John O'Neil - Biography
John O'Neil, one of New England's finest cabaret actors (Niagara Falls Gazette), has also been recognized by the Boston Globe as one of New England's best-known cabaret artists. Regularly appearing at popular nightclubs and cabarets across the country, an evening with John O'Neil equally charms the lover of the soulful cocktail pianist and the fan of the art of cabaret. Composer Ernie Lijoi says, "Listening to John O'Neil ... I was knocked over. It changed my way of writing. After that, I wrote thinking how my music would sound in performance." John's show, 'So Kaye: The Songs of Danny Kaye was nominated for a 2000 IRNE AWARD (Independent Reviewers of New England). His show Camp Songs was named one of the year's 10 best cabarets by Bay Windows newspaper in 2000. John made his New York debut at Danny's Skylight Room in Being Earnest: The Songs of Ernie Lijoi, also named one of Boston's best cabaret shows in 2001. Reviewers have called John's newest show, Not That You Asked, "a perfect mix of standup comedy, song and personal anecdote" and "the best show of the season so far, cabaret or comedy, theater or soapbox." In August of 2002, John released his CD 'So Kaye: The Songs of Danny Kaye at Musikfest, the nation's oldest and largest music festival. In March of 2003, the Independent Reviewers of New England presented John with a special recognition award for his many contributions to the field of cabaret. In the fall of 2003, Black Arrow Entertainment produced a one hour video featuring John called Portrait of a Cabaret Singer.
In addition to his talents as an accomplished soloist, John often performs with local cabaret performers and has appeared on stage with the internationally acclaimed Ann Hampton Callaway. Theater lovers have seen John on stage in Kander and Ebb's And the World Goes 'Round and in the starring role of Miss Gulch Returns. John returns to the stage again this November in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. John is a recipient of numerous artist grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for his work in the field of cabaret and frequently performs as part of Boston's New Year celebrations, First Night. John's musical arrangements have been sung by the Boston Gay Men's Chorus in concert halls across the country, including Boston's own Symphony Hall, and John appears with them on their recording Freedom, Merriment and Joy. John is an enterprising educator, operating his own vocal studio, mounting performance master classes, and teaching at diverse educational institutions such as Wheelock Family Theater, Riverside Cabaret Institute, and Wind Song Educational Institute in Taiwan.
For booking information, please contact John directly at 73 Hemenway Street #302, Boston, MA 02115 or online at john@johnoneilatlast.com