Tucson, AZ--- Internationally acclaimed musical troubadour and “The Crown Prince of NY Cabaret” (New York Times) Steve Ross will be joined by guest artists NY pianist Michael Lavine and Tucson’s own Katherine Byrnes in a two-piano celebration of the words and music of Noël Coward and Cole Porter. This spirited and brilliant musical revue gives audiences a glimpse into the irreverent wit and magnificent artistry of two creative titans of 20th - century musical theater. ”NOËL AND COLE” showcases standards such as ”Night and Day,” ”I Get a Kick Out of You,” ”I Love Paris,” “Mrs. Worthington,” “If Love Were All,” Mad Dogs and Englishmen,” ”I`ll See You Again,” and, of course, “Let’s Do It.” Cole Porter established his dominance as one of the greatest composers and songwriters of his generation, while the infamous wit of Noël Coward led to his inspired work as a playwright, composer, director, actor and singer. Joining these two masters along with the incomparable musical talent of Steve Ross, Michael Lavine and Katherine Byrnes create the ultimate atmosphere for “A Marvelous Party,” where “Anything Goes!”.
“Steve Ross is the suavest of all male cabaret performers."
- New York Times
The show runs for 85 minutes without an intermission and is rated high school PG. NOËL AND COLE - Let’s Do IT is made possible in part Through the Generous Support of The Elizabeth and Milton Kahn Philanthropic Fund and Gail Fitzhugh.
TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY! Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Berger Performing Arts Center located at 1200 West Speedway. The single show ticket price is $45. All seats are reserved. Additional discounts are available for groups, seniors, active military and students. For reservations and information please call (520)882-9721or visit www.invisibletheatre.com
Please note: This is a replacement production for the previously announced “FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD” with Richard Glazier. Artist photos are available on request. Contact Norma Gentry norma@pvincaz.com
Steve Ross
Steve Ross has been a fixture of the cabaret community in Manhattan for over forty years. He was born “forty-five minutes from Broadway” in New Rochelle, NY, and was raised in Washington, DC with an opera-loving father and a mother who played on the piano the songs of Gershwin, Porter and Irving Berlin. His first major job in New York was as a successful singer/pianist at the now famous piano bar Ted Hook’s Backstage.
In 1981, he re-opened the legendary Oak Room at Manhattan’s famed Hotel Algonquin where he held forth for more than 15 years. He has appeared on Broadway in Noël Coward’s PRESENT LAUGHTER and off-Broadway in his tribute to Fred Astaire entitled I WON’T DANCE. Internationally, he has performed in London, Paris, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne and Sydney as well as cabarets and theatres across America and on the high seas. He’s hosted programs on the BBC and New York Public Radio and was on the Concerts and Lectures roster at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for eight years. He co-starred with KT Sullivan in “Love, Noël: the Letters and Songs of Noël Coward” (summer of 2019 at the Irish Repertory Theatre) His last show at the Algonquin, Puttin’ on the Ritz – the Songs of Fred Astaire, prompted Stephen Holden of the New York Times to describe Steve as “the personification of the bygone dream world that his music summons.”
Steve Ross has delighted and beguiled an international audience for decades. Although he has performed in huge out-of-door venues (the St. Lous Muny Opera) and on theatre stages (PRESENT LAUGHTER - Broadway; I WON’T DANCE- Off-Broadway and on tour) he is equally successful in bringing his unique brand of Manhattan sophistication to cabarets and intimate events all over the world - from the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo to the Ritz hotels in London and Paris and from parties for Revlon to special evenings for Christies. The Transatlantic Songbook is alive and well in the hands of this elegant and seasoned performer who turns every evening into an exciting Cafe Society event.
Michael Lavine has worked as a musical director, pianist, vocal coach and singer all over the world. He musically directed a concert of the works of Stephen Schwartz, featuring Stephen himself, Ben Vereen, Paul Shaffer, Alice Ripley, Daisy Eagan, Constantine Maroulis, Bryan Batt, and more, and produced and musically directed REDISCOVERED HAMLISCH, a CD of previously unrecorded songs by Marvin Hamlisch, featuring Kelli O’Hara and other Broadway stars. Michael conducted THE LITTLE MERMAID at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, starring Emily Skinner, musical directed Comden & Green’s BILLION DOLLAR BABY at Off-Broadway’s York Theatre, starring Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Kudisch and Debbie Gravitte, as well as Burton Lane’s CARMELINA (also at the York). He has shared the stage with Mimi Hines and Peter Howard (his mentor) in THIS FUNNY WORLD (a Rodgers and Hart revue) at the Kennedy Center. Michael also regularly plays for the Outer Critics Circle Awards in New York and has conducted orchestras in a number of cities around the country.
A graduate of Columbia University, Michael owns one of the larger privately held sheet music collections in the world. In addition, Michael gives master classes on the performance of songs and auditioning in New York, Los Angeles, Moscow, Switzerland, Bangkok, Australia, Singapore, Manila, Martha's Vineyard and other locations. More details can be found at Michael's website, www.michaellavine.net. He can be reached at Broadwaymhl@aol.com.
Katherine Byrnes is an award-winning vocalist, educator and concert producer based in Tucson, AZ. She is the sell-out headliner of "Tapestry: The Album", a show honoring Carole King's landmark album and "Piece Of My Heart", her tribute to Janis Joplin. She toured China as the featured vocalist for Art.if.act Dance Project's "Great American Dance Tour", and across Europe and the US as a harmony singer in Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee's band. She has sung with acts as diverse as the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona legends Calexico, and cumbia sensation Orkesta Mendoza, She also co-leads the band Sweet Ghosts with her partner Ryan Alfred.
Raised in the Sonoran Desert, Katherine is a proud member of the eclectic Tucson arts community, both onstage and behind the scenes. She is the co-director and choreographer of The Gaslight Theatre, and assistant director of the Pastime Players, a program that helps children with special abilities build confidence through singing, acting, and dancing. She is also the designer and director of The Gaslight Theatre's summer musical theater camp for kids.
About The Invisible Theatre
The Invisible Theatre (IT) of Tucson, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, has been dedicated to producing quality theatre and arts education experiences for all facets of the community in an intimate setting that showcases local professional talent and guest artists for 52 years. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off-Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and stage readings.
Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen and Associate Artistic Directors James Blair and Betsy Kruse Craig, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs. The Invisible Theatre is located at 1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, AZ 85719. For additional information visit www.invisibletheatre.com or call 520-882-9721
Covid Protocols: The health and safety of our artists, audiences and staff continues to be our top priority. While masks, full vaccination and booster shots are no longer required, these health and safety measures are subject to change, at Invisible Théâtre’s sole discretion and are based on evolving health and safety guidance and conditions.
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