It's finally here! I will be premiering my new cabaret show, "A Little Travelin' Music" at Kelly's of Alameda in November!

"A Little Travelin' Music" tells the story of how I accumulated over a million frequent flyer miles over the past 15 years, and how the life of a traveling high-tech executive kept me off the stage for most of that time. Featuring songs by composers such as Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer and Cy Coleman, we'll take a musical journey around the world through the Great American Songbook.

Backed by my Musical Director, the renowned jazz pianist Kelly Park and his Trio, we'll travel through song from London to Chicago, Paris to New York, and from Rome to San Francisco.

Plus, we'll be celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of the kitchen at Kelly's of Alameda, featuring Chef Stuart Wright of Creative Custom Cuisine, with two very special Dinner/Show packages on November 14th and November 21st. Cocktails are available from 6:00-7:00pm, with a Buffet Dinner from 7:00-8:00pm. The show begins at 8:00pm. Seating at each show is limited to only 40 people, and is sure to sell out quickly, so please don't wait to get your tickets!

Tickets or advanced reservations are required. The package includes a buffet dinner and show for $35 in advance, or $40 (cash only) at the door. Cocktails are NOT included in the package price.

Please note that online sales are final, and there are no refunds for cancellations. Space permitting, you may request to exchange your tickets for another date by sending email to customer_service@russlorenson.com. We will do our best to accommodate you.

To purchase tickets online for the show on Monday, November 14, please click here:

To make advance reservations and pay at the door (cash only), please click here, or call (415) 674-3863.

I have been cast in the role of Buddy in a staged concert production of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies", as a benefit for San Francisco's School of the Arts (SOTA).

"Follies", considered by many to be Stephen Sondheim's best work, takes place at a reunion of the Weisman Follies girls, gathering at their old theater on the eve of its leveling to become a parking lot. When Sally tries to rekindle her old flame with Ben (who married her best friend from the old days, Phyllis), chaos ensues until Sally, Buddy (her husband), Ben, and Phyllis break down and acknowledge their follies in a dream-Follies sequence, Loveland. The entire show is interspersed with ex-showgirls reprising their old big numbers, and the atmosphere is heightened by the presence of the ghosts of everyone's former selves, who sometimes sing along, sometimes reenact important events, and sometimes even interact with the present. Songs include Too Many Mornings, I'm Still Here, and Losing My Mind.

The production will be comprised of acclaimed members of San Francisco's cabaret community portraying the former showgirls and their beaux, and SOTA students portraying the "ghosts" of their former selves. The production will be staged by Dan Kryston, with vocal direction by Barry Lloyd, the "Crown Prince of San Francisco Cabaret". The orchestra will be conducted by Jerry Pannone, with choreography by Elvia Marta.

The performances will be held Thursday through Saturday, November 17-19, at 7:30pm, at the Mainstage on the SOTA campus, located at 555 Portola Drive in San Francisco. Advance sale tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students. Tickets purchased at the door are $35 for adults and $25 for students. Tickets may be purchased through the SOTA box office by calling (415) 695-5720.

Like the photos? They're by Lisa Keating, and are from the photo shoot we did for the CD.

Shawn Ryan - one of today's hottest jazz/cabaret stars - is also one of what I like to call my "Cabaret Angels", and is quickly becoming one of my dearest friends. Since meeting him in June, Shawn has been a guide and mentor to this new world of cabaret, and through his graciousness has introduced me to audiences on both coasts.

In October, Shawn invited me to perform with him several times:

First, as a part of the fundraiser that he and his partner John produced for their Young Actors' Theatre Camp at the Empire Plush Room, marking my debut in this legendary venue. I'm happy to say that we raised over $5,000 for the cause!

Second, as part of his "Blue Skies" tour, he invited me to open for him (along with the very gorgeous and wildly talented Kathy Moehring) at his show at Kelly's of Alameda.

Lastly, during the final stop of his 33-city tour at The Encore in New York City, he asked me to sing a number during his show, introducing me as his "gift" to the New York cabaret community!

So far, I've mentioned Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst, two of my four "Cabaret Angels". The other two Angels are Linda Kosut and Lua Hadar, who perform together as The Kitchenettes, and have recently embarked on solo tours with shows coming up in the next month that you won't want to miss!

 

Lua Hadar, sophisticated songstress and gifted comedienne, arrived in San Francisco from her native New York City over a decade ago. She is now one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most beloved entertainers and a driving force behind the City’s vibrant and thriving cabaret scene. Her new show, "It’s About Time, Already!", with Music Director Jason Martineau and his Jazz Trio, is a 2-act show celebrating the release of her CD, “It’s About Time”. It's a humorous and heartfelt view from the bridge at the “middle third” of life. Laced with her New York Jewish humor and featuring original songs, jazz standards & musical theater, Lua reveals herself as a woman who has lived...and is ready to sing and joke about it! This is a great opportunity to see Lua solo on stage at her exuberant best. Lua will be appearing on Friday, November 4, at 8:00 pm at the Larkspur Café Theatre, 500 Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur. The cover is $20 cash, with a 2 drink minimum. Light food is available. For reservations, call (415) 924-6107.

 

I wish I had room to tell you everything about the NYC Cabaret Convention, but that would take hours. But let me hit a few highlights...

First, let me just say that my buddies Klea Blackhurst, Shawn Ryan and Terese Genecco all knocked it out of the park with their spectacular convention performances! It was so thrilling to be there and support them.

Second, what a great thrill not just to see performances by some of the greatest the cabaret world has to offer - but to get to meet them as well! I was fortunate enough to meet and even hang out with the likes of Lee Lessack, Ray Jessel, Maude Maggart and Judy Barnett!

Third, I was able to catch some great cabaret shows each night after the Convention - including "Drunk with Love", Terese Genecco's amazing tribute to Frances Faye; Sharon McNight's celebration of the ladies Grable, Hutton and Davis, "Betty, Betty, Bette"; and Jim Caruso's wild & fun "Cast Party" at Birdland (where he was gracious enough to ask me to sing).