Tag Archives: Avery Sommers

AVERY SOMMERS To Conduct Classes in The Art of Song Performance at Actor’s Rep

30 Tuesday Apr 2019

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Renowned Musical Artist
Avery Sommers
To Conduct Classes in
The Art of Song Performance
at
Actor’s Rep
June-July 2019

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244

April 30, 2019:

WEST PALM BEACH, FL:  Award-winning actress, singer, and director Avery Sommers will add teacher to her already impressive resumé this summer; the powerhouse performer will conduct two eight-week master classes at Actor’s Rep in West Palm Beach.

Called The Art of Song Performance, the courses will be offered to teens ages 15 to 19 (June 1 – July 27), and to adults ages 20 and up (June 3 – July 29). 

Sommers, who has been universally lauded for her heartfelt interpretations of jazz, pop, and Broadway music, will instruct her students on ‘the art of bringing a song to life’.  Choice of material, song presentation and blocking, acting the song (motivation), dressing the part, and vocal training will all be covered in both courses.   Each class will be capped at 10 students.

“I love to teach and to direct.” Sommers says.  “I love seeing the excitement when my students understand what I have said. It’s very satisfying when I see them ‘get it’!

Avery Sommers

“When I started in this business everyone talked about their training and who they studied with. But not now,” she continues. “I feel that training your instrument – which is your body – will give you the confidence you will need to walk into any audition or onto any stage.”

Avery Sommers has appeared on Broadway in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Show Boat, and Chicago. She delighted audiences in the national tour of Chicago with Chita Rivera and Joel Grey, and her portrayal of Matron Momma Morton garnered her the L.A. Ovation Award for that production. She also performed the role of Jewel in the first national tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Ann-Margret.

In 2016, Avery sold out two performances of her one-woman show, You’re Gonna Hear from Me, in Dreyfoos Hall, and in 2018 she sold out her new show For Sentimental Reasons in Persson Hall, both at the Kravis Center. Avery also performed For Sentimental Reasons and her cabaret show Love…It’s Magic to sold-out houses at Arts Garage in Delray Beach.

Avery has been nominated multiple times for South Florida’s prestigious Carbonell Award; she won the award for her one-woman show But Not For Me at The Caldwell Theatre. She was also nominated for her portrayal of Bessie Smith in The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith at Arts Garage, Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray at Actors’ Playhouse, and Sheila in Jimmy Buffett’s Don’t Stop the Carnival at Coconut Grove Playhouse. Avery showcases her unique vocal artistry on her highly acclaimed album, You’re Gonna Hear from Me.

Actor’s Rep (Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop and Repertory Company), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is well known for its strong training programs for actors of all ages, and its productions of daring, avant-garde, and seldom-seen classic plays. The company offers classes for children, teens, and adults in beginning and advanced acting and improvisation.

For more information about Actors Rep and/or The Art of Song Performance with Avery Sommers, please visit https://www.actorsrep.org.  For more information about Avery Sommers, please contact Carol Kassie at Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244.

Registration information can be found on the Actor’s Rep website at: https://www.actorsrep.org, or by calling 561-833-7529.

~

The Art of Song Performance with Avery Sommers
For Adults – ages 20 and up
June 3 – July 29, 2019 (8 weeks – No class the week of July 4)
Mondays – 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Tuition: $245
All classes will take place at
Actor’s Rep
1000 N. Dixie Highway,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

The Art of Song Performance with Avery Sommers
For Teens – age 15-19
June 1 – July 27, 2019 (8 weeks – No class the week of July 4)
Saturdays – 12 pm – 3 pm
Tuition: $295
All classes will take place at
Actor’s Rep
1000 N. Dixie Highway,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

              Avery Sommers with Students Tess LaBella and Joshua Houchins

 

 

FROM PGA TO THE GREAT WHITE WAY: A New Year’s Eve Song, Dance, & Champagne Celebration

20 Monday Nov 2017

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From PGA to the Great White Way:
A New Year’s Eve Song, Dance, and Champagne Celebration
‘Sing in’ the New Year at the PGA Arts Center!

December 31st
7:pm & 9:30 pm only

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

November 21, 2017
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL:   Top South Florida Broadway and cabaret performers Avery Sommers, John Lariviere, Melissa Boher Jacobson, and Michelle Petrucci will be joined by five talented stars of the future from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts to ring in – and sing in – 2018 at the PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens.  There will be two performances on December 31st – the first at 7 pm, and the second at 9:30 pm.

The show’s concept – mixing seasoned professional performers with young up-and-coming talent, was conceived and developed by local producer and playwright Alan Jacobson.

“I chose the ‘pros’ based on talent and their ability to relate to an audience in a concert/cabaret environment, so there will be a great rapport with the audience,” Jacobson explains.  “And I chose to include Dreyfoos students because the general public doesn’t typically have the opportunity to see the level of talent that young people have, and these students, all pursuing musical theatre, are the stars of tomorrow.”

The evening will be unique in that some of the show’s musical selections were decided upon by the performers themselves:

“I asked everyone to provide me with a list of songs they’re solid and comfortable with,” Jacobson explains. “And I’m putting the show together based on their lists, as well as the songs I feel will resonate best with our audience, and show each performer off at his or her best.  I’ve also come up with a few numbers they may not know as well – for duets, trios, and of course, the finale.

“There will be lots of terrific singing and dancing, and we’re providing Michelle Petrucci the opportunity to dance with her students – a first!” he says.  Petrucci, a graduate of the Boston Conservatory, is a dancer/choreographer with extensive theatrical experience. She is currently the Dean of the award-winning Theatre Program at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts.

The Dreyfoos students selected to perform are Darah Abrams, Emily Betts, Eli Jacobson, Jacquez Linder-Long, and Maddy Stillman.

“The show’s focus is Broadway,” Jacobson continues, “With well-known songs as well as a few lesser known but still terrific ones sprinkled in.  It will definitely be a song and dance champagne celebration… packed with great talent, great music, and great fun!”

Avery Sommers appeared on Broadway in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Show Boat, Chicago, and Platinum, and in the national tours of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Ann-Margret, and Chicago with Chita Rivera and Joel Grey. Avery was also seen in Regina Taylor’s Crowns at City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and Hairspray at Actors’ Playhouse.

John Lariviere is a cabaret, concert, and jazz singer regularly headlining throughout South Florida in local theatres and clubs. He specializes in music from Broadway and the American Songbook, crossing over into jazz and swing, as well as classical and operetta.

Melissa Boher Jacobson is a professional performer, director and producer, musical director as well as a busy vocal, audition and public speaking coach.  She is an Artist-in-Residence Vocal Instructor for the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Theatre Department, and the former Director of Education for the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Conservatory.  She has appeared throughout the country and Off Broadway in opera, musical theatre and in concert.

For more information about From PGA to the Great White Way or The PGA Arts Center please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

The PGA Arts Center is located at 4076 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. Ample parking is available within close proximity to the theatre.

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From PGA to the Great White Way
December 31, 2017
Created and compiled by Alan Jacobson
Tickets:  $75 (7:00 pm performance) / $85 (9:30 pm performance)
Tickets:  1-855-448-7469 / www.pgaartscenter.com
Group Sales:  561-808-3446 
PGA Arts Center
4076 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, FL  33410
www.pgaartscenter.com
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I WILL SURVIVE: SOUNDTRACKS OF THE 70S at the PGA Arts Center October 18 – November 19

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

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The PGA Arts Center
In Association with
Kevin Black Productions
presents
I Will Survive
Soundtracks of the 70s
October 18 – November 19

Grab your love beads and head on over to the PGA Arts Center
for the grooviest party in South Florida!

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

September 19, 2017
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL:  The PGA Arts Center will present I Will Survive: Soundtracks of the 70’s beginning October 18th. The production will run through November 19th at the increasingly popular Palm Beach Gardens venue.

When award-winning vocalist Mimi J. sought to develop a show about the women of soul who influenced her, she immediately turned to her good friend, Carbonell Award-nominated director/choreographer Kevin Black.  They tossed around a number of ideas, but they kept coming back to the music of the 70s – music they both love. Together they came up with the concept, a title, and the song choices for what was then called On the Radio:  Sounds of the 70s.   The show opened at Stage Door Theatre in Margate in June 2014 to rave reviews.

What had evolved was an evening of unforgettable songs from an unforgettable decade of music produced by an array of artists from ABBA to Carly Simon, to Gladys Knight, John Lennon, and ZZ Top. Now called I Will Survive – The Soundtracks of the 70s, the show is a rousing trip down memory lane – back to the time of bell bottoms, mood rings, smiley faces, and memorable music. Among the songs that will be featured in the show are “Close to You”, “Car Wash”, “Dancing Queen”, “Let it Be”, “Nobody Does It Better”, “Proud Mary”, “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “Hopelessly Devoted”, and “I Will Survive”.

“The challenge,” Black says, “was to try to figure out how to keep it interesting.  Because we didn’t want audiences to think the show is going to be two hours of Disco. It’s definitely not!”

“Kevin and I go to the theatre together a lot,” Mimi explains. “And I’ve never seen anything like what we did with this show – we’re really excited about it.

Along with the name change, the show itself has been tweaked and updated:

“We also felt there was a need to get another experience out there… to diversify the community,” Mimi continues. “This show introduces diversity and ethnicity.  We’re using local talent, and creating a different look and vibe on the stage for our community.  Audiences are going to feel that Soul Train vibe when they’re sitting in their seats… if they can stay in their seats!  Most of our audiences end up dancing!”

Two talented dancers will join Mimi on stage.

Mimi J. was born and raised in Miami. She is a professional singer currently performing in the South Florida tri-county area, and has been the recipient of numerous awards in vocal performance.  She received her degrees in Musical Theater from the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater in Orlando, where she attended on the Walt Disney Scholarship. Mimi has been a member of the gospel recording group, Revelation S.E.E.D. founded and led by Margaret Reynolds of KC and the Sunshine Band, and has sung background for a number of award-winning artists including Gloria Estefan, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Wright, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill of the R&B group New Edition, and Quan Howell of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Some of her regional theatre and Broadway National and International Tour credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame, Nunsense, and Rent. Mimi was the first woman of color to play Teen Angel in the classic 70’s hit, Grease during the show’s Pan-Asian tour.

The PGA Arts Center was a welcome addition to the South Florida theatrical scene when it opened in January 2017 with a production of WaistWatchers The Musical!  Subsequent productions included Brad Zimmerman’s My Son the Waiter – A Jewish Tragedy, Tommy Koenig’s Baby Boomer Baby, Funny Old Broads, and The Kosher Cheer Leader.

The theatre’s 2017-2018 season promises to be filled with music and laughter: Following I Will Survive, Alan Jacobson’s Irving Berlin Salutes America will open on November 30th and run through December 24th.  Avi Hoffman will bring his popular show Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? to the theatre beginning December 27th, and two special New Year’s Eve Champagne Celebration performances starring Avery Sommers, Melissa Jacobson, and John Lariviere are planned for December 31st – one at 7 pm and one at 9:30 pm.   Other upcoming productions include Old Jews Telling Jokes (January 17 – March 4), Cooking with the Calamari Sisters (January 25 – March 18), and Raunchy Little Musical – Belle Barth is Back (March 2018).

I Will Survive will run from October 18 to November 19 at The PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens. The theatre is located at 4076 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens (33410).

Tickets for I Will Survive are $45 weekdays & $48 weekends, with select premium seating for $65.  Tickets may be purchased on line at www.pgaartscenter.com or by phone at 855-448-7469. (855- Hit-Show) For group sales (10 or more) 561-808-3446.

For more information about I Will Survive and the PGA Arts Center, contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

I Will Survive: Soundtracks of the 70s
Conceived and written by Kevin Black & Mimi J.  
October 18 – November 19
Tickets:  $45 weekdays and $48 weekends, with select premium seats available at $65
Online:  www.pgaartscenter.com
Phone: 855-448-7469 (855-HIT-SHOW)
Group Sales: (10 or more): 561-808-3446
Showtimes:
Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm
Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm
Saturday, and Sunday at 2:00 pm
The PGA Arts Center
4076 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 3410
www.pgaartscenter.com
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