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CurtainUp's
Cabaret Nights May 2013
An Annotated List of New York's Leading Cabaret Venues
Spring is struggling but in cabaret bees are buzzing and music reigns. One major event will be at The Town Hall on May 16 where top performers will gather for Remembering Mabel and Bobby. This is a salute to the 45th anniversary of the legendary Mabel Mercer and Bobby Short concert in that venue. Mabel and Bobby are symbols of what cabaret is all about, songs with intent and performers who understand how to communicate their meaning. Expect to see entertainers dedicated to this art, like Andrea Marcovicci, Steve Ross, Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, and Joyce Breach. KT Sullivan hosts this benefit for the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Tickets are on sale at The Town Hall box office and Ticketmaster.com.
At Birdland, not far from The Town Hall, one of Liza's boys, Cortés Alexander, debuts with The Swell Show on May 13. It is a mix of pop, jazz, unusual Broadway tunes and original works with some personal anecdotes. With him are two "spirited swell girls," Melissa Bailey and Julie Garnyé.
Show Boat is a train ride away in Washington DC, but much closer, at the 92nd Street Y, Lyrics and Lyricists presents The Song is You: Jerome Kern Coast to Coast. Singing Kern's gorgeous melodies like, "All the Things You Are" and songs from Show Boat are Karrin Allyson, Debby Boone, Jeffry Denman, James Naughton, Paula West, Karen Ziemba with special guest, Barbara Carroll. (May 4, 5, 6). Later in the month, Christine Ebersole and Aaron Weinstein pair up for some jazz in the afternoon of May 16.
On May 9, 15—18, Rebecca Luker will reprise her acclaimed Kern show at 54 Below and few can match her glorious renditions. Check the club's schedule for other big-names in May, including Barbara Cook, Laura Benanti, Sam Harris, Steve Kazee and Aaron Zveik. 54 Below is expanding its music programs with Michael Musto's 70s Disco Extravaganza, mirror ball included. With his sidekicks Snooky and Tish, he brings a disco cover band and The Elektrik Company, Sarah Dash, Orfeh, and Joey Arias. Tables and chairs are pushed aside to make way for the dance floor. No food but plenty to drink. Cover charge to shake your booty is $20. VIP seating available from $200-$300 per table. Call 54 Below at 646.476.3551 for information and reservations. Check out Tuesdays, which are jive nights, with the WBGO Jazz Series featuring Janis Siegel on May 7. "Swing, Swing, Swing" on May 14 with a salute to Benny Goodman's Carnegie Hall Concert. May 21 features Karin Allyson Quartet and the month ends on May 28 to 31 with Jonathan Tunick and the Broadway Moonlights with Special Guest Doc Severinsen.
Tanya Holt and Marcus Simeone return to the Metropolitan Room on May 11 with a Quiet Storm of passionate songs. Billie Roe and Tom Waits premiere a look back with the 1978 NYC Underground on May 15 to 18. Chanteuse Yvonne Constant is scheduled for May 7, 20, 28.
Hey, Baby Boomers! I saw Paul Williams last week at the Café Carlyle and for a good dose of songs, laughs, and maybe a few tears, this is the show to see. (To May 4). Steve Tyrell returns from May 7 to 18 with his big band and jazz-flavored standards. May 21 to June 8 stars Lea Solanga and late nights bring back Stacy Sullivan, Yanna Avis and Bria Skonberg.
For terpsichorean pizzazz, run to Stage 72 at the Triad on May 7 for Jon Peterson, the sensational Song Man, Dance Man.
Thoughts for Memorial Day. You can celebrate at Sofia's Restaurant with the swinging sound of Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, the busiest big band around. You'll love them. (Mon. and Tues. evenings in May. That includes Memorial Day). Also on May 27, Birdland is Cast Party night and earlier in the evening, The Pop Show Presents Elton John. Or go down to Joe's Pub and find out for whom the white smoke rises at Popesical in Concert:You Choose the Pope. (May 27).
You can't deny that New Yorkers find New Ways to celebrate our holidays.
esommer@curtainup.com |
| An
Annotated List of New York's Leading Cabaret
Venues 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street,646) 476-3551. The club is just below the stage of Studio 54. For tickets, call (866) 468-7619. Reasonable, interesting menu and dramatic decor. The sightlines are all good. Seats about 144. Covers vary but they are reasonable. Credit cards are accepted. Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. (212)-206-0440. A favorite. Friendly, comfortable and reasonable. Covers are $15 to $35, depending on performer and two-drink minimum. Serves tempting pies, cakes (try the carrot cake), and a few snack bowls. Alas, food is not included in drink minimum. Every Tuesday, Annie Ross swings with great band. Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46 St. (212) 757-0788. Middle of theatre district with cabaret and a lively piano bar seven days a week. A long time favorite, reasonable, run well with wide variety of talent and friendly staff. Covers vary but are reasonable, plus two drink minimum. Credit cards not accepted. The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street on 7th Avenue.Piano bar with an open mike downstairs and singers upstairs. Check out weekly events. The Laurie Beechman Theater, West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42 Street. (212) 695-6909.$15 minimum plus cover. Besides nightly performers, they present New Voices on Monday nights ($10 cover). Friday nights is The After Party (No cover, no minimum). This spot is always adding something new. Time Out Lounge, West 50 St., west of Eighth Avenue. If you're around New World Stages, take the elevator down to this no-cover little bar with jazz and standards. Birdland, 315 W 44th St. NYC. Phone: 212-581-3080. Cabaret features Monday nights with "Broadway at Birdland" at 7pm. Then stay on for Jim Caruso's Cast Party, 9:30pm to 1:00am ($10 Cover and a $10 Food/Drink Minimum). Bar, minimum $5 plus cover. Offers good Cajun cooking at reasonable prices. Iridium, 1650 Broadway (51st Street), (212) 582-2121. Monday nights with legendary Les Paul is a must-see. Strong jazz lineup the rest of the week and some solid jazzy singers. Prices vary. Midtown Jazz at Midday, St. Peter's Church, Lexington Avenue and 54th Street, (212) 935-2200. A real bargain. Every Wednesday, bring your sandwich, pay $2 and watch top-notch jazz or cabaret artist for an hour. Begins 12:30pm. Reprise Room @ Dillon's, 254 West 54 Street. NYC. Every Monday night, Back in Pictures, songs from movies. Check schedule. Broadway Baby Bistro at Broadway Comedy Club. 318 W. 53 St. NYC., 212-757-5808. A piano bar and show room. Credit cards accepted. The Triad Theatre, 158 W. 72nd St., 212-362-2590. Climb up the winding stairs to the cabaret room. Frequently features Off-off Broadway shows Covers vary often $10 or $15 or higher. Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street. 212-962-7555 or 212-539-8778. Good news/bad news. This is not a concert space and not a cabaret space, but a bit of both. It lacks intimacy but usually features intriguing artists and some big names trying new venues. Can be packed and some sightlines are undesirable, yet excitement level can be high. You must buy tickets in advance and then make seating/dinner reservations. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person. When price is no object — Cafe Carlyle, Madison Avenue at 76th Street. (212) 744-1600. Beautiful room for posh night out with big-name entertainer. Monday night is jazz night with Woody Allen, if he shows up. Cover is high, and varies. |
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