Richard Jay-Alexander To Direct Nunziata Brothers in “From Pelham to Park Avenue”

Playbill
Jay-Alexander To Direct Nunziata Brothers in From Pelham to Park Avenue
By Andrew Gans
April 5, 2010

Identical twin brothers Will and Anthony Nunziata will return to Feinstein’s at Loews Regency with a new show, From Pelham to Park Avenue, April 20-24.

Richard Jay-Alexander, who has helmed the concert tours of Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters, will direct the evenings with musical direction by Ben Toth. Toth will be featured at the piano with Jered Egan on bass.

Cabaretgoers can expect to hear the Nunziata brothers’ renditions of “Pretty Women,” “Make Someone Happy,” “I Believe in You,” “Swing Is Back in Style” and “Funniculi, Funnicula,” among others.

“Working with Will and Anthony Nunziata has been an extraordinary experience,” director Jay-Alexander told Playbill.com, “for so many reasons. I usually work with more ‘seasoned’ performers or stars, but when I first saw them I couldn’t believe how talented they were – and, yet, I don’t think they knew. They are naturals, and that’s a particular gift one must be cautious with. Not all people need training. Some just need guidance and coaching. . . . They are young, attractive, smart, grounded, charming, funny – I really believe they can go the distance.”

The director says rehearsals are filled “with plenty of laughs, but lots of hard work. Needless to say, I push them because they can take it and do it, and the results are usually immediate. . . . They take their careers seriously and are in no rush. This is a good thing. They are more interested in having careers than in being stars. It’s refreshing.”

Jay-Alexander adds, “It’s their story of how they happen to fall in love with the performing arts that is the crux of this show: From Pelham to Park Avenue. You won’t believe it. I’ve heard a lot in my day, but this is one ‘for the books.’ It’s their debut engagement, and we’re gonna have some extra fun at the late shows.”

Will and Anthony Nunziata have traveled the country with their duo concert act, recently as soloists with the Boston Pops, as well as guest artist appearances with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, and at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall.

The 26-year-old brothers were also part of Sondheim: The Birthday Concert! and Broadway Backwards 5.

Richard Jay-Alexander was formerly a Broadway actor, singer and dancer, who has since directed the critically acclaimed concerts of Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters and Cleere Haran. He was the executive director of Cameron Mackintosh’s American company for a decade and was the associate director and executive producer of the original Broadway, touring and Canadian companies of Les Misérables. His recent directorial credits include the acclaimed, sold-out concert versions of Guys and Dolls and Les Miz at the Hollywood Bowl.

Show times will be Tuesday-Thursday at 8:30 PM and Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and 10:30 PM. The 8 PM and 8:30 PM shows have a $40 cover with $60 premium seats and an additional $40 food and beverage minimum; the 10:30 PM shows have $25 cover with $40 premium seats and a $25 food and beverage minimum. For all shows, there are a select amount of seats based on availability with a $40 cover charge and no food/beverage minimum.

Feinstein’s is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. For ticket reservations and club information, call (212) 339-4095 or visit feinsteinsatloewsregency.com and TicketWeb.com.