Rob Lester - Page 5

Musical multi-tasking talent Joshua Turchin is the standout in a show he hosted with fellow songwriters & singers. When others their age were struggling to write essays, these people had already written full-length musicals and songs that got them zillions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, and you name it.

Jazz is about improvising and surprise, and so Janis Siegel stepped in for the under-the-weather booked singer at Dizzy's because the show must go on–even if it's a different one (with the same musicians). Janis Siegel was in great hands with a trio at Dizzy's on March 20th, and the audience gave them a great big hand. Read all about it.

Our 'Born This Month' Cabaret Birthday Salute goes to a woman with an incredible life story. An amazing musical inspiration. Do you know her name? Born in April, she changed music history during her 106-year life. Read about her in our monthly birthday feature.

54 Below is known for its seemingly endless variety of themes as happy reasons to group songs from musical theatre. Here's another, looking at some shows that came to the Marquis, starting in 1986. There were over 30 musicals that played the Marquis Theatre, and nine were revisited with songs and stories at 54 Below.

Don't call the Department of Missing Persons, Cabaret Unit. Singer Craig Rubano has been located and safely returned to the cabaret stage. Take a moment and read about 'Take the Moment,' the fine act by Craig Rubano, too long absent from cabaret. Rubano will be back with two more shows on April 13 and May 19.

Steve & Eydie were dynamite, separately and together. A TOAST TO STEVE & EYDIE on March 18th was a superb salute to these singers, and a hell of a good show, thanks to performers David Lawrence (their son), Debbie Gravitte, and a giant orchestra.

54 Loves Cast Albums. Don't you? Some of the top tracks and deep cuts come to life on stage at 54 Below in yet another of their Broadway celebrations on March 7th. If you love cast albums, you'd likely love 54 LOVES CAST ALBUMS.

Musical comedy history roared to life when Klea Blackhurst brought the songs and sass and stories of Ethel Merman. The tables were full, the stage was filled with energy at Chelsea Table + Stage. She's coming back there with a survey of songwriter Vernon Duke on April 14 and Jerry Herman later this spring.

Lovable Sally Mayes sings love songs and this and that in her 'Now and Then' series at The Green Room 42, with more shows to come in May and June. Sally Mayes entertains with ever-changing sets, chosen from material she's sung over the years. Read about her second chapter at BWW.

When Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter, 'in the still of the night,' it's 'true love' for cabaret-lovers. Want to know why? Read Rob Lester's review of the March 11th show

Get yourself to Dizzy's at Columbus Circle this weekend if you want to catch the beauty of 'Finding Beauty' with Ann Hampton Callaway's originals and pop covers. The sublime singeris in residence at Dizzy's through Sunday, March 10.

Just because the show never got to Broadway doesn't mean it didn't have good songs. Proof of this is in the hearing. And they get a fair hearing at 54 Below with the BROADWAY BOUND series. Even if a project might crash and burn, there can be things worth salvaging from the ashes. Read about 'em in our write-ups on 'Broadway Bound' --- a dream, a live show series, a podcast, a pleasure.

David Marino sings with heart and happy pizzazz. His Birdland night was invigorating and emotional and thoroughly engaging. If you want our critic's two cents about a singer with a million-dollar talent, whose show is a bargain of solid entertainment at almost any price, read the rave about David Marino and his audience-pleasing triumph at Birdland.

The Hot Sardines bring pure entertainment with their polish and panache to Birdland with two shows a night through March 9. Their jazz is hot, but there’s nothing 'fishy' about the authentic sound they spin.  Their music is fun and accessible, sly, and frisky. 

How do singer-songwriters get a head-start on their birthdays? Jordan Siwek threw himself a party show and threw himself into high-energy performances with the singer-songwriter's pop-rock songs and covers.

A star-studded night honoring composer Alan Menken was exciting, energizing and sentimental as he received an award named for collaborator Howard Ashman. From 'The Little Mermaid' to 'Little Shop of Horrors,' Ashman left no small legacy in his work with Menken. The evening benefited GMHC's work for communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

Soul Picnic: The Songs and Legacy of Laura Nyro concludes its weekend embrace led by Judy Kuhn with one more show Monday night at 92NY in Manhattan. The songs of Laura Nyro are worth remembering and relishing. Judy Kuhn and company do that. The 92NY show is rewarding and illuminating.

It's a delight at Dizzy's where Paula West and band hold forth through Sunday with two more shows tonight and two tomorrow. The opening night was a delight.

The next generation of songwriters is busy working and took a night off to play and sing at The Green Room 42 on February 3rd. A full room of supportive music appreciators heard some new musical theatre-style material based on assignments like 'Imagine Blanche DuBois singing' or 'write a love song without the word 'love.''

Not every musical setting sails for Broadway finds a smooth trip or arrives at its destination. Some sink. But why? Was it the wrong captain or just stormy seas? Many carried marvelous musical cargo. Robert W. Schneider explores the reasons in his BROADWAY BOUND podcast. His next live edition of Broadway Bound is March 5th at 54 Below.