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Rob Lester

Rob Lester

Rob Lester, native New Yorker, has been covering entertainment for more than 15 years for various outlets and has recently returned to Broadway World writing staff.  His involvement in cabaret has also led to involvement with the genre's awards as a voting judge and, pre-pandemic, he helped to curate the Artists In Partnership (AIP) Cabaret Festival. As far as musical theatre, he loves attending, researching, reviewing, directing, writing songs and scripts, as well as being a dramaturg.  He also worked with author Deb Berman on her book for kids about what happens before birth called "9 Months in The Play Womb: The Inside Story." He personally hails from the womb of a mother who loves the Great American Songbook and its singers, instilling that appreciation in him.






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: GMHC Benefit Is Terrific, Tuneful & Touching at Joe's Pub
Review: GMHC Benefit Is Terrific, Tuneful & Touching at Joe's Pub
February 19, 2025

Songwriters of Smash, Some Like It Hot & Hairspray, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman get the annual Howard Ashman Award at a starry fundraiser that also raised awareness and spirits for the GMHC.

Review: 12 EASY SONGS at Joe's Pub – Not an Easy Sell, But Intriguing
Review: 12 EASY SONGS at Joe's Pub – Not an Easy Sell, But Intriguing
February 17, 2025

12 EASY SONGS came to Joe's Pub in Manhattan, source of much of its 'found' material. A list of street names becomes a lyric. So do overheard conversations, subway warnings, street signs, and graffiti. Theo Bleckmann is one-of-a-kind.

Review: Marissa Mulder's THIS IS 40 at Green Room 42 Was a Pleasure
Review: Marissa Mulder's THIS IS 40 at Green Room 42 Was a Pleasure
February 11, 2025

Marissa Mulder's THIS IS 40 at Green Room 42 was an eclectic, sweet, smart set. It’s been rewarding watching singer Marissa Mulder’s career from her neophyte cabaret experiences to her flourishing career.

Review: JUST IN TIME FOR JULE STYNE at Dizzy's Is More Than Fine
Review: JUST IN TIME FOR JULE STYNE at Dizzy's Is More Than Fine
February 8, 2025

JUST IN TIME FOR JULE STYNE at Dizzy's was another 'Songbook Sundays' soiree celebrating a Great American Songbook writer. A night of Jule Styne's music curated by Deborah Grace Winer 'makes someone happy.'

MONTHLY QUIZ––Musical People Born in February
MONTHLY QUIZ––Musical People Born in February
February 1, 2025

Every month, Broadway World's cabaret section offers a quiz saluting notable music-related people born in that month. February's edition is ready for you now. Put on your thinking cap. The clues should help.

Review: Klea Blackhurst Triumphs Again at Birdland
Review: Klea Blackhurst Triumphs Again at Birdland
February 1, 2025

That bundle of Broadway-centric bubbliness, Klea Blackhurst banished the winter blues at Birdland. Her thrillingly big voice and selection of joyful showtunes provided a firecracker evening of entertainment on 1/27.

Review: June Cavlan Sings Up a Storm at Birdland
Review: June Cavlan Sings Up a Storm at Birdland
January 23, 2025

The new, true-blue generation of jazz lands at Birdland: singer June Cavlan is a winner at Birdland. Special guest singers, a fantastic band and Cavlan herself made this show one for the ages.

Review: Linda Eder Has Star (and Lung!) Power at 54 Below
Review: Linda Eder Has Star (and Lung!) Power at 54 Below
January 19, 2025

With a quartet led by Billy Stritch, dynamic Linda Eder is in her comfort zone at 54 Below. She returns to the venue on 2/24 and 3/15. If skill, musical chops, and charm were measured in fluid ounces, this star has it in gallons.

Review: Catherine Russell & Sean Mason at Dizzy's Are 'My Ideal' Kind of Pair
Review: Catherine Russell & Sean Mason at Dizzy's Are 'My Ideal' Kind of Pair
January 18, 2025

Catherine Russell & Sean Mason made joyful jazz together, digging beyond the usual suspects of the overdone. Their upbeat repertoire, energy, and chemistry together all radiated happiness, serving delight through music.

Review: Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman Are an Ideal Pair at Birdland
Review: Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman Are an Ideal Pair at Birdland
January 14, 2025

Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman's night at Birdland was cool and warm, varied and velvety. With perspectives on life and music, plus reactions to the horrific, still-burning fires in home base LA, the music had extra meaning

Review: Kurt Elling Shows Up Strong for Shows at Birdland
Review: Kurt Elling Shows Up Strong for Shows at Birdland
January 10, 2025

KURT ELLING is at Birdland through January 11 (two shows a night). The veteran singer and frequent Grammy nominee (two-time winner) who tops jazz polls is still top-drawer.

Review: David Marino's show at Birdland Was Passion Plus Pow
Review: David Marino's show at Birdland Was Passion Plus Pow
January 3, 2025

A crooner with charisma, a vocalist with versatility, an old soul with new energy: that’s dynamic and delightful David Marino. His powerful voice radiates star power. He returned to Birdland for another sold-out standout concert to close out 2024.

Monthly Birthday Tribute: Take the Quiz!
Monthly Birthday Tribute: Take the Quiz!
January 1, 2025

Take BWW Cabaret's monthly quiz and see how much you know about music stars born in January. If your New Year's Resolution is to learn more about music, here's a fun way to do that for New Year's.

Review: RICHARD SKIPPER CELEBRATES 'HELLO, DOLLY!' at Green Room 42 Is Full of History & Joy
Review: RICHARD SKIPPER CELEBRATES 'HELLO, DOLLY!' at Green Room 42 Is Full of History & Joy
December 31, 2024

RICHARD SKIPPER CELEBRATES 'HELLO, DOLLY!' revisits a classic musical with history and joy. See this cabaret-style song & talk show the next time it comes around.

Review: Marilyn Maye's Run (ending on New Year's Eve) Is a Smash at Birdland
Review: Marilyn Maye's Run (ending on New Year's Eve) Is a Smash at Birdland
December 29, 2024

Marilyn Maye is unstoppable and more than worth stopping in to see and hear. It doesn't get more exciting and invigorating than this veteran's shows. She plays two more shows 12/29 and two on New Year's Eve.

Review: A SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS at Birdland Is Holiday Glee Galore
Review: A SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS at Birdland Is Holiday Glee Galore
December 23, 2024

Swing on by Birdland Jazz Club for A SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS with Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch, and Klea Blackhurst. It will get you into the holiday spirit just in time. The show, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is in full swing through 12/25.

Review: HARMONY FOR THE HOLIDAY WITH DUCHESS Is a Delight at Birdland
Review: HARMONY FOR THE HOLIDAY WITH DUCHESS Is a Delight at Birdland
December 23, 2024

Duchess, the four-member female harmony group made one night during the week before Christmas full of comfort (zone) and joy with songs from their EP and their retro fun songs.

Review: Mary Stallings Spins Classic Jazz With Style & Substance at Dizzy's
Review: Mary Stallings Spins Classic Jazz With Style & Substance at Dizzy's
December 16, 2024

The captivating veteran singer Mary Stallings is a stylist with flair. Her run, 12/12 to 12/15, was a hot ticket and she brings a warm glow to Dizzy's (Jazz at Lincoln Center).

Review: James Barbour's THE HOLIDAY CONCERT Is an Annual Tradition at Birdland
Review: James Barbour's THE HOLIDAY CONCERT Is an Annual Tradition at Birdland
December 18, 2024

A song-packed 12/12 Christmas event helmed by baritone James Barbour (PHANTOM, JANE EYRE) helped celebrate the season and raise money to help others. Alternately earnest, chatty, cheery, or electrifying, Barbour's event was a night to remember.

Review: Jane Monheit's THE MERRIEST Is a Seasonal Splash at Birdland
Review: Jane Monheit's THE MERRIEST Is a Seasonal Splash at Birdland
December 13, 2024

You have until Saturday to make Merry with THE MERRIEST and make your way to Birdland Jazz Club for Jane Monheit's Christmas tour stop, with sets at 8:30 and 10:30 pm. It's a recommended treat.



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