Rob Lester - Page 3

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.

ONE FOR JOHNNY MERCER at Dizzy's was another treat in the Songbook Sundays series. Johnny Mercer had a way with words. Stritch, Blackhurst, Stravelli and Lee have a way of singing and winging them. Duke Ellington's turn comes in August.

The 12th annual NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub had no shortage of pow to wow its eager audience. The annual event drew a big crowd and money for the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit benefitting homeless LGBTQ+ youth. The June 3rd show turned on the energy to the max.

A wonderful singer, wonderful Jimmy Van Heusen melodies, and Jon Weber as M.D.: An ideal combination. What can I say about Marissa Mulder's June 2 performance of SWINGIN' ON A STAR at the Cutting Room? In a word, bravo.

TAKING NOTES is a cabaret show with laughs and lessons learned in life and school. with a lot of pop and musical theatre along the way. Andrew Bova is the student taking it all in. The May 31st show was a promising NYC cabaret debut by a gregarious guy with teachable moments.

Those Girls, the award-winning foursome, were back, with dazzling arrangements and harmonies. Together or separately, they are terrific and endlessly entertaining with any style of music. Those Girls raised their harmonious, glorious voices and raised the audience's spirits, too.

MIRACLE OF MIRACLES, a grand tribute to Sheldon Harnick, closed its trio of concert performances last night. It serves as a radiant reminder of a legendary talent of musical theatre. Sheldon Harnick's lyrics and legacy were warmly presented in the Lyrics & Lyricists series, which he was a major part of in its early years.

HER NAME IS BARBRA on May 24th at The Green Room 42 was a sparkling tribute to the superstar. It was a delightful addition to the panoply of recent Streisand tributes. The fan club remains in session.

The talents and legacy of composer-lyricist Cole Porter are always worth celebrating, especially in his birthday month of June. Here's a look at some current evidence of his lasting presence in cabaret shows, etc.

Barbra Streisand's songbook gets paged through by admiring talents in this Streisand salute on May 23rd

MOSS sang at Joe's Pub almost 20 years ago before making their first (and, so far, only) album. The occasional reunion of this group is an occasion for rejoicing! They were back for one of their regions and sound splendid. They are MOSS and they are marvelous.

Rosemary Clooney's lifetime of music is explored in Carolyn Montgomery's thought-provoking, memory-stoking act GIRLSINGER, directed by Sally Mayes. Its second NYC presentation on May 22nd is updated and expanded from its opening night in January. It will be followed by bookings in Florida plus LA, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, & Seattle.

Finding words for FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING with veteran singer-pianist Steve Ross could result in adjectives such as 'lovely' and 'savvy' and 'charming.' Ross, the ultimate class act and champion of classic songs, makes us appreciate them anew, blossoming one more time, like the annual spring flowers. He's a perennial, too.

The Green Room 42 celebrated Mother's Day with a family-friendly musical inspired by centuries-old fables. The messages and life lessons come through in force and in song when Aesop's characters are the characters in a musical.

The versatile singer/songwriter/musician/actor Reeve Carney (Hadestown) took on The Beatles last week at the Green Room 42. The May 13th show was a rocking sensation.

MARVIN HAMLISCH: LOVE IS NEVER GONE recalls the ups and downs and talents of the late man of music in advance of his 80th birthday in June. The much-admired composer and conductor's life story gets the musical biography jukebox treatment. The May 10th show shone a warm spotlight on Hamlisch, best known for writing the music to A CHORUS LINE.

You have until Sunday May 19th to make your way to catch jazz delight Jane Monheit sing with her small but very mighty band at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club. Monheit's singing is heavenly.