Peter Napolitano News

Sue Matsuki and Frances Hill stay determined to keep an intimate artistic playground going strong.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets presented The 39th MAC Awards on Monday, April 10, 2025, at a LIVE ceremony at NYC's Peter Norton Symphony Space. Check out the winners list here!

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has revealed the 39th Annual MAC Awards. Check out the full list of nominees, which includes Norm Lewis, André De Shield, and more!

Matthew Martin Ward has made a name for himself as an accomplished Musical Director for many of New York’s cabaret performers, and now, he has taken center stage with his debut solo cabaret “What I Love” on Saturday September 14. When delivering patter, Ward’s distinctive wit was evident, with his deadpan comic delivery landing every time.

Urban Stages Artistic Producing Director, Frances Hill, has announced Stories from Our Stage, a virtual event celebrating the many different stories and voices that their award-winning Off-Broadway stage amplify, from June 24 to June 28, 2021.

Urban Stages has announced Stories from Our Stage, a virtual event celebrating the many different stories and voices that their award-winning Off-Broadway stage amplify. From June 24 to June 28, 2021, this special presentation will feature excerpts from select plays and musicals that premiered at Urban Stages.

The York Theatre Company is presenting the 2020 Musical Theatre Training Program (MTTP) Summer Program Intensive, a special 4-week virtual journey nurturing the next generation of students and songwriters.

Urban Stages announced the release of two Off-Broadway productions on YouTube beginning Friday, May 15 at noon. First up will be Dogs of Rwanda, written by Sean Christopher Lewis, directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano, starring Dan Hodge, with music composed and performed by Abou Lion Diarra.

Last month, Gretchen Reinhagen kicked off her monthly residency at Pangea, downtown's destination for alt-cabaret. Reinhagen thrilled the audience with her big voice, soulful music-making, and uproarious comic observations on everything from the Paleo Diet, public transportation, and fraught relationship with the health care industry. On Tuesday, October 15, she returns to Pangea to deliver another evening's entertainment that's sure to tug at the heartstrings and bust guts each in equal measure.

Nightlife, Bistro and MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award winning artist, Gretchen Reinhagen kicked off her residency at the downtown supper club, Pangea earlier this month. She returns to Pangea on Tuesday, October 15th, and continues monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7PM. What began as an encore of Reinhagen's sold out CD Release Show, Take It With Me at the Laurie Beechman in February, has become a brand new version of the show, adding a rotation of special guests and an ever changing comic monologue. The cabaret will continue to highlight the music of the CD by the same title, with a few of the songs and stories changing each month. 'The hope' says Reinhagen, 'is that this new platform gives us an opportunity to share music from the album, while also being able to feature different artists each month, and new comedy sets each month, so that no two shows are the same and audience members may return regularly knowing they'll be seeing something new.' Also joining her on stage will be two of the album's band members, Music Director Tracy Stark and Bassist Tom Hubbard. Barry Kleinbort directs.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) announces the fifth year of its MAC TO SCHOOL weekend event.

Continuing its 35th Anniversary season, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director) proudly announces the line-up for a brand-new festival patterned after its award-winning series WINTER RHYTHMS. SUMMER MELODIES 2019 will begin Thursday, June 20 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue). Tickets are $30 ($45 for two shows in one day), for tickets and full schedule please visit www.urbanstages.org or call (866) 811-4111.

Continuing its 35th Anniversary season, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director) proudly announces the line-up for a brand-new festival patterned after its award-winning series WINTER RHYTHMS. SUMMER MELODIES 2019 will begin Thursday, June 20 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

The 10th annual Urban Stages' Winter Rhythms cabaret festival kicked off this week with the first of its 22 shows that will run from Dec. 12-22. We sat down with Peter Napolitano, Director of Musical Theatre and Producing Associate, ahead of the first show to discuss the festival's history and legacy!

Continuing its 35th Anniversary season, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Tom Toce Producer) proudly announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2018, which will begin Wednesday, December 12 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday,December 22, 2018 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

Continuing its 35th Anniversary season, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Tom Toce Producer) proudly announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2018, which will begin Wednesday, December 12 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), will close its 34th season with the New York Premiere of Sean Christopher Lewis's DOGS OF RWANDA, directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano. This limited engagement at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street), opened on Monday, March 12 to raved reviews and has added five performances to accommodate the demand. Tickets for are $35 and may be purchased via OvationTix at www.urbanstages.org or by phone at 1.866.811.4111.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), will close its 34th season with the New York Premiere of Sean Christopher Lewis's DOGS OF RWANDA, directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano. This limited engagement at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street), begins performances on Friday, March 9, opens on Monday, March 12 and will run through Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), will close its 34th season with the New York Premiere of Sean Christopher Lewis's DOGS OF RWANDA, directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano. This limited engagement at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street), begins performances on Friday, March 9, opens on Monday, March 12 and will run through Saturday, March 31, 2018. Tickets for are $35 ($25 during previews; $50 on opening and $15 student rush) and may be purchased via OvationTix at www.urbanstages.org or by phone at 1.866.811.4111.

Broadway, Las Vegas and regional star, Andrea Wolff, gives an encore performance of her spicy, funny and poignant show, 'Prisoner of Love,' at Don't Tell Mama on Saturday, February 3rd at 8pm. Matthew Martin Ward, as Musical Director, brings his own spin to the late Maestro, Barry Levitt's exquisite arrangements, leading a stellar quartet including violin. Peter Napolitano, creative director and producer of Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages, is the director. For a preview, click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v 2wjwot64AF0