Christine Andreas sings the best of the American Songbook in her new show “S’Wonderful,” coming to Live at the Orinda! Jan. 18. Andreas promises a fun evening with a bit of thought-provoking material.
The New Year brings a treasure trove of talent to the Orinda Theatre, first with Christine Andreas Jan. 18 and then Claybourne Elder Feb. 1.
A mesmerizing singer who hits notes others only dream of, Andreas returns to Live at the Orinda! with her new show “S’Wonderful.”
“We decided on this title, basically, because we wanted to make everybody feel the beauty that’s around us even though we’re living in precarious times,” said Andreas. “It’s entertainment but with a little bit of thought-provoking material.”
The “we” Andreas refers to is her husband, Grammy Award-nominated composer, producer and pianist Marty Silvestri.
“Marty does an awful lot in the show. He’s not just a pretty face playing the piano up there,” said Andreas. “It’s the easiest thing we do as a couple – create music. We just spark off each other in a fun way.”
Anyone who attended one of her previous sold-out appearances at the Orinda concert series knows how Andreas can be powerful, intimate and funny – sometimes all in the same song.
Her January concert will be no exception as she reflects on the best of the human spirit with the best of the American Songbook. Andreas promises a Gershwin medley, several songs by Irving Berlin, as well as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Mancini and a very interesting song by Billy Joel called “2000 Years.”
“I sing people who have impacted my life, including some of Marty’s compositions,” Andreas said.
A consummate performer, Andreas’ starring roles on Broadway include “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “Oklahoma!,” “My Fair Lady,” “Light in the Piazza” and “La Cage Aux Folles” with Kelsey Grammer. Her concert work has taken her to such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and London’s West End.
Andreas credits several great talents for helping her develop her own, unique singing style.
“Edith Piaf deepened my level of commitment to the music – to being empty on stage and just letting the music go through you,” Andreas said. “When you’re relaxed and concentrated, you start to get inspired. Now, doing that in front of hundreds of people can be challenging, but the important thing is to stay present and let the audience be part of you.”
From Tony Bennett, Andreas said she learned how to go deeper into favorite songs.
“He helped me see that even when you’re singing some songs over and over, it’s never the same journey. I’m a little different each time, and I get different vibes from each audience,” said Andreas.
The singer looks forward to once again being at Orinda’s beautiful art deco theater and connecting with the audience.
“After all, it’s a journey we’re taking together,” said Andreas.
Known for his many appearances on Broadway stages as well as portraying the star-crossed John Adams on HBO’s hit series “The Gilded Age,” Claybourne Elder makes his Orinda debut Feb. 1 at Live at the Orinda!
Claybourne Elder – A Valentine’s Day warm-up
Valentine’s Day comes to Orinda early this year as television and Broadway star Claybourne Elder brings his powerful voice to “Live at the Orinda! Feb.1 at 5 p.m.
Elder is equally at home on stage or in front of a camera.
His many Broadway credits include “Bonnie & Clyde,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and the 2021 Broadway revival of “Company,” in which he co-starred with Patti Lupone and Live at the Orinda! alum Bobby Conte.
Television fans of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” will remember Elder as the quietly complex John Adams in the show’s first three seasons.
“For me, it (“The Gilded Age”) was such a dream come true. I was a huge fan of ‘Downton Abbey.’ I love period shows and movies, and I was so excited to be a part of it,” said Elder. “The cast was just full of really interesting theater people, so showing up on set every day was like a family reunion. It felt like going to theater camp.”
For his Orinda show, Elder will sing songs from his many musicals but, free from the constraints of a particular character, he will put his own unique interpretation to the material.
“The show is a cross between stand-up comedy and a cabaret act,” Elder said. “There will be lots of jazz and musical theater tunes combined with stories. I hope it will be funny, but also moving – something that’s thought-provoking in some way.”
He also incorporates music from his debut album “If the Stars Were Mine,” the title of a lullaby he sings to his son every night.
Elder promises to tell the poignant story of his first visit to New York when a stranger saw how excited Elder was standing outside a Broadway musical and gave him $200 to buy a ticket to “Sweeney Todd.”
“He said it would change my life,” Elder said. “I thought how I could use that money in so many ways, but ended up buying the ticket. He was right. It did change my life. From that night on, I knew I would pursue a career in theater.”
Fifteen years later, Elder found himself in his first Broadway show and decided he would “play it forward” and give away two tickets to someone who didn’t have the opportunity or the money to attend a Broadway show.
When people found out what he had done, they started contributing money and asking him to buy more tickets. He ended up forming the non-profit City of Strangers. To date, it has given away more than 3,500 tickets.
“We’re welcoming people who would never have the opportunity otherwise to see a Broadway show, and we’ve been working with community organizations to help – public school teachers, unhoused youth and all sorts of people who love theater but just can’t afford it.”
And that first man who gave Elder the $200?
Someone recognized him from the photo Elder had posted of the two of them in 2021 when Elder was giving away his first set of tickets.
“I’ll tell the whole story at the show. But I did get in touch with him and now we text often. I told him that his kindness to me has made me a kinder person.”
All concerts in the Live at Orinda! series begin at 5 p.m. in the Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theatre Square. For tickets, go to orindamovies.com/live-at-orinda/. If a show is sold out, email Michael Williams at mdw500@gmail.com to be placed on the waiting list.
