Broadway World
Carly Ozard to Debut MIDLER ON THE ROOF at The Duplex, 5/25
April 16
After sold-out performances in New York City and her hometown of San Francisco, cabaret singer Carly Ozard will debut her latest show Midler on the Roof at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2014 at cabaret institution The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street at 7th Avenue in New York City. Tickets are $10 (plus a 2-drink minimum) and advance reservations are highly recommended by contacting (212) 255-5438 or www.theduplex.com.
Since moving to New York City two years ago, Carly Ozard has headlined distinguished cabaret venues including the Laurie Beechman Theatre and the Iridium with her acclaimed shows Shift Happens and Somebody to Love: My Musical Tribute to Freddie Mercury. Described as “San Francisco’s premiere cabaret psychotherapy patient… self-deprecating and very funny” by Steve Murray in Cabaret Scenes magazine, Carly is raising the stakes even further with her personal and powerful new show Midler on the Roof-which she describes as “a musical journey of Divine intervention.” Midler on the Roof is directed by Kristine Zbornik, a noted cabaret and Broadway performer and teacher, who has added extra zing to Carly’s characteristically candid humor.
Growing up in a small Northern California town that offered few artistic opportunities, Carly was severely bullied because of her flair for theater, singing, and sequins. Her mother introduced her to the Divine Miss M at age 6, and Bette Midler‘s music soon became the soundtrack of Carly’s adolescence-a source of comfort and “musical therapy.” Remembers Carly, “I loved how over-the-top she was, and how she didn’t apologize for her big voice and personality.”
In Midler on the Roof, Carly portrays her younger self from elementary through high school as she faces her fears, finds her voice, and gradually learns to embrace her unique identity as a budding performer. She recognizes the family and friends who had her back and also recalls some awkward teenage moments-like auditioning for the school band with a Bette Midler song instead of Bach (she’ll even play the tune on her old clarinet!).
Carly’s “powerhouse” vocals (Sue Matsuki, Cabaret Hotline Online) are an ideal match for Midler’s extensive and eclectic catalogue, spanning from early gems like “Delta Dawn” and “Hello in There” to the Tom Waits-penned “Shiver Me Timbers” to the huge hit “Wind Beneath My Wings.” The show’s musical director and pianist Steven Ray Watkins has created a special arrangement of the Julie Gold classic “From a Distance” that Carly describes as “my anti-bullying anthem.” With support from her backup singers (and acclaimed vocalists in their own right) Karen Mack and Uraina Collazo, Carly will invite the audience to join in a rousing sing-along of “I’m Beautiful” from Midler’s album Bathhouse Betty. And yes, there will be a nod to Midler’s early Broadway turn in Fiddler on the Roof-but Carly prefers to keep the details of that homage under wraps.
Carly Ozard hails from San Francisco, where she won the San Francisco Cabaret Competition; presented many one-woman shows at the prestigious Rrazz Room; and appeared in the Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation Benefits. In 2009, she debuted Somebody to Love: My Musical Tribute to Freddie Mercury to a sold-out house at New York City’s Don’t Tell Mama; according to Broadwayworld.com, “What a debut it was! Full of heart, passion, great music, and fantastic vocals, it was a thoroughly entertaining show from top to bottom.” Since moving to New York City, Carly has also wowed audiences at 54 Below, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland, The Cranky Cabaret, The Iridium, The Duplex, Stu Hamstra’s Annual “March is Cabaret Month” Gala, and as guest host of Mark Janas’ award-winning Salon. Other New York credits include Toulouse! The Musical with the New York Theatre Barn, and the upcoming Dragula with Variations Theatre Group. Carly has shared the stage with Ann Hampton Callaway, Bruce Vilanch, Debby Boone, Tim Hockenberry, and Sharon McNight among other music and comedy luminaries. Visit www.carlyozard.com
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