for light pre-show snacks and mingling.
AN EVENING with STEVE ROSS – May 18, 2023
Returning to Coachella Valley Repertory with An Evening with Steve Ross, the “Crown Prince of New York Cabaret” (NY Times) will perform classics by music titans George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim and Noel Coward. A magician of the keyboard, Ross is as debonair as Fred Astaire, with the wit and sophistication of Coward and Porter. Acclaimed in London and adored in NYC, Ross proves that glamorous evenings still happen. The London Times hailed his show as “the smoothest cabaret act in the world.” Above all, all else, Steve Ross is just plain fun.
ALIX KOREY & TERI RALSTON – June 8, 2023
Alix Korey (left) is a veteran of eight Broadway shows, the last being All Shook Up. Others include costarring roles in Chicago, Neil Simon’s 45 Seconds From Broadway, Triumph Of Love, Ain’t Broadway Grand and Pirates Of Penzance. Off- Broadway, she originated roles in The Wild Party (Drama Desk nomination), No Way To Treat A Lady (Outer Critics Circle nomination) and Suburb (Dramaleague award), among many others. She has appeared in numerous films and prime time TV shows, and has released two award-winning solo CDs.
Teri Ralston (right) has been a prominent figure in the musical theatre world since her debut as young Luisa in The Fantasticks. She has worked with many of the great songwriters of our time, including Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz and Cy Coleman. Schwartz created the role of Denise in Baker’s Wife for her. She was the leading lady in Coleman’s Home Again, Home Again, Jenny in the original cast of Company, and originated the role of Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music. Ralston has performed in cabaret venues around the world, and was the soloist with Michael Feinstein and the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and the New Mexico Symphony. Ralston can be heard on seven original cast albums, three CDs from London engagements and a solo CD.
BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS with GLENN ROSENBLUM – June 15, 2023 with JACKIE JOSEPH and ALIX KOREY
Glenn Rosenblum is joined by Jackie Joseph and Alix Korey for this wonderful evening. Rosenblum uses the stage to share music and his vast knowledge of musical theatre to tell his own story through song and fun anecdotes. He’s been called a cross between Nathan Lane and Ethel Merman. Celebrating the music from Peter Pan, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Funny Girl, Zorba, The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd and more! BroadwayWorld.com called him the “New Prince of Los Angeles cabaret”
Actress and writer Jackie Joseph portrayed Audrey Fulquard in the original version of The Little Shop of Horrors, as well as Charlene Hensley in Hogan’s Heroes, Sheila Futterman in Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Mrs. Kirkland in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment and Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, and was the voice of Melody in the animated series, Josie and the Pussycats. Her career, especially in television and film, began as a featured performer and singer in the Billy Barnes Revue of 1958. Among her many film credits, Joseph played the love interest of Willie (played by Bob Denver) in the film Who’s Minding the Mint?
CHRISTIANE NOLL – June 22, 2023
Broadway star and concert artist Christiane Noll has been nominated for Tony and Drama Desk awards and received the Helen Hayes Award for Mother in the revival of Ragtime. She starred in the first National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen, later taking over the role of Cynthia Murphy on Broadway. Noll made her Broadway debut as Emma in Jekyll & Hyde, receiving a FANY award and garnered a second Drama Desk nomination for Chaplin on Broadway. She was Sister Margaretta in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live with Carrie Underwood. She also appeared on Broadway in Elf and It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, and toured in Urinetown, The Mambo Kings, Grease!, Miss Saigon and City of Angeles. This evening will also feature a “Sip & Social” event at 5:30 for light pre-show snacks and mingling.
And this only takes us to June 22, 2023! If you are not familiar with some of these talented people’s names, don’t let that keep you from attending. They are great onstage and will make those hot summer nights fly by! I’ll talk about the rest of the season in a couple of weeks. Melissa Errico was sold out and the same was true for several of the shows last summer. So don’t lose the chance to see any of these great performers by waiting until it’s too late and all the seats are gone. You’ll be glad you will be able to say “I was there.” For tickets or further information go to their website: www.CVRep.org