Bobby Conte Thornton to Debut at the Venetian Room, 5/31

Bay Area Cabaret, the organization dedicated to presenting world renowned artists who expand the definition of cabaret, presents the concert debut of rising musical theatre star Bobby Conte Thornton. In his solo concert debut, Mr. Thornton offers a musical account of what it means to be at the cusp of a career, facing both the possibilities and challenges of the art and the heart, singing songs written by artists ranging from Sting to Irving Berlin. The concert will be directed by Craig Slaight (who just received a 2015 Tony nomination), Director of the Young Conservatory at the American Conservatory Theatre, with musical direction by Broadway's Kevin Stites (On The Twentieth Century, The Color Purple).

Bobby Conte Thornton will perform at 5:00pm, Sunday May 31 in the historic Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco. Tickets ($40 general/$30 subscribers and 21 and under) and information are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at (415) 392-4400.

While still in high school at The Urban School of San Francisco, Mr. Thornton became the winner of Bay Area Cabaret's 2011 Bay Area Teen Idol competition. In the short time since, all while pursuing his BFA at the University of Michigan's prestigious musical theatre department, he has gone on to open for Tony winner Laura Benanti, co-star with Alan and Marilyn Bergman at Bay Area Cabaret's Marvin Hamlisch tribute, co-star with Tony nominee Norm Lewis in LES MISERABLES at the St. Louis MUNY, star as Danny Zucko in Grease at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and most recently was a featured performer alongside Liz Callaway and Ana Gasteyer in Bay Area Cabaret's 2014 Opening Night Gala honoring Stephen Schwartz. Bay Area theatergoers will also recognize him from his starring role as Alan Strang in Equus at the Boxcar Theatre.

Bay Area Cabaret (BAC) is a not-for profit organization founded by Marilyn Levinson, a fifth generation San Francisco native. Through its concert series and wide-ranging outreach activities, BAC aims to expand the definition of cabaret and broaden the audience for intimate entertainment, featuring Great American Songbook offerings from George and Ira Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joni Mitchell. Past seasons have featured Marvin Hamlisch, Elaine Paige, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Norm Lewis, Barbara Cook, Peter Gallagher, Nellie McKay, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Jane Monheit, and Sutton Foster.

Following the Bobby Conte Thornton performance at 5pm, Bay Area Cabaret will conclude its season at 8pm with the West Coast debut of the acclaimed new cabaret show by Tony winner Lillias White with musical direction by Billy Stritch.

For Bay Area Cabaret patrons, The Fairmont San Francisco offers a delicious buffet dinner in the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar for $44 (plus tax and tip), plus four hours of free parking for all who dine in the Laurel Court. For more information, visit www.bayareacabaret.org.