Rob Lester

Jack Viertel's new novel mixes some bits of actual theatre productions, people, places, and songs into its fiction. The author read excerpts from the book for a program he hosted and co-produced at 54 Below, with guest singers performing relevant/referenced songs.

KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ at 54 Below, with dates in Chicago this week, is a solid show by a musical pro and her long-time music director at the piano.

THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY was another trip through songs famous and not so famous with Michael Feinstein in fine form, as usual. This has got to be far and away one of the most enjoyable educational Michael Feinstein-led trips through Broadway history.

Vicki Burns is a singer who pleases, scats, swings, and is a modest but solid presence. If you missed her concert in-person at 92NY, part of the free Faculty Concert Series, you can hear most of what you missed on her CD called Lotus Blossom Days.

Songs with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein from musical theatre gems were celebrated and sung and discussed at 92NY in a fine Lyrics and Lyricists concert, COCKEYED OPTIMIST concert at The 92nd Street Y, New York. The concert kicked off L&L's 2024-25 season which continues next month with a tribute to activist Nina Simone.

How's your music trivia expertise? Try the Broadway World Cabaret Quiz of 'True or False' questions about music figures born in November.

A KISS FOR BRAZIL finds primo jazz singer Karrin Allyson in a blissful, 'kiss-full' bossa nova style and more at Birdland through November 2. It's a pleasure.

René Marie at the Appel Room is a formidable, feisty presence saluting the late legend Harry Belafonte, concentrating on calypso. Her handling of the repertoire of legendary Belafonte, JUMP IN THE LINE!, brings a warm embrace with a hot band.

The Cabaret Convention's three multi-performer shows are done for this year. Concluding our recaps, here's the word on what we heard during the third night: EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, presented on October 24th. So many songs, so many singers, jammed into three nights, is the cornucopia of the Cabaret Convention concerts.

KT Sullivan's travels take her to the East Village again on November 21 for her true treat show about traveling. FAR AWAY PLACES is a splendid trip.

Bobby Short, whose centennial we can celebrate this year, was a cabaret favorite. The second night of the Cabaret Convention mega-concerts put the focus on him. Audiences who dashed to Columbus Circle for the two-act 6 PM concert caught a long Short celebration, full of memories and songs he sang.

The annual Cabaret Convention concert series has begun. The shows continue tonight and tomorrow at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Last night, the convention opened with songs with music by Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, etc.). It was a treat.

Gracious and groovy, singer Sheila Jordan remains a jazz fan's delight, decade after decade. Her October 16th concert was lovely.

Classy standards done with high-class talent are always on the menu at Dizzy's in the series curated and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer. The October edition on 10/13 featuring standards with music by Hoagy Carmichael was a sure bet.

What star turned down CABARET? What two cabaret stars were born on Halloween? What cabaret club was named for a character in a musical? What Broadway lyricist turns 100 this month? Take the multiple-choice quiz and see what you know (or might guess correctly) about so many talented folks ALL born in October.

A major, long-time cabaret figure gets our monthly birthday Tribute. How many hints will you need to know who it is?

Have a little fun, take a little bit of a lucky guess, and learn a little more about famous music folks all born in August. Our Broadway World cabaret birthday hunter couldn't decide on just one person to salute in the usual 'born this month' feature, so instead there's a trivia quiz that name-drops a whole bunch of them. Drop by BWW and give it a try.

There's a perfect pair this week at 54 Below: a dazzling, delicious, dynamic, dynamite duo. Decades-long friends Liz Callaway and Jason Graae sparkle with real chemistry and connection. The opening on the night on July 3rd had plenty of fireworks of its own. Their bang-up job continues on July 5 and 6.

He was known as 'the man who owned Broadway': Born the first week in July, he wrote/produced/starred in dozens of Broadway shows and a statue of him stands in a key spot in the theatre district. His legacy still shines every 4th of July. We salute this writer, dancer, singer, actor, and producer, George M. Cohan.

A 'Big' salute to songwriters Maltby & Shire, hosted and music-directed by Michael Lavine, brings us 'Closer Than Ever' to perfection. As tributes go, the one filled with the songs of Maltby and Shire, as they were bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award, was tops. Filled with theatre and cabaret performers, it was a great night.