BROADWAY POWERHOUSE NATALIE TORO TO RELEASE HER FIRST HOLIDAY ALBUM & MUSIC VIDEO - JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS - FEATURING INTERNATIONAL GUEST STARS, GRAMMY WINNER JON SECADA & RYAN KELLY - NOVEMBER 12, 2013 Classically-trained, Broadway veteran, Natalie Toro brings her infectious energy and powerhouse vocals, coupled with luscious tones to melt any heart with the release of Just in Time For Christmas, an eclectic holiday collection and music video. The CD features classic holiday favorites, new songs and, duets with such artists as Ryan Kelly and multiple Grammy Award winner, Jon Secada, and will be available on November 12, 2013 on itunes, Amazon.com and other online outlets. Called one of the greatest contemporary artists of our time by BroadwayWorld.com, Toro blends her various backgrounds with a variety of musical styles thus, putting her own twist on such classics as Baby, It's Cold Outside (duet with Ryan Kelly), The Christmas Song, Ave Maria / O Holy Night, and I'll Be Home for Christmas with two-time Grammy Award winner Jon Secada. Being a Broadway artist I have always had such a passion for the stage but, I've always wanted to flex my vocal styles to be able to establish myself as a studio recording artist, says Toro. These beautiful songs and wonderful arrangements allow me to showcase another side of my voice that I am so thrilled to share with my fans, old and new. "Having starred on Broadway myself, it was a thrill to work with Natalie on this project - not only does she have a powerful voice but, working with her in the studio was a great collaboration that I truly enjoyed, says Jon Secada. She is a gifted artist that the world should know." For their duet of the classic Baby, It's Cold Outside, Ryan Kelly adds: "I was honored to be asked to guest on Natalie's album. It's great to have been involved in such an exciting project and to be singing alongside an established Broadway star!" Produced by Dawn Makay, this holiday collection infuses classics with new material including the title track by award-winning songwriters David Zippel and David Friedman and, Our First Christmas Together, written by the UK's Grammy-nominated musician, composer and producer, Phil Coulter, who is best known for cocreating the internationally-acclaimed group, Celtic Thunder, as well as producing for such artists as Sinéad O'Connor and Boyzone. Natalie currently resides in New York and is about to launch a tour in support of Just In Time for Christmas. JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS - THE SONGS JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS (David Friedman / David Zippel) THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Mel Torme / Bob Wells) BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE (Frank Loesser) Duet with Ryan Kelly AVE MARIA/ O'HOLY NIGHT (Charles Gounod / Composed by Adolphe Adam) ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS SONG (Peter Kay / Gary Barlow) OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS TOGETHER (Phil Coulter) I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Kim Gannon / Walter Kent) Duet with Jon Secada #####
Natalie Toro moves with equal ease from stage to screen to the recording studio. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she made her stage debut during Amateur Night at the legendary Apollo Theater at just five years old. That night truly changed her life. Natalie began studying intense music training at The Manhattan School of Music by joining the Preparatory Division where she studied classical piano and voice every week until she was eighteen - while at the same time reaching for the stars by attending The High School of Music and Art. Her training continued at The Boston Conservatory of Music where she earned a BFA in Musical Theater. It wasn't long after graduating that the professional theatre world took notice of her unique talent. Natalie was the first American to play the role of Eponine in Les Miserables on Broadway, which she played for over three consecutive years. She also received accolades and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities, which she originated on Broadway. A special moment during the run for this Puerto Rican woman was receiving an award for her outstanding achievements in the performing arts for Puerto Rican Heritage Month. She also won Sarasota Magazine's Best Supporting Actress award when the show played its pre- Broadway run at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Natalie was also featured in the concert version of A Tale of Two Cities that was filmed for PBS. Other New York credits include originating the role of Sally in Alan Menken's A Christmas Carol at the Paramount Theatre. Just some of her National Tour and theatrical credits include playing Grizabella in Cats, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and, Camila in the Tony winning musical, In The Heights. Her acclaimed portrayal of Eva Peron in the 20th Anniversary Tour of Evita earned her a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination. She has originated numerous roles Off- Broadway and in Regional Theatre, including the recent world premiere of The Yellow Brick Road playing La Bruja; Ginger in Zombie Prom; Tina in The Fix (produced by Cameron Macintosh); Flora in Magpie; Maria in The Audience; Renee in Grammy Award-winner Marcus Hummon's Frances of Guernica; and Serena in Everything's Ducky by Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls). Other roles include Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers and the Narrator in Zorba. Television audiences might also recognize Natalie from her guest appearances on such shows as Elementary, Person of Interest, Law and Order, and Law and Order SVU, among many others. With the help of her Producer, Dawn Makay, they produced her self-titled CD, a tribute to Broadway where she sang a duet with twotime Tony Award winner, Sutton Foster. Toro's first album, Bailando en la Luz (Broadway Salsa Fusion), was the last to be recorded at the famous Power Station Recording Studios before it closed its doors. Natalie's other recordings include the original cast recordings of Zombie Prom and A Christmas Carol; a dance single of Rainy Days and Mondays for BetBoys; and a compilation CD with other Latin artists called, Latin Broadway, among others. Natalie has also written and starred in two critically acclaimed one-woman shows: Standards, Broadway and Everything In Between and, The Broken Road (Baggage Limit 50 Pounds), a comedic musical journey about life on the road - inspired by her many years of touring. Natalie has also performed with numerous Symphony Orchestras across the country and graced the stage as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and The National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. Through her concert work, Natalie supports many charitable organizations including The Covenant House, Cabaret Cares (Help is on the Way), PCirishteam.org, and Broadway Cares. Other memorable performances include singing at Saint John The Divine for their 15th Anniversary Broadway Blessing, The Interface Service of Song, Dance and Story and her solo concert at the Kuwait Embassy in Washington DC, supporting the international poverty fighting charity, Vital Voices. Just a few guests present at that special night were Senator Hillary Clinton, Mac McLarty, Bill Cohen, Dan Glickman and George Stephanopoulos. Natalie currently resides in New York and is about to launch a tour in support of Just In Time for Christmas.
"Toro is a tiny dynamo with a Latin soul on fire." -Alvin Klein "Natalie Toro, small and explosive, is a vibrant little spitfire." -Richard Christiansen "Natalie Toro is simultaneously hot and vulnerable, her strong voice edged with gentleness." - Lloyd Rose Toro communicated an infectious joy and passion, which reflected her own uniquely effusive style. The over-all effect of Toro's entire performance was that of one that left the audience begging for more. "One of the greatest contemporary artists or our time! Toro has a powerful presence!
Booking information: Andrew Makay E-mail: aamakay@gmail.com Phone: 310-770-8437 Publicity Requests: Michael Caprio E-mail: MC@CaprioMediaDesign.com Phone: 702-658-6691