Margaret Curry 2024 Bistro Award Honoree "Outstanding Vocalist"
"This is someone who really knows how to tell her stories in song with effortless style. Her well-scripted patter allowed each song to come from the heart and what better statement is that?"
~ Ron Fassler, Theater Pizzazz
"a fine cabaret artist and...she is already exceptional."
- Theatremania
"Taking the stage with confidence and style, Margaret Curry showed no signs that this was her return to the cabaret world following a 20-year absence. The Space In-Between was the vehicle for her most welcome return; it offered a mix of songs and sensational stories told in between them (where, she assured the audience, “the good stuff comes from”). Backed by thr terrific team of class-A director Lina Koutrakos, music director/arranger Gregory Toroian, bassist Skip Ward, and drummer David Silliman, the show was as polished as possible...In fact the entire evening was conceived with genuine intelligence. Hopefully, Curry won’t keep us waiting another two decades for her next show."
-Bart Greenberg, CABARET SCENES MAGAZINE
Photo of Margaret: Caroline White
Photos: Ron Fassler April 6, 2024 Performance at The Laurie Beechman Theater
THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN:
Holding herself to no definitive conclusions, singer/actress Margaret Curry returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre April 6 & May 4, 2024 to explore, stimulate and delight in, with both joy and courage, the spaces in-between. The universe between the present and the future, the bad and the good, the hope and what’s-to-come. Through both song and story, Curry unwraps it all with music, lyrics and distinctive rhythms. From compositions by Johnny Mercer and Yip Harburg all the way to Chaka Khan, Roy Orbison and Jimmy Webb she tells her story (and some of ours) with the musical aid of Award-winning arranger Gregory Toroian at the piano, Skip Ward on bass and David Silliman on the drums. Newer-than-not to the cabaret stage, Theatermania said she is a "fine cabaret artist and ...she is already exceptional." Directed by Lina Koutrakos. Sound & Lighting Design: JP Perreaux.
Saturdays, April 6th and May 4th, 2024 at 7 PM
Laurie Beechman Theatre at The West Bank Café
Address: 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC 10036
Seating begins at 6 PM/Full Dinner Menu Available
Tickets info to come in 2024!
Direction: Lina Koutrakos
Sound & Lighting Design: JP Perreaux
The Gregory Toroian Trio, From Left:
David Silliman: Drums; Gregory Toroian: Musical Director, Arrangements; Piano; Skip Ward: Bass
Trio Photo by Helane Blumfield
MINI BIO:
A Houston, Texas native, Curry has built a solid reputation as an award-winning actress, producer, director, and singer. She has extensive training and experience on stage, including over 300 performances as Titania in the Off-Broadway hit Fools in Love, The Musical and two Equity National tours playing Karin in the musical Church Basement Ladies. On screen, she gained attention starring as the uptight, deep-in-grief Lily in the heartfelt feature film Starfish, and shined as the cutthroat, out-for-justice Attorney Andrews in the action feature film, Diamond Ruff, directed by Alec Asten and produced by Young! Studios. Most recently, Curry delivers a dose of comical skepticism as the pesky family friend, Susan Baker, in the new feature film, MERRY GOOD ENOUGH, written by Caroline Keene, who co-directs with director of photography Dan Kennedy, now available on all major streaming platforms (Apple/Amazon/Dish.) She's appeared in national and regional commercials, including Carnival Cruises, Spike TV, Jello Mousse and Cuisinart. Favorite directing credits include directing, co-writing and -producing the one-woman short play “An Evening with Eva: Waiting for Adolf”, starring Maxine Muster, as well as directing the US premiere of Brian Eley’s "Some Things are Just Too Big for Numbers" starring actress Nina Lainville. Up next, Curry is co-writing, co-starring and co-producing an original web series with her producing partners Burke Adams and Lindy Rogers. As a singer, Curry has shared the stage with such luminaries as Leslie Uggams, Carol Channing, Billy Stritch, Amanda Green and Ann Hampton Callaway. She has appeared as a soloist or featured performer at the Kaplan Auditorium at Lincoln Center, the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Hudson Guild Theatre and many of NYC's hottest nightclubs and cabaret venues. Margaret's solo show “The Space In-Between” which debuted at The Laurie Beechman Theatre November 30, 2023, returns for encore performances on April 6th and May 4th, 2024.
BIO:
A Houston, Texas native, Curry has built a solid reputation as an award-winning actress, producer, director, and singer. On screen, she gained attention starring as the uptight, deep-in-grief Lily in the heartfelt feature film Starfish, and shined as the cutthroat, out-for-justice Attorney Andrews in the action feature film, Diamond Ruff, directed by Alec Asten and produced by Young! Studios. Curry has extensive training and experience on stage, including over 300 performances as Titania in the Off-Broadway hit Fools in Love, The Musical and two Equity National tours playing Karin in the musical Church Basement Ladies. As a singer, Curry has shared the stage with such luminaries as Leslie Uggams, Carol Channing, Billy Stritch, Amanda Green and Ann Hampton Callaway. She has appeared as a soloist or featured performer at the Kaplan Auditorium at Lincoln Center, the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Hudson Guild Theatre and many of NYC's hottest nightclubs and cabaret venues.
Margaret's solo show “The Space In-Between” marks her return to the cabaret stage, where she is thrilled to be creating, once again, intimate theatrical experiences through music and text together with amazing collaborators – the musicians, songwriters, director, sound and light technicians and, always, the audiences.
Most recently, Curry delivers a dose of comical skepticism as the pesky family friend, Susan Baker, in the new feature film, MERRY GOOD ENOUGH. The comedy-drama is available on all major streaming platforms (Apple/Amazon/Dish) from Byron Allen’s Freestyle Digital Media. Written by Caroline Keene, who co-directs with director of photography Dan Kennedy, MERRY GOOD ENOUGH's cast is led by the indelible Raye Levine and Joel Murray (Mad Men,) and features a stand-out ensemble cast that also includes Susan Gallagher (Cobra Kai,) Comfort Clinton (Billions,) Sawyer Spielberg (Masters of the Air,) Daniel Desmarais, Neil Casey, Sophie von Haselberg, Kevin O. Peterson and Marcia DeBonis.
She's appeared in 13 national and regional commercials, including Carnival Cruises, Spike TV, Jello Mousse and Cuisinart. Favorite directing credits include directing, co-writing and -producing the one-woman short play "An Evening with Eva: Waiting for Adolf," starring Maxine Muster, as well as directing the US premier of Brian Eley’s "Some Things are Just Too Big for Numbers" starring actress Nina Lainville.
Up next, Curry is co-writing, co-starring and co-producing an original web series with partners Burke Adams and Lindy Rogers. And coming in February 2024, Curry is producing and starring in the New York City production of two Langford Wilson one acts, to be performed at The Flea Theatre in Tribeca, NYC, directed by Mark Cirnigliaro.
For more about MARGARET CURRY visit: MargaretCurry.com
Instagram: @margaretacurry / FB: /TheActressMargaretCurry / X (Twitter): @MargaretCurry
THE SONGWRITERS Rube Bloom, Johnny Mercer, Patrick Simmons, David “Hawk” Wolinski, Irving Berlin, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen, Jimmy Webb, Roy Orbison, Joe Melson, William Bolcom, David Lee (Dave) Frishberg, Michele Brourman, Susan Werner, Ronald Isley, Rupert Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Isaac Hayes, Harry Elston, Philemon Hou, Natasha Bedingfield, Danielle Brisebois, Wayne Rodrigues
GREGORY TOROIAN Gregory Toroian is a musical director, arranger, jazz pianist, singer-songwriter, and educator. He has been featured in Cabaret Scenes magazine and was the 2020 Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Collaboration with Sue Matsuki, with whom he also won the MAC award for Best Duo Production. In addition to working with such artists as Tony Bennett, Jon Hendricks, Cab Calloway, Donna Summer, Melissa Errico, Marilyn Maye, Karen Mason, and Jane Olivor, he has appeared in almost every jazz club and cabaret (major and minor) in New York. He has toured with principal dancers from the New York City Ballet and has made numerous radio and television appearances including the Today Show and Maury Povich. His recording work as a pianist, arranger, and producer, includes CDs of Leslee Warren, Suzanna Ross, Sue Matsuki, and Nancy Stearns. Gregory’s vocal arrangements have been featured on a series of albums in the US and Japan, by the vocal group String of Pearls. As an educator, Gregory coaches singers both privately and in a variety of group workshops (Jazz, Phrasing, Piano/Bass/Drums, Rhythm, Vocal Harmony, and more).
SKIP WARD Grammy Award Winning Bassist, Guitarist, Ukulele-ist (is that a word), Lap Steel, Tuba, Penny Whistle and Teacher... can also get around on piano, and sings background vox. Skip is a classically-trained jazz musician with a penchant for rock n' roll. And fusion, blues and bluegrass. He plays four, five and six string electric and acoustic fretted and fretless basses, and has a special love for the upright. He has studied with Anthony Knight of the Cleveland Orchestra and Frank DiLaberto of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as the great Jaco Pastorius. Artists he has played/recorded with include: Steve Martin, Rosanne Cash, John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Phoebe Snow, Marc Cohn, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Cassandra Wilson, Melissa Manchester, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Akron Symphony and many, many more. You may have seen him on David Letterman, SNL or the The Ellen Degeneres Show. You'll hear Skip on many soundtracks, and he has been on national tour with a number of major theatrical productions. He also has lots of experience writing (he's a member of BMI) and playing advertising jingles, and plays regularly in Ireland.
DAVID SILLIMAN Drummer and percussionist David Silliman's middle name should be versatility. Whether accompanying song stylists such as Mariah Carey, Cassandra Wilson, and Blossom Dearie or playing with Colombian Harpist Edmar Castaneda, David's exciting rhythmic energies add color and mood to any musical performance. He's also comfortable playing in the pit of a Broadway show or with the New Jersey Symphony. With over 20 years of experience, David's first studies were in the Classical field, studying snare drum, xylophone and timpani. Later studies exposed him to Jazz, Latin Jazz, Brazilian and Funk music. Hearing music with a drummer and a percussionist made a strong impression on his playing. Trying to recreate that sound and "feel" with just one person has become a lifetime passion. David's unique setup allow him to move seamlessly from the Cajon, to Drum Set and all the percussive "toys" in-between, creating the rhythmic sound and energy of two or three percussionists. Highlights of David's past work: concert tours with Al DiMeola, Cassandra Wilson, and Leslie Uggams. He’s performed with Aretha Franklin and is featured in the VH1 Divas 2001 concert.
LINA KOUTRAKOS…is an award winning and accomplished singer/songwriter/teacher/director based in New York City. As a singer, she has been repeatedly rave reviewed from The New York Times to Billboard Magazine in both rock and roll and cabaret and has been awarded Cabarets most prestigious awards for "Best Female Vocalist" and "Entertainer of the Year," repeatedly. For 3 decades Koutrakos has been a New York City musical fixture - as both soloist and as a director and performance coach. Her directorial nods include being a 4-time winner for "Best Director" from the MAC Association and she is a lifetime Backstage Bistro Award-Winner for "Best Director," as well. Koutrakos was on staff as a Master Teacher for years at both the Eugene O'Neill Cabaret Symposium and The Yale Cabaret Conference. She was the first Master Teacher with The St Louis Cabaret Conference and co-founded NYC's Summer in the City yearly workshop on weekends. She has since gone on to start her own performance workshop "Performance Connection," which umbrellas many ongoing and specialty workshops and seminars now both online and in person. The Advance Performance Workshop in NYC has produced many award-winning performers and shows over the last 2 decades. Her singing and being the founder of the Midwest Cabaret Conference in Chicago for 10 years won her the "Gold Coast" Award with the Chicago Cabaret Professionals in 2019. She spearheads a now annual advanced performance workshop on the island of Mykonos. From performance workshops with full bands to one-on-one clients across the U.S., to her own award-winning original material and one woman shows, it's no wonder Koutrakos is referred to as a "Walking Master Class" by Billboard Magazine as both singer and director.
Click here to listen to: "Too Late Now" on Soundcloud
Click here to listen to: "Hey There" on Soundcloud
Click here to listen to: "I Remember You" on Soundcloud
PRESS & NEWS
2024 Bistro Awards Photos April 1, 2024 by Danny Bristoll
2024 Bistro Awards Honoree Press Release Bistro Awards Gala Event April 1, 2024
Margaret Curry Brings An Encore of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN At Laurie Beechman Theatre! March 7, 2023
"The Space In-Between Cabaret Scenes Review by Bart Greenberg Dec. 18, 2023
"The Space In-Between" Nov. 30, 2023 Broadwayworld.com Announcement by A.A. Crisit October 24, 2023
"The Space In-Between" November 30, 2023 Solo Show Press Release.docx
PHOTOS:
Reviews:
Solo Cabaret "The Space In-Between"
It was with a gleam in her eye and a kick in her step that song stylist Margaret Curry bounded onto the stage of the Laurie Beechman Theatre last Saturday night, April 6, to perform her show, The Space In-Between. Curry has reason to have a spring in her step as she was recently honored in March by the Bistro Awards as Vocalist of the Year. Considering how many cabaret artists perform in any twelve months in Manhattan, that’s quite an accomplishment. Having never seen or heard her before, I was completely taken with not only the quality of her voice but by her ease in front of an audience. This is someone who really knows how to tell her stories in song with effortless style...Her well-scripted patter allowed each song to come from the heart and what better statement is that?
Ronn Fassler, THEATERPIZZAZZ.COM
Taking the stage with confidence and style, Margaret Curry showed no signs that this was her return to the cabaret world following a 20-year absence. The Space In-Between was the vehicle for her most welcome return; it offered a mix of songs and sensational stories told in between them (where, she assured the audience, “the good stuff comes from”). Backed by thr terrific team of class-A director Lina Koutrakos, music director/arranger Gregory Toroian, bassist Skip Ward, and drummer David Silliman, the show was as polished as possible...In fact the entire evening was conceived with genuine intelligence. Hopefully, Curry won’t keep us waiting another two decades for her next show.
Bart Greenberg, CABARET SCENES MAGAZINE
Solo Cabaret Debut “in the meanwhile…"
stunning debut show. Scratch that... it was a stunning show.
Roy Sander, critic
The poignant quality in Margaret Curry’s voice was perfect for her moving rendition of
the Ellington/Mills/Kurtz standard, “In a Sentimental Mood.”
Peter Leavy, Cabaret Scenes
Very talented…Curry excels on a tender “Birmingham” (Tyson/McTaggart/O’Brien).
John Hoglund, Bistro Bits
A Fascinating Cabaret Debut
Barbara & Scott Siegel