Special guest stars have been revealed for Eleri Ward's previously announced New York City concert, set for December 19 at Sony Hall. The evening will celebrate Ward's second album of folk Sondheim covers, Keep a Tender Distance, which released earlier this year.
Joining Ward will be Tony winner Laura Benanti, Bobby Conte, Julia Murney, and Samantha Pauly.
The NYC engagement will be followed by a U.S. tour, with concerts planned in Boston, Massachusetts; Red Bank, New Jersey; Burlington, Vermont; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; Davenport, Iowa; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Indianapolis, Indiana. For dates and ticket information, visit EleriWard.com.
WATCH: Eleri Ward in an Exclusive Performance of Stephen Sondheim’s 'I Remember'
Keep a Tender Distance was digitally released via Ghostlight Records September 16, with a physical recording expected to drop later this season. The release is a follow-up to her 2021 album A Perfect Little Death.
Along with the previously released singles "No One Is Alone" (from Into the Woods) and "Another Hundred People" (from Company), the album includes songs from Merrily We Roll Along, Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Evening Primrose, A Little Night Music, and Sunday in the Park With George. Keep a Tender Distance is produced by Allen Tate and Ward with string arrangements by Ellis Ludwig-Leone.
Ward's acoustic covers of Sondheim's songs have amassed a viral cult following and received approval from the late Sondheim himself before his passing. Broadway alum Josh Groban is also reportedly a fan, inviting Ward to be the opening act on his Harmony national tour, which wrapped up August 2. Ward is currently making her Off-Broadway debut in MCC's Only Gold, performing through November 27.
Buy or stream Keep a Tender Distance here.