For Immediate Release
NEW YORK, NY – On Monday, September 26 at famed cabaret club Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, world-renowned entertainer Michael Feinstein and special guest Ashley Brown will perform a medley of Broadway and film favorites in tribute to Tony and Academy Award-winning songwriter Frank Loesser. The New York Pops Music Director, Steven Reineke, will host the intimate evening beginning at 6PM with a champagne reception, followed by a seated dinner at 7PM and concert performance at 8:30PM, with a special appearance by children of Ronald McDonald House® New York. The evening is a joint benefit in support of Ronald McDonald House® New York and The New York Pops Education Programs whose partnership has brought creative expression and joy through music to pediatric cancer patients and their families.
The New York Pops residency at Ronald McDonald House® New York helps children fighting cancer to discover their creative voice by teaching basic musical, creative writing and instrumental techniques. The multi-faceted program has been running for four years and meets twice weekly, offering piano and singing classes, along with Rockin’ the House, a special residency created for the pre-teens and teenagers.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards. His 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace. More than simply a performer, Feinstein is nationally recognized for his commitment to celebrating America’s popular song and preserving its legacy for the next generation. He serves on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board, which has been asked to ensure the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America's sound recording heritage.
Feinstein earned his fifth Grammy Award nomination in 2009 for The Sinatra Project, his Concord Records CD celebrating the music of “Ol’ Blue Eyes.” A new PBS concert special, The Sinatra Legacy, starring Feinstein, will start airing across the country in August, with a companion CD to follow in October. Last year’s PBS series Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook is now available on DVD. Recently, he was named Director of American Popular Song by Jazz at Lincoln Center and released the CDs The Power Of Two with Cheyenne Jackson and Cheek To Cheek with Barbara Cook. His newest recording is We Dreamed These Days, featuring the Carmel Symphony Orchestra; Feinstein co-wrote the title song with Dr. Maya Angelou. Feinstein also serves as Artistic Director of the Palladium Center for the Performing Arts, a $170 million, three-theatre venue in Carmel, Indiana, which opened in January 2011.
Feinstein began playing piano by ear at five years old, and moved to Los Angeles at age 20. In 1977, he was introduced to Ira Gershwin. Feinstein became his assistant for six years, granting him access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, which he has since performed and recorded. For more information, visit www.michaelfeinstein.com.
Ashley Brown originated the title role of Disney’s Mary Poppins on Broadway for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. She has also starred on Broadway in The Beauty and The Beast and has performed with orchestras including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban. Brown also recently made her cabaret debut at the renowned Feinstein’s at the Regency in New York City. Brown released her debut album of American Songbook standards earlier this year. For more information, visit www.ashleybrownonline.com.
The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States, and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. Led by Music Director Steven Reineke, the orchestra performs an annual subscription series and birthday gala at Carnegie Hall, enjoying one of their highest subscription renewal rates. The New York Pops was founded by Skitch Henderson in 1983 with a mission to create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich musical heritage. Along with performing at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops tours throughout the world and gives free concerts in New York City parks. The New York Pops’ extensive education programs allow thousands of public schoolchildren to participate in concert and music-making experiences at Carnegie Hall and in schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City. For more information, visit www.newyorkpops.org.
Ronald McDonald House® New York provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. Ronald McDonald House New York is the largest facility of its type in the world. The House can accommodate 84 families, and it is filled to capacity almost every night. The House’s location in Manhattan, in close proximity to 14 major cancer treatment centers, draws children and families from across the country and the world, as well as from the metropolitan New York City area. Since its founding, more than 25,000 families have stayed at Ronald McDonald House New York. For more information, visit www.rmh-newyork.org.
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 250 cities in 50 countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).
FEINSTEIN’S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed “Best of New York” by New York Magazine and “an invaluable New York institution,” recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary season. Feinstein’s has presented the top talents of pop, jazz and comedy such as Rosemary Clooney, Steve Tyrell, Barbara Cook, Glen Campbell, Diahann Carroll, Jane Krakowski, Lea Michele, Jackie Mason, Cyndi Lauper, Jason Mraz and Alan Cumming. According to Michael Feinstein, “Feinstein's at Loews Regency is the perfect place to hear the greatest and most exciting interpreters of American popular song. I'm proud to call it my home.” The club is located at the Loews Regency Hotel, 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street. Visit www.FeinsteinsAtLoewsRegency.com for more information.
TICKETS: Tickets begin at $500. For tickets, please call Richard H. Martin at 212-639-0206, email at rmartin@rmh-newyork.org or visit https://www.rmh-newyork.org/feinsteins.
PRESS CONTACT: For press tickets, interviews, hi-res photos, or additional press materials, contact Brittnee Walker at 917-339-7183 or bwalker@cohndutcher.com
PROGRAM
“I Believe In You”
Monday, September 26, 2011
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, 540 Park Avenue (at 61st Street), New York, NY 10021
6:00PM VIP Champagne Reception
7:00PM Three-Course Dinner
8:30PM Show
Ronald McDonald House® New York and The New York Pops are 501(c)(3) organizations; for more information visit us at www.rmh-newyork.org and www.newyorkpops.org.
Dates, artists and programs are subject to change.
The New York Pops is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely through the generosity of individual donations, institutional grants, and concert income.
American Airlines is the Official Airline of The New York Pops
