Mary Jayne Raleigh

Mary Jayne Raleigh has performed on Broadway and at scores of regional theatres throughout the country. Thrilled to be part of The Sondheim Celebration, she is currently playing Dory in Merrily We Roll Along and was also part of the Sunday In the Park with George cast. In her cabaret show “What I Know” she takes a humorous and thoughtful look at life’s twists, turns, and teachings. Every dancer’s anthem, “The Music and the Mirror,” from A Chorus Line transports her back to her absolute determination of being “discovered” on a local television show. Constantly dreaming of a life in show business, where everything is always rosy, her eyes are opened to reality when she experiences the factory in which her father works. “It Goes Like It Goes,” from the film Norma Rae, is the understanding between fantasy and reality. In the hysterical song “Gentleman Caller,” Mary Jayne admits that her choice of men is somewhat dysfunctional and finds a much more meaningful relationship with a dog in “Times Like This.” The simple melody and poignant words of “I’ll Never Say Goodbye,” by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, proves that you never have to look for love—it will always find you. Living a life in show business is not as rosy as she pictured, and she expresses her true feelings about almost getting the lead role in “The Understudy Song” written for her by local composer, lyricist, and producer Mark Walter Braswell. “He Slipped Me the Plastic,” written by Stephen Randoy another DC native, is a look into the seduction and pure ecstasy of changing your life away with credit cards. Both Mr. Braswell’s and Mr. Randoy’s songs are sure to become cabaret favorites. From the hit Broadway show Ragtime, the song “Our Children” finds that you don’t have to have your own children to feel a Mother’s Love. Jay Crowder, two time Helen Hayes nominee and winner for Best Musical Direction for Side Show, joins Mary Jayne for a delightful evening of these songs and many more from both musical theatre and contemporary composers.