Raissa Recommends

My blog has moved permanenty!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:36:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

My blog can now be found on my website: www.raissa.info or www.raissakatonabennett.com under the "news" tab, you can find my personal performing events, and under "Raissa Recommends" you find all the content that was on this blog and my continued recommendations. Hope you'll visit me there and bookmark the site, or subscribe to the RSS feed.

And btw, my friend Richard Magee created this new, user friendly site for me, so if you are interested in getting your own, contact me and I'll connect you.

Love and light,
Raissa

The Award Winning Concerts at Tudor City Greens!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:35:00 +0000

Hello Friends:

What a great month - we were honored with the 2010 Bistro Award for our concert series and garned at 2010 MAC Award nomination as well! Click on the Bistro link to see what great company we're in with the others being honored (such as Mitzi Gaynor, Alan Cumming and Tovah Feldshu), and how to buy tickets to the event, which is Tuesday, April 13th at 6:30 pm.

As if that weren't enough, just LOOK at the line up we have for our series grand opening on May 5th (6th is rain date) at 6 pm. "Whose Garden Was This" - the Folksinger/songwriters take the park!"

Buskin and Batt eau, Sean Harkness, (who ROCKED at the Metropolitan Room last night!)Ritt Henn, Mary Liz McNamara, Danny Quinn, and our cabaret newcomer, that singing surgeon songwriter, Dr. Garrett Bennett!

These folks kick off The Concerts at Tudor City Greens 2010 season, with our focus this year on different styles, faces and themes.

As usual, a huge THANK YOU to Hector Coris for the gorgeous graphics he created for our new season.

And if you'd like to make a note of the rest of our season dates, here they are:

(rain dates in parenthesis)

June 1st (2nd)
July 6th (7th) matinee at noon – “A Child’s Garden of Verses”
August 3rd (4th)
September 7th (8th)
October 5th (6th) - (possible matinee, depending on weather and light)

More soon - love and light,
Raissa

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Lucie's CD signing and we won the Bistro Award!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Hello Friends:

Check your date books and calendars and mark this date if you are in New York or heading to New York!

Friday, March 26th 2010 at noon at J & R Music World 23 Park Row, NYC 10038. My pal and super songbird, Lucie Arnaz and her equally talented son and guitarist, Joe Luckinbill (who, not only wrote one of his mom's songs for her new CD but guests with her on it as well) will be there for a short performance and signing of her new CD Latin Roots. Joe's new CD simply titled Joe Luckinbill will be there and available for purchase as well!

Also at the show to make sure they keep it authentic will be the Legendary percussionist himself, Papo Pepin, and I'll be there with my husband Garrett, friends Tom Vaughn and Walter Willison as we sing back-up for Lucie, just like we did on her CD!

It's going to be lots of fun.

The 2010 Bistro Silver Anniversary Awards announced its list of recipients today, and The Concerts at Tudor City Greens was given a Special Award!

Read the rest of the wonderful recipients (including Mitzi Gaynor's Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award!) here

More soon - gotta run!

Love and Light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends Shows, Classes and Foundation Garments - February

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:08:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

The year started off with a bang! So many shows to see, perform in and recommend...

My director and friend, Eric Michael Gillett and I, are putting together a special duet show as a one night only benefit for The Singers Forum, 49 W. 24th Street, on Sunday, Feb. 21st at 7 pm. Jeff Cubeta musical directs - this is my first time working with Jeff, and he's a real joy plus super talented. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. There is a wine and cheese reception after. Seating is very limited, so if you are interested, call Singers Forum at 212-366-0541 asap and make your reservation.

The very next night, Monday, 2/22 at 6pm, I'll be at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble for Barbara Porteus's CD release signing and performance, (I already have it and it's wonderful!) and then at 7 pm, I'll be at the Metropolitan Room, watching my favorite folk/pop duo, BUSKIN AND BATTEAU. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to see these guys - I've been a fan for 20 years, and I'm thrilled that they are back together again, after a hiatus to their families. Incredible musicians, songwriters, sensitive and funny - they don't make 'em better than this. Between the two of them, they play guitar, piano, violin, and they have one of the most innovative percussionists I've ever seen, Marshal Rosenberg. They did a presentation at the Dutch Treat Club yesterday, and I just about melted when Robin Batteau played his violin TO ME!!! You can pick up their newest CD's at the show, too, and you should.

The next day, I head into the recording studio with PS Classics, to record my new CD! My musical director is David Caldwell, and my core band is comprised of Ritt Henn, Sean Harkness and Mayra Casales. We are scheduled to finish the CD on 3/8, and it'll drop sometime in the Spring - you know I'll keep you posted. I'm pretty excited about this and the amazing songs I've been given to sing by some of my favorite composers.

And speaking of favorite composers, Jay Alan Zimmerman, nicknamed "Broadway's Beethoven", has asked me to perform 3 of his songs during his month long, free exhibition for Chashama, entitled Art/Song - a visual music performance installation by Jay and his wife, artist, Lisa Ingram. I can't really describe all the cool things Jay, a deaf composer, and his wife Lisa, have created with their cutting edge frequency analysis software, but if you go to http://www.chashama.org/, you can read all about it, and get the show times. The neat thing is, you can watch Jay rehearse with me and other singers (like my pal, the fabulously talented Sierra Rein) that he can't hear, during the day, and then see the finished product at night. Chashama's Time Square Space is at 112 West 44th Street, between 6th and 7th and performance days are 2/23, 2/27, 3/3, 3/10 (that's my date) and 3/13 at 7 pm. The installation is open to the public for viewing from 2/23 to 3/16, Tuesday through Saturday from 2 to 7.

And although this blog's entry is primarily for February, I want to touch upon two early March events. First, I've been asked to sing the songs of Amanda McBroo m and Michele Brourman in the March is Cabaret Month kickoff event, produced by Tom Stajmiger for Stu Hamstra's Cabaret Hotline, 7 pm on 3/2 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. I'm particularly honored, as Amanda and Michele's songs have always figured prominently in my shows, they sent me a song that only Amanda has performed rarely, and I can't wait to learn it and perform it!

My good friend and colleague, Multi MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award winner, Scott Coutler is finally giving into the request he's had for years, and is offering SONGBOOK - a group vocal coaching session based on storytelling. This class, accompanied by David Kreppel, begins in March and runs for 6 consecutive Tuesdays. For more information, please contact songbooknyc@gmail.com. If you want to learn how to bring a song to life for auditions and/or the world of cabaret, you could have no finer guide than Scott.

I just gotta share this - if you're a woman, you're always looking for a smooth line under clothes, no matter how thin you are. Well, at WALMART of all places, this week I happened upon Sweet Nothings (div. of Maidenform) Smooth Shaping Torsette! It looks like a corset, (being a period piece performer, I love me a good corset!) complete with light boning, which always gives a good line, and tiny corset hooks that lie flat and smooth under a front flap. You use your own bra, and the design of the thing hoists the "sisters" up where you want them! And it's comfortable.It cost me less than $20. They also have these shaping cami's in nice colors that have a wider strap, so you can, again, wear your own bra, and actually take off your sweater or jacket whiloe wearing it if you needed to. This could be the single most useful and exciting thing I could recommend to you...ladies.

Love and light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends New Shows, A New Class and my Own Show - January 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:43:00 +0000

Dear Friends:

Happy New Year! We are starting the year off with a bang. So much to recommend to you and I will be attending most of these shows - all of them, if I could!

First, my director and friend, Eric Michael Gillett brings another new show, "All My Best", to Feinstein's that is a wonderful mix of his greatest hits and some terrific new stuff, on January 15th and 16th. You won't want to miss this.

Eric is revisiting some of my favorite songs from shows he did years ago, that I never had the chance to see as well.

Starting on January 28th, is a fantastic class that I took last season with Paul Bogaev, which focuses on vocal technique and audition material for the shows that are being produced in theatre, today. Paul is unique in that he works very effectively in all vocal styles, from pop and rock to opera, and gets great results from ALL levels of singer. He's adept at combining the acting with the vocal technique, showing how they really go hand in hand in helping you achieve the desired result, in a safe manner. As a "legit" singer, this has been amazingly helpful to me in navigating the current trends in pop/rock. Paul works individually with each student for approximately 20 minutes during the class and I find that I learn just as much from watching my colleagues work with him, as I do when it's my turn. Additionally, for this next session, Paul is offering students the opportunity to be videoed, so they can watch themselves later - an invaluable tool. There are several sections and times available for these classes, and space is very limited, so I recommend you contact Maureen Hammill at hammillmm@aol.com or at 917-656-1504 to set up an appointment/consultation.
Oh, and just to give you a mere sampling of Paul's pedigree: he's won Grammy's and Emmy's for his work on Broadway's AIDA and the TV version of ANNIE, been nominated for a Tony Award for his work on BOMBAY DREAMS, supervised, produced and conducted the music for the films: CHICAGO, and most recently, NINE. His many Broadway credits as Musical Director include: TARZAN, SUNSET BOULEVARD, LES MISERABLES, CATS CHESS...etc., etc. It seems that Paul has worked with just about everybody including: Phil Collins, Sting, Glenn Close, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion, Liam Neeson, Michael Bolton, Harry Connick Jr., Fergie, BARBRA STRIESAND!!!...you get my point.

Monday night, 1/4, I was at the Beechman to herald the arrival of Phil Geoffrey Bond's new book, "All The Sad Young Men", featuring performances of some of B'way's finest, along with Phil reading his own new work. All attending receive a copy of the book with their cover charge as well. Quite frankly, I could listen to Phil read the phone book, and when he reads his own stuff, it's magic. It was one of my favorite nights in theatre or cabaret. This new book also contains his first book, "My Friend, The Cat", so it's a double bonus if you go to http://www.amazon.com/ and order it!

Next, one of my favorite comedians that has often opened for Eric Michael, Richard Cramer, performs at Carolines Comedy Club on Broadway this Wed. 1/6 at 7 pm - I'll definitely be there! And speaking of favorite comedians, I'll be performing with another of my fav's, Danny Leary, when we both appear as guests on Q Talk on Friday, 1/29 at the new, earlier time of 9:45 pm at the Metropolitan Room.

Another dear friend and tremendously talented lady is Julie Reyburn, returning to Feinstein's with her CD release show on January 12th, and I hear that they've added a few new songs as well as the ones featured on the CD. I was at the show they recorded and I can promise you that this CD will be fantastic, as well as getting to see Miss Julie live! You can also catch her this week at Lincoln Center Triangle Barnes and Noble for her CD signing and free concert featuring some selections from it. I'll meet you there at 6 pm.

And thank God that Gretchen Reinhag en is returning to the Metropolitan Room with her hit show, "Special Kaye", her tribute to Kaye Ballard, because I missed this phenomenal show last month, and everyone raved about it. I get another chance to see it this month, Jan. 17th & 24th at 4 pm, and Feb. 4th at 7:30 pm.

Jackie Draper is at the Beechman on 1/17 at 4 pm with her show, "Something New In My Life", her 10th and newest show, and I can't wait to see this lady in action. Also at the Beechman that same week, on 1/22, is Roger Anthony Mapes, reprising his hit show from last year, "House of Joy" and boy was the house full of joy during this show. I can highly recommend it - what an uplifting experience it was to see Roger in all his glory - go!

Tuesday, 1/19, Shaynee Rainbolt innaugurates a new space for all of us to check out - Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar, 254 W. 72nd, NYC, 2 sets, 7:30 and 10 pm for, get this, only a $10 cover and NO MINIMUM! Dinner is available too, and I'm looking forward to seeing this talented lady at this new venue.

More must sees: Karen Oberlin in "A Wish", this Sat. 1/10 @ 8:30, Daryl Glenn in "Daryl Sings Steve" on 1/17 @ 8:30 pm, and Sue Matsuki in "Ella & Me" Sun. 1/31 @ 8:30 pm all making their Feinstein's debuts! It is so exciting to see so many talented and generous performers taking this exciting step!

And last, but I hope not least, if you didn't get a chance to see me at Feinstein's in October, I'm reprising the show I did there, as a special, one night only benefit for Cabaret Cares at the Beechman on January 31st, at 7 pm. I'll be joined by my musical team of R itt Henn on bass, Mayra Casales on percussion, Sean Harkness on guitar and my musical director and arranger, Mark Janas on piano. My director, Eric Michael Gillett, joins me onstage for 2 numbers, and I'll be performing the song written for me especially for this show, by Tony Award nominated composer, Michael John LaChiusa.

See you at the shows! Blessings to you and yours as we head into 2010.

Love and Light,

Raissa

What a month!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Hello Friends:

Well, I missed almost ALL of the events on my last posting due to a mini flu - thank God not the dreaded swine, but enough to have to have me cancel performances for the first time in my life. I'm thrilled that Gretchen Reinhagen will be reprising her Special Kaye show, so I can see it, and I'm praying that Cynthia Crane does the same with her Madoff Show.

But now I'm back and I'm BUSY. There is not enough time to see all the wonderful shows this month, but this week, here's where I'll be:

Last night I saw Jim Van Slyke do his Sedaka show for his Feinstein's debut. Neil Sedaka himself was there and introduced Jim, and we all had a great time. And by "we" I mean me, Garrett, Terese Genecco (catch her on 12/29 at the Iridium if you wanna ring out the old year right!) and her Mom, Sue, and the other singing surgeon, Nicole Kafka - not a bad table, huh? Jim was great and I was so happy to finally see this show, full of my some of my favorite songs.

Today, I sing at the Dutch Treat Gala luncheon, and then head to Susan Winters Sings Van Heusen at the Metropolitan Room. Tomorrow, I get to catch Sue Matsuki and Edd Clark's Fabulous Christmas Show at the First Baptist Church on 31st and Madison at 7 pm, then Ricky Ritzel's Hysterical Blondness at 9:45 (OMG!) at the Metropolitan Room. Thursday, I perform again, at the Big Night Out Holiday Extravaganza featuring a bunch of talented songwriters and singers for this special edition (no open mic) at Don't Tell Mama, hosted by Bill Zeffiro and Jennifer Wren. Be sure to click on the BNO link to see who's performing. I'll be singing the original Christmas song that Mark Janas and Peter Napolitano wrote just for me, "All I Can Give" - a beautiful new standard.

Sunday, SUNDAY (hear Al Roker's voice here...) I sing a Christmas concert in Westport, CT with my pal and super singer, Maureen Hamill, and then rush back to NYC to co-host the fabulous Salon hosted by Mark Janas and produced by Tanya Moberly, at Etc.Etc., 352 W. 44th. Our classy open mic is perfect at this new venue - I LOVE IT. A modest cash cover of $10 and a minium of $10 from their reasonable and fantastic menu/bar served by their attentive and friendly wait staff, makes the evening very pleasant and more reasonable than our former location.

The week after that is Christmas, and Christmas Eve is also our 12th wedding anniversary, and to celebrate, I'll be singing at our church, and then enjoying a potluck with all our Unity For Practical Spirituality pals. Then, Dr. Garrett Bennett (Rhinoplasty NYC) and I will head home for our own quiet celebration with our pups, Brandy and Otie.

And while I'm at it, since the holidays are so nuts and I may not have a chance to post again, SAVE THE DATE - January 31st at 7 pm, I'll be reprising the show I recently did at Feinsteins, as a benefit for CABARET CARES at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Stay tuned.

Sending love and light and many blessings to you all, during this season of love,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends - week of 11/28/09

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Hello Friends:

I hope everyone had many things to be thankful for this week. Garrett and I were grateful to be surrounded by good friends and family and our pups, Brandy and Otie, and especially grateful that Brandy is healthy and spunky after a health scare earlier in the week. I'm also very grateful to Jenna Esposito, for helping me to get this blog functioning again - I've been unable to post, but Jenna's got me back on track. If you haven't had a chance yet, check out Jenna's column at http://www.broadwayworld.com/ and enter Cabaret Chronicles in their search. You can subscribe to her articles and I really recommend it.

It's a busy couple of weeks coming up, and I hope you'll join me for these great events. First off, we are celebrating the return of THE SALON hosted by Mark Janas (pictured) this Sunday night, 11/29 from 7 to 10:30 pm at our new location, Etcetera, Etcetera, 352 West 44th near 9th Ave. There is a $10 cash cover and a $10 food/beverage minium, and the food and drinks are great and very reasonably priced for big portions! The theme this week is "We Gather Together", but you are always invited to sing off theme. Sign up for the open mic begins at 6:30.

At 7 pm, Wednesday 12/2, I'll be appearing in Jenna Esposito's All-Star Birthday Bash show at the Metropolitan Room, along with Rob Langeder, Tony DeSare, Je anne MacDonald , and Richard Skipper.

Then Richard and I dash off to the VIP Lounge at the Iguana (240 W. 54th St. between B'way & 8th) for the show he hosts with the lovely and funny Dana Lorge, beginning at 8 pm. I'll be one of their special guests doing a short set along with some of my best friends and most talented colleagues: Cynthia Crane, Hector Coris, The Marquee 5 (Mick Bleyer, Adam Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Julie Reyburn, Sierra Rein), Jaron Vesely, with Barry Levitt on piano, and Saadi Zane on bass. My Musical Director for my recent Feinsteins show, and great pal, Mark Janas, will be playing for me, Cynthia and Marquee 5. There will be some other surprises, so I hope you will come join us, especially if you've never experienced Richard and Dana at the Iguana - it's a fun night, a modest $10 cash cover and no minimum, but having gone several times, I suggest you save your dinner to eat here. Great food, great prices, great service and a fun, comfortable atmosphere. RESERVE EARLY because this show often sells out. 212-765-5454 for reservations.

Thursday, 12/3, I'll be sitting in the audience of the eagerly awaited, SPECIAL KAYE, starring Gretchen Reinhagen at the Metropolitan Room at 7:30. I've been seeing "snippets" of this show for a few months now, and it promises to be great. If I could be in two places at once, I'd also be at WATT'S HAPPENING

hosted by the irrepressible Lennie Watts at Don't Tell Mama's at 8:30 pm. Maybe I can run really fast and still make it in time...or at least I catch it next month, since Lennie is hosting this new variety show every month! A must see....

Wednesday, 12/9, I'll be at the Metropolitan Room, once again, in a benefit performance hosted by Susan Winter at 7 pm, and then I get to relax and watch Marquee Five at 9:45 in the same place - perfect!
Ok, that's it for this week's posting - hope to see you at the shows!

Love and light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends - week of 10/26/09

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

No time for fancy pictures this week - I'm on the run!

I'm not sure if I ended a great week, or began it, with the debut of Kathleen France's show, THE BOOK OF LOVE, last night. All I know, is that she is a gem, and reminded me, once again, of why we perform - because it is a gift to the audience and she gave and gave and entertained the heck out of us. Moving, funny, well-paced and directed by Lina Koutrakos and MD'd by Tracy Stark - this is a collaboration made in heaven. And is there ANYTHING Kathleen can't sing? I think not! Let's make her run this show over and over again.

Tonight, I'll be at the premiere of PINOCCHIO OF CHELSEA at 9:30 at the Beechman, a benefit for the worthy CABARET CARES/HELP IS ON THE WAY TODAY. Written by Mark Janas and Peter Napolitano, and starring a bevy of incredible talent, too numerous to list here - see my blog from last week!

Tomorrow night, Tues. - I'll be at the Iridium at 8 for TERESE GENECCO'S show and I have at least 2 friends coming with me. Two of my band members, Sean Harkness and Mayra Casales, will be joining T again - very excited.

Wed. night - DAVID COLBERT in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY ITCH at New World Stages!!!!!

Thurs. night - DANNY LEARY as Patti Lupone at the 92nd St. Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street - I can't wait to see this.

Come with me - and bring friends - there's lots of other stuff too, but there's only so much one woman can do....

Love and Light,
Raissa

Raissa Recommends - Thanks and Pinocchio

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Dear Friends:

THANK YOU for sharing last night with me, both in person at FEINSTEINS and for all the good wishes sent via phone, email and Facebook! We were sold out - thank you! Once I get them downloaded, I'll post some pictures here of all the fun. My deepest thanks to my director, ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT, my musical director, MARK JANAS, and my amazing band: MAYRA CASALES, SEAN HARKNESS & RITT HENN.

I'm still resting after not sleeping all night after the show, due to excitement, but I just had to remind you all of the premiere of PINOCCHIO OF CHELSEA, next Monday night, 10/26/09, at 9:30 pm at the Beechman. Call 212-695-6909 for reservations. I will surely see you there.

Would love to post more, but I've messed up my blog editing, so until I have a minute to ask Jenna Esposito, queen of all these things, I will have to wait.

Love and Light,
Raissa
"Just keep coming home to yourself - you are who've you've been waiting for." Byron Katie, Loving What Is.

Raissa Recommends Reservations - 10/14

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Hello Friends!

I'm happily preparing for my debut at FEINSTEINS, on October 19th. I have a lot of "first's" happening on October 19th: I am honored to report that I will be performing a brand new song, written for me by Tony Award Nominated Composer, Michael John LaChiusa! As if that isn't exciti ng enough, my director, Eric Michael Gillett, will be making a special guest appearance with me, in this show. And, for the first time, I will be featuring a band full of my favorite musicians - Mark Janas, my Musical Director and arranger, on piano, the irrepresible Ritt Henn on bass, the stunning guitar work of Sean Harkness, and the soulful Mayra Casales on percussion. I'm so thrilled about this, AND the fact that they will all be playing on my new CD, too!

Tickets are on sale now, by the way, so make your reservations soon by going to the website or calling 212-339-4095. If you are planning on coming to Feinsteins on 10/19 for my show, I urge you to make reservations soon. The management sets up the room according to the number of reservations on the books, and they can't set up extra tables too close to show time. I'm happy to say that we are over 1/2 reserved at this point, but I would hate for anyone to be turned away. There is a $30 cover (plus additional service/handling charges) and a $25 food/beverage minimum. Premium seating is available.

Last week I was able to take a break from rehearsing and see some pretty incredible shows, which you should all be on the lookout for. Some will be returning, and others are on-going. In the former category, Valerie Lemon wowed them at Feinsteins with her fantastic Hamlish show! It was SRO, and Garrett and I were grateful that we had made our reservations early. Be sure to catch Val the next time she graces the NY Cabaret stages with her presence.

Earlier in the week, I experienced the wonder and talent that is Roger Anthony Mapes, in what may have been his first cabaret outing of this sort in Manhattan. It was his CD release performance, and one of the most fun, life affirming shows I've ever experienced. Oh, and, in addition to that, Roger can SING! His band was incredible - fantastic musicians all - keep your eyes open for a return engagement.

I attended the 20th Annual Cabaret Convention last week, too. It was my first time and I was blown away by the talent, and the love that Donald Smith has for this community and the artform. We owe him and his staff Mabel Mercer Foundation a huge debt of gratitude for keeping their tireless work in keeping the artform alive.

At the Cabaret Convention, I became a huge fan of Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, amoung others. I wish I had the chance to meet them after and tell them how great they were, but I didn't so I'll do it here! They are visiting us from the Windy City and will be performing one night only, at the Metropolitan Room on, you guessed it, Monday, October 19th, at 7 pm. The bad news is, I can't go see them, because I'll be getting ready for my show at Feinsteins. However, YOU all can go see them, then pile in a cab and make it to my 8:30 show at 61st and Park in plenty of time. I highly recommend you do, and be sure to make reservations!

2 more shows to recommend: I was in the house for the opening of How To Be A Good Italian Daughter (In Spite of Myself) at the Cherry Lane Studio Theatre on Columbus Day (fitting!). Run, don't walk, to see the amazing Antoinette LaVecchia in this one woman show, that I believe she wrote herself! It will especially ring true if you are Italian - or Jewish - or a daughter - or married to a daughter - or divorced from a daughter - you get the idea. Google the show to read the great reviews.

Finally, reserve now and save the date, Oct. 26th, 9:30 pm, 212-695-6909 at the Beechman, for the premiere concert version Pinocchio of Chelsea, written by Peter Napolitano and Mark Janas. This MAC award winning team, (for the song from the show, "Come Home") is being presented as a benefit for Cabaret Cares. The show will feature the talents of Eric Michael Gillett, Nick Cearley, Lennie Watts, Christopher DeProphetis, Mick Bleyer, Stephen Wilde, Marcie Henderson, David Vernon, Tyrone Robinson, Kyle Hines, Brian Fahey, and Jeff Biering. You can bet I'll be there.

Hope you are all having a great week and see you at the shows!

Love and light,

Raissa

"Live simply, love generously,

care deeply, speak kindly." Rev. Shay St. John

Raissa Recommends - week of 9/23/09

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Busy, busy after the final Concert at Tudor City Greens 2 weeks ago! Needed a little down time - those shows take a lot out of me! Miss Brandy Alexandra Bennett turned 15 years old on Sept. 17th (so she's about 75 years old in human years!) and Garret and Otie and I were very busy celebrating her birthday - she still runs like hell down the hallway and does "race track" in the house in CT where she has traction - hope I'm moving that well when I'm her age!

Now onto working on my own debut show for Feinsteins, doing a guest spot in Phil Bonds, "My Friend, the Cat", at the Beechman as a benefit for Zani's Furry Friends(see last blog posting) and letting you know about some great shows to see.

My dear friend and long time Musical Director, David Caldwell, has a fantastic opportunity to musical direct a world premiere of a new musical. However, it takes him out of town for the whole month before my show, so my good friend, the incredibly talented Mark Janas, has agreed to take the helm as my Musical Director for the Feinsteins gig! Mark and I have done many shows together, and we're excited to see where this new show is taking us, with Eric Michael Gillett directing the project! We'll be joined by a band comprised of Sean Harkness, Ritt Henn and Mayra Casales. So excited to have this Band!

Pictured here, thanks to Ted Story, are the cast, crew, musicians, and alumni of the final Tudor City Greens Concert of the season. (Forgive me for not putting in all the performers links.) Pictured L to R Back row: Karen Oberlin, Sean Harkness, Peter Napolitano, Mark Janas, Rhinoplasty NYC, Bill Zeffiro, Marcus Simeone, Hector Coris, Lennie Watts, Chris Caswell, Jim Followell, Brad Parks, Steven Ray Watkins, Maureen Taylor. Front row - L to R - Cynthia Crane, Maria Moncado, Rita Gardner, BOROUGH PRESIDENT SCOTT STRINGER, Raissa Katona Bennett, COUNCILMAN DAN GARODNICK, Baby Jane Dexter. Missing from photo: Peter Haas, John DePalma, David Gurland.

It was a pretty awesome night, filled with Broadway and cabaret stars, 350 + people in attendance, and then, because it was the season finale with special guests, BP Scott Stringer and Councilman Dan Garodnick (who were a blast to play around with!) honoring us with their presence, real stars came out on the balmy, breezy night, and the old fashioned lamplights illuminated the singers in the most beautiful way! Many thanks to all who came and all who participated!

"Lovely" is one of my all time favorite cabaret shows. It'll be playing this Friday, 9/25 at 9:15 pm at Don't Tell Mama, and it stars Kelly Briggs and Jerry Christakos as "Christy Van de Camp" and "Dar Williams". I go EVERYTIME I can - I can't go this week, but you can. Reservations are a must! 212-757-0788.

"Lovely" is also the way to describe Maureen Taylor - she's bringing her brand new show to the Metropolitan Room and she described it to me this way: "From the simple to the sublime, Bob Merrill celebrated the "ordinary" man. Rediscover How Much Is That Doggie In The Window, Mambo Italiano, Love Makes The World Go Round, Funny Girl and more....and celebrate THIS "extraordinary" man! Oct.25, 26 & Nov.8,9. 2 Sundays@ 4PM / 2 Mondays@ 7PM. Musical Director: Matt Castle, Director: Peter Napolitano. (Discounts for MAC, Cabaret Hotline, AEA, AFTRA, SAG ) Reservations: 212.206.0440

Now, I don't want to miss anyone, but other TCG alumni who still have fantastic shows coming up, and who come to mind, (because they've recently sent out emails to me) and all of which I've seen, are Karen Oberlin, Sarah Rice, Spider Saloff, Hector Coris, Lennie Watts and Sue Matsuki - click on their links/names and their sites will give you the info - I highly recommend them all!

Oh, and I hope you come see me too, on Oct. 19th at Feinsteins - call 212-339-4095 for reservations!

Love and light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends - week of 9/12/09

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Holy Cow! What a finale to the outdoor season of the Concerts at Tudor City Greens. We had over 350 people in attendance, and in addition to our fabulous cast and musicians (see previous blog), we also were honored by the presence of Borough President Scott Stringer and Councilman Dan Garodnick. Both of these men have been very active in helping to preserve the Greens. They were blown away by the concert and totally let me "play" with them - I asked when they had shows coming up, etc., and they went right along with it! The weather was comfortable and cool, and as the concert was almost 2 hours this time, the lights came on in the park, and it was magical.

It's taken me two days to recuperate! Pictures will be posted when I get them from Cynthia Crane's wonderful hubby, Ted Story.

And on we go! Tomorrow night, join me at Sue Matsuki's show at the Beechman, and Monday night at Sarah Rice's show, same place!

Not sure what else I can get to this week, as I'm deep into rehearsal for my debut show at Feinsteins on Oct. 19th. Reserve early! I have a band this time! My Musical Director, David Caldwell on piano, Sean Harkness on guitar, Mayra Casales on percussion and Ritt Henn on bass! Directed by Eric Michael Gillett and my associate Musical Director is Mark Janas - it doesn't get cooler than this for me!

Before that, I'll be co-hosting the Algonquin Salon on Oct. 4th, lobby of the Algonquin Hotel from 7 to 10 pm. Stay posted, there may be a special feature that night.

Then, on Oct. 10th, I'm honored to guest in a benefit for Zani's Furry Friends - a special performance of My Friend, The Cat, by Phil Geoffrey Bond, at the Beechman. If you know me, you know what a HUGE fan I am of this piece, as well as being very active in animal rescue. (as I write this, my two rescue dogs are napping in and around my lap!) Bonus, getting to work with old pals Phil, Julie, Mark, and getting to finally work with Johnathan and Lisa!

Time for bed - hope to see you at the shows this week!

Love and light,

Raissa

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

Raissa Recommends - week of 9/1/09

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:21:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Just back from an amazing retreat with Unity Center for Practical Spirituality in CT with Rev. Shawn Moninger, Rev. Carlos Anderson, and David Friedman facilitating his "Thought Exchange". I actually let myself treat it as a real "retreat" and had no real contact with the outside world. I highly recommend it.

But now it's down to work! First, if you can catch Eric Michael Gillett's show at Feinsteins this week, do! I'll be there on Wed. 9/2. It's the debut of his new show WIDESCREEN which I was privileged to get a preview of and I can't wait to see the finished product!

Here's the latest poster for THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS, courtesy of Hector Coris on graphics, and Feinsteins for printing!

What a line up we have for our final show of the outdoor season: Hector Coris, Cynthia Crane, Baby Jane Dexter, Broadway's Rita Gardner, David Gurland, Cabaret Scene's Peter Haas in a rare public performance, Marcus Simeone, Uptown Express, and Lennie Watts.

The Tudor City Greens FREE outdoor concert series resumes on Wednesday, September 9th at 6:00PM. (Rain date: Thursday, September 10th @ 6PM). This event will feature performers from Broadway and the New York City cabaret scene. The concert will be hosted by Tudor City resident, Broadway and cabaret performer Raissa Katona Bennett (Phantom of the Opera, Chess). Raissa’s guests scheduled to appear are MAC Award nominees Hector Coris and Cynthia Crane, Baby Jane Dexter (MAC Award winner, 5X Bistro Award winner), Rita Gardner (original “Louisa” in The Fantasticks, Broadway’s The Wedding Singer), David Gurland (MAC Award winner, 4X Bistro Award winner), ASCAP Award winner Peter Haas, multiple MAC Award winner Marcus Simeone, Uptown Express (Bistro Award winners) and multiple MAC and Bistro Award winner Lennie Watts. Accompanists are David Caldwell, Sean Harkness, Mark Janas, Jim Followell, Steven Ray Watkins and Bill Zeffiro.

In addition, Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer will speak. Stringer was a strong advocate for the Tudor City Greens Park and he will speak to the crowd there during the concert. Scott M. Stringer, a native New Yorker, is the 26th Manhattan Borough President. Since taking office at the start of 2006, he has dedicated himself to making Manhattan more affordable, livable…and breathable – preserving the sense of neighborhood for the 1.6 million residents of what is best known as a world capital of culture and commerce.

The event will take place in the South Park of Tudor City Greens Park – enter at Tudor City Place between East 41st and 42nd Streets, between 1st and 2nd avenues.

I'm also excited about a brand new venue that Miss KT Sullivan inaugurated last week. Garrett and I went to see her opening night show at City Hall Restaurant down on Duane Street, in the Granite Room. This exciting new room, used to be used for storing coal, and it is literally underneath the sidewalks of NY, making it a perfect place for cabaret, both acoustically and aesthetically! KT sang "sans mic" featuring songs that were pre 1930, and therefore, never intended to be sung on mic. It was a gorgeous trip down memory lane for us, as we watched and listened to KT wrap her magical presence and voice around songs I heard growing up. The incomparable Jon Weber accompanies KT and also treats the pre-show dinner crowd to his delightful renderings of pre - 1930's songs, as well. The prix-fixe menu was fantastic and really, compared to other places, $90 for a 3 course gourmet meal, fantastic service and lovely show, is a very good deal. You have one more chance to see KT, on Sept. 10th - I highly recommend you do!

Hope to see lots of you soon, at one of these events.

Love and light,
Raissa

Raissa Recommends July & August

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Here's our fantastic line up for THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS on Wednesday, August 5th at 6 pm. (Rain date, 8/6), so SAVE THE DATE. Deb Berman, David Colbert, Eric Michael Gillett, Tanya Holt, Sue Matsuki, Angela Schultz, Darren Williams and Jason Wynn. Our theme this month is "Blame It On The Summer Night" and we are thrilled to have David Caldwell, Sean Harkness, Brett Kristofferson and Bill Zeffiro acting as our accompanists. And, as a last minute addition, we are thrilled to feature Broadway's original "Johanna" from Sweeney Todd, Sarah Rice

On Thursday, July 30th, I have the honor of being the co-host of the Summer Oak Room Salon, at the legendary Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room www.algonquinhotel.com/summer-oak-room-salon, which is hosted by Mark Janas, and produced by Peter Napolitano. My special featured guest will be none other than Broadway Star and Multiple MAC Award Winner, Eric Michael Gillett. There is a modest $10 cover and $10 minimum, and performers may sign up to sing, act, play, etc. I'll be performing several times throughout the evening, as well as introducing all the talented folks who have been gracing this new event in the Oak Room. If you'd like to come, the only way to get a reservation is to email: oakroomsalon@aol.com and give them your name/email/contact info. The evening goes from 7 to 10 pm, with an intermission, and we'll get as many people on mic as we have time for! Hope to see lots of you there, both performers and "watchers"!

Love and light,

Raissa

www.raissa.info

Raissa Recommends - June & July

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Put this in your calendars now!

Hot off the presses, here's our next amazing line up of talent for the Concerts at Tudor City Greens free outdoor concert, being held Wed., July 8th at 6 pm. (rain date, July 9th). My guests include MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award winners Spider Saloff, Julie Reyburn, Ricky Ritzel, Daryl Glenn, and Eric Michael Gillett (Broadway’s Kiss Me Kate, The Frogs). Also featured will be Broadway performer Nina Hennessy (Cats), guitarist Sean Harkness and Grammy nominee Philip Chaffin. The musical director is David Caldwell. (The cast/musicians subject to change.)

The concerts are being produced in association with the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) – an organization dedicated to the support and promotion of the art of live entertainment in NYC (www.MACNYC.com). Sponsored in part by 925 Lounge.

Special thanks to Phil Bond and the Laurie Beechman Theatre for donating rehearsal space and to Feinstein’s at the Regency for donating printing services.

The event will take place in the South Park of Tudor City Greens Park – enter at Tudor City Place between East 41st and 42nd Streets, between 1st and 2nd avenues.

Some recommendations for this week:

Tonight, I'll be at the Beechman seeing THE DISNEY DIARIES (see last weeks post).

Tomorrow, June 23rd, is my husband Garrett's birthday and we'll be celebrating by seeing Jenna Esposito SINGS CONNIE FRANCIS, at the Metropolitan Room at 7 pm. You can also see her show on 6/20, 7/7, and 7/14.

Then why not head over to Don't Tell Mama's and catch Ray Jessel's show at 9:15? That's what I'm gonna do if I have enough energy left. I'm a morning girl, and it's not easy to stay up late when you're up at 6 am!

Wednesday, June 24th at 9:30 pm, you can catch my pal and alumnus of Tudor City Greens concert, Richard Cramer, as the featured headliner at CAROLINES ON BROADWAY.

There is a regular $16.50 Cover Charge - but with a reservation it is only $8.00 Plus a Two Drink Minimum per person
Carolines also serves food and offers a full menu
Wednesday June 24th @ 9:30 “Darlene Violette's Comedy Relapse”
Carolines on Broadway - between 49th and 50th Streets
RESERVATIONS 212 757-4100

Thursday, I'll be seeing Mark Nadler at the Metropolitan Room at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday we're at a wedding in CT, and we top of the week with the wonderful Marcus Simeone (2009 MAC Award Winner) on Sunday, June 28th at 7 pm, at the Metropolitan Room.

Having trouble paying for all the shows you want to see? Check out www.theaterextras.com and www.play-by-play.com. For about $100 bucks, you can join these organizations and get deeply discounted tickets to Broadway, Off-Broadway, Concert and Cabaret shows. It really pays for itself, very quickly. Also, you don't have to be a performer to join MAC, or Cabaret Hotline, and most cabaret performers offer significant discounts to card carrying members of these organizations, so why not check it out? In addition, these organizations are major promoters of the art form, and it's great to support them, too. I'm just sayin'...

See you at the shows!

Love and Light,

Raissa

"Ultimate peace comes from within; when we find peace within, there will be no more conflicts, no more occasion for war." - Peace Pilgrim

Raissa Recommends

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:09:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Last night was an amazing double header. Rosemary Loar rocked the Beechman last night with an overflowing SRO crowd for the CD release of her newest, INDIGO AND IRIDESCENT. She was joined onstage by a rocking 5 piece band, including fiddle and cello, and 3 back up girl singers! This was the only performance Rosemary scheduled with the full band, and it was a triumph. I'm awed that Rosie wrote and arranged every piece of music and lyric and it was transcendant. You owe it to yourself to get her CD and keep your eyes peeled for when she brings this show back.

Then we headed to the Metropolitan Room to catch the 9:45 show of ALMOST BLUE starring Gretchen Reinhagen. You lucky people have one more chance to see this powerful singer and personality do her thing with her all girl band, on July 21st at 7 pm. Although I was suffering from a head cold, and really shouldn't have been out, I forgot all about it as Gretchen transported me to places of joy and introspection. A great show. Go!

And finally, for now, you've gotta go see THE DISNEY DIARIES at the Beechman, which opens this Sunday, June 21st, for a 6 show run, starring MAC Award winner Jonathan Whitton, written by MAC/BISTRO/NIGHTLIFE Award Winner, Phil Geoffrey Bond, and directed by Tony Award Winner, Michele Pawk. I had the chance to read some bit's n' pieces of the script, and I cannot wait to see the full show. If you are familiar with these three incredible artists' work, you know you'll be in for a great evening of theater. So, go to opening night, this Sunday, and then stop by the Algonquin Hotel for the Salon, where you can join me and lots of other Broadway and Cabaret friends, performing for each other, for free until 10:30 pm.

Come back here soon for news of our next Tudor City Concert, scheduled for July 8th at 6 pm. (rain date, 7/9).

Love and light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends - June Picks!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:17:00 +0000

What a month May was! MAC Awards, performances I did and others I saw that I still MUST rave about - I'm still catching my breath and have much to tell, but for now, I wanted to get the news out about our next Tudor City concert.

It's "Jazzy June" and it features an all jazz all star line up - some of my favorite performers and good friends: Scot Albertson, Mary Foster Conklin, Terese Genecco, Marcus Goldhaber, Daryl Kojak, Laurie Krauz, Rosemary Loar, Shaynee Rainbolt. And Daryl, as our Musical Director, will be joined by Cliff Lyons on Sax, Tom Hubbard on Bass and Ray Marchica on Drums! Does it get better than this? Talented David Colbert (who will be a featured performer in the very near future) is filling in as our technical director, while our regular TD, Dr. Garrett Bennett, is busy with patients. Why? Because this is our first MATINEE of the the season. So come join us on Wed., June 10th, (rain date, June 11th) at noon, for two fantastic sets with some of the best in NYC jazz!

Please support the performers who have donated their time and talent to the Greens.

Scot Albertson 6/17 at The Kitano Jazz Club, 66 ParkAve @ 38th - 212-885-7119 - 2 sets, 8 & 10 pm, and every Sunday Brunch @ La Mediterranee Bistro, 947 2nd Ave @ 50th - 212-755-4155

Mary Foster Conklin MOON & SAND - Songs of Salty Days & Sultry Nights - 6/10 @ 9:45 pm & 6/13 @ 5 pm at The Metropolitan Room - 34 W. 22nd, NYC 212-206-0440

Jenna Esposito SINGS CONNIE FRANCIS - 6/23, 6/30, 7/7/, 7/14 @ 7 pm at The Metropolitan Room - 34 W. 22nd, NYC - 212-206-0440

Terese Genecco Last Tuesdays at the Iridium, 1650 B'way @ 51st, 2 sets @ 8 & 10 pm, next show, 6/30

Marcus Goldhaber every Thursday at The Night Hotel on W. 45th, between 6th and B'way

Daryl Kojak performances with Scot Albertson, Laurie Krauz & more!

Laurrie Krauz TAPESTRY REWOVEN at the Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 B'way @ 51st, Tuesdays, 7/7 & 8/4 @ 8 & 10 pm

Rosemary Loar INDIGO and IRISDESCENT @ The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 42nd @ 9th Ave., 6/17 @ 6 pm

Shaynee Rainbolt touring in the fall to promote her new CD, Charmed Life, voted Best Jazz Recording by MAC

Susan Winter in LOVE ROLLS ON - 6/9 & 6/10 at 7:30 pm at The Metropolitan Room - 34 W. 22nd, NYC - 212-206-0440

Many thanks to our new and ongoing sponsors for the Concerts At Tudor City Greens. We hope you will show your appreciation by patronizing them whenever you can, and letting them know you heard about them because of the Concerts at Tudor City!

THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE
CIBO
FEINSTEIN'S
925 LOUNGE - 800 2nd Ave.
THE TOY BALLON SHOP - 5 Tudor City Place
HECTOR CORIS

DR. GARRETT BENNETT

Tax deductible donations may be made, payable to:
TUDOR CITY GREENS, INC.
5 Tudor City Place, Box 1-E
New York, NY 10017

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE GREENS!
http://www.tudorcitygreens.org/ is up and running. Check it out for much more information!

Many thanks to Hector Coris, for once again designing our poster, and to our sponsors: the Laurie Beechman for providing us with rehearsal space, Feinsteins at the Regency for doing all our printing and the 925 Lounge.

Raissa Recommends - Hector Coris, I'm on YouTube and Benefits Galore!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Hello Friends:

Go see Hector Coris in his first solo show, LIFE IS WONDERFUL - you've got two more chances: 5/9 at 5 pm and 5/19 at 7:15 pm at Don't Tell Mama - 212-787-0788. JUST GO! I can't say enough good things about this show, so JUST GO! Well, I have to at least say, Hector's voice is beautiful and his acting, sublime. GO!

There is so much to see this week and so little time...can't do it all, but I'm pleased to recommend David Pellegrine/Beth Sacks at the Metropolitan Room this Thursday, 5/7 at 7 pm, in their show, MUSIC OF THE NIGHT, although I have it on good authority that they won't be actually singing that song - but there will be beautiful music in the night! I would love to be there, but I"ll be at Don't Tell Mama for Seth's Broadway Chatterbox @ 6, and then I already have reservations at Mama's at 7:30 for FRESH BREWED - TALES FROM THE COFFEE BAR starring Tanya Moberly and then right after that, I'm heading off to the Metropolitan Room to see Shayee Rainbolt in her CHARMED LIFE show at 9:45 pm. If you can't go see her, pick up her wonderful CD of the same name - it's in my CD player all the time! Friday, I'll sleep!

I'm very excited to be nominated for a MAC Award for Best Female Vocalist - you can catch clips of me now on YouTube to see some of my work, and also,
I am proud to be a part of several wonderful benefits in the next 2 weeks. I hope you'll come and support those causes.

This Saturday, May 9th, 5 pm at Birdland, I'll be performing with my Musical Director, David Caldwell, in LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND - A BENEFIT FOR ZANI'S FURRY FRIENDS. Sarah Rice has once again put together a very talented bunch of animal lovers, from Jim Caruso and Klea Blackhurst, to Marni Nixon and Julie Wilson! http://www.instantseats.com/ is where you can go to buy tickets.

On Wednesday, May 13th (rain date, 14th), I'll be hosting our next benefit CONCERT AT TUDOR CITY GREENS starring Hector Coris, Ritt Henn, Norm Lewis, Barbara Mundy, Karen Oberlin, Miles Phillips, Ed Romanoff and Susan Winter. Our Musical Directors are David Caldwell, Mark Janas, and Bill Zeffiro. Free! Donations to benefit the park conservancy are very much appreciated.... more info on my website, soon!

I'll also be performing in the Cabaret Cares Gala which benefits BC/ EFA and Help Is On The Way Today at the Beechman, Sunday, May 17th at 5 pm, with some of my good friends, Eric Michael Gillett, Tonja Walker Davidson, David Colbert, Julie Reyburn, Sue Matsuki, Susan Winter, just to name a few... You can get tickets for that by emailing Joseph Macchia at jmac249@aol.com. The tickets are going fast - no surprise when you see who's performing, and for such a great cause!

And finally, I will be performing at the MAC Awards, as a nominee for Best Female Vocalist - that's on May 18th at BB Kings at 7:30 pm. You can get tickets through http://www.macnyc.com/ or at BBKingBlues.com (212-307-7171).

Love and light,
Raissa

BREAKING NEWS - NEW GUEST STAR PHIL CHAFFIN STEPS IN AS TUDOR CITY GREENS CONCERT IS POSTPONED TILL THURS. 4/16

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Can you believe that on April 15th the weather forecast is for 45 degrees? Therefore, we are moving the first CONCERT AT TUDOR CITY GREENS to the rain date, April 16th, Thursday at 6 pm in the North Park - Tudor City Place between 1st and 2nd Ave. at 42nd/43rd Streets. Tell everyone you know! We will still have most of our amazing lineup, even though we are losing 3 terriffic men. HOWEVER - I'm thrilled to announce that international recording star PHILIP CHAFFIN has agreed to trod our garden turf. This will give you an opportunity to "sample" Philip before he debuts his newest solo show at the Metropolitan Room on 3 consecutive Wednesdays, May 6th, 13th and 20th at 7:30 pm.

Hope to see y'all at the concert tomorrow!

Love and light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends Reservations for April 13th!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:55:00 +0000

Hello Friends:

Breaking news! I just got nominated for a MAC award in the Best Female Vocalist category along with three of my best gal pals, Jenna Esposito, Terese Genecco and Julie Reyburn! I'm pretty thrilled.

I hope you'll make your reservations today for Raissa and Friends - Not the Usual Suspects at the Beechman on April 13th at 9:30 pm. When producer Joseph Macchia asked me to do a show for him as a benefit for his wonderful organization, Help Is On The Way Today, (a division of BC/EFA), I was thrilled. Most of the friends that I have asked to join me are not the typical folks one usually sees performing in NYC cabarets. The show features Emmy nominated soap star, Tonya Walker Davidson, best known for her role as Alex Buchanan on OLTL, Kristin Huffman from the recent Broadway revival of COMPANY and a former Miss Ohio, Broadway veteran, recording and cabaret star, Rosemary Loar, Cirque de Soliel WINTUK star and a LES MISERABLES “Gavroche”, 14 year old Noah Galvin, Tavern on the Green favorite and CT producer/director/actress, Maureen Hamill, acclaimed regional theatre actress/singer Candy Benge, writer, director, actor and Bistro/Nightlife/MAC award winner Philip Geoffrey Bond, and “Broadway’s Beethoven”, deaf composer, Jay Alan Zimmerman. My Musical Directors for the evening is Bistro Award winner, Les Miz conducteor and Leonard Bernstein’s assistant/protégé, Mark Janas. I'm so proud to call all of these generous and talented people my friends and to feature them in this show, so you all can get to know them, too!

A mere 2 days later, Wednesday, 4/15 at 6 pm, we have our grand return to the CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS! The hour and a half long program of music and comedy - themed “Make Our Garden Grow” - will feature performers from Broadway and the New York City cabaret scene. And what a star-studded line up we have - take a look! Here's the official press release:

The concert will be hosted by Tudor City resident, Broadway and cabaret performer Raissa Katona Bennett (Phantom of the Opera, Chess) and feature performances by comedian Richard Cramer, Eric Michael Gille tt (Sweet Smell of Success, The Frogs; MAC-Award winner), Rosemary Loar (Cats), Roger Mapes (GLBT Hall of Fame: Singer/ Songwriter), Sarah Rice (Broadway’s original “Johanna” in Sweeney Todd, The Fantasticks), award-winning cabaret artists Scott Coulter, Hector Coris, Jenna Esposito, Rob Langeder, Tanya Moberly, Maureen Taylor, Karen Oberlin, Lennie Watts and cabaret newcomers Candy Benge and Tom Vaughn. The musical directors are David Caldwell, Mark Janas, and Bill Zeffiro.

The event will take place in the North Park of Tudor City Greens Park – enter at Tudor City Place between East 42nd and 43rd Streets, between 1st and 2nd avenues.

A free post-event reception with the performers will take place at 925 Lounge (800 Second Ave., between East 42nd & 43rd Streets.) The 925 Lounge has generously promised to donate a percentage of all drinks purchased during the 2-hour period following the show to the Tudor City Greens.

Doesn't the new poster look fantastic?! All thanks to the incredibly talented and generous Hector Coris, who you must catch this week, Tuesday, 4/7 at 8 pm, along with Jenna Esposito at TAINTED BLUE, 723 7th Ave. in the Penthouse. $20 gets you in to enjoy the music and an open wine/beer bar! What a deal! Also appearing are Brandon Cutrell, Maxine Linehan and Gabrielle Stravelli - talented folks all. I'll be there for sure!

And Garrett and I will be enjoying KT Sullivan in her new show, Dancing in the Dark, at the Oak Room, this Wednesday, the 8th @ 8:30 pm. She'll be there through 4/11. She is a must see!

I hope to see lots of you at all these events! Have a great week.

Love and light,

Raissa

Raissa Recommends - week of 3/24

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

Just a quick posting as I'm behind schedule, but I couldn't let this week go by without recommending 3 great shows:

First up - the last show of Cynthia Crane's "I'm Confused, Therefore I Am" at the Metropolitan Room, this Sunday at 4. Garrett and I returned early from CT just to see her, and boy are we glad we did! Her show flows easily and you love where she takes you. Her smooth and sultry alto is resonant with life experience and she looks absolutely beautiful. This lady really knows how to interpret a lyric. Some of my favorites were "People You Never Get To Love" and "You Believe in Me" - but I had many that I loved!

Then meet me on March 30th at 9:30 pm at the Beechman, when Eric Michael Gillett premiere's his newest show, WIDESCREEN! Don Rebic is Musical Director and commedian Richard Cramer is featured. This is the second to the last benefit for CABARET CARES, and the final one of the season is, oh for heaven's sake, well it's hosted by ME! That show is scheduled for April 13th, and I'll tell you about that closer to the event. Call 212-695-6909 and go to my website www.raissa.info to see the graphic - for some reason I can't upload it and I'm in a rush so....

Finally, you have until April 11th to catch KT Sullivan in her newest show DANCING IN THE DARK at the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel (212-419-9331 reseservations). I got to see a "preview" of this show in KT's living room, and I can promise you a fantastic evening of entertainment. This is some of KT's and director Eric Michael Gillett's best work. And Tedd Firth is an amazing Musical Director. What a fun and fantastic learning opportunity it was for me to see him work with Steve Doyle on bass. I can't wait to see it onstage - we'll be there April 8th - hope to see many of you there.

More soon - Love and light,
Raissa

March is Cabaret Month, Hector and Taxes

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:57:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

The big events on my calendar this week are:

Going to see Hector Coris at the Duplex in FADE IN, FADE OUT - a production of Opening Doors Theatre Company. I can't wait to see him in a whole new light!

Promoting Stu Hamstra's MARCH IS CABARET MONTH show at the Beechman on 3/10. There are still some tickets left for this amazing line up of talent. Stu does so much for the cabaret community - I hope you'll consider supporting him, not only by going to the show, but by doing whatever you can to help keep him promoting our craft.

Doing my taxes! Hence the brevity of this post!

This month, though, I can tell you that I'll be catching Marcus Goldhaber at the Iridium, Cynthia Crane, Nina Hennessey and Shawn Ryan at the Metropolitan Room in their respective shows, and celebrating the one year anniversary of the Algonquin Salon on 3/22. Check out the websites of these two clubs to see when these folks are doing their shows and while you're at it, see when Laurie Krauze and Terese Genecco are performing there - I've seen both of their shows at Iridium, and you gotta see these powerchiks do their thing!

I'm also performing at the Really Cooking Supperclub in Dallas, PA on 3/24, doing a reading of one of my favorite shows, AT THE BACK OF THE NORTHWIND in Fairlawn, NJ on 3/27, and seeing John McMahon do his first ever solo cabaret show for the SAVE THE GATEWAY cause at the Inlet Restaurant in Somers Point, NJ.

April 13th will find me hosting RAISSA AND FRIENDS - NOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS for Cabaret Cares at the Laurie Beechman. March 3oth, my friend Eric Michael Gillett does his WIDESCREEN show for this great cause. More info on my website: http://www.raissa.info/ and here soon.

April 15th is the gala return of THE NEW CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS and we are doing it up big! Stay tuned for more info on that....

And, I'm really busy with some BIG projects that I'll share with THE WORLD as soon as the contracts are signed!

Have a great week!

Love and light,

Raissa

Snow, renovations and Big Night Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

What a week! Sunday, I was doing my show in Scranton, PA with my friend and musical director, Mark Janas. Garrett drove us there and back, thank God, as Mark and I really had to catch up on some sleep on the drive! Then, I bundled the dogs and my friend, Julie and her two dogs into the car and we headed up to CT to beat the snow. The next three days we were busy putting the house back together after the wonderful renovations Jimmy Little did, and I forgot how much it would be like moving in again. I'll post some before and after shots here once I figure out how! All this to say, that with regular "life" happening, I've been in withdrawal from seeing any cabaret.

However, I did get to see one of my best friends, Leah Hocking, perform the role of Mrs. Wilkerson, in BILLY ELLIOT on Friday night. As usual, she was fantastic and owned the role. Leah and I met....well, let's just say a loooonnnnggg time ago when we started out in summer stock together in Boothbay Harbor, ME! (taught her how to eat a lobster - she's from MI and they don't have fresh lobster there.) Anyway, it's always a proud moment for me and an emotional one, to see her jubilant on Broadway!

I then ran over to catch Sheera Ben-David's late show at the Oak Room, but it had been cancelled :( However, not surprisingly, as it is directed by Eric Michael Gillett and because Sheera is so gifted, it got a rave from the NY Times, and I'm planning on getting there this week for her final week.

I'll be performing at BIG NIGHT OUT hosted by the fantastic Jennifer Wren and Bill Zeffiro, this Thursday, March 5 at 10 pm. BNO is featuring the music of Jay Alan Zimmerman this week in their composer series. Jay is one of my new friends and "finds". We met at the Songbook Series this past December, when we were both performing there and John Znidarsic had just christened him "Broadways Beethoven." Jay became deaf to speech, but can still hear some music below middle C. I noticed him because he was signing, and knowing ASL, I went over to "talk" with him. We've been working on some of his songs ever since and it's been a fantastic collaborative process, as Jay trusts my ears to let him know what works for me, etc. Very cool. I hope you'll come hear this amazing man - and he still sings gorgeously! Here's more info on him: Jay Alan Zimmerman is the composer/author of the stage musicals Jay Alan Zimmerman’s Incredibly DEaF Musical (named “Pick of The Fringe” by the Washington Post), My Café Cinderella, HoliDaze, and his current project I.M. — The Invisible Man Musical, as well as composer/author/director of the award-winning film musicals Love Burns and Pawns. He scored the plays Booth and Our Brutus, which were both Fringe First Award winners at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and had New York and London productions. Additional info at deafmusical.com, quirky videos at youtube/musicbyJAZ, and blog at http://www.jayalanzimmerman.com/.

Big news from my pal Jenna Esposito - she has her own column now at http://www.broadwayworld.com/! Go to the site and sign up for newsletter alerts - let's make this a big success for a woman who does so much for all of us in the cabaret world.

Thanks for stopping by and go see a show this week!

Love and light,
Raissa

Happy Valentines Day week.

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

This weeks blog is short and sweet. I was planning to see Olivia Stevens in her new show PASSION, but ended up nursing a cold instead. Luckily, I can still go see Olivia next Tuesday at 7 (as well as 2/24) at the Metropolitan Room and so can you. I have not seen this show yet, but I've seen her others and know her to be a fascinating and talented performer, especially when directed by our mutual director, Eric Michael Gillett.

This cold has put behind the eight ball in my schedule and I didn't want this week to go by without recommending you go see Jenna Esposito in TAKIN' A CHANCE ON LOVE at 5 pm, Valentine's Day at the Metropolitan Room. I saw her in this show a few months ago and tell you you will have a "sweet" time of it if you go. Check out my blog from Oct. 9, 2008, to learn more about it.

If you're in CT this weekend, I'll be performing in a benefit for the Post Adoption Resource Center called, YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART, 5 pm at the Bethesda Lutheran Church, 450 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT. You can call 1-800-286-9889 for tickets and information. I'll be performing with gal pals, Candy Benge, Kristin Huffman and Randye Kaye amoung others, and we're being accompanied by the one and only Mark Janas! Rumor has it that the handsome Dr. Garrett Bennett may join me on a tune, as well! You can find out more at: http://www.adoptlss.org/special_events.html.

Sunday will find us all at the Algonquin Salon where our favorite newleyweds, Kristin Maloney and Adam MacDonald, will be co-hosting "Love & Marriage" and "Happy Birthday Harold Arlen". I'll be filling in secretarial duties for Peter Napolitano while he enjoys the debut of the show he directed for Salon regular, Paul Bodden, FOOL FOR LOVE at the Metropolitan Room, at 7 pm. So, you can catch Paul's show, and then head uptown to the Salon! I haven't seen this show yet, (I'm going on the 28th), but I know Paul's work as well as Peter's, and I know it'll be a good time.

Finally, for those of you who have cable, I'll be the featured guest on Linda Fields' show CABARET TODAY on TWC 67 this Friday night at 8 pm. Someone tape it for me, will ya?

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Love and light,
Raissa
www.raissa.info

Raissa Recommends week of Feb. 1st. - updated

noreply@blogger.com (Raissa Katona Bennett) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:11:00 +0000

Hi Friends:

This is the amazing group of musicians who graced the stage of the Iridium for the January installment of Broadway Jazz on Broadway. From left to right, Musical Director Don Rebic, Chip Zien, Joel Rosenblatt (behind Chip) Ann Harada, me, Rosemary Loar, Sage, Tom Kennedy (behind Sage), Kirby Ward and Beverly Ward. If you read this blog last week, I promised you that things would happen onstage at the Iridium that never happened there before! Kirby Ward started it off by accompanying himself on ukulele, then TAP DANCING like a genius madman on a stage crowded with instruments and cords, while singing "I Could Have Danced All Night", and then bringing his gorgeous and talented wife and Broadway actress, Bev Ward, up to join him on a duet/medley of "Boy Wanted/Soon". We'll be bring Bev back to feature in a future Broadway Jazz, and maybe she'll let Kirby sing with her! Ann Harada drenched the room with her stunning mezzo/belt on "If I Were A Bell", "They All Laughed" and then she and pal, Chip Zien brought the house down with "Everything I Have Belongs to You." Chip proved that not only is he a Broadway legend, but that he also knows how to turn tunes like "Pretty Women" and "Look at That Face" into fantastic jazz choices. And you have not lived until you've seen and heard Rosemary Loar's "Quando Swing" which you can at least hear, if you get her CD available at her website. And three of the most talented and just plain FUN musicians there are, Don Rebic, Tom Kennedy and Joel Rosenblatt, played with aplomb. I asked Don to start the evening out, by singing the verse of "Le Jazz Hot" and then I finished it up. Singing that number with Don, and then singing the gorgeous arrangement he created for me of "Soon It's Gonna Rain", were favorite moments for me. I'm so grateful to all these musicians for joining me onstage and to Scott Barbarino for producing the series.

Tuesday night (2/3) at 8 pm I was back at the Iridium watching Laurie Krauz and Daryl Kojak in TAPESTRY REVISITED, which you can catch once a month at the Iridium. OMIGOD they were great! I'm wondering if there is anything Laurie can't sing - what a full voice, gorgeous range and interpretative style she has. Cannot wait to see her again.

Not to be missed either, is Mary Foster Conklin, when she brings her show, MOON & SAND - Songs of Salty Days and Sultry Night, to the Metropolitan Room this Friday and Saturday, 2/6 and 2/7 at 7:30 pm. She promises to cure our collective mid-winter blues, and if you have ever had the chance to see her perform, as I have, you can bet she will!

I promised I would tell you when David Colbert brought back his incredible show "WHAT THE ?!?!" to The Metropolitan Room. Well he's bringing it for one night only on Sunday, February 8th, at 7pm. This show defies categorization - suffice it to say, it was one of the best nights of theatre/cabaret I've ever spent. Directed by Kristine Zbornik, with Musical Direction by Saloner Charles Lindberg, featuring Tanya Holt and Karen Mack with Matt Scharfglass on Bass/Guitar and Justin Hines on Percussion. GO!

Don't forget two great bargains that are available to you every week: BIG NIGHT OUT with the fabulous Jenn Wren and irrepresible Bill Zeffiro at the Reprise Room at Dillons, 254 W. 54th Street - $10 cover, 1 item minimum. Open mic with incredible talent from 9 to 10 pm, and then a special composers showcase starting at 10. Last week I participated when the work of Hector Coris was featured. My face hurt from laughing and smiling so much! What a great night, great talent (like Jenna Esposito, Sierra Rein, Eadie Scott, Doug Shapiro, Johanna Weller - Fahy, to name a few) and great success for such a wonderful man! And every Sunday night, from 7 to 10 pm, for no cover and no minimum, join Mark Janas and Peter Napolitano for THE ALGONQUIN SALON in the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel on West 44th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. You can sing, play an instrument, recite a scene, poem, story or just sit back and watch the great array of talent that come to share thier gifts. Sign up starts at 6:30 and this week's co-host is one of my favorite gal pals, Jenna Esposito. See y'all there!

I'm taking a few days off this week to rest up a bit and prepare for renovations to our CT home, and then I'm back in the city to record a demo for one of my favorites new shows, AT THE BACK OF THE NORTHWIND, written by Tom Tierney and Jeff Haddow, and directed by Sam Scalamoni. I played the Mom in a reading of this delightful show last year, and Noah Galvin played by son, Diamond. I am looking forward to reuniting with the wonderful cast to record the show.

Till next week...

Love and Light,
Raissa