Last Hurrah for 2011: Singing on The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast! (He's Tony Nominated!)

Happy Almost New Year! We have one day more of 2011 to pontificate about the last year and also think about the year ahead.  Regardless of how *those* thoughts turn out, I'm thrilled to have an exciting last blog entry! Many people know Jeff Bumenkrantz, Tony-nominated composer whose unique, funny, and emotional music has been sung by Broadway alum.  His "The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast" can be found on iTunes and downloaded for free - there you can find his work sung by amazing performers, including Sutton Foster, Nancy Anderson, Rebecca Lukor, Liz Callaway, Mary Testa, Megan Mullally, Michael McElroy, Judy Kuhn and Peter Sachon. So, I was thrilled to be invited (along with Mick Bleyer of Marquee Five/ Goodspeed's City of Angels and Gaelen Gilliland of Wicked and Legally Blonde) to sing some great harmony in the Christmas spirit...and get to swear in a not-so-festive way as well (this episode is Rated PG-13, folks, so hide the kids!).  This is the 7th episode in his "Month Upon a Time" song cycle series, although (how he puts it): "...it will ultimately serve as the 12th song in the final song cycle. So I was thinking I should give it some kind of big finale."  Thus, I am excited to be a part of his big finale!

Read his background on the project and the genesis for this song here, and listen to the podcast MP3 here.  Be sure to subscribe to, download, and listen to The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast via iTunes, and if you enjoy any of his work and wish to purchase his songbook or sheet music for individual songs (and discover where to find his work as recorded by major stars) you can do so here.

Happy New Year!!!

-Sierra

Clockwise: Gaelen, Sierra, Mick, Jeff

FIRST CD REVIEW OF "8-TRACK THROWBACK" by Stephen Hanks of CabaretScenes.org

I'm very excited to share Marquee Five's first CD Review of "8-Track Throwback", by Stephen Hanks of CabaretScenes.org.  Check out that link for the full text of the review!  Here are a few quotes:

"...the coolest collection of vocal group harmonies since Manhattan Transfer..."

"While Manhattan Transfer’s four-part harmonies and intricate vocalese transformed specific songs, Hemming and Marquee Five excel on the kind of medleys and mash-ups that would make the kids from Glee jealous."

"Listening to this debut CD, it’s clear that “Marquee” is the right name for five smooth, synchronized and powerful singers who seamlessly blend their voices together for a distinctive group sound. If I ever decide to decorate a wall using CD covers, 8-Track Throwback will earn a prominent space."

If this sounds good to you, head over to www.MarqueeFive.com and order your copy today!

Winter solitude --

A winter's haiku for you...

Photo: Cardinal in Ft. Tryon, Oct 2011
(Taken on my iPhone!)
 

Have a happy holiday season, 
and a great start to Winter!

-Sierra

BroadwayWorld.com: "Goodspeed's CITY OF ANGELS Cast Raises Over $6500 for BC/EFA Read more: http://ct.broadwayworld.com/article/Goodspeeds-CITY-OF-ANGELS-Cast-Raises-Over-6500-for-BCEFA-20111205#ixzz1fiISigm5

Check out this article on BroadwayWorld.com and a teeny tiny picture of the "City of Angels" cast as we posed for an onstage picture.  We raised over $6500, some of which I myself collected in a basket from the audience after a few shows.  Way to go, "City" friends and Goodspeed folks!

Join The Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers at The Salon December 11th!

On December 11, 2011, the optional theme of The Salon will be "HOLIDAY PARTY"! And it's the last Salon of 2011! In that case, what better group to co-host this unique open mic event than the Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers – Mick Bleyer, Vanessa Parvin, Sierra Rein & Adam West Hemming! These four glad-tiding-bringers are also known as four of the five members of MAC Award-Winning Marquee Five (the fifth being the amazing Julie Reyburn) and have been recently seen as the Angel City Four in Goodspeed Musicals' production of "City of Angels".

The special Salon Spotlight will highlight Daryl Glenn, Alison Nusbaum & Ricky Ritzel!

So, bring your holiday, non-holiday, or anti-holiday music and come share some great cheer and celebrate a joyous 2011 year at The Salon!

More Info:

SALON – that unique, MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING, Weekly Open Mic Event, created and hosted by Mark Janas returns to Etcetera, Etcetera - 352 West 44th Street, NYC 10036 – on Sunday, November 20th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.) There is a $10 cash cover collected at the door and a $15 food/drink minimum (cash or credit) per person. (For more information about Etcetera, Etcetera's delicious menu: www.etcrestaurant.com.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening runs 7-10:30, with one intermission.

Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon.

Salon continues every Sunday (except December 18th, December 25th & January 1st).

Salon is an ongoing open entertainment event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members.

If you would like to sign up to perform, see one the evening's 'Etceterettes' to fill out a card with your name, the name of your song, whether or not Mark will be playing for you and any upcoming events you'd like to promote. We do not present performers in order of sign-up, however, indicating requests as clearly and as early as possible as far as time restraints are concerned always makes everything much more possible. ALWAYS BRING SEVERAL SONG SELECTIONS to avoid duplication. All types of material, on or off theme are always welcome at Salon. We enthusiastically welcome instrumentalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, comics, illusionists and performance artists. Please limit your selections to three or four minutes in length (including introductions). Please also bring clear, complete charts for Mark to read. Sitting on the piano is not allowed, nor is flash photography. Please turn off all noise making devices and give performers your undivided attention.

Visit The Salon website at www.markjanasthesalon.com and look for them on Facebook.

Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!Cheers,
Sierra Rein
"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James