Max von Essen is a Tony, Drama Desk, and Grammy-nominated singer and actor currently starring as Billy Flynn in the record-breaking Broadway production of Chicago. Max is perhaps best known for his acclaimed role as Henri Baurel in the award-winning adaptation of Gershwin’s An American in Paris, which The New York Times described as “a hard-earned, breakthrough performance of great sensitivity and charm.” His Broadway credits also include Gleb Vaganov in Anastasia, Agustin Magaldi in Evita, the revivals of Les Misérables and Jesus Christ Superstar, Alfred in Dance of the Vampires, and the final company of the original Les Misérables. On tour, Max has captivated audiences in roles such as Marvin in the Lincoln Center revival of Falsettos, Sonny Malone in Xanadu, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, and Tony in West Side Story.

Max’s concert work has taken him to stages nationwide and throughout New York City, including Birdland, The Paradise Club, 54 Below and a recent solo debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops. His debut album, Call Me Old Fashioned: The Broadway Standard, is currently available, and he can also be heard on recordings of An American in Paris, Evita, DRAG: The Musical, Love Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Death Takes a Holiday, and Finian’s Rainbow.

Max’s television credits feature guest-starring roles on Dexter: Resurrection, Law & Order, The Family Guy, The Blacklist, Law & Order: SVU, Elementary, Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife, Royal Pains, Gossip Girl, Sex and the City 2, and the web series Submissions Only. For more information and upcoming performances, visit MaxvonEssen.com and follow @maxizpad on social media!

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scenes. He began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in March of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration as accompanist and opening act for Liza, Billy recently toured with the legendary Tony Bennett as Tony’s pianist and musical director. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows in concert halls and nightclubs across the country. He also hosted and curated tributes to Mel Tormé, Peggy Lee and Cy Coleman for 92Y’s Lyrics and Lyricists series.

Billy serves as music director for such leading vocalists as Linda Lavin, Marilyn Maye, Linda Eder, Christine Ebersole and Paulo Szot. He is the co-writer of the number one Grammy-winning song “Does He Love You” recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. Lightning struck twice for this song as a new version was released in 2021 by Reba and the legendary Dolly Parton. When he’s not on the road, he is the pianist for Jim Caruso’s Cast Party open mic night every Monday at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club and he and Jim hold forth on Sunday nights at Bemelmans’ Bar in Manhattan’s fabled Carlyle Hotel. During Covid-19, he created his own weekly Facebook live-stream show “Billy’s Place”, celebrating the Great American Songbook with songs and stories from his varied career. Billy has recorded five solo CDs and his latest CD release “Billy’s Place” (Club44 Records) is a collection of his favorite songs from these online concerts. Follow Billy on Instagram @billystritch.