The Fred Barton Orchestra
BETH LEAVEL with THE FRED BARTON ORCHESTRA
The Fred Barton Orchestra is devoted to the finest songs of the finest composers and lyricists from the Golden Age of Broadway – and today’s Broadway entertainers who know how to stop shows with them.
The Fred Barton Orchestra performed over a dozen acclaimed concerts over five years in its “American Showstoppers” series at the Michael Schimmel Center, the Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center, the Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, and other venues around the country. The Orchestra has a vast repertoire of show songs, swing, and Hollywood songs.
Stars who have performed with The Fred Barton Orchestra include Beth Leavel, Vivian Reed, Brent Barrett, Lee Roy Reams, Karen Ziemba, Pamela Myers, Vivian Reed, Luba Mason, Karen Murphy, Tari Kelly, Christiane Noll, Christina Bianco, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Ryan Silverman, Nick Spangler, Klea Blackhurst, and many more.
The Fred Barton Orchestra recorded "A Wrinkle In Swingtime,” singer Elena Bennett’s debut CD, sold and streamed around the world after twenty years. Multiple CD volumes of its repertoire are being prepared for a new recording series in 2019.
REVIEWS
THE FRED BARTON ORCHESTRA PLAYS JULE STYNE:
"Featuring an orchestra of first rate musicians and superb singers from the world of Broadway and cabaret, Barton narrated, conducted, sang, and threaded each segment with biographical material and incidents. Every single one of the 27 selections was given a first rate performance." -- Joe Regan Jr., Times Square Chronicles
THE FRED BARTON ORCHESTRA PLAYS JERRY HERMAN:
"A spectacular song and dance fest. The 13-piece Fred Barton Orchestra gave the evening the feel of a veritable Broadway event." -- Paulanne Simmons, TheaterLife.com
"This was the best tribute show that I have ever attended. Everything about this production was sensational and thrilling from beginning to end. Fred Barton was a charming host and his enthusiasm for the music of his subject was evident. It certainly was “The Best of Times” for anyone lucky enough to get tickets to this remarkable evening. Kudos to Fred Barton and everyone involved in this exceptional production and it is hoped that this show can be repeated at Pace or moved to another theater for a long run." -- Linda Amiel Burns, Theater Pizzazz.com
THE FRED BARTON ORCHESTRA PLAYS IRVING BERLIN:
Fred Barton, the bubbly, knowledgeable music director and arranger, had his robust 14-piece orchestra accompany ten fine Broadway singers, backed by a snazzy chorus line. The generous program of 24 numbers included the best known Berlin songs and a few relative rarities, all introduced by Mr. Barton whose anecdotes raised the level of the evening from mere entertainment to great entertainment. –– Joel Benjamin, Theatre Pizzazz.com
Performer-Choreographer JEFFRY DENMAN with THE FRED BARTON ORCHESTRA