Cabaret Shows Are Alive and Exploding at Your Favorite Nightspots
With the new felt freedom most of us are experiencing, we’re ready to be out and about, vaxxed and masked as required, returning to the cabarets and nightclubs. The rooms are filled with new shows. Here are a few to consider for some get-out-and-go nighttime entertainment as you support the performers and the clubs . . . and be sure to check the websites for so many more shows!
If you’re a jazz buff, check out Birdland Jazz (West 44th Street) where you’ll find weekly performances by David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band and more, a CD release by Anais Reno with the Emmet Cohen Trio, Bill Charlap w/Houston Person, Peter Cincotti, The Hot Sardines, Freda Payne, Natalie Douglas, Gabrielle Stravelli and more jazz greats, along with Eric Comstock-Barbara Fasano-Sean Cohen weekly at 5 pm and some favorite cabaret artists! And, yes, a nice menu of food. www.birdlandjazz.com
Favorite Don’t Tell Mama (West 46th Street) is filled with talent nightly in 2 separate cabaret rooms (plus a great piano bar in the front room where you might discover the next star) and don’t miss Ricky Ritzel’s Broadway last Friday of every month. Coming up are Amy Beth Williams, Tanya Moberly’s Songwriters, Mark Janas Classical Corner, Quinn Lemley’s Rita Hayworth and so much more. www.donttellmamanyc.com
The Green Room 42 (in the Hotel Yotel, 10th Ave. & 42nd Street) has a full roster of performers, including Scott Siegel’s Whitney Houston Celebration, Songwriter Bobby Cronin & Friends, Broadway Belters Live, Eva Noblezada, Amy Spanger and many others and a nice menu. https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/
East Village haunt Pangea (2d Ave.) has Michael McAssey on the keys for Open Mic on alternating Monday nites in the bar area and the back room is lined with shows from Austin Pendleton/Barbara Bleier, Tim Connell, Jillian Laurain, Sidney Myer, Sunday Brunch with Sue Matsuki/Gregory Toroian and many more, and good food too. www.pangeanyc.com
The Triad Theater (West 72nd Street) has multi entertainment. Pick and choose from Emilie Surtees Tribute to the Ladies of Jazz, The Dozen Divas, Lee Squared, Scott Raneri, Linda Kahn, Dean Benner, Ty Stephens/Dave Fields and many more!www.triadnyc.com
The famous red door to the cellar at 54 Below (West 54th Street) has some of the best Broadway and Cabaret entertainers around including Marilyn Maye, Megan Hilty, Drew Gasparini, Jeff Harnar, Linda Eder, Karen Mason, Mykal Gilgore, Paulo Szot and many, many more. And a gourmet menu. www.54Below.com
Watch for the re-opening of The Laurie Beechman Theatre (downstairs at the West Bank Cafe) on West 42nd Street where you’ll find Jackie Draper and more.
Check out The Duplex on Christopher Street with long time excellent entertainment www.theduplex.com
Sandi Durell is Publisher/Editor of www.theaterpizzazz.com/
and has been writing, reviewing, producing, having a voice in the theater, cabaret and entertainment communities for over 25+ years. She is a Voting Member of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards; member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
Sandi is a producer of Broadway & Hollywood Live! Revues (www.ShaRellProductions.com); has produced numerous Songwriter Events for the American Popular Song Society (APSS – formerly New York Sheet Music Society on which she is a Board member); the benefit CD “Our Heart Sings;” is a producer on the Award winning film “Broadway the Golden Age” (with Rick McKay) and has produced a variety of entertainment events for most of her career.
She is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU – Advisory Board),100+ year old Dutch Treat Club, The Lambs; an occasional theater “angel” and has had a career as a vocalist-performer.
Her column can also be found at www.theaterlife.com
