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Ken Haller Celebrates his 60th Birthday with ‘Mama’s Boy’

By MARY EDWARDS • OCT 24, 2014

Ken Haller is a pediatrician in his day job.  But in his spare time, he is a cabaret singer.  Following the success of his previous shows “Side by Side by Sondheim” and “The TV Show,” Haller will celebrate his 60th birthday with “Mama’s Boy,” part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival series.

“Cityscape” host Steve Potter began his conversation with Haller by asking him if he really was a mama’s boy. He responded, “Yes, I’m a mama’s boy.  I’m an Irish-Catholic kid from Long Island, and one of five kids. So in the show this is sort of a tribute to her.  It starts out with songs that she used to sing around the house, songs that remind me of her, and that’s sort of a springboard for all the rest.”

Potter gently suggested that being labeled a “mama’s boy” is typically a bad thing. Haller explained that he didn’t see it that way. “I learned a lot of lessons about how to take care of other people …

“Cityscape” is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and sponsored in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.

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Song by Song by Sondheim at Don’t Tell Mama NYC

Ken Haller returns to New York’s venerable cabaret venue, Don’t Tell Mama, for a third time with his acclaimed cabaret show, “Song by Song by Sondheim,” on Tuesday, August 30, at 9:15 PM. Using the songs of Broadway’s premier composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim to weave a narrative that “gives [Sondheim’s] songs a new, very intimate context, that lets them work in the same way they do in the original shows,” Haller creates a show that has been hailed as “Extremely funny… but also extremely personal and warm and emotional,” and “a model of what cabaret should be.”
Show and ticket info:

Ken Haller
Song by Song by Sondheim
Accompanied by Jim Followell
Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 9:15 PM
Don’t Tell Mama
343 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row) New York City, 10036
Reservations & Info: 212-757-0788 after 4:00 PM daily,
or go to www.donttellmamanyc.com

With So Little to Be Sure of, I am sure that Stephen Sondheim is the greatest composer-lyricist in American theatre of the past half-century, and this Broadway Baby is thrilled that my show of his songs, directed by Tim Schall and produced by Jim Dolan, has been so well received in New York, Chicago, and St. Louis. Though sometimes, when Everybody Says Don’t, I confess to feeling like I’m Losing My Mind, Not a Day Goes By that I’m not grateful for just Being Alive and being able to keep this Good Thing Going. Really, What More Do I Need?

Just you! It would be Lovely if you would join me and my brilliant accompanist, Jim Followell, as we bring the show – a look at how one man takes the many parts of a life and works at Putting It Together – back to New York for one more night!

We’ll make sure you have a great time, even if we have to Send in the Clowns, and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed: Not While I’m Around!

Quotes from the critics:

“Haller’s show is a gem… Haller gives [Sondheim’s] songs a new, very intimate context, that lets them work in the same way they do in the original shows, [and] his sincerity and authority carry the day in this very personal creation. This is a terrific show. It’s a model of what cabaret should be!” — Gerry Kowarsky, Two on the Aisle, HEC-TV

“Saw this and it was wonderful! Grab a ticket while you can.” — Gail Pennington, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Ken Haller’s cabaret show… is terrific. There are some really beautiful moments. The whole show is Sondheim, and it’s such a good song list! Extremely funny… but also extremely personal and warm and emotional.” — Scott Miller, Artistic Director, New Line Theatre

“Ken Haller combines amazing warmth and intimacy, in an act that sets him far above nearly everyone else in town.” — Richard Green, TalkinBroadway.com

“Haller is a charming and talented performer with a voice as smooth as a brandy Alexander… A Classy Act. A Classy Guy.” — Bob Mitchell, kdhx.org

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Song by Song by Sondheim

Jul 15, 2011 at 8 PM – Jul 16, 2011 at 8 PM

Kranzberg Arts Center
501 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis 63103

“With So Little to Be Sure of,” I AM sure that Stephen Sondheim is the greatest composer-lyricist in American theatre of the past half-century, and this “Broadway Baby” is thrilled that my show of his songs has been so well received in St. Louis, New York, and Chicago. Though sometimes, when “Everybody Says Don’t,” I confess to feeling like I’m “Losing My Mind,” “Not a Day Goes By” that I’m not grateful for just “Being Alive” and being able to keep this “Good Thing Going.” Really, “What More Do I Need?”

Just you! It would be “Lovely” if you would join me and my brilliant Music Director, Al Fischer, as we bring the show – a look at how one man takes the many parts of a life and works at “Putting It Together” and hailed as “Extremely funny but also extremely personal and warm and emotional” – back to St. Louis on Friday and Saturday, July 15 & 16, at 8 PM!

Tickets on sale now at www.licketytix.com 

I’ll make sure you have a great time, even if I have to “Send in the Clowns,” and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed: “Not While I’m Around!”