Aug 25: An Evening of Classic Broadway hosted by Brad Ellis - Upstairs at Vitello's

Monday, August 25th at 8PM, I'll appear Upstairs at Vitello’s, singing AN EVENING OF CLASSIC BROADWAY, hosted by acclaimed musical director Brad Ellis and featuring a cast of A-list singers singing favorite songs from classic Broadway shows.

Brad and I will present a new medley of "The Songs Forty-Second Street," (tunes Warren and Dubin wrote for Warner Brothers Pictures about Broadway in the '30s, but which didn't appear on the Great White Way until 1980), as well as a Jerry Herman rarity, "The Antique Man," (from the revue PARADE, 1960) in an arrangement I first presented with the Fred Barton Orchestra at the American Showstoppers: Jerry Herman concert in 2013 (video link: "Damon Kirsche and the Fred Barton Orchestra present Jerry Herman's "The Antique Man," from PARADE, 1960).")

UPDATE: video link: "The Songs of Forty-Second Street" (Warren/Dubin; arr. Kirsche/Ellis)

Brad Ellis,
Host and Musical Director

Long regarded as one of the most respected and sought after composers, arrangers, and musical directors in the Broadway community, Brad Ellis is currently enjoying a newfound fame as the on-camera pianist on the hit television series Glee. Lately, he has been traveling the world with Matthew Morrison as Musical Director for Matthew’s solo show.

Fraser Entertainment Group presents

AN EVENING OF CLASSIC BROADWAY

hosted by Brad Ellis

Monday, August 25th at 8PM

Upstairs at Vitello’s Jazz and Supper Club

4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604

TICKETS: $15 / 818.769.0905 or at ticketweb.com

Aug 6-10: 42ND STREET at MTWichita

Julian Marsh (Damon Kirsche) tells Peggy Sawyer (Tessa Grady)
 about the lullaby of old Broadway.

I'm honored and thrilled to return to Music Theatre Wichita to present 42ND STREET, the musical valentine to the Great White Way that celebrates the timeless songs of Harry Warren and Al Dubin. Directed and choreographed by Jon Engstrom of the original Broadway company in an entirely new production designed by Bruce Brockman and costumed by Debbie Roberts, this 42ND STREET is a stellar presentation of Gower Champion and David Merrick's original 1980 production.

"Come and meet those dancing feet!”  Broadway’s liveliest tap-dance extravaganza triumphantly returns to Music Theatre Wichita, bringing all its lively humor, gorgeous costumes, and exhilarating dance numbers. 42nd Street is the ultimate in spectacular feel-good entertainment, featuring an unprecedented array of magnificent songs:  “The Lullaby of Broadway,” “Young and Healthy,” “You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me,” “We’re in the Money,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” ”Go Into Your Dance,” “About a Quarter to Nine,” and the hypnotic title tune.

Watch "The Brett and Sierra Show" (KWCH12) — Damon Kirsche joins Brett and Sierra to discuss MTWichita's production of 42ND STREET.

Watch a "sneak peek" of rehearsal footage and interviews with the cast and creative team of MTWichtia's 42ND STREET and view additional photos at BroadwayWorld.com.

Julian Marsh (Damon Kirsche) leads his cast to "glory."

Dorothy Brock (Tracy Lore) in the shadows, where she comes to sing to you.

Peggy Sawyer (Tessa Grady) and Billy Lawlor (Shonn Wiley)
in the 42ND STREET ballet.

Julian Marsh (Damon Kirsche) celebrates
"naughty, bawdy, gaudy, sporty" 42ND STREET.

presents

42ND STREET

August 6-10, 2014

Music Theatre Wichita

Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center

225 West Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67202

Music by Harry Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin

Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble

Based on the Novel by Bradford Ropes

Original Direction and Dances by Gower Champion

Originally Produced on Broadway by David Merrick

The use of all songs is by Warner Bros., the owner of music publishers’ rights

For tickets, call the box office at 316.265.3107, or visit: MTWichita.org

All photos: Christopher Clark Photography

MTWest's 42ND STREET gives $10K to Broadway Cares, Actors Fund

The cast of 42ND STREET. Photo Credit: Lily Lim

In its closing weekend, the cast of Musical Theatre West's 42ND STREET collected $10,000 for Broadway Cares/EFA and The Actors Fund from its sold out crowds.

This fall, Broadway Cares and The Actors Fund are donating a portion of the money we collected to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, through three relief organizations: AmeriCares, Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the American Red Cross.

Please visit broadwaycares.org and the actorsfund.org to give generously this holiday season and "let's spend it, lend it, send it rolling along!"

ALSO SEE: Lily Lim's Photo Coverage: Musical Theatre West's 42ND STREET Opening Night Curtain Call & Party.

10/26: LA Stage Times Feature

Damon Kirsche as Julian Marsh in Musical Theatre West's 42nd Street (Photo: Alysa Brennan)

I was recently interviewed by Samantha Mehlinger for a feature article in the LA Stage Times  ("Kirsche Kicks Off MTW’s 6-0 Party With 42nd Street"), in which we discuss Musical Theatre West's current production of 42nd Street, my recent work in Scott Thompson and Fred Barton's new Harold Arlen musical One for My Baby, and my regular appearances with Dean Mora and his Orchestra.