New York-based actor-singer Michael Zahler promises a night of “good, old-fashioned song-crooning” when he takes the stage of Manhattan nightspot, Feinstein’s/54 Below, this Friday night.
The Feb. 26 show, “Still It’s True,” will be very much a collaborative effort between Zahler, who is passionate about the Great American Songbook, and longtime musical director Will Van Dyke, who favors a rock & roll, singer-songwriter vibe. Hence, Zahler will croon songs by Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin and Stephen Sondheim, among other composers, but also a selection of classic pop in the vein of Joni Mitchell and Elton John. (Check out rehearsal footage in the video above for a sneak peek)
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Michael Zahler will take the stage at Feinstein's/54 Below on Feb. 26.
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“This music is very special stuff, and every song we’re doing, and how we’re doing it, is hand-picked, newly arranged, and really comes from a great love of it,” Zahler, who starred in the touring production of the smash musical, “The 25 Annual Putnam Spelling Bee,” as well as “The Boy in the Bathroom,” told The Huffington Post. “It’s hard to separate myself from my love of this music. I hope the audience is able to connect to that love, too."
Joining Zahler for “Still It’s True” are Jenni Barber (“Wicked”) and Karen Ziemba, who nabbed a Tony Award in 2000 for “Contact.” As it turns out, both of these collaborations will represent a “full-circle life moment” for the 32-year-old actor-singer. Zahler and Barber were friends and classmates at the University of Michigan, while he and Ziemba, whose work he’s admired since his adolescence, re-connected at a birthday party earlier this year.
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In 2007, Zahler was seen in the musical, "The Boy in the Bathroom," at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Courtesy photo
Ultimately, Zahler says the show encapsulates his relationship with Van Dyke, who he calls “the very best there is.”
“Will is a very special kind of genius, where his heart is as great as his intellect, skill and craft,” he said. “I can come up with a crazy idea to mash up a song or two, pass it onto Will, and just when I think it’s impossible to make it a reality, I’ll get a recording file from him in my email inbox – and there it is.”
Michael Zahler performs “Still It’s True” at Feinstein's/54 Below in New York on Feb. 26. Head here for more details.
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(01 of08)
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Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber plays a compilation of his music during the Broadway at the White House event in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, hosted by first lady Michelle Obama for high school students involved in performing arts programs. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of08)
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First lady Michelle Obama dances to Gloria Estefan's "Conga" in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, during a Broadway at the White House event for high school students involved in performing arts programs. She is joined by Sergio Trujillo, Colombian dancer and choreographer, right, and Josh Segarra, left. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(03 of08)
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Matthew Morrison, left, and Gabriella Pizzolo, look to first lady Michelle Obama during the Broadway at the White House event for high school students involved in performing arts programs in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(04 of08)
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First lady Michelle Obama stands with Colombian dancer and choreographer Sergio Trujillo, third from left, as Ana Villafañe, left, Gloria Estefan, second from left and Josh Segarra third from right, dance for her in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, during a Broadway at the White House event for high school students involved in performing arts programs. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of08)
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First lady Michelle Obama speaks during the Broadway at the White House event for high school students involved in performing arts programs in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. Behind the first lady at left is composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and right is director Diane Paulus. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of08)
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First lady Michelle Obama dances to Gloria Estefan's "Conga" in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, during a Broadway at the White House event for high school students involved in performing arts programs. She is joined by Sergio Trujillo, Colombian dancer and choreographer, right, and Ana Villafañe, second from left. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(07 of08)
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Whoopi Goldberg speaks during the Broadway at the White House event in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, hosted by first lady Michelle Obama for high school students involved in performing arts programs. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(08 of08)
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First lady Michelle Obama greets Gloria Estefan in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, during a Broadway at the White House event for high school students involved in performing arts programs. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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