A benefit for the Hopewell Valley Chorus’ 50th Anniversary Concert, this afternoon cabaret will feature

Broadway tenor
Craig Rubano

M. Craig Rubano began his professional theatrical career when composer Charles Strouse cast him as “Wilbur” in the New York premiere of Charlotte’s Web: The Musical.  He made his Broadway debut as young lover Marius Pontmercy in Les Misérables, performing the role more than 700 times.  Mr. Rubano soloed in the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Tribute to Stephen Sondheim, and joined Bernadette Peters for her Carnegie Hall solo debut.  His first recording, “Finishing the Act,” was the MAC Award-winning Recording of the Year.  Says Stephen Holden of the New York Times: “Craig Rubano has an intelligence and wit to match his robust baritone…an exceptionally well-conceived cabaret debut.” 

Composer/Arranger/Pianist
Beth Ertz

Beth Ertz worked in Los Angeles for 20 years, orchestrating and arranging for such luminaries as Elmer Bernstein, and composed her own scores for film and television. In 2004, she garnered 3 Grammy nominations for her arrangements and production work.  She has written arrangements for the Academy Awards, and for many artists including Barbra Streisand, Placido Domingo, Bette Midler, and Tommy Tune.  Recently, she has appeared as Music Director for several shows at Symphony Space in New York City and accompanied Kristin Chenoweth at the National Arts Club. Beth and Craig have collaborated many times, and recently worked together in concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The program will include songs from the Classic American Popular Songbook, Broadway, and other sources of inspiration.