June/July/August 2010
May -2010
-If you are in NYC, be sure to catch Monica Raymund in the fabulous new show "Oliver Parker" at the Cherry Lane Theatre! Previews have already begun, opening night is May 17 and the show runs through June 6. Also, a huge congrats to Monica as her TV show "Lie To Me" was just picked up for a third season by FOX! If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch full episodes on hulu.com. Way to go, Monica!
-Cameron Adams and Sarah Jane Everman are doing "Promises Promises" on Broadway.
April-2010
-Nick Adams is doing "La Cage aux Folles" on Broadway!
-Cameron Adams and Sarah Jane Everman are doing "Promises Promises" on Broadway.
-Tune in on Friday, April 9th as Katherine McPhee's "Lifetime" will be featured on the hit CBS series, Ghost Whisperer! Check your local listing for the correct time.
-Mary's friend, voice student, and colleague, Ron Piretti, will be Officer Krupke in Broadway's West Side Story starting
-Composer Nick Blaemire will have his work celebrated by The Songbook Series on Monday March 29th at the New York Public Library. If you are in New York this free performance is a must! Congratulations for all of your success Nick!
-Congratulations to Ricky Hinds who is the Associate Director of the 1st national tour of "9 to 5"! He will also be the Associate Choreographer for "A Christmas Story" at the 5th Ave. Theatre in Seattle.
March-2010
-William Wade's new musical, Imaginocean, for which he wrote the music and lyrics, is now playing at New World Stages in Manhattan, 340 W 50th Street. Congratulations, William!!!
-Katy Mixon is in Louisiana filming a new movie with Nicholas Cage!
-Mandy Gonzalez is now playing Elphaba on Broadway in Wicked!! She'll be the best Elphaba ever!! Go see her!!
-Sterling Masters has booked the first national tour of Wicked! Congratulations Sterling!!
February 2010
-Michelle Delamor, from the Miami studio, is in the top 12 on American Idol 2010! Watch and vote for her!!!!!
-Beginning performances on Tuesday, March 23, Mandy Gonzalez, who originated the role of Nina in the Broadway musical, In the Heights, will assume the role of Elphaba on Broadway in the musicAl Blockbuster WICKED. Mandy joins a cast which includes Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Tony Award-winner Rondi Reed as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Andy Karl as Fiyero, Alex Brightman as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Timothy Britten Parker as Dr. Dillamond.
January 2010
-Congratulations to Abigail Spencer! Her performance was recently honored as a member of the "Mad Men" cast when the show took home the SAG award for best drama series ensemble! The show also won the Golden Globe for Best Drama. Abigail also recently filmed the pilot "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer" and the USA movie "In My Sleep", airing in April.
November / December 2009
-Kristopher Thompson-Bolden is in the 1st National Tour of "The Color Purple" as a featured dancer and covering the role of Harpo.
-Francesca Battestelli has been nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best Gospel Performance for her song, "Free to Be Me." CONGRATULATIONS FRANNY!!!
-Nikki Chalas will be performing in Gypsy of the Year at the Palace Theatre Dec 7 & 8 in New York City.
-Eleisha Eagle continues her tour in Monroe, La, at Cody Dec. 3.
-Jessica Ferguson's new single, "Rockstar" is now available on itunes.
-Julia Kova may be seen on YouTube in her new video with Scott Storch, Fat Boy and Stacks.
-Francesca Battestelli's song, "It's Your Life" was chosen to be featured on the series finale of TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8! The show airs Monday night, November 23rd!
-The new tour of Chorus Line includes Mike Scirotto as Larry, Stephanie Martignetti as Maggie, Paige Faure as Cover, Aaron Umsted as Cover, Emilee Dupree as Cassie/Sheila Cover and Kristen Paulicelli, Cover. Congratulations to all!
-Katie Mixon is the guest star for November 9th's Two and a Half Men.
-Elizabeth Stacy is doing the National Tour of Grease; Mary got to see her perform in Ft. Myers!!!
-Francesca Battestelli will pay at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando on Friday, Nov 6, and then will appear on the Follow You tour with Leland and Brandon Heath.
-Darren Lorenzo and his band, One Way Ticket, played on Halloween at Joe's Pub in New York.
-Elijah Davis is appearing in Tony & Tina's Wedding at Mansion in Miami's South Beach.
-Kelly King and Nicole Baker are appearing in the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in New York City.
October 2009
-Mary saw her student, LaQuet Sharnell, perform in the new Broadway musical, "Memphis."' LaQuet and the rest of the cast were fabulous!!! Congratulations to all!!!
-Katherine McPhee has released her new single, "Had It All," which is now available on itunes!
-Taylor Trensch is playing Moritz in the first National tour of "Spring Awakening."
-Paul Lima's new documentary "My Father's People" will debut soon; go to www.myfatherspeople.com for more information and to view the trailer.
-Shea Sullivan is performing in "A Christmas Carol" at Fords Theatre in Washington, DC.
-Frank Wildhorn's new musical, "Wonderland" will open in Tampa on December 5, 2009.
-Jessica Ferguson has released her latest single, "Rockstar," which is now available on itunes!
-Evan Kasprzak is on tour with "So You Think You Can Dance."
-Phillip Attmore is in the top 20 of the current "So You Think You Can Dance," on television live right now.
-Abigail Spencer is playing Suzanne Farrell on AMC's "Mad Men."
-Michael Covert will be performing in Frank Wildhorn's new musical, "Bonnie & Clyde," at the LaJolla Playhouse
September-2009
-Jacqueline Drozdow will do Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web" at the Miami JCC.
-Elizabeth Stacey is premiering as Sandy in the National tour of Grease.
-Nolan Sotillo won first place at Universal's American Idol, and got a gold pass to the real mccoy, which he'll have to save for two years, since he's only 14!! He also came in second at Palm Beach Idol!!!
-Rachelle Weiner completed her run as a principal in UM's Smokey Joe's Cafe.
-David Pusykowski is featured at Crazy Pianos at Cocowalk in Coconut Grove.
-Sean Watkins is doing the Beast in Beauty and the Beast in Charlotte, NC.
-LaQuet Sharnell will be featured on Broadway in "Memphis." LaQuet just completed a long run in the Lion King on Broadway.
-Ashley Russ just completed six months at Tokyo Disney and is headed back to New York City.
-Jake Kodish will open with his group for the upcoming Beyonce tour.
- Kacie Phillips will do Charity in the upcoming Sweet Charity in Ft Myers.
-Natalie Caruncho is in the tour of In the Heights.
-Laryn Cura will sing the Star Spangled Banner at the Childrens Heart Charity Race in Clearwater, Fl.
-Natalie Caruncho and Kristina Fernandez will open in the National tour of In The Heights in Tampa on October 27!
-Jennifer Leibowitz uploaded a short clip of herself singing on Facebook and came up a winner.
The 18-year-old Viterbo University freshman from Boca Raton, Fla., sent her submission to "Neil Berg's Singing With The Broadway Stars" at the last minute. "I'm new, I'm a freshman," Leibowitz said. "I've only been here two weeks, and it's been hectic."
But her video rendition of "All Grown Up" from the pop opera "Bare" bested 19 others.
Her reward? She will sing solo lines in the gospel song "Seasons Of Love" from the musical "Rent" with Broadway performers during the finale of Saturday night's "Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway" on Viterbo's Mainstage.
Competitors submitted 90 to 120 seconds of themselves singing a Broadway showtune via Facebook, MySpace or YouTube, said Brett Nichols, production manager.
Berg's Broadway-infused revue will tour 70 to 80 cities, Nichols said, but only 30 stops offer the competition aspect.
"It's a great marketing tool, and it gets people in the seats," Nichols said.
The runners up - Emily Weaver, Elena Weaver, Katy Hoppens, Amanda Wright, Matt Barnett, Katy Knutson and Emily Wrobel - will perform as chorus members in the finale.
-Sean Watkins is currently doing the Beast in Charlotte, NC. He will go to LaJolla Playhouse to workshop the new musical "Bruce Lee: Journey to the West," which is tentatively scheduled to open in New York in 2011.
-Jake Kodish appeared in the semi finals of "America's Got Talent" with his group, U4ria.
-Evan Kazprzak ended up #3 in the country on "So You Think You Can Dance!!" Congratulations, Evan! Watch for his brother, Ryan, on the new season starting in the fall.
August-2009
-Evan Kasprzak is in the finals of So You Think You Can Dance!!
-Francesca Battestelli's song "It's Your LIfe," is featured on the finale of So You Think You Can Dance!!
-Francesca Battestelli's song "I'm Letting Go" is on the short trailer for Julie/Julia.
-Carly Sakolov is appearing off Broadway in "Girls Night-The Musical" at Sofia's on 46th between 8th & Broadway.
-Myjah Major's new video "My Sunshine" has been released by Game Over; Myjah's single was recorded by LeRoy Romans.
-Here is a link from AOL to a behind the scenes view of Jesse when she was in LA making the music video for her current single, "It's a Girl Thing." We have no idea how long it will be posted so look ASAP.
After you view it, you may want to see the whole video. If you do, go to www.Myspace.com/jesselee to see how it turned out. Also, feel free to buy her single on itunes for $.99 . click or copy & paste this into your browser:
-Evan Kazprzak ended up #3 in the country on "So You Think You Can Dance!!" Congratulations, Evan! Watch for his brother, Ryan, on the new season starting in the fall.
July 2009
-Elizabeth Stacey is doing the National tour of Grease, currently in Atlanta, then going to Tampa.
-Sean Watkins is currently doing the Beast in Charlotte, NC. He will go to LaJolla Playhouse to workshop the new musical "Bruce Lee: Journey to the West," which is tentatively scheduled to open in New York in 2011
-Jake Kodish appeared in the semi finals of "America's Got Talent" with his group, U4ria.
June 2009
-Evan Kasprzak made the top 12 of So You Think You Can Dance!
-Darren Lorenzo and Carla Woods will appear in "Our Meeting at the Crossroads" on Friday, July 3, 9:00 pm, at O'Neals Restaurant Red Bar, near Lincoln Center in New York.
-Jamie Mahn is in Singapore, playing and singing at the new Howl at the Moon Singapore.
-Janice Niggling is appearing in West Side Story on Broadway!
-Shakitra Starke is back in Miami, after completing two years on Broadway as part of the cast of Mary Poppins.
-Rachel Weiner will appear in University of Miami's production of Smokey Joe's Cafe in the fall, after returning from her summer in Barcelona, Spain.
-LaQuet Thompson is working with Mary in New York, having completed two years in Broadways "The Lion King." She will be going into the new production of "Memphis."
-Emilee Dupree is doing Cabaret in Dallas, Texas.
-Jake Kodish is appearing on the finals of America's Got Talent!
-Ryan Kasprzak and his brother, Evan, both made the finals of So You Think You Can Dance! and will appear on the TV show in June.
May 2009
-Bre Morgan has been confirmed as a Top Next Big Thing Artist by Radio Disney, and is the only solo singer, songwriter/performer in the group!
-One Way Ticket along with Darren Lorenzo, Carla Woods, Wil Lewis and Bacci present Our Meeting at the Crossroads Series 3, on Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Kama Sutra Lounge, 30 W 52nd between 5th & 6th Ave, 2nd floor of Bombay Palace
April 2009
-Go see Broadway Theatre Project alum Katie Mixon inState of Play, which also happens to star Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirrren and Rachael McAdams. ¥ou can also catch Katie on the Will Ferrell-produced HBO series Eastbound & Down this May.
selected as a finalist in Division I of the Voice Category of the Savarick Competition 2009 at Florida Atlantic University!
-If you currently live in NYC or LA, definitely go see BTP Dance Faculty Member Charlotte d'Amboise and Mary's students Ken Alan and Natalie Cortez in the new documentary about the Broadway hit A Chorus Line called Every Little Step. To learn more about the film and when it will go into wide release, visitwww.sonyclassics.com/everylittlestep/.
And in related news, don't forget to catch Broadway Theatre Project alums Jordan Fife Hunt, Cliff Fogle, Robyn Hurder, Julie Kotarides, Stephanie Martignetti and Sterling Masters in the National Tour of A Chorus Line! For more information on the tour, visitwww.achorusline.com. Kudos to all!
Thursday, April 23, are the Dove Awards and Francesca Battestelli will be performing! Not only is she nominated for 5 awards but she will also be performing at the live show, which starts at 8:00 PM EST on the Gospel Music Channel.
Make sure to vote for Francesca for New Artist of the Year! You may vote 2 times. Once in a text, and once online.? Text DOVE 81 to 72648 (vote codes are not case sensitive) ?VOTE NOW ONLINE: ?http://gospelmusicchannel.com/doves
JESSE LEE’s first single, "It's a Girl Thing," is now available on iTunes™.. It was written by JESSE LEE and co-writers, Rachel Proctor and Victoria Banks.
Monica Raymund will appear on Fox's Lie to Me on Wednesday, April 8.
Katherine McPhee will make a guest appearance on CSI:NY at 10 pm on CBS on Wednesday, April 8.
Be sure to catch Broadway Theatre Project alum Monica Raymund on the hit seriesLie To Me on FOX tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 9pm! In the show, Monica plays Ria Torres, the newest member of The Lightman Group, an agency run by Dr. Cal Lightman (played by the legendary Tim Roth) that assists federal law enforcement, government agencies and local police with their most difficult cases by being able to tell when an how people are lying. Fox.com describes Torres as "one of the few 'naturals' in the field of deception detection. She has a raw, untrained ability to read people that makes her a force to be reckoned with." If you haven't seen the show yet, you can catch up on full episodes on http://www.fox.com/lietome/ or on hulu.com. Congrats to Monica!!!
Eleisha Eagle has a new album out? It is called "Neither Here Nor There" and is fabulous. She is touring the country to promote it and might be playing a city near you! Visit http://eleishaeagle.com/ to buy the album and find out more about Eleisha and her tour.
-Jessica Ferguson will perform songs from her new album on Sunday, April 5, at the Houston Children's Festival, in Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston, at 12:30 pm.
Megan Reinking and MIchael Scott are in the cast of "Hair" on Broadway!
-Josh Cooke can be seen in the movie, "I Love You Man" currently playing in theatres across the country.
-Patrick Wilson is in the hit movie "Watchmen".
-Josh Buscher & Pam Otterson performed "Cool" on The Today Show on Friday, March 27, with the cast of West Side Story.
-David Vaughn's musical, "Extraordinary" will be performed on Monday, March 30, at Joe's Pub at New York's Public Theatre.
March 2009
Francesca Battestelli, Dove nominee for Artist of the Year, will appear in concert 7:30PM Fri at Faith Assembly in Orando-Tickets $15 in advance, $19 at the door! VIP tix sold out! Go to www.mainstreamorlando.com for info!
-Pilar Arevalo will do an acoustic set at the Earth Hour blackout party in Jacksonville. For further information, go to www.earthhour.org.
-Watch for Darren Ross playing a congressman at the funeral in the new Angelina Jolie movie, "Salt."
-Kahra Keys will be performing at Miami's Tobacco Road in its Royal Thursday series, on Thursday, April 30, at 9 pm.
-Elijah Davis, currently performing in Actor's Playhouse Les Miserables, will be appearing at Churchill's Pub in Miami on Sunday, March 22, at 9 pm.
-Pam Otterson & Josh Buscher are doing West Side Story on Broadway!
-Kristopher Ward will do Les Miserables on Broadway!
-Janice Niggeling is going on the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera.
-Emilee Dupre brings her cabaret act to New York City's The Duplex, Christopher Street & 7th Avenue, on Wednesday, March 25, at 9:30 pm.
-Kacie Phillips won best singer in her age group, best actor in her age group, and overall Best Performer at the Broadway Palm Theatre's Young Artist Awards, and also won a cash prize of $3,000!!! Congratulations, Kacie!!!!
-Morgan Smith will perform the part of Maria in Westwood Theatre's "The Sound of Music."
-Nicole Hellman has been cast in the first National Tour of West Side Story as a shark girl. Congratulations, Nicole!!!!
-Adriana McPhee is debuting her new cabaret act in Los Angeles at Tom Rolla's Gardenia Supper Club February 26, 27 and 28, and then in New York at the Metropolitan Room at Gotham on March , 4, and 5.
-Today Word Entertainment, through its artists, projects and other contributors, garnered 56 GMA Dove Award nominations, with Fervent/Reprise Records’ new singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli leading the way with five nominations, including “Song of the Year” (“I’m Letting Go”), “Female Vocalist of the Year,” and “New Artist of the Year.” “I am thrilled and honored to just be nominated!” says Battistelli. “It’s humbling to be among such great company, especially as a new artist, and being nominated for Song of the Year is a dream come true. I’m still soaking it all in!”
-Nicole Hellman, age 18, one of Mary's New York voice students, just booked the International Tour of West Side Story as Francesca, a shark girl.
-Nick Primo, age 11, opens in March at Actor's Playhouse in Miami, as Gavroche in Les Miserables.
-Jennifer Strode performed her first original song this month at her chuch in Ft Myers.
-Thanks to everyone who attended Mary's day-long seminar, "The Truth About Singing," in Clearwater.
-Nicole and Danielle Baker, two of Mary's New York students, appeared in an episode of "Ugly Betty."
-Miami students Melanie Sierra, Erin Alexander, Jake Kodish, and Angeline Appel were admitted to the Broadway Theatre Project.
February 2009
-Emilee Dupre will be singing at the Duplex in New York:
Date:
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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Time:
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9:30pm - 11:00pm
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Location:
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The Duplex
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Street:
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61 Christopher St., @ 7th Ave
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City/Town:
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East New York, NY
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-Eric Lieberman is doing the tour of Fiddler on the Roof.
-Mary saw Grady Bowman do "Billy Elliott" in New York. GO SEE IT: IT'S FABULOUS!!!
-Jennifer NIcole is doing Kate in Olympic Heights School's "Kiss Me Kate."
-Ashley Brown was selected from hundreds of applicants to sing with Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy.
-Ashley Russ is leaving this week to do Wendy for Disney Tokyo, and will be working with Mary via Skype lessons during her absence.
-Adriana McPhee will be singing in the Metropolitan Room at the Gotham in New York:
Time and Place
Start Time:
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:30pm
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End Time:
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Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 9:45pm
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Location:
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The Metropolitan Room at Gotham
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Street:
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34 West 22nd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues)
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City/Town:
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New York, NY
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January 2009
-Angela Fischetti is singing at the Garden of Eatin on Saturday, January 17, from 5:30-6:15 pm.
-Bre Morgan is on top of the Radio Disney's Next Big Thing poll. She also will be featured Jan 6 on The Daily Buzz, a national live show, where she will give a live interiew, and play guitar and sing her song, "Breakaway."
-Darren Lorenzo is doing a live Motown Review in New York.
-Jake Kodish is teaching an all-boys hip hop class to Mary's young ;male students. It meets Sundays at 2:00; contact Mary if you would like to join in!
December
-Martine Bruno and Angel Wings Entertainment present "One World, One
Song," on January 11, 2009, at 3:00 pm, at the Grace Congregational Church, 310 W 139th St, New York, New York, featuring Martina Bruno, Camara Dance Unlimited, Philip Pierre and the Resurrection Church
Choir. This concert benefits an Historical Landmark in Harlem: Grace Congregational Church. Suggested donation: $25.
-Sean Watkins is doing The Zoo Story at Marshall University on Dec 5 &
6 at 8 pm, Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre.
-Emilee Dupree is doing the broadway cares/ equity fights aids gypsy
of the yr show.
-Jennifer Nicole won the role of Kate in Olympic High School's
production of Kiss Me Kate.
-Jake Kodish will be teaching a hiphop class of Mary's students (all
male) starting Dec 14th.
November
-Ashley Russ is doing The Christmas Carol in New Jersey.
-Emilee Dupree is doing On the Town at City Center in New York.
-Yvette Rovira is leaving Nov 28 for a two-month gig with her band at the Venetian Hotel in Macao, China.
-Whitney G-Bowley is doing ONE REPUBLIC and AUGUSTANA at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on November 26 at 7:00pm.
-Sean Watkins will be doing the workshop of the new musical, Bruce Lee-Journey to the West, in New York.
-Megan Nolan is doing the Rocky Horror Show.
-Ashley Russ is doing a play in New York, and is leaving in February to do Wendy in the Peter Pan show at Disney, Tokoyo
-Darren Lorenzo is doing a Bert Bachrach review in Holland in November.
-Janice NIggeling is appearing in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.
-Jessica Rhodes will be singing backup for Yvette Rovira's show at the Venetian Hotel, Macao, China, and took a lesson with Mary in October.
-Yvette Rovira will appear with her band at the Venetian Hotel in Macao, China, beginning in December, and will be there approximately 3 months. Yvette's new album may be purchased on itunes, or at any retail music stores.
-Jamie Mahn is opening the new Howl at the Moon club in Singapore, and is working with Mary via Skype lessons while he is there.
-Jordan Fife Hunt will be doing the National Tour of A Chorus Line. Congratulations, Jordan!
October
-Bre Morgan will perform at Celebration City's Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 11. Plan to arrive between 5 and 6 pm for this event.
-Shannon Magrane sang The Star Spangled Banner at The Tampa Rays baseball game on September 21, and received rave reviews!
September
-Sean Watkins performs in George M! at Marshall Univ on from Wed, Oct 15-Sunday, Oct 19.
-Bre Morgan will be appearing October 11 on National Radio Disney with her own songs "Breakaway" and "Caught Up!" In the Orlando area, the call numbers are Magic 107.7 FM. Bre will be on the air from 7:15-7:45 pm.
-Mary has returned from a week in New York, where she saw Gypsy, South Pacific , Altar Boyz, and the Harlem Gospel Choir. She worked with many of her students on Saturday and Sunday, and is considering adding another weekend in New York, because she has such a large waiting list of students.
-Mardie Cohen will be performing her one-woman show at Don't Tell Mama in New York in January.
- Elizabeth Ann Stacy is doing Oklahoma at the Paper Mill Playhouse
-Angela Fischetti will be singing in Sanskrit at the Life Food Gourmet on MIami Beach Saturday, Sept 20 at 8:15. She wll also be performing Saturday, September 27th, at 11 am, 12 noon and 1 pm the Whole Foods Natural Market Place on Miami Beach.
-Adrienne Angel, Mary's colleague in New York, is travelling to Las Vegas to work with Cher for a week.
-Alexa Heller will be on MTV again September 19th at 8 AM.
-Melanie Sierra's performance with composer Robert Bolcom will be aired several times on NPR's From The Top starting on January 4!
-Jeanine Mason made it to the final 5 at the Broadway West Side Story audition! Now she's waiting.........
-Yvette Rovira is getting ready to leave for Macao, China, where she has a two-month gig with her band at the new Venetian Hotel there.
-Alexa Heller is on MTV this week, Sat the 13th at 5:00. She's a featured character and will be singing and acting in the episode. Go, Alexa!!!!
-David Vaughn is doing Shreck on Broadway.
-Jackie Berger has joined a new band and will soon be singing all over Miami!!!
-Andrea Jenkins attended a filming for the reality show "Split Ends" at Rapunzel salon in Miami. The show will air on the Style network.
-Jeannine Mason was asked to come to an invited call for Broadway's West Side Story. Good luck, Jeannine!!!
-Jake Kodish is dancing in and choreographing a Miami-based Hip Hop Showcase.
-Fourteen year old Melanie Sierra will sing at Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory in Boston on Oct. 5, 2008. William Bolcom, the 2007 Composer of the Year and several Grammy Awards winner will play for her his own composition "Amor". The program will be taped in Oct. and aired thru out the country beginning Jan 4, 2009 on NPR.
-Kacie Phillips has been cast in the role of Ulla in "The Producers."
-Mary is back in Miami following Broadway Theatre Project 2008, where she is Music Director. While there, she had the opportunity to work with former students Katherine McPhee (2nd American Idol 2007), Patrick Wilson (Oklahoma, Full Monty, Raoul in Phantom of the Opera Movie, Angels in America, The Alamo) , Josh Cooke (Tv: Committed, The Four Kings) , and Eric Lieberman (winner, Helen Hayes Award for his performance in Merrily We Roll Along) and Eleisha Eagle (new album Lamplighter).
-The Broadway Theatre Project did world premiers of 3 new Frank Wildhorn songs from his new musical, Havana, which will come to Broadway in 2009, a new piece by Christopher D'Amboise and Terrance Mann using the Beatles "Imagine" and "Because," and two pieces from a new musical by Kathy Lee Gifford and David Friedman.
-Jesse Lee's new single on Atlantic Records will be released in January!
-Cassie Abate is returning to Miami to choreograph another musical for The University of Miami and to study with Mary. Cassie has done the national tour of Urban Cowboy.
-Grady Bowman has completed his performances in Broadway's Tony-award winning South Pacific, and has started rehearsals for Billy Elliott on Broadway.
-Jeff Datillo did a featured role in Spamalot on Broadway.
-Kristina Fernandez is an original member of Dredance, the dance company started by Taye Diggs.
-Ashley Fitzgerald, also an original member of Dredance, is currently in Chicago doing Dirty Dancing.
-Tripp Fountain did Altar Boyz off Broadway
-Sarah Jane Everman is in the movie "Across the Universe.
-Darren Lorenzo is doing Smokey Joe's Cafe on a cruise ship somewhere in the Mediterranean.
-Ariel Reid is in the feature film, "Hairspray"
-Michael Scott is in the Las Vegas company of Jersey Boys.
-Bre Morgan was in Miami to work with Mary before starting her new tour. Bre has been on Radio Disney, and is working on two new songs for the Disney label.
-Deborah Jackson was selected as a participant in a new Miami-based reality show featuring Soul and R&B music.
-Mary will be Music Director for the Writers for New Orleans annual workshop over the Labor Day weekend. This year's event is about the pirates of New Orleans' history.
-Melanie Sierra has been selected as a soloist for "From the Top at Carnegie Hall," where she will perform "Amor Amor" by composer William Bolcom, accompanied by the composer himself! Congratulations, Melanie!!
-Lots of Mary's students have been taking advantage of Mary's new videoconferencing lessons! Download Skype, contact Mary, and take a long-distance lesson!!!
April
-New York student Maureen Van Trease is doing "No Man Can Serve Two Masters," at the Roy Arias Theatre in the Times Square Arts Center.
-Yvette Rovira has completed her new album; watch for it in such venues as Starbucks and Borders!
-Harry Bayron is meeting with Fat Sounds, an Orlando label which is interested in his songs....good luck Harry!
-Cassie Abate is in Miami from New York, having been invited to choreograph Guys & Dolls for the University of Miami.
-Denver Milord has been accepted to Carnegie Mellon University's musical theatre program. Congratulations, Denver!
-Rosanne Fraley, a teacher from Frederick, Maryland, and Laura Long, a teacher from St. Petersburg, are both studying with Mary and working to become Associate Teachers.
-Andreea Baclea accompanied Mary to New York in March, and took some acting lessons with Ron Piretti, voice lessons with Mary, and saw some shows while there.
-Jackie Berger performed with her band at the Van Dyke Cafe on Lincoln Road in South Beach. She has also been invited to perform at the Polo tournament.
-Randy Buescher, a teacher from Chicago, will do a workshop at Mary's Miami studio on Sunday, May 11, at 2:00 pm.
March
-Betty Schneider, a voice teacher from the San Francisco Bay area, will do a workshop in Performance Anxiety at Mary's studio in Miami on Sunday, March 9, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Call Mary's studio to register.
-Ashley Fitzgerald left in March to dance and sing in a Sixties Revue in Osaka, Japan, for three months.
-Darren Lorenzo is aboard a cruise ship doing Smokey Joe's Cafe and Tony and Tina's Wedding for the next few months.
-Sierra Boggess is originating the role of The Little Mermaid on Broadway.
-There will be a Miami Broadway Theatre Project audition at the University of Miami's Music Theatre Dept on Sunday, April 6, at 11:00 am. Auditionees should bring a 16 bar cut of a musical theatre song, and a one-minute monologue. The dance portion of the audition will be taught at the audition.
-Mandy Gonzales is opening on Broadway as Nina in the new production of "In the Heights." Break a leg, Mandy!!!
November
-Sierra Boggess will originate the role of The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Congratulations, Sierra!
-Darren Lorenzo is touring Europe with a new Gospel Music Revue.
-Nicholas Aqilino is playing Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at the Ft. Lauderdale Children's Theatre.
-Jane Bruce came to New York from Utah for a second callback for Spring Awakening. We're still waiting to see what happens!! Good luck, Jane!!
-Monica Gaba is recording her album at Miami's Hit Factory.
-Karen Cameron is performing at the Eight O Clock theatre in Largo in Bells are Ringing.
-Vicky Regan will play LaFleur in the Naples Professional Theater's production of Nine.
-Jordan Weiss received an invitation to audition for Jason Robert Brown's new musical, Thirteen.
September
-Mary joined Debbie McWaters and Kim Slade from the Broadway Theatre Project in Louisville, Ky, for a weekend of workshops and classes at the Youth Performing High School, and has been invited back to Louisiville to work with the students more intensly.
-Jeff Mills, in New York singing the opera Warsaw at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, took a lesson with Mary in New York.
-Jessica Frank can be seen in the movie Across the Universe, released in Sept.
-Jennifer Nicole received the part of Audry in Little Shop of Horrors.
-Monica Gaba has finished her preproduction demo.
-Eugenie Bondurant can be heard with the Paul Wilbourn Trio in the Tampa Bay area.
-Johnathon Sullivan has been hired to perform at Underground Atlanta R&B Club
-Mandy Gonzales, who is playing Nina in an off=Broadway production of In the Heights, will move with the show to Broadway in the fall.
August
-Katy Levent and Alyssa Campo made it through the first round of American Idol.
-Tara Blume graduated from Berklee School of Music in Boston, and took a lesson with Mary in New York in August. She is moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the music business.
-Amy Campbell is commuting from the Univ of Fllorida in Gainesville to study with Mary in Tampa.
-Mary worked in New Orleans over the Labor Day weekend, and worked with Jessica Bare from Pensacola while she was there at the Writers for New Orleans conference. Jessica won the Best Actress in a Musical in her community awards show
July
Francesca Battestelli has moved to Nashville and signed a RECORD DEAL with Word Label Group's Fervent Records. In Nashville just one month, she is already busy writing and working with a variety of Christian music's top talent, and will soon begin recording her first nationally-distributed record. No release date has been set, but look for her first major-label project to drop sometime during the early half of 2008.
-Word Label Group, comprised of Word Records, Fervent Records, Myrrh Records and Word Music Publishing, is a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb Company. The artist roster heralds some of today's top Christian music performers and songwriters including Amy Grant, Point Of Grace, Mark Schultz, BarlowGirl, Big Daddy Weave, Building 429, Nicole C. Mullen, Stellar Kart and fellow Orlando-based artists, Group 1 Crew. The Word Label Group leads the industry with over 55 years of music-making history. For more information on Word Label Group and its artists visit www.wordlabelgroup.com.
June
-Jesse Lee has signed her RECORD DEAL with Atlantic Records of New
-York!!! She will spend the next month recording her new album, and
then she will go on tour to promote the new Album. !!!!!!!CONGRATULATIONS, JESSE!!!!!!!
-Katy Decker's heavy metal band, Mena Brinno, has been asked to open
for Circle to Circle on Bourbon Street in New Orleans!!! They were
asked to do this by an agent who attended their last performance.
-Ellie Page has finished her preproduction Demo!
-Peter Brabson, former opera singer, will accompany Mary to New York
City, where she will teach a master class for the New York Singing
Teachers' Association on June 20. Mary will teach two of the
Association's students, and then will work with Peter for the class.
If you would like to attend this event, contact Mary, and she will put you on her audience list.
-Shannon Mcgrane has been promoted to Entertainment Revue I!
Congratulations, Shannon!
-Nikki Cooper has left for Massachusetts where she will be doing West
Side Story for two months. Congratulations, Nikki!
-Jessica Bare got the part of Beauty in Pensacola's production of
Beauty and the Beast!! Congratulations, Jessica!
-Sara Marchetti has just completed her first singing gig!
Congratulations, Sara!!!
-Francesca Granel has just finished playing Millie in Gaither High
School's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, to rave reviews and standing ovations.
Congratulations, Francesca!
April
-Brick and Lace has released a new album; now you can hear and see them on i-Tunes! Congratulations, girls!!
-Congratulations to all the high school seniors who study with Mary on your admissions to the college programs of your choice! Mary has students who will be attending Carnegie Mellon, Penn State, FSU, Univ of Miami, Roosevelt, Point Park, Elon, and many others.
-Mary recently attended Barbara Cook's concert at Miami's new Carnival Center for the Arts, and got to meet her backstage afterward.
-Jenna Rubaii was chosen Critic's Choice at her District Thespian festival. Jenna attends Clearwater High.
March
-Bre Morgan has signed a record deal with Global Records. Her new album will be released in summer of 2007, and is called Unstoppable. Her new single is Upside Down, written by Allen Rich, who wrote songs for Whitney Houston's Bodyguard album. Bre turns 13 on March 15. Happy Birthday, Bre, and congratulations!!!!
-Miami voice students will perform a Salon Concert in Mary's home on Sunday, March 18, at 3:00 pm.
-Mary has been invited to teach monthly Master Classes with Busch Gardens Entertainment performers.
-Angela Fischetti performed a successful concert at The Arts at St. John's in Miami Beach, bringing in the biggest audience they have ever had! Congratulations, Angela!
-The Broadway Theatre Project's first Faculty/Alumni Reunion held in New York City on Saturday, Feb. 24th, was a huge success, with alumni from each of the 17 years of the Project there. We are gratified to learn that so many alums are working in musical theatre on Broadway!!!
-Ashlee Perez completed production of her first demo in Miami, which is an original song she wrote! Congratulations, Ashlee!
-Jared Titus is the Prince and Angelina Appel is Cinderella in this month's production of Rogers & Hammersteins's Cinderella at the Miami Children's Theatre.
-Jesse Lee is in negotiations with Atlantic Records in New York, Warner Chappell publishing, and Warner Records in Nashville....more to follow!!!!!
-Mary has been invited to teach a Master Class for the New York Singing Teachers Association at Columbia University in June.
February
-The town of Davie, Florida (about 90,000 folks) and their friends at 99.9 KISS Country FM have chosen Jesse Lee as the Entertainment Headliner for the 70h Annual Orange Blossom Festival, Parade and Championship Rodeo on Sunday, February 25 at 4 p.m. The show is free.
-Kahra Keasling has been chosen as a finalist in the Calle Ocho singer/songwriter contest sponsored by DaHood.com. Congratulations, Kahra!
December
-Jesse Lee has been offered a recording contract with Broken Bow Records, out of placeCity Nashville.
Expect to see her first album with them in about a year! Congratulations, Jesse!!!!
-Carla Corvo has been accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the most prestigious theater training in the world. (Anthony Hopkins, Jon Hurt, Ralph Fiennes) She moves to London in January where she will finish her junior year. Thereafter she doesn't know if she'll return to NYU or stay in London and audition for the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has been in 2 off Broadway shows with great success and is filming a small part in a movie this weekend in NYC. Congratulations, Carla!!!
-Mary has returned from a successful trip to NYC, where she saw her longtime student and friend, Ken Alan, do a TERRIFIC job as Bobby in Chorus Line. Natalie Cortez, another one of Mary's students, plays Morales, and was also wonderful!!! This show has FIVE Broadway Theatre Project people in it, including Natalie Cortez, Ken Alan, Tyler Hanes (Mark) Jessica Patty (swing), and a faculty member, Charlotte D'Amboise, as Cassie.
-Darren Lorenzo is heading to Germany to perform for a month with his band!
-Ashley Fitzgerald, touring with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, took a lesson with Mary in Miami, and will see her again when the tour is in Ft. Myers!
-Alexa Heller has finished her run as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie at her high school, and is preparing for college auditions with Mary.
-Jacqueline Drozdow will play Audrey in her school production of "Little Shop of Horrors" in December.
-Melissa McGhee (top 10, American Idol 2006) is studying with Mary in her Tampa studio.
-Nicky Cooper got a callback in NYC for Morales in the tour of Chorus Line. Good luck, Nicky!!
-Jessica Frank also got a callback in NYC for Chorus Line. Congratulations, and good luck, Jessica!
-Emily Lanster has finished her run as Bianca in New World School of the Arts' Kiss Me Kate, and is now preparing college audition material with Mary.
-Kahra Keasling has been selected as a Featured Artist by Radio Xmas, which is playing her song, "Seasongs Greetings." You can hear it at www.songwriterpro.com. Congratulations, Kahra!!!
-Denver Milord has been cast as Laertes in FAU's production of Hamlet. Congratulations, Denver!
October/ November
-Angela Fischetti and her band have been invited by the Miami Life Center to perform at their new yoga studio grand opening. The projected performance date is November 4th. Angela may also be seen on December 2nd in a concert of both chants and blues to be held at Miami's Cornerstone Pub. She and her band will be presenting a devotional concert at St. John's Church in Miami Beach on February 24th, 7:00 p.m. This is a big event with the church producing a full length concert.
-The songwriting team of Darren Lorenzo and Harry Bayron were in Miami the week of October 9, working with Mary on their new songs. Mary also arranged a meeting with them and longtime student and performer Chris Bentley, to work out a possible production deal.
-On October 15 and 16, Mary will work with Jordan Buckey on her repertoire for her trip to Hollywood with American Idol. Jordan is travelling to Tampa from Pensacola, and then following Mary to Orlando to have the opportunity to work with her.
-Emily Lanster has the part of Bianca in New World School of the Arts' production of Kiss Me Kate. Congratulations, Emily!
-Liz Stone has been commuting to Miami from Orlando to work with Mary on her college audition material.
-Jared Titus has a named part in Miami Childrens Theatre's production of Once Upon a Mattress, at the Robert Russell Theatre October 19, 21, 16 and 28 at 8 pm and Oct 22 and 29 at 2 pm.
-Alexa Heller is doing Millie in her school's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Congratulations, Alexa!!!
September
-Ken Alan and Tyler Hanes are doing the revival of Chorus Line on Broadway. Ken is playing Bobby. Congratulations, guys!
-Jacqueline Drozdow is playing Audrey in her school's production of Little Shop of Horrors
-Tatiana Rodriquez will do Sharpay in a Miami production of High School Musical
-Paul Lima's documentary, "My Father's People" had its Florida premiere on September 2, and is being made into a full-length feature film. Congratulations, Paul!
-Nicole Baker will be doing the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show in Chicago and Boston. Congratulations, Nicole!
-Sterling Masters is in the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and took a lesson with Mary in New York City.
-Israeli recording artist Noah is working on her new album in New York City, and has recording artist/percussionist Phillip Hamilton working with her! She is also signed to tour Europe with a Spanish band. Noah is studying with Mary in her New York studio.
-Yvette Rovira has signed a production deal with Noyz Boyz Productions in New York City, and is currently recording her new album. Congratulations, Yvette!! Yvette is also studying regularly with Mary in her New York City studio.
August
-Ashley Fitzgerald is doing the first national tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Congratulations, Ashley!!
-Jesse Lee had a crowd of over 500 people at her Showcase in Nashville at the Wild Horse Saloon! That's an unprecedented number of attendees! Congratulations, Jesse!
Brian Lee (Associate Teacher in the Baltimore area) has been also performing in the Washington, DC area. He
-sang for an AIDS fundraiser which was a wonderful concert, including the Bernstein Chichester Psalms.
-has been subbing in some of the big churches'pro choirs where they need a good sightreader who can handle languages (as well as sing well)
-sang at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in mostly 4 parts in Latin, plus singing from Gregorian chant notation
-sang in the opera, "Cavalleria Rusticana" with the Aria Club of Washington.
-sang on a Schubert recital this summer
-Jesse Lee will be doing a Record label showcase event at the Wild Horse in Nashville (Home of Nashville Star) August 28th 2006 6:00 PM. Jesse's band has been put together with touring players from Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, and LeAnn Rimes.
May
-KATHERINE MCPHEE IS IN THE FINALS (TOP 2) OF AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!!!!!
-Ashley Brown will play Mary Poppins in Disney's "Mary Poppins, " to begin performances on Broadway in October. Ashley's past credits include Beauty in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
-KATHERINE MCPHEE IS IN THE TOP 3 ON AMERICAN IDOL!!!! WATCH AND VOTE FOR
HER!!!!
-Suzi Solar's new trans track has been signed to the Dedicated label in Europe.
Bravo, Suzi!!!
-Kirsten Carmody won FIRST place in the upper division of the regional
competition for NATS music theater. She also won third place in the NSAL
award "Acting for Comedy." Kirsten did four shows at the
Alhambra Dinner Theater in the last year: Cabaret- Kit Kat Club girl,
Cinderella- Understudy Cinderella/Ensemble member, Do Black Patent Leather
Shoes Really Reflect Up- Mary Kinney, and most recently Hello Dolly-
Ermengarde. She is an Equity Membership Candidate, and has logged 32
weeks!
-Mary has been contacted by the City of Tampa to work with Miss Tampa, Katie
Sharer, on her song for the Miss Florida Competition.
-Mary's Associate Teacher, Katy Decker, is going on tour with her band,
Royal Anguish, this month...watch for tour dates!
-On May 9th JESSE LEE's been asked to do 2 of her new CD cuts for the folks
at the big annual NARAS bar-b-que in Nashville. NARAS, is the National
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. (a Grammy Organization) This is a
private NARAS affair. Jesse will appear with Jo DeeMasina, Eric Church and
Hootie & the Blowfish. It would be great if you could take a second or two
to wish her luck via the Guestbook on her website: www.jesseleefanclub.com.
-Jesse Lee will be back in Florida in mid-May and will be interviewed on
1230 WBZT Radio in West Palm Beach on Saturday, May 13th, at 4:20 p.m.
-Angela Fischetti will be performing Sunday, May 7th, aboard the cruise
ship, Fascination! She is presenting her devotional concert as part of a
yoga cruise to the Bahamas.-On Wednesday, May 17th, Angela will present a
concert FOR SENIORS ONLY, at the Miami Beach Senior Center in South
Beach.-On Saturday, June 24th, Angela will be at the Duncan Center in Delray
Beach, presenting her concert at the end of an all-day workshop on kirtan,
chanting, and devotional singing. The workshop will be hostessed by Sudhevi
of Blue Lotus Yoga and Laura DiBello. -On Saturday, July 8th, in the
fabulous Hamptons on Long Island at Lotus Blossom Yoga she will be
performing her devotional concert.
March
-KATHERINE MCPHEE is in the TOP TEN on AMERICAN IDOL!!!!! Vote for her!!
-Ft. Myers student Kyle Ann Duggan (age 17) has received a $20,000 scholarship to go to Berklee School of Music in Boston!!!
-Ft. Myers student Elizabeth Ivy has been signed to sing the voice track for a national commercial to be filmed in Ft. Myers!
-Angie Gould (Tampa) has been accepted to Northwestern University's musical theatre program!
-Sophie Feldman (Miami) has been accepted to the musical theatre programs at Cincinnati Conservatory, Florida State, and Carnegie Mellon! Congratulations, Sophie!
-Katy Decker (Mary's Tampa Associate Teacher) will go on tour with her rock band, "Royal Anguish" in May. Watch this site for the tour schedule.
-Katherine McPhee and Melissa McGhee both made American Idol's Top 12!!! Bravo, girls!!!!
-Francesca Grenel WON the Toast of Tampa scholarship talent award! Congratulations, Francesca!!
-Miami students Zach Held, Jessica Davis, and Emily Lanster have been accepted to the Broadway Theatre Project 2006. Congratulations to you!
-Tampa students Jonathon Sullivan, Francesca Grenel, Marissa Cheever, Teresa Colado, Krystle Foster, Michelle Wolding, Jenna Rubaii, Rosie Stovall, Sara Diehr, Angie Gould and Heather Moats have been accepted to Broadway Theatre Project 2006! Congratulations to you too!!!
-Orlando students Cory Warren, Caitlin Kimball, Ariela Arnon, and Liz Stone have been accepted to the Broaday Theatre Project 2006. Congratulations!!!
-Francesa Grenel has made the finals (top five singers) of the Star Teen Scholarship Competition, hosted by the Toast of Tampa organization. She will sing again on Sunday at Ferguson Hall in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Congratulations and good luck, Francesca!!!
-Mary has worked with THREE of the American Idol top 20: Katherine McPhee , Will Makar, and Melissa McGhee! Good luck to all three of you!!!
February
-Mary's associate teacher, Susan Niekamp, will be teaching in PHOENIX, ARIZONA, on March 4-7. Call 239-281-1531 to schedule a lesson with Susan in Phoenix.
-Darren Lorenzo is doing Smokey Joe's Cafe in New York City.
-Yvette Rovira continues to work on her new album in New York City, and took lesson with Mary in New York
on Feb 26.
-Watch this site for Mary's next teaching date in New York -- in April!!!
-Suzie Solar's new trans track has been signed to a European label. She worked on the new vocals with Mary in Tampa in February, and will lay down the track soon. Also, Suzie has a track on the first-ever Grammy-nominated electronic music album. Congratulations, Suzie.
-Jesse Lee's new song "Thank God for Beer" has been chosen as one of the 10 finalists (country category) in the 2006 International Songwriting Competition (ISC). Jesse is a co-writer of the song, along with Phil O'Donnell and Tim Owens. This is a hugely prestigious deal, presenting awards in Country Music and in 15 other categories. Over 15,000 songs were submitted!
-Katie Clark has taken over the ingenue part in The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center in New York.
-Alex Ellis is Millie in the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie!
-Kathryn McPhee and Will McCarr are on their way to Hollywood with American Idol!
-Mollie Dolcimascolo was in Miami for four days, working on her Broadway Theatre Project and her Carnegie Mellon audition pieces with Mary. Mollie attends Elon in North Carolina.
-Cory Warren has been named Billy Flynn in an Orlando production of Chicago.
January
-Check out the new Broadway Theatre Project website at www.Broadwaytheatreproject.com . Audition information is now available there!!
-Katie Clark will be taking over the part of Clara in the New York Lincoln Center's production of Light in the Piazza. Congratulations, Katie!!
-Kris Bentley, of Inner Circle, has nearly finished production on his new solo album.
-Eric Jordan Young will be playing Sammy Davis, Jr. in the Broadway production of The Rat Pack musical.
Copyright © Floridasings 2004
