On November 5th, two-time Tony nominee for Excellence in Theater Education, Corinna Sowers-Adler debuted her show "Something Beautiful" in the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The show, which incorporated both well-known and lesser known songs spanning genres from country to pop to Broadway, was crafted to uplift and remind and encourage us all to bring and to be "something beautiful" in this world. And it succeeded.
Sprinkled with humor, and accompanied by Broadway musical veteran Lawrence Yurman on piano, Christian Fabian on bass, and Colleen Clark on drums, Sowers-Adler delivered a musical journey that took the audience from laughter to tears and back again seamlessly and seemingly effortlessly.
Also joining Sowers-Adler on stage during parts of the show, were award-winning Broadway star T. Oliver Reid, dancer Lisa Grimes, and many of Sowers-Adler's New Jersey theater and voice students, who clearly displayed exactly why she has been a Tony nominee for education. They not only showed poise and talent well beyond their years, but they and she exuded a boundless joy and love for the work itself that was both palpable and contagious.
Song selection was key in establishing Corinna Sowers-Adler as a force to be reckoned with both as a vocalist and overall entertainer. She mesmerized with Frank Wildhorn's "When Autumn Comes" and packed an emotional punch with Sondheim's "Children Will Listen." She delighted the audience with Elton John and Tim Rice's "Strongest Suit" from Aida. But perhaps the largest production and one of the show's highlights was "In Color" by best-selling songwriters Ilene Angel and Tanya Leah. The gorgeous heartfelt song which also has a rousing melody, came accompanied with full chorus and dancer and garnered its own standing ovation.
Joining these gems was the soul-stirring performance of the show title "Something Beautiful" by Ahrens and Flaherty, a stunning trio arrangement of Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Why Walk When You Can Fly," and a bluesy arrangement of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind," which perfectly accompanied the backdrop of the nighttime Manhattan skyline in the Appel Room.
By the time the magnificent Corinna Sowers-Adler reached her grand finale of "Defying Gravity," by Stephen Schwartz, the audience was once again on its feet.
Sowers-Adler, frequently performs in cabaret venues throughout New York City, and is the founding artistic director of NiCori Studios and Productions, which she runs alongside husband Nicholas Adler. She will be hosting a Winter Gala at Westminster Arts Center in Bloomfield, New Jersey on December 16th, in which she will also perform. Look for future performance dates by her to be announced, and if those dates include "Something Beautiful," run, don't walk to see it. It will touch your heart, uplift your soul and make you want to dance.
Corinna Sowers-Adler 
Photo by Maryann Lopinto
Corinna Sowers-Adler with "In Color" songwriters Tanya Leah and Ilene Angel 
All photos used with permission.