“Can’t Help Singing – The Music of Jerome Kern” Raissa Katona Bennett with Jon Weber, piano

“A tart tongued commentator on modern life…her theatrical soprano…is an effective vehicle for witty story telling.” – Stephen Holden, The New York Times.

“What a joy it is to hear a confident and lovely vocalist sing some of the greatest songs written for the American musical theater.” – Bart Greenbery, Cabaret Scenes

Broadway actress-singer, MAC and Bistro Award winner, Raissa Katona Bennett, comes to LiveArts with her critically acclaimed show, CAN’T HELP SINGING – THE MUSIC OF JEROME KERN. This romantic celebration of Kern’s greatest hits, includes “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “All the Things You Are” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Broadwayworld.com has said, “Raissa Katona Bennett, breathing life into Kern, shows how ‘actable’ the music of Jerome Kern is in her delightful new show. Each song is a little play, and she’s ready to feel every emotion as they occur, bringing us right up to the emotional edge with her.” Joining her is Musical Director Jon Weber on piano. Raissa is best known for playing the role of “Christine” in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, has performed in the First National Tours of Cats and Parade, and been a guest star on Law & Order: SVU. www.raissakatonabennett.com

“Jon Weber is a virtuoso – pure and simple.” – ALL ABOUT JAZZ

Jazz pianist Jon Weber has recorded and toured all over the world, winning numerous honors for performance and composition – scoring extensively for television since 1987. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Avishai Cohen have all recorded Jon’s music, and his newest critically-acclaimed release, SIMPLE COMPLEX, rose to #1. Jon lives in New York City and hosts NPR’s “Piano Jazz with Jon Weber” after frequently serving as guest host for Marian McPartland.

“…the worthy successor to the late Marian McPartland on the NPR staple “Piano Jazz.” – WALLSTREETJOURNAL