Akers, whose newest act pays tribute to the late composer Jule Styne, will play the posh venue through May 12. Show times are Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 9 PM with additional late shows Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30 PM. The singing actress, whose Broadway credits include Nine and Grand Hotel, will be backed by musical director Don Rebic on piano and Dick Sarpola on bass.
Eric Michael Gillett directs Simply Styne, which utilizes Styne's songs to "reveal intimate truths about life lived as a performer against the brash glare of show business itself," according to press notes.
Cabaretgoers can expect to hear such Styne songs as "Just in Time," "Time After Time," "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," "Some People," "Fireworks," "I Don't Want to Walk Without You," "Five Minutes More," "If You Hadn't, But You Did," "Killing Time," "The Party's Over," "Winter Was Warm," "Make Someone Happy," "People" and "The Music That Makes Me Dance," among others.
Born Julius Kerwin Styne Dec. 31, 1905, in London, England, Jule Styne's Broadway composing credits include High Button Shoes, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Funny Girl, Bells Are Ringing, Peter Pan and Gypsy. Among his catalogue of tunes are such ditties as "Time After Time," "All I Need Is the Girl," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," "It's Magic," "People," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!," "Never Never Land," "Small World," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Just in Time." Styne died in New York, NY, Sept. 20, 1994.
Karen Akers received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut as Luisa Contini in the original Tommy Tune-directed production of Nine and returned to Broadway in another Tune musical, Grand Hotel. Her feature film credits include "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Heartburn" and "Vibes," and she was seen in an episode of the hit TV series "Cheers." It's been the concert/cabaret stage where Akers has been most praised. Her solo recordings — including "Like It Was," "Presenting Karen Akers," "In a Very Unusual Way" and "If We Only Have Love" — are available on CD. The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel is located in Manhattan at 59 West 44th Street. For reservations call (212) 840-6800.
