Several CT Performers Shine on New Chip Deffaa CD

CONNECTICUT SINGERS SHINE ON NEW CD, “IRVING BERLIN: SWEET AND HOT”

The cover of the new CD “Chip Deffaa’s Irving Berlin: Sweet and Hot” proclaims: “...with an All-Star New York Cast.” But Connecticut residents can take pride in the fact that key performers heard on the new album–-Mathew Nardozzi (from Fairfield), Emily Bordonaro (from Avon), Michael Kasper (from Hebron), Tyler DuBoys (from Milford) , and Jack Saleeby (from Southbury)--plus others who’ve assisted behind the scenes--have deep Connecticut theatrical roots.

Deffaa, an ASCAP award-winning New York-based playwright, director, and producer, notes: “Over the years, I’ve found many of the best singing actors I’ve worked with–performers who’ve become invaluable members of my theatrical family--in productions in Connecticut. I’ve spotted them in shows at the Thomaston Opera House in Thomaston, the Warner Theater in Torrington, and the Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury; and in secondary schools that present first-rate theatrical productions, like the Waterbury Arts Magnet School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts; and at Connecticut colleges noted for theater, like the University of Hartford/Hartt School and Yale University. Or they’ve been recommended by Connecticut theater folk I like and respect, such as Sharon Willcox, Agnes Duggan Dann, Ed Bassett, Rennee Purdy.

“I’m proud to feature some of Connecticut’s best performers on this CD, which focuses on rare–and in many cases, never-before-recorded--songs by Irving Berlin. This CD–the 30th album that I’ve produced--is part of an ongoing series. You’ll hear more from these performers, and others--who got so much of their training in Connecticut theater–on subsequent albums in the series. And they’re getting a chance to make history–by being, in many cases, the first people to ever record some of these rare Berlin songs. Berlin was the most successful single songwriter in history. He wrote more hits and made more money than any of his contemporaries. Berlin’s songs were introduced and popularized by some of the greatest performers of all time–Judy Garland, Al Jolson, Fred Astaire, Ethel Merman, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong..... And now, some of the notable talents from Connecticut can say on their resumes something that very few artists can say–that they introduced on record songs by Irving Berlin.”

For this ongoing project, Deffaa–perhaps the world’s foremost expert on Berlin’s music and the author of six published plays about Berlin–has gone through every song in the Berlin archive, more than 1,200 in all. He has searched for high-quality lost, forgotten, and unknown songs of Berlin’s. (This is the tenth Berlin album that Deffaa has produced.) And then he has tried to find the right singers for the songs.

Deffaa notes: “Wonderful Matt Nardozzi, from Fairfield, got his start in Connecticut theater, doing shows like ‘Stuart Little’ with Sharon Willcox–whom I always love working with--at the Thomaston Opera House, when he was a very little kid. I saw him on Broadway, in shows like ‘Inherit the Wind’ and ‘Dracula.’ He’s got assorted Hollywood film credits, too. He’s appeared in my own shows ‘The Seven Little Foys’ and ‘Irving Berlin’s America’–and may be heard on the cast album of the latter. He’s won the prestigious national ‘Young Entertainer Award’ for his work in my ‘Irving Berlin’s America.’ I was very touched by the way he dedicated the award to me, when he accepted the award in Hollywood. Such a good heart! Matt’s not just highly talented, he’s also as reliable as anyone I know–which will carry him far in life--and we created the ‘Matt Nardozzi Award’ at New York’s 13th Street Theater to honor reliability, as well as talent, in the theater. I might add, Matt was a great favorite of my late Dad–who felt Matt always projected such terrific likeability, an all-American ‘boy next door’ kind of quality. When I began planning this alum, quite some time ago, my Dad requested that I include the recording of Matt’s with seasoned veteran Michael Townsend Wright that we’re using; I was happy to honor that request.”

Deffaa first spotted Emily Bordonaro, 23, from Avon, in a production at Thomaston Opera House, “Les Miserables,” when she was just 11, and he invited her to work with him. She appeared in Deffaa’s “Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue” at the 13th Street Theater in New York City. She’s sung on the cast album of that show, and on many other albums of Deffaa’s. (She also performs and records her own originals, under the stage name of “Emily Victoria.”) A protégé of Tony Award-winning actress Betty Buckley and winner of the Betty Buckley Award, she has the honor of being the first person ever to record a high-spirited Berlin song, “Alexander and his Clarinet” (a duet with Timothy Thompson). Deffaa adds: “On the new CD, you’ll also hear Emily–who’s as talented a singing actress as anyone her age I know–sing duets with two other favorites of mine, Giuseppe Bausilio–from such hit Broadway shows as ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!,’ and ‘Newsies’–and Michael Kasper.”

Michael Kasper, from Hebron, Connecticut, was featured in Deffaa’s show “The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue” at the 13th Street Theater in New York (and may be heard on the cast album, as well as assorted other albums of Deffaa’s). Kasper and Bordonaro also co-starred in the first reading of Deffaa’s musical play, “Irving Berlin & Co.,” and are credited in the script, which was published (by Eldrige Plays) just last month. Kasper won the “Dominic Franco Award” in NYC. He received his early training (from Eric Larivee and others) at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. “Michael Kasper adds lots of personality to any project,” Deffaa says. “And I think the number he does with Emily on this album—they have such great chemistry together—is his best work yet. He should be very proud.

“Jack Saleeby, from Southbury, has impressed me since I cast him in a key role in my musical comedy ‘The Seven Little Foys’ at Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theater. I had actually taken note of his skills even before then—back when he was in a production of ‘Working’--although I did not meet him until we did the ‘Seven Little Foys,’” Deffaa recalls. “He’s enlivened lots of shows in Connecticut. I thought he was great fun, for example, in Foster Evans Reese’s production of ‘Footloose,’ at Thomaston Opera House. In the last two years, he’s been featured in national and international touring productions of ‘The Wizard of Oz’–playing cities all across the U.S., and traveling as far as China with the show. And I’ve also cheered for the new musical he has co-created (with Peter Charney) and appeared in, in New York, ‘The Bright and the Brave.’ Jack is on his way. I’m happy to include a sample of his work. He’s very gifted, and he’s never been late for a rehearsal, performance, or recording session.”

The multi-talented Tyler DuBoys, who’s grown up in Orange, CT, and Milford, CT, is credited on this album as tap-dancer and associate producer. “He’s not singing on this particular album,” Deffaa notes, “but he’s sung on many of my albums and will be on more. It’s not always possible to include every singer I like on every single album–and Tyler was busy touring with the noted Streb dance troupe when we were recording most of the songs for this particular album. But he’s an invaluable member of my loose-knit theatrical family, and I’m grateful to him for any contribution he’s able to make. He’s worked with me as a singer, dancer, and choreographer—always giving 100%. A first-rate artist. I look forward to recording him again. Along with other top singers wih Connecticut roots that I always love working with when possible, such as Mary Cantoni and Bailey Cummings.”

Still another Connecticut resident, Marianna Vagninni-Dadamo of Naugatuck, is given a “thank-you,” in the acknowledgments on page 21 of the new album’s liner-notes booklet. Deffaa explains: “Many of the singers I’ve worked with over the years got their start with Ms. Vagninni-Dadamo. She gave them excellent training, whether music-directing them in shows or concerts, or giving them private lessons. She’s made a big difference in their lives. And I know that any singer who’s worked with her has learned the fundamentals well. Her singers have benefitted greatly from her. Good educators—and she’s a master-deserve recognition.” Deffaa notes that he remains friends with a master teacher he himself had as a teen, Okey Chenoweth, who even makes a cameo appearance on the new album, providing the spoken intro for “When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam.”

For more info on the new album, being released in January of 2021, or to order a copy, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Chip-De...