Description

Birdland Theater is proud to announce that tap dancer/singer John Manzari will return to the stage on Thursday, October 12 at 8:30pm.

Tap dancer and singer John Manzari returns to Birdland Theater with collaborator and friend, pianist Luther S. Allison. Fresh from his Broadway debut in Funny Girl, John’s show encapsulates various aspects of his experiences and looks towards the future. The evening will feature a selection of standards and debuts of original works. Manzari, a talent as melodic as he is rhythmic, promises to delight audiences with his creativity and craft. Allison, a virtuosic and charismatic musician, is joined by Jonathon Muir-Cotton on bass and Domo Branch on drums.

John Manzari is an Ovation Award and Helen Hayes Award nominated dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, and teacher. Stage credits include the Bessie Award winning production Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic, 42nd Street choreographed by Jared Grimes, Maurice Hines: Tappin’ Thru Life featuring his mentor Maurice Hines, The Wiz is 40: A Celebration in Dance and Music directed and choreographed by George Faison, and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. Television credits include the PBS special The Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert, ABC’s The View, Michael Feinstein at the Rainbow Room and The Jerry Lewis Telethon. Concerts include his one man show John Manzari: The First Set, NY Pops Up, Ayodele & Friends at Little Island, Spoleto Festival with Caleb Teicher, Fall for Dance, Fall for Dance North (Canada), Amelia Island Dance Festival, Gold Coast Dance Festival, and Birdland Jazz Club & Jacob’s Pillow with Luke Hickey. John can be seen in the documentary about his mentor “Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back” and the award-winning short film “Slip.”