By Kohar Bayizian
On March 29 and 30, Queens Theatre in the Park, in its conclusion of the Newsday/Hoy Cabaret Series, presents its own Sam Rossi in “60’s Men of Emotion,” a tribute to the balladeers of the 1960s.
Rossi, who was born in Maine, has lived in Jackson Heights since 1982. He majored in theatre communications at the University of Southern Maine. He has worked for Arena Stage in Washington DC and as a performer for Elden Street Players in Virginia before becoming the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Queens Theatre in the Park, where he has been for the past seven years.
Rossi has been in several community-based shows, including “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Wiz,” and “Man of La Mancha,” but has also professionally performed in “Three Penny Opera,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Gynt.”
Rossi said the idea of a one-man cabaret show came about while he was speaking with a colleague about future endeavors. He said “I always had a great passion for 60’s cabaret songs and it was time I tried to revive them.”
Rossi personally selected the songs that are in the show, which include such noted songwriters and singers as Roy Orbison, The Righteous Brothers, and Gene Pitney.
So what exactly should the audience expect from the master of Queens Theatre in the Park PR? “It’s an evening for people to sit back, relax, and wallow in self-pity and to enjoy some of the best songs ever written,” Rossi joked.
When asked what future has in store for this cabaret hopeful, Rossi said “I am really focused on the moment”. But he did mention a possibility for a second part to “60’s Men of Emotion.”
For more information or to order tickets call 718-760-0064 Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
