Michael Feinstein
Michael Feinstein has become an iconic singer of the modern era. He has entertained audiences and world leaders alike with his jazz standards. Recently he began working with Liza Minnelli to produce a unique stage show that celebrates her mother, Judy Garland's, 100th birthday.
Mr. Feinstein took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions and give us some insight into his creative process, the future of jazz, and the production of this one-of-a-kind show.
Why do you feel the classics still resonate today?
One of the things I love about the music that I primarily sing is that the songs transcend the time in which they were created. They truly are timeless in the sense that they still have incredible power and energy in what they convey to audiences. I always compare them to the timelessness of William Shakespeare or Beethoven or Michelangelo in that people don't experience any of those things and say they're old.
They still resonate with the heart and they have a contemporary sensibility because certain fundamental emotions are forever. The songs that I sing are so amazingly crafted that they're malleable and they can be performed and sung and may any different ways. And that's one of the reasons they survive because they're just adaptable.
And that's one of the fun things about it. Every time I sing one of these songs, it feels fresh to me. And I also know that there are maybe people in the audience who've never heard these songs before. So I'm mindful of trying to present them in their best suit. If you will.
Did Judy Garland influence you more when you were a kid or as an adult?
Judy Garland, what an amazing person; incredible performer. As a child, like most of my generation, anyway, I first became aware of Judy Garland in connection with the 'Wizard of Oz.' That movie was shown every year as an annual event on television. And we would always go to my aunt and uncle's house and watch it there because they had a color television. But the true art of Judy Garland was introduced to me later in my life, when I became aware of her many recordings and other films that she made at MGM, and she had two distinct careers. One was the 28 feature films she made at MGM from 1937 until she was unceremoniously fired by them in 1950.
Then there was her adult concert career from 1951 to 1969. In that period, she performed over 1100 concerts and made classic record albums. And that's such a rich period of American culture and also music. And so the show that I'm doing is a true celebration of the extraordinary joy she brought to her and the pathos and the sadness that's conveyed through the way she sang ballots. It's a multimedia celebration with home movies supplied by the family, a rare recording of hers singing acapella. And I accompany her on the piano that I actually discovered of a song no one had ever heard her sing before. So it's a, a rich program."
In your opinion, has jazz fallen by the wayside in contemporary music, or is it just reserved for a more distinguished crowd?
I think jazz falls into the same category as American popular song, the classic American popular song in that it will always survive, it will always have an audience and perhaps it's more specialized today, but it's the kind of music that people discover when they're a little bit older and then it becomes a permanent part of what they listen to.
Are there any modern songwriters who you feel could be as prolific as Mr. Gershwin?
Well, uh, I believe that Bob Dylan is incredibly prolific. There are many other songwriters who have a work ethic that produces a lot of material. Diane Warren, I'm told, writes every single day, The songwriter Michel Legrand composed, well over 200 film scores as he composed every day. So there are probably songwriters who wrote more than Gerwin, but will their songs be heard in a hundred years as widely as George Gershwins? That I don't know the answer to.
Do you think the best songs are written when the world is in turmoil or when it's more at peace?
Music always reflects the time in which it is created. Uh, if you look at the songs of world war II, the were lots of songs of patriotism that were very, um, what's the word --- jingoistic. Things like, 'Johnny get your gun, get your gun, get your gun.' All these songs about fighting for what's right. And those songs have not lived as long as the love songs that were written in that time.
For example, 'White Christmas' was written at a time when the world was just entering the second world war and that song has lived, and the patriotic songs, uh, have not worn well, even though the sentiment is there. They were very much of their time. I think that there is a certain kind of inspiration that comes out of turmoil. A lot of songs written during the American depression have become lasting standards.
Things like "As Time Goes By.' That was later featured in the movie 'Casablanca' and that sort of thing. So I think that good songs can be written in any time, but perhaps there's more, uh, passion conveyed when there are problems in the world,
Does music constantly play in my subconscious?
Absolutely. Yes. Music is always playing in my brain and that doesn't bother me because sometimes it's music. I know, and sometimes it's new music. That's how I, I come up with the idea for a tune. My friend, George Firth, who died a number of years ago was a brilliant librettist. He wrote the book for the Sondheim shows 'Merrily, We Roll Along,' and company. And he once said that anything that you're whistling or humming in your brain is a subconscious window to what one is really thinking about or what they're really feeling.
So if he ever heard anybody humming or whistling, he would say, what are you singing? What are you humming? He wanted to know the title of the song, because that was his armchair psychoanalysis of what that person was, was going through.
What will the audiences be treated to at the Scottsdale show?
Well, it's a centennial tribute to Judy Garland. And as I mentioned previously, it's multimedia with photographs that have never been seen before, this incredible home recording of Judy Garland, which I found in a house that she once lived in behind a fake wall.
It's just a weird story. Uh, so I'll be accompanying her in this song. So it's a world premiere of Judy Garland singing something that nobody's ever heard before. And I also sing a couple of things that were written for her that never saw the light of day.
And then a lot of familiar things. It's a celebration of the best of her MGM years, and then the concert years, the iconic Carnegie Hall show, and it's a very immersive experience, both, visually and emotionally. The audience reaction has been, spectacular, and I'm very grateful. The enormity of trying to pay tribute to someone with a career, as large as Judy Garland's certainly was not easy, but I feel like we've nailed it.
I had a team of people who helped to put it together, notably, Judy Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli, who executive produced the show and was very much influential in helping to shape what it's about. It celebrates the incredible art that she gave all of us. It doesn't delve into the tragedy because that's the tabloid stuff. But the reason people remember her at all is because of the talent. And so that's what I celebrate.
Thank you.
Show & Venue details:
Valley audience members can join Feinstein for this celebration of Judy Garland at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale, Arizona. There will be two concerts at 3 pm and 7 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2022. Tickets start at $79. For information click here or visit or call 480-499-TKTS (8587).
All guests age 12 and older must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of the performance date, along with photo ID, to attend performances. As an alternative, guests may provide proof of full vaccination. Masks are highly encouraged to protect artists, staff and patrons. For full health and safety protocols click here.
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- Michael Feinstein to celebrate Judy Garland at Scottsdale Arts ... ›
Michael Feinstein will commemorate Judy Garland’s life on March 20 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
Musical icon Michael Feinstein is coming to Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday, March 20, 2022. His smooth voice and playlist of American standards will soothe audiences of all ages in this special live performance. Feinstein is known for having worked with George and Ira Gershwin, two of the most prolific songwriters in history.
His appearance in Scottsdale will pay tribute to another of entertainment's most iconic voices: Judy Garland. The actress and singer would have celebrated her 100th birthday this year. Her music still lives on in the hearts of millions.
Concert is Executive Produced by Liza Minnelli
Audiences are invited to join a nostalgic and spectacular musical exploration of Garland’s illustrious career. Executive produced by Liza Minnelli, this performance will be packed with special surprise moments as Feinstein honors Garland’s unparalleled talent and charisma.
This brand-new multimedia show features big screen film clips, never-before-seen photos, rare audio recordings, great music and good humor. Feinstein will lead you on a historical journey through Garland’s amazing life, telling stories he learned from Minnelli — Garland’s daughter — and from the legend’s close friends.
Audiences will be treated to recently discovered and previously unheard musical arrangements while gaining rare insight into the enduring Garland mystique.
“We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate the iconic Judy Garland on her 100th birthday, especially knowing the authenticity and love that went into this project with her daughter Liza Minnelli as the executive producer,” said Abbey Messmer, programming director at the center. “With the Ambassador of the American Songbook leading this journey, it’s certain that we’ll feel Judy’s spirit when we hear songs like ‘Get Happy’ and ‘Come Rain or Come Shine.’”
Photo courtesy of Michael Feinstein.
The Great American Songbook
Feinstein has built a dazzling career over the last three decades, bringing the music of the Great American Songbook to the world. From his multi-platinum-selling recordings that have earned him five Grammy nominations to his Emmy-nominated PBS television specials, his acclaimed NPR series and concerts spanning the globe.
Feinstein's New Album to Feature Music Icons
His live performances, film and television appearances, and 35 albums — including the upcoming release of “Gershwin Country,” featuring duets with country superstars like Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss and more — have made Feinstein an all-star force in American music.
Valley audience members can join Feinstein for this celebration of Judy Garland at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale, Arizona. There will be two concerts at 3 pm and 7 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2022. Tickets start at $79. For information click here or visit or call 480-499-TKTS (8587).
All guests age 12 and older must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of the performance date, along with photo ID, to attend performances. As an alternative, guests may provide proof of full vaccination. Masks are highly encouraged to protect artists, staff and patrons. For full health and safety protocols click here.
Beth Clayton and Patricia Racette
In a stunning piece of casting, internationally acclaimed soprano and 30-year opera veteran, Patricia Racette plays Desirée Armfeldt in Arizona Opera’s production of a Little Night Music, and even better, Racette will be performing alongside her wife, mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton (in the role of Charlotte Malcolm).
Racette came out as gay in print on the cover of Opera News in 2002—in what was a landmark coming out for the opera community. The Los Angeles Times called Racette “the most fearless woman in opera.” She and Clayton met in 1997 and were married for the first time in 2005. When New Mexico (where the couple live with their beloved pooch, Zoe) legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, they tied the knot again—and again after the 2015 Supreme Court ruling.
In addition to being a talented operatic singer Clayton also has a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She currently combines her performance experience with the platform of total mental well-being in a private practice geared towards the specific needs of performing artists but also those in the LGBTQ community and beyond.
Patricia Racette (left) and her wife Beth Clayton (right)Tim Trumble
Racette and Clayton caught up with OUTvoices ahead of their upcoming roles in A Little Night Music.
Your casting in these roles is delightful. And of course for those in the know there is an added layer of meaning now. But how are you each approaching your characters and what does it feel like to live, love and be on the same stage together?
Racette: We think so, too, and are so pleased that Arizona Opera was into the idea! Our two particular characters are, shall we say, not fond of one another! Desiree is having an affair with Charlotte's (Beth's) husband, and Charlotte is painfully aware of it. There are a couple of on-stage moments when Charlotte and Desiree exchange 'zingers' at one another, which is great fun to play! Because of the nature of each of our repertories, we did not have many opportunities to share the stage while both of us were actively singing. We did meet while singing La Traviata in Santa Fe, in which the plot took a twist when Violetta went home with Flora instead...! We also had the chance to sing Eugene Onegin in which we played sisters, Tatiana and Olga. Doing that opening duet in the Jonathan Miller production in Santa Fe, we faced upstage and held hands gazing into the Santa Fe desert skies. Those in the know got a particular kick out of our 'sisterly' relationship!
Clayton: For me, approaching Charlotte is both specific and general in that the goal is always to bring authenticity and life to the character. In this instance, Charlotte is quippy and wry and quick-witted, but she is also wounded and, in spite of herself, in love with her husband, Carl-Magnus. Her lines are incredibly dry, which allows such latitude in bringing the humor to the precipice without jumping over the cliff!
Racette: I approach this character as I have approached all my characters: my process is to always flesh out the person in the most authentic and viscerally connected way possible. That being said, playing a character who is in 'the twilight' of her career has a unique resonance! As I embrace this new chapter in my professional life in terms of my involvement in the profession and as I explore my evolving repertoire, I find particular resonance with Desiree.
Clayton and RacetteTim Trumble
Patricia, "Send In the Clowns" strikes me as a challenge if not for any other reason than it's a standard - Sinatra, Collins. But how are you going to do it?
Racette: I don't see it a challenge—I find it a privilege to infuse a song that has the capability of allowing the interpreter to express so much nuance and authentic connection to the text and to the context of that text within the scene. How am I going to do it? Come and see!
What is your history with Arizona the state—and with Arizona Opera?
Racette: This is my debut with Arizona Opera! I have a great affinity for General Director Joe Specter, and I have a long-standing musical relationship with Chris Cano. I think this company is really making its mark on the opera world, and I am happy to be a part of that trajectory!
Clayton: As for Arizona in general, we have a 'neighborly' relationship since we have called Santa Fe, NM home for over 20 years. We LOVE the desert! In terms of AZ Opera, I actually debuted here in 2010 singing the title role of Carmen, a role that I sang more than any other. Sadly, I found myself in a vocal challenge in that moment--most singers have these moments at one point or another. One of mine just happened to occur then. I share this because, as Frederick Egerman says to Desiree in A Little Night Music, "you might say my motives for coming here were...mixed."
I wanted to return here and 'come out' of my so-called singing retirement to: a) revisit a musical that was an early career highlight for me 25 years ago for a "Live from Lincoln Center" broadcast appearance; b) be on stage with my wife in a full production in a year that also marks our 25th anniversary; c) have a moment of 're-do' on these two AZ Opera stages; d) to have FUN doing this art form that is forever a part of me regardless of my newer path in the mental well-being world.
Racette and Clayton on their wedding dayCourtesy of Racette and Clayton
Married three times to each other and together 25 years. What is your secret!?
Racette: The secret? A lot of laughs, a ton of trust, and a love and respect that runs deeper than can be articulated.
Beth—the pandemic has been tough on everyone's mental health. But especially on LGBTQ folks and performers. What did you try to offer your clients during this time and what did you also discover about your own wellbeing?
Clayton: Tough—yes! And I wish the pandemic could be referred to in past tense, but we are definitely still dealing with it and its wake. One thing that I continue to remind clients (and myself) throughout this time is to remember that we possess such rich skillsets as performers beyond what our literal instrument might dictate--singers, for example, possess the ability to communicate, to memorize huge amounts of music and libretti, to speak other languages, to organize, to be disciplined in completing tasks. All of those skills have multifunctionality in life, even when we were prevented from doing our craft for live audiences.
In some ways creativity has been pushed to the forefront, and I cannot think of a more creativity-driven population than the LGBTQ+ community! We know adversity and we know resilience.
Get your tickets to A Little Night Music here.
AIDS Walk Arizona
AIDS Walk Arizona 2022 raised more than $230,000, surpassing the event’s fund-raising goal, as nearly 2,000 people spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon participating at Tempe Beach Park.
“Forty years after first discovering the virus, the battle against HIV/AIDS is not over,” said Aunt Rita’s Foundation Executive Director Jimmy Thomason. “We’ve made tremendous progress but our commitment to ensuring ongoing awareness, education, prevention and resources is as strong as ever. The money raised at AIDS Walk, and the incredible support we experienced, will go a long way in continuing our mission and bringing our vision to light.”
AIDS Walk Arizona
AIDS Walk Arizona 2022 was presented by CAN Community Health, a national organization dedicated to improving lives in the community and expanding the availability and accessibility of PrEP, a one-pill-a-day medication that reduces the risk of getting HIV by more than 99% when taken as prescribed.
Additional sponsors included Walgreens, which raised $27,000 through the annual wristband campaign; Gilead, featuring its product Bitkarvy; Sonora Quest Laboratories, sponsors of Kids for the Cause; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the Vodka for Dog People, sponsor of Paws for the Cause.
Elijah Palles and Regina Wells were AIDS Walk Arizona 2022 co-chairs.
With roots in Phoenix since 1988, Aunt Rita’s Foundation is dedicated to the elimination of, and suffering from, HIV and AIDS through collaborations with Arizona HIV service organizations and local and statewide government agencies.
About Aunt Rita’s Foundation
In our mission to end HIV in Arizona, Aunt Rita’s quietly began in 1988 with our first fundraising bake sale. Since then, Aunt Rita’s Foundation has provided millions of dollars to HIV programs and prides itself as the “Connector of the HIV Community” with gap-filling programs that include testing and collaborative initiatives. Partner agencies include Ebony House, The Bill Holt Clinic at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, CAN Community Health, Chicanos Por La Causa LUCES Program, HEAL International, HIV Care Directions, Valleywise Health, one n ten, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Southwest Center, Shot in the Dark, Southwest Recovery Alliance and Terros Health. Aunt Rita’s distributes free Home HIV oral swap test kits through GetTestedAz.org and provides vouchers for confidential clinical testings at 100 Safeway stores and Sonora Quest locations statewide. Aunt Rita’s signature fund-raising events areAIDS Walk Arizona and RED is the Night and will commemorate World AIDS Day with a community-oriented Picnic in the Park. Aunt Rita’s Foundation also works with the Arizona Department of Health Services to increase awareness and education about HIV/AIDS statewide through HIVAZ.ORG. For more information, visit www.auntritas.org or call (602) 882-8675.