The Best of NYC - Corine's World - where it all began!

CORINE'S CORNER - WHAT'S NEW!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

TALE OF TWO CITIES PRESS PREVIEW


One of my favorite singers who sings deep and should be cast as a "Prince"
You will understand the joke when you see my video.
Devin is very talented and should be cast as a lead in my opinion.

Look for his one man show at the Metropolitan in November.
James Barber
Set


Sketches of the costumes
Gregg Edelman









Aaron Lazar and Craig Bennett
Kevin Earley, Natalie Toro and James Barber





Kevin Earley







Gregg Edelman







I got to interview Aaron Lazar and it was a thrill. He happens to have one of the greatest voices currently on Broadway and he is a very sweet person. I can't wait to see him in the show.
The incredibly handsome Kevin Earley. I really enjoyed interviewing him.

















Maryann Lopinto got these shots at "TALE OF TWO CITIES" press preview. Staytuned for a video coming in the next few days. I interviewed: Aaron Lazar, Kevin Earley, Nick Wyman, and







Michael Hayward Jones. More photos coming later.














Corine Cohen







Photos by Maryann Lopinto.

CAROL HALL IN CONCERT AT YALE.

CAROL HALL & STEVEN LUTVAKTHE YALE CONCERT(“They Write The Songs”)JULY 31stTHE NEW THEATER / YALE UNIVERSITY


On THURSDAY, JULY 31st CAROL HALL and STEVEN LUTVAK, two members of the award-winning faculty at the Cabaret Conference at Yale University, will perform in concert at Yale University’s NEW THEATRE (1156 Chapel Street – between York Street and Park Street. The concert, which is entitled “They Write The Songs” will be presented for one night only. Curtain is at 7:30pm. Both Ms. Hall and Mr. Lutvak have been generously honored with critical acclaim for their individual and collaborative work as both songwriters and performers. Mr. Lutvak appears on Ms. Hall’s most recent and highly acclaimed CD HALLWAYS, The Songs of Carol Hall that was released last March on the LML Music label where it is in its third printing. In addition to her formidable talents, Ms. Hall will be bringing several Guest Stars to the stage; Sally Mayes, Laurel Massé, Sharon McNight and Rita Gardner. The evening’s program will include several songs from Ms. Hall’s cannon of work including Hard Candy Christmas, Tattooed Boy In Memphis, Jenny Rebecca, This Is My Birthday, Doatsy Mae, It’s Only A Broken Heart, My Circle Of Friends, Lover of High Wire, It’s Alright To Cry and I’ll Imagine You a Song which she wrote with Mr. Lutvak.


THE SIXTH ANNUAL CABARET CONFERENCE
The Sixth Annual Cabaret Conference At Yale University will be held July 25-August 3, 2008. It is an internationally focused, nine-day teaching program that offers an intensive look at the art of cabaret. The Great American Songbook will be addressed in its entirety, from its origins in the late 19th century through the classic pop standards of the 1930s and 40s to today’s contemporary cabaret, musical theater, jazz and pop music. The award-winning faculty will guide thirty-six students through classes and lectures covering cabaret performance technique, acting for singers, lyric interpretation, focus, concentration, act structure, act writing, material research, comedic development, musical director relations, maintenance of the vocal instrument, and image consultation.


CAROL HALL – BIO
The first person ever to record one of Carol Hall’s songs was the young Barbra Streisand. Subsequently, her songs were performed by such extraordinary singers as Tony Bennett, Barbara Cook, Margaret Whiting, Julie Wilson, Chita Rivera, Michael Feinstein, Mabel Mercer, Amanda McBroom, Lari White, Olivia Newton-John, Maureen McGovern, Miriam Makeba, RuPaul, David Campbell, Frederica von Stade, Kermit the Frog and Big Bird. Among others. She’s also one of the few songwriters to have a hit Broadway show. Her classic musical THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS entertained Broadway audiences for almost five years, received a Grammy nomination for its cast album, and became a popular film starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. Dolly’s recording of Carol’s song “Hard Candy Christmas” won an ASCAP Most Performed Country Song Award, and the film generated an OSCAR nomination for Charles Durning, singing “The Sidestep” as the slippery Governor of Texas. A recent national tour of WHOREHOUSE starring the entertainment legend Ann-Margret, enjoyed a run for over a year and a half. Carol also does a lot of writing for children, (Her “It’s All Right To Cry,” and “Parents Are People” continue to be favorites of generations of children). Recently she created the score to the theatrical version of the popular children's series MAX AND RUBY. Four tours of the show are presently playing across the country, after a successful debut opening Off-Broadway in December 2007. But her recent delight has been the making of her CD “Hallways,” which features many of her most loved and wonderful songs – both old and brand new — such as the hit “Hard Candy Christmas,” as well as the timeless classic “Jenny Rebecca” — and a number of premier performances. As Carol says in the CD’s booklet, “a song is not a song until somebody sings it…” And what an array of singers she has here! In addition to Carol, performing on the CD are Amanda McBroom, Johnny Rodgers, Scott Coulter, Tim Dipasqua, Tom Andersen, Lesley Gore, Susannah Blinkoff, Farah Alvin, Steven Lutvak, Laurel Massé, Bobby Gosh, Rick Jensen, Carol Woods and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. “Hallways” was also co-produced by Tex Arnold, who was its musical director, responsible for the exquisite arrangements. And it was spectacularly engineered by Bill Moss at the famous NOLA Recording Studios, NYC.


STEVEN LUTVAK - BIO
Steven Lutvak has had a remarkable two years. He and his principal collaborator, Robert Freedman, won the Kleban Award, the premiere prize for lyric writing in Musical Theater; their musical KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS was presented as part of the Breaking Ground Series at the Huntington Theater in Boston; KIND HEARTS was invited to be the only musical developed at the Sundance Theater Lab; and Steven received a rave review in the New York Times for his cabaret act of his own songs. MAD HOT BALLROOM, the film for which Steven wrote the title song, became the 9th most successful documentary of all time. The debut of Shoulder to Shoulder, a new song commissioned for the opening ceremonies of the Gay Games in Chicago, which was sung by Billy Porter, and a 250-voice choir. His musical, CAMPAIGN OF THE CENTRY, was originally commissioned by the American Musical Theater of San Jose, and was more recently presented in New York as part of the New York Music Theater Festival, and, in a concert version, was the closing event of 2004’s Chicago Humanities Festival, both starring Tony Award winner Michael Rupert. Lutvak scored Off-Broadway’s HANNAH SENESH, which was nominated for a Drama Desk Award, and was later produced at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Baltimore Center Stage, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and most recently at Penguin Repertory Theatre. The production also toured throughout Canada and Israel. The release of his solo CD, THE TIME IT TAKES was celebrated with a sold-out run at New York’s hottest venue, Joe’s Pub. Other awards include the first Johnny Mercer Foundation Emerging American Songwriter Award, two Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Grant and two Bistro Awards. Mr. Lutvak has received the MAC Award three times and has been the recipient of the ASCAP Award annually since 1984.
Seniors


RESERVATIONS203-432-1234

Sunday, July 13, 2008

ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT


Hey all! Just a note to let you know my first new solo show in five years, BEST OF MY LOVE, will have its final performance Tuesday, July 29, @ 7:00 PM Performance and show info are below. I hope you'll be able to make it out to see this new show. Also, I'll be appearing this Tuesday, July 15 @ 6:30 PM, at Don't Tell Mama as part of the popular GRACENOTES cabaret singers soiree. Appearing with me on the bill are Anna Bergman, Adam Alexander, the vocal group Mama Said, and a host of others. One final note: On July 16 @ 6:30 PM, I'll be making a special appearance in connection with my family CD recording, SING A RAINBOW, as part of the popular Barnes & Noble Any Wednesday series.


Admission is free; doors open at 6:00 PM. ERIC MICHAEL GILLETTBEST OF MY LOVEMetropolitan Room34 W. 22nd StreetReservations: 212.206.04400A$20 Music Charge/2 Drink MinimumMusical Director: Don RebicBass: Steve DoyleTuesday-July 29 @ 7:00 PM
ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT’S FIRST NEW SOLO SHOW IN FIVE YEARS RETURNS HIM TO THE STAGE OF THE METROPOLITAN FOLLOWING HIS ENCORE PRESENTATIONS OF THE ACCLAIMED “HOOK, LINE & SINGER”. IN “BEST OF MY LOVE”, THE MAC AND BISTRO AWARD WINNING VOCALIST TAKES A WRY AND MOVING LOOK AT THE INTRICATE WAYS OF THE HEART AND THE UNIVERSAL PATHS WE ALL TREAD AS WE STUMBLE OUR WAY TOWARD TRUE ROMANCE. FINAL PERFORMANCE OF "BEST OF MY LOVE" WILL BE TUESDAY, JULY 29, @ 7:00 PM. CABARET SCENES RECENTLY REVIEWED THE SHOW AND SAID, "SEE THIS SHOW; IT'S A GIFT TO YOURSELF."
http://www.ericmichaelgillett.com/




Hi guys,

I saw this show at the METROPOLITAN ROOM last night and I loved it. It is a Corine's Pick so don't miss it! It is very romantic. The sad part was watching it with a table of women friends.
If you have a boyfriend or husband this is the perfect romantic date night.

Corine Cohen(PS I am taking applications for this spot as I am not attached!)

NEW LOOK AND NEW VIDEOS ON THE HOMEPAGE!



Hi guys,


Hope you like the new site that Christina designed for me for the Third Anniversary.

It has exceeded all of my expectations and I can't thank her enough for making my site a

fun place to visit. So, visit often and tell your friends.


Also, some videos I did at the Drama Desk are now on the homepage:

Check out:


Interview with Rob Asford, Laura Benanti, (Gypsy) Mark Rylance (from Boeing-Boeing), and Bartlett Sher (Director of South Pacific.)


Coming up soon are interviews with:

Stew, Heidi and Daniel Breaker from Passing Strange, Paulo Szot and Danny Burstein from South Pacific and more.


Have a great weekend.


XO,

Corine Cohen

Thursday, July 10, 2008

PASSING STRANGE BEING MADE INTO A MOVIE WITH THE HELP OF SPIKE LEE!

Spike Lee and Producer Gerald Schoenfeld.


Steve Klein, Stew, Spike Lee, Heidi and Annie Dorsen.

Interviewing Spike, Daniel and Heidi was a very fabulous experience!

Feel the real. Go and see this fabulous theatrical event. (Love the music!!!)



Yesterday, Spike Lee announced that he will be making the fabulous happening "PASSING STRANGE" into a film. Sadly, I could not make it but Brad Balfour attended and got some good photos.










Photo by Brad Balfour.


More photos will be added later!

Corine Cohen










I am looking forward to the film as I love Stew and Heidi's music. Feel the real and go to the Broadway show. It is a must see for people that love Stew's sound. I am one of those people.





In addition I also interviewed Stew, Daniel Breaker and Heidi at the Drama Desk awards and I hope my video editor will put it up on my site soon.










I loved "Passing Strange" and hope you see it soon!

DAVID GURLAND AND BRIAN FARLEY!

David Gurland and Brian Farley sing the Music and Lyrics of Rodgers and Hammerstein THURSDAY'SJuly 24th and July 31st at 7 PM

Award winning vocalists Brian Farley and David Gurland team up for their first full show together.- An evening of RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN, accented by edgy humor, great stage presence, medley's galore and gorgeous harmonies. Already great interpreters of the American Popular songbook, this will be the pair's first foray into the catalog of arguably the greatest songwriting team in history. Featuring songs from Carousel, The Sound of Music, The King and I, this years' biggest Broadway hit South Pacific, and many more. Musically directed by Tracy Stark.

www.westbankcafe.com 407 West 42nd Street at 9th Avenue
$16 cover$15 food/drink minimum
212-695-6909
Credit cards accepted
Reservations recommended

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

DANCING QUEENS UNITE- MAMMA MIA HERE I GO AGAIN HOW CAN I RESIST YOU!

Photos by Universal Pictures.























PSST. I have a secret. I saw the MAMMA MIA movie tonight.
When I saw the preview at "SEX AND THE CITY" I turned to my friend and said wow that looks awful. Well, I was wrong...

If you love the music of ABBA and the adorable Broadway show you can't stop from having a great time with the catchy showtunes and the kitschy and campy feel. (I AM A DANCING QUEEN AND I LOVED IT!!!!)

The Good:

Christine Baranski. She shows her acting chops in this film. Yeah, she is typecast as her own fabulous self which was perfection. As perfect as a chilled Cosmo. She looks fit, fabulous and yes she has style but she is not the NANNY. She always cracks me up so the film was worth the price of admission just to see her. (Also catch her in BOEING BOEING, the woman is a pro.)

The Bad:
Pierce Brosnan is hot, a great actor but he is not a singer. He did do a great job regardless but a few times when he sang I wanted to crawl under a table.

The sets were beautiful and I think the movie will make people want to go back and see the show. I did like the film more than the show. The acting is great. I mean the show is not deep, but it is a very entertaining show and the movie was even more entertaining to me. The one thing the movie does not have on the show. YOU CAN'T GET UP AND DANCE IN THE AISLE.

I LOVE ABBA and I think the film is adorable and a good, light, happy and entertaining film. If you love the music of ABBA you are in for a treat. I really had a great time.

3.5 stars out of five.

MAMMA MIA- HERE I GO AGAIN (It has been five years since I saw it on Broadway) I missed it. It will make you cheer. PS. I only saw the show once when it first opened and this film made me want to make a second trip to the Broadway show. I loved it, I just wish they had someone else sing for Pierce.

Corine Dana Cohen
Dancing Queen

MY AMAZING WEB GURU!



I wanted to thank Christina for the incredible redesign. It looks amazing. If you need a website, Christina is the best. You can write to her at the bottom of my homepage. She is the greatest!


Hope you like the new look. I love it and stay tuned for exciting new additions to the site that only Christina knows about.


Christina is the best web designer and I can't thank her enough for the glorious new look.


Stay tuned. More later.

REGIS AND KELLY HIGH HEEL A-THON. CORINE'S COMMENTARY!



I love Regis and Kelly and watch it often. This morning they are having a race where women can race in 3 inch heels. The winner will take home $25,000. Who wants to run in three inch heels?


I think the event is silly. Why can't they have a different contest?




My dream contest for REGIS AND KELLY:




Contest:




Win a day to anchor REGIS AND KELLI and THE VIEW.


The best guest host will win a contract for their own TV SHOW ON ABC.


This should be open only to women and I would apply for that. I like the sound of the Corinescorner hour.




High Heel a-thon? Not so much. Women should not run in 4 inch heels. It is bad for their back, ankles and feet. It is sort of sexist and upsetting to me. A way to fix this issue, win your own tv contract on ABC. Sign me up.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Film and Theater Junkies Please Apply!


Hi,


I am looking for a video editor who is passionate about:

1. Film

2. Theatre (Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and Broadway musicals and plays)

3. Food coverage (Wine tasting, food events)


I am searching for an entry level film student or video student who would like exposure, free tickets and a small stipend to film interviews for my site.


Photo credit and tickets to a list events. Must be able to shoot video and edit it and put it on my site within 4 days max. (Pay $10 per video and a free ad on my site promoting your business)



HELLO, WALLE. OH HELLO. WALLE!

From Pixar press packet.


A few nights ago, I was fortunate to attend a press screening for WALLE. Walle is one of the most touching and passionate movies I have seen in a very longtime. It is a must for anyone that loves musical theatre. Walle, is the only robot left on earth. Inside Walle, is a tape of "Hello Dolly" and Walle is in search of love. When Walle meets Eve, Walle finds the true meaning of love.

Walle is an adorable film with heart. He is only survived by his cockroach friend who never dies.
It is a movie that should not be missed. Not a film for children. 10 and up.

Walle is a Corine's Pix.
4-5 stars.

This movie made me weep. It is very touching. Great romantic film for a first date. Or for any date night. If you love musical theater and a touching story Walle is the animated film for you.

PS The animated short shown before the movie had my friend laughing so hard I thought he would explode. Don't miss the cute short before the film with a little rabbit and magician. I actually liked the short as much as the main feature. It was so cute.

This is Corine Cohen for http://www.corinescorner.com/
Film and theater are my deep passions.

Monday, July 7, 2008

2008 DRAMA DESK AWARD WINNERS TO RECEIVE THEIR TROPHIES JULY 22 AT 4 PM!

Photo of Paulo Szot by Maryann Lopinto

Photo of Laura Benanti by Mark Rupp

2008 DRAMA DESK AWARD WINNERS TO RECEIVE THEIR TROPHIES
AT COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT TONY’S DI NAPOLI RESTAURANT
ON TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008, AT 4:00 pm

Winners of DRAMA DESK AWARDS for the 2007/2008 New York theater season will receive their engraved trophies at a cocktail reception in their honor on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, from 4:00 to 6: 30 PM, at Tony’s DiNapoli Restaurant, 147 W. 43rd St, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards show, and Bruce Dimpflmaier, General Manager, of Tony’s Di Napoli Restaurant.





The Drama Desk Awards, which celebrate excellence in all sectors of New York’s theater world, took place on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. The awards ceremony, hosted by the cast of [tile of show], was webcast with live streaming video from 9:00 PM to its conclusion by TheaterMania.com, and broadcast live in its entirety on XM Satellite Radio’s Broadway Channel 28, hosted by John von Soosten and Valerie Smaldone.



“This will be the third time we have scheduled a cocktail reception to distribute the trophies at Tony’s Di Napoli,” said Robert R. Blume. “The past two year’s events were so successful that both Bruce and I decided to do it again. We expect that most of the winners who are still in New York City will attend the event on July 22nd to pick up their trophies.”
“Tony’s Di Napoli is honored to be co-hosting this special event celebrating New York theater with Drama Desk Executive Producer Robert R. Blume,” said restaurant general manager Bruce Dimpflmaier. “We are very supportive of New York theater and are proud to continue our association with the Drama Desk.”



In addition to honoring creative artists and stage productions in multiple categories, the Drama Desk annually presents scholarships to worthy seniors in the Drama Department of the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts who are planning careers in the theater. Last year the Drama Desk also presented four public seminars with leading theater personalities as panelists.

The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to explore key issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting its awards in 1955, and it is the only critics organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition between Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions in the same categories.

Drama Desk Award recipients invited to the Trophy Presentation event include: special award winners James Earl Jones and playwright Edward Albee; actors Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti and Boyd Gaines, all of whom are in Gypsy; Paulo Szot (South Pacific); Mark Rylance (Boeing-Boeing); Laurence Fishburne (Thurgood); Deanna Dunagan (August: Osage County); Conleth Hill (The Seafarer); Linda Lavin (The New Century); the casts of The Dining Room and The Homecoming; the cast and producers of The 39 Steps; directors Anna D. Shapiro (August: Osage County) and Bartlett Sher (South Pacific); choreographer Rob Ashford (Cry-Baby The Musical); composers Stew and Heidi Rodewald (Passing Strange); musical book writer Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu); orchestrator Jason Carr (Sunday in the Park with George); set designers Scott Pask (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) and Michael Yeargan (South Pacific); costume designer Katrina Lindsay (Les Liaisons Dangereuses); lighting designer Kevin Adams (The 39 Steps); sound designer Scott Lehrer (South Pacific); and projection and video designers Timothy Bird and The Knifedge Creative Network (Sunday in the Park with George).

Also, playwright Tracy Letts and the producers of August: Osage County; the creators and producers of Passing Strange; the producers and creators of Boeing-Boeing; the creators and producers of South Pacific; the producers and creative team of Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening; and the artistic directors of special award winners, 59East59 Theaters and Playwrights Horizons.