Broadway Close Up, a series that mixes show tunes and show talk, hit a high note as host Sean Hartley interviewed Henry Krieger, multiple Tony-Award winning composer of Dreamgirls, The Tap Dance Kid , and Side Show.  Krieger’s talent was amply illustrated by a brilliant, soulful cast, superbly supported by talented musical director Andy Einhorn. The chat included bite-sized, bio-tidbits: Krieger first collaborated with Dreamgirls lyricist Tom Eyen on The Dirtiest Show in Town off-Broadway, where singer Nell Carter (Ain’t Misbehavin’) stopped  the show,  Eyen and mercurial director Michael Bennett  (fresh from Chorus Line) regularly gave each other nervous breakdowns; and yes, Dreamgirls did have something to do with the Supremes. The conversation/concert format neatly segued into medley of Krieger tunes sung by Broadway larks and lyricists. The musical cast showcased the abundantly talented Moya Angela, Jill Abramovitz, Lilli Cooper, Erin Davie, Trevon Davis, Brandon Victor Dixon, Curt Hansen, Jeremiah Jones, Jared Joseph, Emily Jenda, Lindsay Mendez, Jarran Muse, Mary Testa, and David Yazbek . The evening finished with Krieger singing his own stirring version of Jennifer Holliday’s show-stopping “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls, proving that soulful singing is not just high-voltage vocal chops. Coming up next on Broadway Close Up: Producers Andre Bishop & Ira Weitzman – Playwrights Horizons/Lincoln Center (Monday, November 5); Lyricists Who Changed the World – Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg & Lorenz Hart (Monday, December 3). All programs feature great singers and songsters, who will also be warbling at New York Festival of Song December 4, February 19, and March 12. All events are held at the Kaufman Center, Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th Street, NYC. For Details and Tickets, visit http://kaufman-center.org/mch (Editor: Jay Berman)

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.

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