Eighth Annual Year!

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THE BIG BARRY BIRTHDAY BASH

Celebrating the Birthday and Music of Barry Manilow

"Somewhere, deep down inside all of us, there lurks a showgirl named Lola.a raucous extravaganza celebrating the music of everyone's favorite guilty pleasure, Barry Manilow.
.Put some yellow feathers in your hair and head over to Don't Tell Mama."
-H. Scott Jolley, Time Out New York

"The Big Barry Birthday Bash continues (try and stop it!). If you really love Manilow, the good news is you'll hear one Manilow song after another in this multi-performer revue."
-Chip Deffaa, New York Post

"A 90-minute extravaganza that was wonderfully self-aware of its loopiness.first-rate cabaret."
--Barbara and Scott Siegel, In Theater

"One of the most extravagant evenings of 'Big Fun' in cabaret history."
--David Roberts, Theatre Reviews Ltd.

When will this strong yearning end? It's been going on for eight years! It was nominated for a Nightlife Award this past year. The birthday of Brooklyn-born singer/songwriter Barry Manilow is a cabaret holiday with The (Belated) Big Barry Birthday Bash, Celebrating the Birthday and Music of Barry Manilow, on Monday, July 7 (Barry's actual birthday was June 17) at 7:00 & 9:30 PM. This unabashed bash, which originated in Minneapolis in 1996, is back for its eighth annual incarnation, in its fifth year at Don't Tell Mama, located at 343 West 46th Street in Manhattan. Reservations recommended: (212) 757-0788. Tickets. $14.00 plus a 2-drink minimum.

"The Big Barry Birthday Bash is belated this year, due to the schedules of participants," says producer and host Laura Davis, "but the spirit is the same and as strong as ever." The (Belated) Big Barry Birthday Bash salutes the music that the number one adult contemporary artist of all time has composed, arranged and sung for over two decades. Jazz, swing, jingles, and the legendary power ballads, drawn from the thirty-plus albums Manilow has recorded. The winner of Tony, Grammy and Emmy Awards, Barry Manilow is also the recipient of the 2000 MAC Board of Directors Award honoring his roots as a musician in the New York cabaret scene of the 1970's.

The (Belated) Big Barry Birthday Bash includes Doug Anderson, Caren Cole, Michael Ferreri, Karen Mack, Jeanne MacDonald, Sidney Myer, Georga Osborne, Jay Rogers, Chanelle Schaffer, and Lennie Watts. The lineup of songs includes "Trying To Get The Feeling," "I Was A Fool To Let You Go," "Man Wanted" and the "Very Strange Medley."

Producer Laura Davis, who is "very out" about admiring Barry Manilow, originated The Big Barry Birthday Bash in Minneapolis in June of 1996. This tribute to The Man of Many Modulations --complete with key changes and cake -- was successfully reprised for three years in Minneapolis before Davis and the show then moved to New York. This ongoing party has a cast as big as some Broadway shows, and many of the participants have Broadway show credits.

The (Belated) Big Barry Birthday Bash features the talents of top-notch performers with a wide range of musical credits. Sean Sullivan, who recently performed in the national tour of Saturday Night Fever, originated the role of Tony in the Atlantic City production of Copacabana; Rosemary Loar has appeared on Broadway in Once Upon A Mattress and Chess, and recently performed in regional productions of Footloose. Georga Osborne appeared on Broadway in Meet Me in St. Louis; she is a 2003 MAC Award winner who recently presented her cabaret show Summer In The Attic (Some're Not). Jay Rogers (this year's special guest "Lola" in the incarnation of the tropical disco drama "Copacabana") has appeared Off Broadway in When Pigs Fly, among many other shows. Multiple MAC Award winners Karen Mack and Lennie Watts are stalwart performers at Don't Tell Mama; Karen Mack, along with Michael Holland, has presented the highly popular Gashole series, and Lennie Watts has presented various solo cabaret shows, as well as directing other performers. Sidney Myer, who has appeared in New York productions of Grandma Sylvia's Funeral and Dressing Room, and has received 5 MAC and Back Stage Bistro Awards. Jeanne MacDonald has earned a MAC nomination for Best Female Solo vocalist; Chanelle Schaffer, a singer/pianist, is a DramaLogue winner who has entertained internationally and is currently the Musical Director for Judson Church; Michael Ferreri recently returned from his successful debut engagement at Pizza on the Park in London. Minneapolitan Doug Anderson, a veteran performer in the Twin Cities theater scene, has been with The Big Barry Birthday Bash since its inception. Caren Cole, who appeared on Broadway in Buddy and Off Broadway in Tony and Tina's Wedding, has been the Musical Director for Lesley Gore, and is currently a bandleader for Starlight Orchestras.

The (Belated) Big Barry Birthday Bash band is led by Jim Abbott, currently the first keyboard player/dance arranger at Disney's Aida on Broadway, dance arranger for the upcoming Broadway show Wicked, and keyboard player for numerous Broadway shows and tours. He was recently the conductor for Disney's Aida in Amsterdam and received a gold record for the cast album. Ray Grappone, on drums, recently played in Flower Drum Song on Broadway, and is seasoned in both Broadway and road shows; he is also the creator of Hipbone Records. Owen Yost, on bass, has played with Tommy James and is currently subbing in Moving Out on Broadway.

The (Belated) Big Barry Birthday Bash offers big fun in this true blue spectacle, touching a cultural chord in celebrating the canon of Manilow music. He writes the songs. We sing them.

"If you are among the legion of Barry boosters.this one's for you!"
--Barbara and Scott Siegel, In Theater.

Visit the wacky website of The Big Barry Birthday Bash at www.tomschmid.com/barry.