NY1 On Stage reporter Frank DiLella is back at Birdland on April 3 with an all-new Show Biz After Hours. This time, Frank's special guests include Mario Cantone, Tony nominees Orfeh & Andy Karl, and Telly Leung. It'll be an evening of song, laughter, and juicy show biz stories. In anticipation of the live event, DiLella shares with BroadwayBox his favorite YouTube clips of each of the evening's stars.
Mario Cantone as Samuel Byck (Assassins)
The 2004 Tony Award-winning revival of Assassins was flawless in my book. The ensemble that Joe Mantello got to direct was perfection…and Mario Cantone was hilarious and scary as Samuel Byck. What more can I say? The man is a true comic GENIUS!
Orfeh as Annette (Saturday Night Fever)
Orfeh was the highlight for me regarding Saturday Night Fever. I remember the moment she walked out on stage to sing her first big ballad—“If I Can’t Have You”— you could hear a pin drop in the theater—and then when she wrapped the song— the crowd went wild! THAT VOICE! While I love—“If I Can’t Have You”… my favorite moment from the show was when she performed the song—“Nights on Broadway” with Paige Price.
Andy Karl as Bruce Granit (On the 20th Century)
What can’t Andy Karl do? He was brilliant as the title character in Rocky —so authentic— so organic—again the highlight of that show for me… and then a year later he comes back to Broadway starring opposite Kristin Chenoweth in On the Twentieth Century—killing it as a musical theater comedian! The number he shared with Peter Gallagher in On the Twentieth Century was musical comedy gold.
Telly Leung Sings “I’ll Cover You” (Rent)
Telly has the voice of an angel…and how appropriate— he played Angel in Rent. I love Telly’s nod to Rent with this gorgeous rendition of “I’ll Cover You”. And I must point out his recent performance in Allegiance.— where he proved to the masses—he’s a true Broadway leading man!
See all these talents on the Birdland stage with Frank DiLella in 'Show Biz After Hours' on April 3.
