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March 31, 2009

'Fool for Love' at New Rep: Love Me Knot

Downstage @ New Rep tightens the noose on Sam Shepard’s dark exploration into the volatile tug of war between abandonment and intimacyFool for Love.

Playwright Sam Shepard could never be accused of being a wide-eyed romantic. Yet, the tragic misfits at the heart of his amorously twisted Fool for Love do have a strangely tender appeal beneath all the swearing, punching, drinking and menace. In a taut revival currently enjoying a spirited run at the black box theater Downstage @ New Rep in Watertown, Mass., all of the sturm und drang, humanity and sadness of Shepard’s fractured fairy tale come vividly to life, thrusting raw nerves and borderline sociopathy directly into the face of an audience that is seated all too uncomfortably – and deliberately – close to the action.

To read my complete review at BroadwayWorld.com, click here.

March 23, 2009

Rachel York Announces Concert Schedule

(LOS ANGELES, CA) – Broadway leading lady Rachel York, most recently seen in the world premiere musical Turn of the Century at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, has announced a schedule of concerts with symphony orchestras across the country. Now through July, the versatile stage, screen, and recording artist will be a guest soloist performing the works of Bernstein, Sondheim, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Rachel YorkOn April 5, York appears with the Gulf Coast Symphony in Ft. Myers, Florida in an evening titled Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Rodgers. She and co-star Nat Chandler will sing memorable hits from Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Oklahoma! and South Pacific. The Gulf Coast concert is also the entertainment portion of the symphony’s annual Black Tie Gala.

On April 24, York continues her series with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in Broadway Salutes Bernstein and Sondheim. For this concert she is joined by Debbie Gravitte and Doug LaBrecque singing favorites from Sweeney Todd, Company, Follies, West Side Story and more. On May 1 and 2, she guest stars with the Utah Symphony in a program called Bravo Broadway. For this concert she, LaBrecque and Lisa Vroman reunite to perform all-time favorites from the Great White Way. Finally, on July 30, York concludes her tour with a return to the Lake Tahoe Music Festival in California. She and last year’s co-star Sal Viviano are back by popular demand to sing a program of Rodgers and Hammerstein favorites with the Reno Philharmonic.

York is best known for her Broadway performances in City of Angels, Les Misérables, Victor/Victoria (Drama Desk Award) with Dame Julie Andrews, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sly Fox with Richard Dreyfuss, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels co-starring Jonathan Pryce. Additionally, York has starred in The Odd Couple with Jason Alexander and Martin Short, the national tour of Camelot (Carbonell Award) opposite Michael York, Putting It Together (Drama Desk Nomination) also with Julie Andrews, the national and London tours of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate (Helen Hayes Nomination), Dessa Rose at the Lincoln Center Theater (Drama Desk Nomination), Anything Goes (Ovation Nomination), Ragtime, Evita, Summer of ’42, Summer and Smoke, and Crucifer of Blood with Billy Crudup.

In concert, York’s numerous appearances include the National Symphony and the Pittsburgh Pops under the direction of conductor Marvin Hamlisch; Broadway Showstoppers with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops; The Sound of Music at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of John Mauceri; the San Diego Symphony; the Colorado Symphony Orchestra; the Israeli Opera; and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed her celebrated cabaret For the Love of It to rave reviews on both coasts, including appearances at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency and the Metropolitan Room in New York City. 

York’s film credits include One Fine Day, Billy Bathgate, Killer Instinct, Second Honeymoon, Au Pair II, and her courageous portrayal of Lucille Ball in the CBS made for television movie, Lucy. Her performances in Kiss Me, Kate (filmed for PBS’s Great Performances series) and Victor/Victoria are available on video/DVD. York has also appeared on several popular TV series including Hannah Montana, Frasier, Reba, Numb3rs, Close to Home, Arli$$, Spin City, The Naked Truth and Diagnosis Murder. In addition, she is the voice of Bitty in Higglytown Heroes and Circe on The Justice League.

York’s debut solo album, Let’s Fall in Love, has been an enormous success since its release. She can also be heard on the soundtrack of Billy Bathgate, the live in concert recording of Broadway Showstoppers: Best of the Tonys with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and the original cast recordings of City of Angels, Putting It Together, Victor/Victoria, The Scarlet Pimpernel Encore, Dessa Rose, and Summer of ’42.

For more information on Rachel York or any of the scheduled concerts, please visit her on the web at rachelyork.net.


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