“A stirring recital . . . a totally pleasing and enlightening hour of song, insights, history and memories.” Brett Kroeger’s “singing, expression and overall joie de vivre made for an entertaining and at times very touching experience.” Her “beautiful vocal range . . . brought an adoring audience to their feet.” – Operametro.com B R E T T K R O E G E R – C H R I S T O P H E R D E N N Y

WATCH A FOUR-MINUTE VIDEO SYNOPSIS OF THIS ONE-HOUR SHOW

Over There: Greatest Hits of the Great War is an hour-long cabaret-style commemoration of World War I in this centenary anniversary period. It features 24 songs that topped the pop music charts of 1914-1918, performed by soprano Brett Kroeger and the noted Broadway arranger and pianist, Christopher Denny. This fast-paced trip back to the war years of a century ago includes many of the best known as well as the most amusing and most emotionally evocative songs of the period. Brett presents them with brief, contextualizing remarks in a sequence of sendoff songs, trench songs, the Christmas Truce, songs of longing and loss, novelty songs and welcome home songs. Extensive program notes are provided, too. Brett Kroeger has been performing regionally, both in previews for OVER THERE in and Greenwich, Connecticut and with Troupers Light Opera in lead roles in its productions of Pirates of Penzance (Edith) and The Red Mill (Gretchen). She also has sung with the Taconic Opera for the premier of Jonah, an oratorio, and with Opera and the DiCapo Opera. She has had numerous solo recitals in New York City, in Venice, and in summer festivals throughout Tuscany. She studies with Bill Schuman.

Christopher Denny has served as musical director, arranger and pianist for such cabaret and opera luminaries as Julie Wilson, Karen Mason, Brent Barrett, Gregg Edelman, Rodney Gilfry, David Campbell, David Burnham, , Dorothy Loudon, Tammy Grimes, , earning in the process two Backstage Bistro Awards and four Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Awards for Outstanding Musical Direction. Film work includes producing the recording sessions for Placido Domingo in Baz Luhrman’s “Moulin Rouge.” OVER THERE: GREATEST HITS OF THE GREAT WAR BRETT KROEGER – CHRISTOPHER DENNY

CRITICS, AUDIENCE RESPONSE: Preview performances in December 2014 attracted full houses of 130 at Liederkranz Club of New York City on December 7 and 80 at the Greenwich Arts Society in Greenwich, Connecticut on December 13. Operametro.com reviewed the Dec. 13 preview, noting, in addition to the comments quoted above, the program’s intelligence and informational value and the way it showcases “real talents and dedication to excellence.” For more about the show’ conception, see the full review and Q&A with Brett at this permalink.

The concert has also proved its appeal with sophisticated younger audiences. Typical at the Dec. 7 show was the response a 22-year-old graduate of Brown University, now doing her MA at NYU: “It was truly impressive how much work she put into researching the historical context of the songs, and also showing us war songs from other countries (the Russian was one amazing!!!). The whole event made me think a lot about how the American public's engagement with war abroad has changed since WWI. It goes without saying that her voice is incredible.”

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Piano, preferably grand or baby grand, freshly tuned. COST: Travel for singer, pianist, from New York City; artist fees. CONTACT: [email protected] LINK URLs: Show pages: brettkroeger.com/over-there-greatest-hits-of-the-great-war Brett’s website: brettkroeger.com Christopher Denny’s bio: brettkroeger.com/christopher-denny Permalink to review, Q&A operametro.com/regional-opera brettkroeger.com/operametro-com