December 4 - December 17, 2013
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Masterpieces of holiday simplicity Caruso’s musical ‘Nice’ list sure can swing BY JIM CARUSO (jim-caruso.com) I love spending the holidays in New York City — but between the over-blown seasonal spectaculars, the inclement weather and throngs of gaping tourists, a Manhattan Christmas can sometimes be overwhelming. In concocting this list of December must-sees, I’ve noticed that my choices are all masterpieces of simplicity — emphasizing clarity, sophisticated humor and good old-fashioned showbiz. Maybe those are the qualities I wish for myself, and should include in my letter to Santa. So, with all due respect to The Rockettes, the 76-foot tree in Rockefeller Center and the upcoming slush-fest, here is my grown-up Christmas list of musical, magical morsels.
ON THE RECORD: A TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT VOCAL GROUPS OF THE 20th CENTURY Through December 15 Sat. at 3pm & Sun. at 6pm At Stage 72 158 W. 72nd St. (btw. Amsterdam & Columbus) $25 (half price for students/seniors) Call 800-838-3006 Visit brownpapertickets.com
Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
The powerhouse quartet of “On the Record” focuses their pipes on popular music’s last 100 years.
As solo singers, Bill Daugherty, Paul Kropfl, Amanda Savan and Deborah Tranelli are wonderful. As a quartet, they’re even better. Their show, “On The Record, A Tribute to the Great Vocal Groups of the 20th Century,” celebrates such disparate and influential ensembles as The Andrews Sisters, The Mills Brothers, The Beach Boys and The Beatles. This multi-media chronology showcases the sights and sounds of singers and arrangers who have shaped the popular music scene for the last 100 years.
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN AT BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB
December 17-28 At Birdland Jazz Club 315 W. 44th St. (btw. 8th & 9th Aves.) $75-$200, plus $20 food or beverage minimum Call 212-581-3080 or birdlandjazz.com
After 14 years headlining at the eponymously named Feinstein’s at The Regency, Michael Feinstein moves his smart, suave and sophisticated holiday show to Birdland, ‘the jazz corner of the world.’ The multi-platinum-selling, two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer has been a
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Photo courtesy of the artist
Michael Feinstein’s headlining debut at Birdland Jazz Club happens Dec. 17-28.