Cabaret Theater Reviews

Review: Cyrille Aimée & Band Make Their Gig a Party at Birdland
by Rob Lester - April 25, 2024

Through April 27, Aimée and a six-piece band bring jazz flavors and smiles (theirs and the audience's) to Birdland with energy galore. Celebrating a new recording, and adding in some other material, Cyrille Aimée and band take command in a grand way this week at midtown Manhattan's home for jazz....

Review: Natasha Castillo Charms Crowd at Don't Tell Mama with THAT'S MY MUSIC
by Analisa Bell - April 24, 2024

Overall, this is a well-paced, charming show with both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, and a whole lot of love for the Carpenters....

Review: A CELEBRATION OF TONY BENNETT Was a Starry Night at Jazz at Lincoln Center
by Rob Lester - April 23, 2024

This year's Jazz at Lincoln Center gala featured a host of star-studded performers including Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Josh Groban, and many more. A small sample of the hundreds of songs superstar Tony Bennett recorded and sang in concerts sparkled in this one-night-only concert on April...

Review: AUTUMN IN NEW YORK: VERNON DUKE'S BROADWAY Is a Crowd-Pleaser at Chelsea Table + Stage
by Rob Lester - April 21, 2024

At Chelsea Table + Stage, Klea Blackhurst 'Box Set' shows are continuing to draw crowds and bring smiles. Songs of Vernon Duke were on the bill in April, and May 5 will find her saluting Jerry Herman....

Review: GIRL DINNER Is a Delightful Romp at Pangea
by Analisa Bell - April 20, 2024

Overall, Girl Dinner is worth checking out. Petrullo says they aim to produce a show every month, so keep an eye out on the interwebs. And in the meantime, in the words of the group, “Stay true to your delulu!”...

Review: SAUNA BOY at Laurie Beechman Theatre is Fun and Deep
by Nathan Johnson - April 20, 2024

In SAUNA BOY, Dan Ireland-Reeves offers audiences a captivating and intimate glimpse into London’s gay bathhouse culture. Dan effortlessly draws laughter from the audience as we follow his journey from his initial interview at the sauna to its climactic final days. Dan seamlessly embodyies a variety...

Review: TIERGARTEN Subverts Expectations at The Church Of St. Mary's Great Hall
by Rebecca Kaplan - April 19, 2024

This Wednesday night, on April 17, 2024, Death of Classical took its sold-out audience on a journey backwards through time, starting in Weimar Germany and going all the way back to biblical times with a series of song, dance, and shadow puppets. Andrew Ousley curates a number of delightfully strange...

Review: THE ZIEGFELD GIRLS REVUE Exposes More Than History at The Green Room 42
by Rob Lester - April 18, 2024

THE ZIEGFELD GIRLS REVUE, on April 13th at the Green Room 42, puts a lot on view: Female pulchritude, nearly nude, with attitude....

Review: Jenna Pastuszek Belts Streisand's Hits at The Yale Club Of NYC
by Sharon Ellman - April 16, 2024

What a divine musical evening! This reviewer was completely enchanted by Jenna Pastuszek's tribute to Barbra Streisand featuring multi-talented pianist and musical director, Joshua Zecher-Ross....

Review: Daryl Sherman Gets Into the Swing with BORN TO SWING at Birdland
by Rob Lester - April 14, 2024

Daryl Sherman is honoring an early jazz legend at Birdland -- one songbird chirping about another. A relaxed show with vintage music and musical cohorts playing with her. The show returns Tuesday at 5:30 pm....

Review: Valerie Sajdik Captivates the Crowd at Neue Galerie's Cafe Sabarsky
by Sharon Ellman - April 14, 2024

Valerie Sajdik has absolutely captured the energy and vivacity of that glowing “moment” in time and succeeded in passing it on to the present generation of audiences through her music. She captivated the audience at her one-night engagement on April 11th at Cafe Sabarsky ...

Review: Marilyn Maye Reigns Super-Supreme at 54 Below
by Rob Lester - April 12, 2024

Another natural wonder has arrived and is creating a thunderous storm in New York.  I refer to the whirlwind known as singer Marilyn Maye and the vociferous reception that greeted her on the opening night of her already extended engagement celebrating her 96th birthday, running through May 6 at 54 B...

Review: THE QUINTIN HARRIS TRIO Makes Sweet Music at Birdland
by Rob Lester - April 12, 2024

The Quintin Harris Trio recently graced Birdland again. A classy set of standards was delivered. Check out our review and consider checking out their next appearance tomorrow Saturday April 13th at 5:30....

FAMILY MATTERS: Deborah Zecher & Joshua Zecher-Ross a Delight At Don't Tell Mama
by Analisa Bell - April 12, 2024

Zecher is a much-loved member of New York’s cabaret community, and the community came out in droves to show their support for her latest cabaret – this time sharing the stage with her handsome musical director son, Joshua!...

Review: THE JIVE ACES at Birdland Are Full of Friendly Fun & Frenzy
by Rob Lester - April 11, 2024

Jumpin' Jehovah! The Jive Aces surely jump for joy and jump into their music, determined to divert you and entertain with energy to the max. Once again, Birdland booked a band devoted to reviving music from the past, with The Jive Aces decidedly honoring the styles and songs of some stars of old on ...

Review: Patti LuPone's A LIFE IN NOTES at Carnegie Hall Was Transcendent
by Rebecca Kaplan - April 10, 2024

Seeing Patti LuPone’s A LIFE IN NOTES at Carnegie Hall was a transcendent experience. The iconic singer brought her solo show, in which she reflects back on her life through song, to the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 8 pm....

Review: Adam Sank's BAD DATES at The Stonewall Inn Is Queer Comedy Gold
by Nathan Johnson - April 09, 2024

Adam Sank is a comedy mainstay in the queer community, so it's no surprise that BAD DATES was awarded not just one, but two BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards last year. With sold-out runs in NYC, Wilton Manors, and Palm Springs, and now two encore performances, I had to see what all the fuss was about. I...

Review: Storm Large Gives an Electrifying Performance at 54 Below
by Analisa Bell - April 09, 2024

Entering Broadway’s Supper Club spotlit and holding a tambourine, Storm Large kicked off her show at 54 Below on Saturday night with a fiery rendition of Matthieu Chedid’s “La Seine” and immediately captured the audience’s attention with her razor-sharp wit and powerful vocals....

Review: NYGASP's TRIAL BY JURY and THE SORCERER Hit the Right Notes
by Sharon Ellman - April 08, 2024

This reviewer was completely in awe of such talent at the double-header of Gilbert and Sullivan's TRIAL BY JURY and THE SORCERER at Kaye Playhouse on April 7th!...

Review: THE HIGH SOCIETY NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND Brings Weekly Fun to Birdland
by Rob Lester - April 09, 2024

If you like the idea of “Throwback Thursday,” dedicating a day of the week to remember and revisit the past, Birdland can really “make your day” any Thursday with The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band. Choices from early 20th century popular music populate the set list each Thursday with the grand...

Review: A VERY LEA EASTER at Joe's Pub Is Uproariously Funny
by Rebecca Kaplan - April 04, 2024

Lea DeLaria is the queen of out there, in-your-face comedy, and her March 31st Easter show at Joe’s Pub was no exception. The star was brassy and drew laughs from the entire crowd, ad-libbing and rolling with the punches....

Review: Catherine Russell Is Cheery & Charming at Jazz At Lincoln Center
by Rob Lester - April 04, 2024

Singer Catherine Russell's joy is a joy to behold. Get a new appreciation for old songs with pep that swings. She won't let songs from a bygone era be gone. She brings 'em back with a breezy swinging style that proves there's life and juice in the oldies. And she's got a gem of a band backing her up...

Review: Can Yasar Brings a Delectable TURKISH RHAPSODY to Don't Tell Mama
by Analisa Bell - April 05, 2024

From a clever parody of Maria from West Side Story entitled “Muhammed” (as sung: the most controversial name you ever heard) to an endearing version of Mann & Weil’s “Make Your Own Music” with the wonderful Tracy Stark on back-up vocals and keys, Yasar held the audience captive with his storytelling...

Review: The Best of Cabaret Celebrated at the 39th Annual BISTRO AWARDS
by Analisa Bell - April 04, 2024

Monday night was buzzing with anticipation as New York’s cabaret community gathered at Gotham Comedy Club for the 39th Annual Bistro Awards....

Review: BROADWAY SESSIONS - a Great Showcase of NYC Talent at Green Room 42
by Analisa Bell - April 03, 2024

If you’re looking for something to do at 9:30pm every other Thursday, head no further than Broadway Sessions at Green Room 42 – you won’t be disappointed! Green Room 42 was alive with great energy last Thursday evening for the long-running open mic Broadway Sessions, produced and hosted by “your Bro...