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Trio Dazzles at Sands Point Preserve Valentine's Cabaret

Broadway stars Kathy Voytko, John Cudia and Steven Lutvak dazzled their audience.

Broadway stars Kathy Voytko, John Cudia and Steven Lutvak dazzled their audience at the Valentine’s Night Cabaret at Sands Point Preserve. The trio lit up the sold-out evening, singing their favorite love songs at Castle Gould’s Great Hall.

Music Director Lutvak accompanied Voytko and Cudia, a real-life married couple whose onstage chemistry was ever-present. Lutvak, the award-winning composer of the new Broadway hit The Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder and title track to the film Mad Hot Ballroom, brought warmth and humor from behind the piano, sharing the stories behind the songs, which included music by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and more. Voytko and Cudia drew the audience into their lives with tales about their first encounter and first impressions on witnessing the other powerhouse-voice bring their magic to the stage.

“I was overjoyed to sing at the glorious Sands Point Preserve again, and to share the evening with my dreamy husband, John Cudia, and my good friend, Steven Lutvak, was just divine,” Voytko said. “It was certainly my most memorable Valentine’s Day.”

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Cudia echoed that sentiment.

“I was honored to share the stage with the two most talented people I know, Kathy Voytko and Steven Lutvak, on Valentine’s Day at the Sands Point Preserve,” he said “What an amazingly charming and beautiful setting for a night of love songs with the woman I love. She reminded me why I am still her biggest fan!”  

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The show culminated with “All I Ask of You” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of The Opera. It was a watershed performance for the dazzling couple: they met during the production where they starred as Christine Daaé and Raoul, respectively.

** See a video of their performance – and their Valentine’s embrace **

The setting – Castle Gould’s Great Hall – provided an intimate venue and a chance to see Broadway talent up close. The stars – whose Broadway credentials include Nine, Evita, Les Miserables, and Evita – seemed right at home.

We had such a wonderful time back at the Castle Gould, in the latest installment of our Cabaret Series at the Sands Point Preserve,” Lutvak noted. “As I just said to Kathy and John, I want to include them in everything I do. Such beautiful singers, and such fun to be with. Thanks so much to all for such an enjoyable evening.”

The evening included cocktails and dinner by Philip Stone Caterers, followed by a sumptuous dessert buffet, complete with chocolates and heart-themed candies, capping a perfect evening. Friday’s concert is part of an ongoing celebration of great cultural events at Sands Point Preserve, which continues when Steven Lutvak returns for the Starry Night Cabaret on April 5. This lineup also features three-time Tony nominee Dee Hoty (Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, Footloose and City of Angels) and Tregoney Shepherd (Le Miserable on Broadway and Phantom of the Opera), and more. Tickets are $100, and include dinner, open bar and dessert. For tickets, visit  www.TheSandsPointPreserve.com, call (516) 571-7901, or visit the Gate House at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

 Join us for The Sixth Annual Preservers’ Celebration – Illusion – on Saturday, April 26 at Hempstead House. Tickets $200 per person, or $175 per person with a 2014 Annual Pass. Learn more by calling 516.571.7901 or by visiting www.TheSandsPointPreserve.com. 

For information about the Sands Point Preserve and to purchase a 2014 Annual Pass see www.TheSandsPointPreserve.com, call 516-571-7901 or visit the Gate House at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY, 11050, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Friends of the Sands Point Preserve is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect and preserve the 216-acre waterfront grounds and historic mansions and to provide a range of cultural arts events and educational programs for families and schools in the Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom.

 

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