PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
The State of the Arts
A savvy and humorous look at the dreams, challenges, frustrations, and rewards of creative and performing artists: from poets, painters, playwrights, and spirograph designers to actors, dancers, singers, and matinee idols. The been there, done that songlist extravaganza includes the wit and wisdom of Irving Berlin, Alan Chapman, Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Cy Coleman, Mike Craver, David Friedman, Michael Flanders & Donald Swann, Ann Hampton Callaway, Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich, Jerry Herman, Fran Landesman, Jay Leonhart, Frank Loesser, Steven Lutvak, Don McLean, Cole Porter, Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, Scott Warrender, and Jimmy Webb.

HEART'S DESIRE
This uplifting exploration of universal hopes, wishes, and dreams expresses our desires for home, adventure, romance, laughter, and a life lived to the fullest, while happily proving that the American Songbook is alive and well in the hands of contemporary songwriters: the inspiring title song by Dave Frishberg & Alan Broadbent, Steven Lutvak's hilarious tale of social climbing at The Dinner Party, Michael Smith's wry warning on the Last Day Of Pompeii, Francesca Blumenthal's charming fantasy Capuccino, Mike Craver's witty Dear Mr. Gershwin, Craig Carnelia's soaring Flight, Maury Yeston's reassuring You're There Too, the yearning Bergman / Legrand's Where Is it Written, Babbie Green's poignant At The Pound, Stephen Sondheim's envious Lucy & Jessie, John Bucchino's shimmering This Moment, plus Leslie Bricusse, Joni MItchell, Stephen Schwartz, John Wallowitch, and more.
Delightfully eclectic. (Cabaret Scenes)
Bilides consistently renders a brilliant performance. (Cabaret Hotline Online)

MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY
The Lyrics Of Comden & Green
"I know a place where dreams are born, and time is never planned." The brilliant lyric writing team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green gave us the gentle philosophy of Never Never Land, the heartfelt wisdom of Make Someone Happy, and the tongue-twisted ranting of If You Hadn't But You Did. They looked at love lost (The Party's Over), love found (Just In Time), and love in the kitchen (I Can Cook Too). Vamping for the femme fatale (Thanks A Lot But No Thanks ), winking at gender elimination (Simplified Language), or offering wry advice (You Mustn't Feel Discouraged), their words still delight and sparkle. "Where has the time all gone to? Haven't done half the things we want to. Oh well, we'll catch up some other time."
Bilides spins gold with this show; she can belt, lilt, swing, and serve up shtick or heart upon command. (Bay Windows)

watercolor by Meredith d'Ambrosio

WINTER WARM
Songs For The Solstice
A seasonal show for the chill-challenged, daylight-deprived, and holiday-harried, this unique celebration is designed to help adults survive winter while awaiting spring. Mix the title song (by Hal David & Burt Bacharach), Irving Berlin's When Winter Comes, Fran Landesman's The Year Turns Round, George Shearing's I Predict, and Bergman / Legrand's You Must Believe In Spring, with David Friedman's comic ode to entitlement, My Simple Christmas Wish, Jason Brown's demented take on Mrs. Claus, Surabaya Santa, and the endearingly quirky Penguins Must Sing. Add evocative folk songs by Tommy Thompson (Hot Buttered Rum), Gordon Lightfoot (Pussywillows, Cattails), and Judy Collins (The Fallow Way, Secret Gardens of The Heart), then take a Dreamer’s Holiday, tell Little Jack Frost to get lost, and make this season The Merriest.
A new cure for winter darkness, and as bracing as a shot of brandy.
(Boston Globe)

WITCHCRAFT
The Lyrics Of Carolyn Leigh
"Those fingers in my hair, that sly come-hither stare, that strips my conscience bare..." Carolyn Leigh brought class, wit, and sex to the American songbook, with hits like Witchcraft, When In Rome, I've Got Your Number, How Little We Know, Pass Me By, and The Best Is Yet To Come. With craft, elegance, wisdom, humor, and sensuality, Leigh fearlessly delved into love's emotional complexities: temptation (You Fascinate Me So), optimism (Hey Look Me Over), cynicism (Rules Of The Road), wistfullness (I Walk A Little Faster), nostalgia (Spring in Maine), and comedy (Shakespeare Lied). "And here is the best part: you have a head start, if you are among the very Young At Heart."
The songlist is wonderful, and you really "get" Carolyn. I'm just thrilled.
(June Silver, sister of Carolyn Leigh)

THE SUMMER KNOWS
This celebration of summer features songs of the sun, sea, lazy afternoons, balmy nights, flora, fauna, baseball, and other delights, all arranged for voice and guitar. Included is the title song by Bergman / Legrand, Alec Wilder's It's So Peaceful In The Country, Joel Siegel's Estate, William Finn's I'd Rather Be Sailing, Johnny Mandell's Cinnamon and Clove, Joni Mitchell's Song To A Seagull, Cole Porter's Too Darn Hot, Christine Lavin's Ballad Of A Ballgame, Johnny Mercer's Bob White / Glow-worm, Irving Berlin's Lazy, Stephen Schwartz's Blame It On The Summer Night, John Latouche's Lazy Afternoon, Mary Chapin Carpenter's What If We Went To Italy, Dave Mallett's Summer Of My Dreams, and more.
Conjures up a warm sun, cool breeze, and sand beneath bare feet.
(Boston Globe)