Barry Manilow Next Pop Star to Set Up Shop on Broadway

Right now Frankie Valli is sitting pretty at the Broadway Theater, selling out seven shows spaced over ten days. Next up: Barry Manilow. Bette Midler’s one time piano player, with a following that should follow him right onto the Great White Way, will take over the St. James Theater once “Bring It On” has closed. Manilow will give 17 performances at the St. James beginning January 17th, 2013. There will be an actual opening night on January 24th. The ladies will come from all over the tri-state area, by bus and in droves. Personally, I will dedicate the entire time to the Clash. But I appreciate Manilow’s popularity and craft, and expect only pronouncements of great success from the St. James, where once Carol Channing hoofed around the proscenium stage in “Hello Dolly!” Anyway, it’s an excellent use of a theater in January before Tony season arrives.