Valeries Gallery
Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007. In addition, she was the co-creator, writer, producer and host of 'Spotlight On,' a nationally syndicated program that featured in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting and Celine Dion, to name a few.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG. She writes a weekly nightlife column for TheThreeTomatoes.com, writes a theater column for Examiner.com, and has an interview program on the Italian American Network. She is an interviewer and feature reporter on Broadway for TonyAwards.com and hosts and produces celebrity portrait unveilings for Broadway stars at famed theater district eatery, Tony’s.
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2009 Review Highlights
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Swingin' the Night Away
Ahh, the sound of Sinatra. Nothing was like it, nothing will be like it. It's magical hearing his voice fill a theater and seeing a 19 person orchestra accompany the brilliant Sinatra tracks.
That is the premise behind Come Fly Away, the new Twyla Tharp musical now at the Marquis Theatre.
It's a very pleasant night out for sure. I mean, come on, a full, glorious orchestra, Sinatra's vocals, along with a beautiful night club singer high up on the stage.
And oh yes, the dancing. These dancers are expressing the story of 4 couples in and out of love during one night in a crowded nightclub.
The dancers are amazing, one in particular who has it all. Great talent, fabulous expression, and out of this world body. Her name is Karine Plantadit and she plays the part of Kate.
Keith Roberts and Karine Plantadit
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
It's quite an enjoyable way to spend an evening listening to Sinatra gems and watching the seemingly effortless dancers, who are in fact, expending a great deal of effort.
The ending, though, was slightly disappointing to me, as the show wraps with two obligatory Frankie songs; My Way and New York, New York. A bit too cliched for my tastes.
All in all, though, a lovely production. And it made me realize how much I miss Old Blue Eyes.
Come Fly Away plays at the Marquis Theatre. www.ComeFlyAway.com
