Gail Payne Makes New York, Regional Cabaret Debut With Her New Show THIS IS U.S.

Gail Payne, an acclaimed cabaret performer from Indianapolis, will make her debut at The Cabaret in Indianapolis before taking her show on the road to Davenport's Piano Bar in Chicago and to the famed Feinstein's/54 Below in New York City this fall.

Gail and her team -- renowned New York musical director Alex Rybeck and director, Tony Award winner Faith Prince -- carefully curate an evening of music and stories that celebrates and explores the complex flavors inherent in American society today. Selections include unexpected ingredients that influenced Gail growing up in rural Illinois, living in urban Indianapolis, and traveling the world, from Guthrie to Gershwin, Berlin to Dixie Chicks, "This Land is Your Land" to "How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm After They've Seen Paree." Alex Rybeck accompanies on piano with his masterful arrangements for piano, guitar, and ukulele.

"I wanted to pull together songs that tell our unique American stories and experiences," said Gail. "These songs remind us of what it means to be American. Without being partisan, they evoke strong emotions and memories that reflect where we've been and who we are -- the beautiful and ugly; the funny and infuriating; and everything in between. It's about our unwavering hope, which is a message that's needed today."

Shannon Forsell, Artistic Director and CEO of The Cabaret in Indianapolis, traveled to St. Louis to see Gail perform the show for the first time last November.

"Gail Payne's show combined honesty, deep thought, humor and irony with great vocals and masterful musical arrangements for a savory show that was anything but cliché," said Forsell. "It's a show worthy of being seen on a national scale."

The League of Women Voters of Indiana and Indianapolis are partnering with Gail to further its mission of engaging citizens in our democracy. A social will be held around the July 7 show in Indianapolis as a way to network with and recruit members as well as to educate the audience about ways to get involved.

"The love of democracy and our communities is what fuels the League of Women Voters. We are proud to partner on this event and think using the arts to celebrate what we have in common, as opposed to what separates us, is a brilliant way to foster civility," says Erin Kelley, Co-President of the LWVIN.

Gail's cabaret career began in 2012 when she performed her first show for a private, packed room at The Cabaret at the Columbia Club for her 40th birthday. Instead of it being a one-time, check-it-off-the-bucket-list event, Gail was hooked. A month later, she was invited to participate as one of 20 performers from around the world in the International Cabaret Conference at Yale University. The Cabaret invited her to perform another show to help raise funds for the conference tuition. In July, she'll return to The Cabaret for the first time as part of its official season.

"Never under-estimate the power of taking one step toward your dreams," said Gail. "It hasn't been easy but with every challenge, I am incredibly grateful to have found the right person at the right time to help me achieve my goals."

For more information, visit www.gailpayne.com.

The show is currently scheduled:

July 7, 2017, 7 p.m., The Cabaret (Indianapolis) - Debut!

July 8, 2017, 8 p.m., Davenport's Piano Bar (Chicago) - Debut!

October 20, 2017, 9:30 p.m., Feinstein's/54 Below (New York City) - Debut!

More information on each venue: Thecabaret.org | davenportspianobar.com | 54below.com

ABOUT THE CABARET

The Cabaret is a professional, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of The Cabaret is to elevate and promote the cabaret art form by presenting the finest in professional cabaret performances and developing the next generation of cabaret artists.