BETTY BUCKLEY
Betty Buckley's latest CD, "Heart to Heart," a recital for piano and voice, is perfectly titled. It's as intimate a recording as a singer could possibly deliver, one that showers the listener with a plethora of almost-raw emotion. Those expecting a parade of belty theatre tunes -- which the actress/singer can bring to life like very few others -- may be disappointed at first, but I would suggest a second listening to this KO Productions recording to fully appreciate the beauty that lies within each track. Buckley uses her belt voice sparingly on the CD, relying more on her sweet, almost ethereal head tones, painting portraits of love with nuanced colors. In fact, "Heart to Heart" is a profoundly personal exploration of love, which examines love lost, found and longed for. Many of the songs are achingly beautiful, and the 12-track recording reaches its peak with a stirring combination of "If I Remember You Right," which Buckley penned while she was in college, and Joni Mitchell's "I Had a King." Listen to the heartbreak in Buckley's voice as she sings, "I can't go back there anymore. You know my keys won't fit the door. You know my thoughts don't fit the man. They never can. They never can."

BETTY BUCKLEY
Betty Buckley's latest CD, "Heart to Heart," a recital for piano and voice, is perfectly titled. It's as intimate a recording as a singer could possibly deliver, one that showers the listener with a plethora of almost-raw emotion. Those expecting a parade of belty theatre tunes -- which the actress/singer can bring to life like very few others -- may be disappointed at first, but I would suggest a second listening to this KO Productions recording to fully appreciate the beauty that lies within each track. Buckley uses her belt voice sparingly on the CD, relying more on her sweet, almost ethereal head tones, painting portraits of love with nuanced colors. In fact, "Heart to Heart" is a profoundly personal exploration of love, which examines love lost, found and longed for. Many of the songs are achingly beautiful, and the 12-track recording reaches its peak with a stirring combination of "If I Remember You Right," which Buckley penned while she was in college, and Joni Mitchell's "I Had a King." Listen to the heartbreak in Buckley's voice as she sings, "I can't go back there anymore. You know my keys won't fit the door. You know my thoughts don't fit the man. They never can. They never can."

BETTY BUCKLEY
This past Tuesday evening Betty Buckley began her five-week stint at New York's Cafe Carlyle. Her new show, Heart to Heart, features songs from her same-named seventh solo CD, which will be released nationwide on March 28. The new recording is available for sale at the Carlyle throughout her run, so those of you attending will have the chance to get an early listen to the disc. I was very happy to receive a promotional copy of the CD (on the KO Productions label) yesterday, and I'll have my thoughts about the new recording next week, but here are the song titles for those who can't wait!
"Just the Way You Look Tonight"
"Ruby"
"Anyone Can Whistle"
"You're Nearer"/ "If Ever I Would Leave You"/ "My Funny Valentine"
"Fire and Rain"
"If I Remember You Right"/ "I Had a King"
"Where's That Rainbow"/"Spring Is Here"/"Falling in Love with Love"
"Bide-a-while"
"Violets"
"I Am a Town"
"How Deep Is the Ocean"
"Danny Boy"

BETTY BUCKLEY
This past Tuesday evening Betty Buckley began her five-week stint at New York's Cafe Carlyle. Her new show, Heart to Heart, features songs from her same-named seventh solo CD, which will be released nationwide on March 28. The new recording is available for sale at the Carlyle throughout her run, so those of you attending will have the chance to get an early listen to the disc. I was very happy to receive a promotional copy of the CD (on the KO Productions label) yesterday, and I'll have my thoughts about the new recording next week, but here are the song titles for those who can't wait!
"Just the Way You Look Tonight"
"Ruby"
"Anyone Can Whistle"
"You're Nearer"/ "If Ever I Would Leave You"/ "My Funny Valentine"
"Fire and Rain"
"If I Remember You Right"/ "I Had a King"
"Where's That Rainbow"/"Spring Is Here"/"Falling in Love with Love"
"Bide-a-while"
"Violets"
"I Am a Town"
"How Deep Is the Ocean"
"Danny Boy"

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

The sixth annual Nothing Like a Dame benefit March 18 for The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of the Actors' Fund of America will live up to it billing as a "vaudeville," Phyllis Newman told Playbill On-Line.

Performers from the Special Tony Award-winning hip-hop improv show share their go-to rhymes, must-have cravings, and career-changing advice.

The cast and special guests of the hip-hop improv show from Lin-Manuel Miranda reveal their most memorable past shows, the roots of their nicknames, and more in the FLS Yearbook.

As busy as Broadway will be this autumn, Off-Broadway is just as active -- and the names are exciting, indeed: Kushner, Wolfe, Coonrod, McNally, Lapine, Finn, Busch, Howe, Andersen, Langella, Larson, MacLeod, McCourt, Gotanda, Blessing -- not to mention Shakespeare, Williams, Miller, Shaw, Brel, Ibsen, Rostand, et al. Here's a partial run-down of shows scheduled to open in the next couple of months: