Internationally acclaimed performer Isaac Sutton has just announced his upcoming New Year’s Eve concert of “TONIGHT A MUSICAL” in Israel!
The Concert will take place on Friday, December 31 at The Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv. This concert is part of Sutton’s Israeli Concert Tour which began in early November 2021, following his critically lauded NYC show “Broadway Israel” in October 2021.
Isaac Sutton will return to Tel Aviv’s Cameri Theater, after having performed at this theater for several years.
Sutton will be joined on this concert tour by soprano Tal Bergman of The Israeli Opera, who most recently starred as Cosette at The National Theatre production of Les Miserables.
The show “TONIGHT A MUSICAL” , musically directed by Raviv Leibzirer, will celebrate Classic Broadway and will feature the greatest show tunes of all time, including highlights from The Phantom of The Opera, Fiddler on The Roof, My Fair Lady, Cabaret, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and many more.
Natasha Barbieri: Can you remember the first musical experience that made an impression on your life?
Isaac Sutton: As a kid, I vividly remember my dad gifting me with Barbra Streisand’s 1994 comeback concert video (remember video tapes??). I was truly inspired by the bigger than life orchestrations and the repertoire which was mostly musical theater based and completely new to this kid growing up in Tel Aviv!
You can imagine what a joy it was to meet Barbra many years later and be able to thank her for the inspiration.
Natasha Barbieri: Tell us about the first show you were a part of and any favorite memories from it.
Isaac Sutton: I was a very shy kid and so I never took part in any Theater shows or school ceremonies whatsoever.
In fact, it was only after I graduated with an MBA from Tel Aviv University that I got the courage to produce my own Broadway themed show and “let my voice be heard”. At the time it was just me and a pianist and luckily The Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv embraced that show and I’ve been very fortunate since then, performing and producing shows for many years.
It so happens that this years New Year’s Eve concert will also take place at The Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv, where I started my career. This will be a great coming full circle moment for me. I guess it’s true what they say… in order to know where you’re going, you need to know where you’ve been. Truly magical and nostalgic to look back and reflect!
Natasha Barbieri: What have been the roles you were most excited to portray onstage?
Isaac Sutton: I’ll never forget playing Pooh-Bah in the rock version of The Operetta “The Mikkado” by Gilbert and Sullivan in Jaffa’s Opera Fringe Center. That was the first show I got to share the stage with an ensemble of amazing singers and actors.
I also loved playing the priest in The French production of “Romeo and Juliette”, even though I was “the bad guy” that got to poison poor Juliette night after night.
But I must say playing the lead role of Bobby in Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” in Jerusalem was truly the ultimate dream come true! Being a bass baritone singer with a low voice, I almost always get cast as the bad guy. Finally, I got to play the good guy and not the villain… and got to sing Sondheim music which is truly such a gift for any actor/singer!
Natasha Barbieri: You have had many opportunities to perform with symphony orchestras. What do you enjoy most about the experience?
Isaac Sutton: At the end of the day, I try to connect with my audiences, whether I sing with a trio or a symphony orchestra. However, sharing the stage with so many musicians at the same time has an even spiritual sense for me. There’s something larger than life and extra festive. Always a treat and an honor to share the music with so many people on and off stage!
Natasha Barbieri: Your new show is “Tonight a Musical.” Tell us a little bit about the concept.
Isaac Sutton: “Tonight a Musical” is a celebration of Classic Broadway. There will also be many duets, as I always love sharing the stage with other soprano guest stars. I recently got back from NYC, where I got to share the stage with two magnificent Broadway Stars – Amanda Jane Cooper (WICKED’s 15th Anniversary Glinda) and DeLaney Westfall (Star of Kinky Boots, Sweeney Todd).
Natasha Barbieri: What can audiences expect in terms of repertoire?
Isaac Sutton: I’ll be singing highlights from some of the best musicals out there, with emphasis on the classic Broadway shows, such as Phantom of The Opera, West Side Story, Cabaret, My Fair Lady, Sound of Music, Hello Dolly, and many more! I’ll also throw in some Israeli musicals.
Natasha Barbieri: Can you tell us a little bit about your current guest-star?
Isaac Sutton: Tal Bergman, who will be joining me for New Year’s Eve concert in Tel Aviv, as part of this current Israeli concert tour, is one of The Israeli Opera’s brightest stars! She has a glorious soprano voice and she also starred as Cossette in Les Miserables production of Israel’s National Theater Habima.
Habima National Theater was also my home base Theater in Israel for many concerts of mine before Covid hit.
Natasha Barbieri: As an audience member, have you been able to enjoy any of your colleagues’ performances since Broadway has re-opened?
Isaac Sutton: When I performed in NYC last October with “Broadway Israel,” I tried to catch as many shows as I could, just in time as the theaters reopened. I got to see “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Tina The Musical”.
It was a thrill to perform again in NYC but just as thrilling was to be back in the theaters as an audience member and watch your colleagues shine and do what they love most!
I also really hope to catch the new production of The Irish Repertory Theater “The Streets of New York” starring two dear friends of mine, Amanda Jane Cooper and DeLaney Westfall. We got a chance to perform together in NYC’s Feinstein’s/54 Below before Covid as well as The Green Room post Covid. I brought both of them to Israel for joint concert tours in Israeli theaters.
Can’t wait to reunite with them again and hope to see them shine together on the same stage!
Tickets for the upcoming Opening Night at Azrieli Amphitheater can be purchased at Bravo box office at *3221 or online.
