By: Bobby Panza
It’s easy to overlook what’s right under your nose in this city. Sometimes all it takes is a perfect—or lucky—sign, and suddenly, it’s written in the stars. Rutgers Presbyterian Church, located at 236 West 73rd Street at the corner of Broadway, has been an open-minded house of worship welcoming all, and it’s been delivering profound artistic programming for years, often showcasing local artists of all ages and skill levels.
October is music month In The Sanctuary at Rutgers Presbyterian Church. Often, it’s your surroundings that can elevate a good event to greatness, and at Rutgers, their sanctuary space possesses an aura that is both welcoming and inspiring. It’s an absolute treat to consider that the people among you play the most important role in creating a connection that heightens the energy for everyone. With Lesley Countryman and Peter Rinaldi curating the artistic schedule on Tuesdays for the In The Sanctuary series, you’re in rare air, surrounded by individuals who will have you saying, “I had no idea we had this right here! We gotta come back!”
An Evening of Wonder: A Celebration of the Music of Stevie Wonder with Alexander Wright and Special Guests opens on October 1st at 7 p.m. “He’s connected to so many great musicians,” said Rinaldi. “So he stacks his band with artists who compliment his amazing talent, which is exciting.” Visitors can expect a large ensemble on stage with Wright that will get the sanctuary swinging with sweet vibrations and likely some sing-along action, too. The combination of familiar songs by an all-time artist like Stevie Wonder—performed by Wright, a local legend—and his band featuring horns, keys, spoken word, and more—offers a unique take on an iconic act that should leave visitors feeling blessed with a special set of classics and some obscure gems reinterpreted in a one-of-a-kind way.
On October 15th, dramatic soprano Candice Shaughnessy performs Life Is a Cabaret… Or Is It? with Steve Vasta on piano at 7 p.m. A voice teacher and conductor just minutes away from Rutgers at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Shaughnessy has been a mainstay as the host of the Broadway Song Series A Little Lunch Music at Rutgers, featuring AMDA graduates. “We wanted to offer her an evening to showcase her own talent, and she is doing this cabaret about finding your way as an artist in New York,” said Countryman. This kind of special programming allows seasoned veterans of the stage to experiment with new ideas in a captivating setting, creating an exciting evening.
Stephen Sondheim, one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre, grew up on the Upper West Side. He lived in the San Remo on Central Park West from infancy until shortly after his 10th birthday. On Tuesday, October 22, Janara Kellerman, Joseph Lodato, and Jamilyn Manning will honor Sondheim’s legacy in Sondheim Etc. with Daniel Kleinknecht at the piano. Kellerman, known for her sultry and elegant mezzo-soprano tone, is currently performing in Sampson and Delilah with The St. Petersburg Opera Company in Florida. Baritone Joseph Lodato has graced the stage at Lincoln Center, performing classics from the American Songbook alongside Huang Ruo, while Jamilyn Manning has been praised by The New Yorker as “agile and fiery” for her captivating stage presence as both a performer and recitalist. This talented trio is sure to deliver Sondheim’s work with every breath. Showtime is at 7 p.m.
Closing out Music Month is an intimate engagement with Beverly O’Regan Thiele, a soprano known for her honesty in character portrayal, and guitarist Monroe Quinn in Imagine: America on October 29th. “Beverly wants to offer an evening of music to help us come together in this stressful, pre-election time,” said Countryman. “She’ll be performing traditional classics and folk songs which I believe will inspire people to think positively about what it is to be in America.” The evening will include songs by John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Simon and Garfunkel. Imagine: America begins at 7 p.m.
When asked for a sneak peek at what’s ahead after October, Rinaldi mentioned “Press Start,” NYC’s video game cover orchestra, will be having a concert in November that they are really jazzed about. “Programming is going through December 10th,” said Countryman, highlighting their Miracle on 73rd Street event, a spoken-word night where everyone is welcome to take the stage and share their own NYC miracle, no matter how small.
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