MARK NADLER Set As First Performer in New Monthly Series NEW YORK CABARET'S GREATEST HITS at Metropolitan Room, 8/26

For diehard cabaret fans and lovers of live music, there's nothing like experiencing a classic show once again or seeing an award winning "blast from the past" for the first time. That's how cabaret show producer and publicist Stephen Hanks felt and so through his new company, Cabaret Life Productions, he's launching a new monthly series at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) titled New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits.

"I wasn't part of the New York cabaret scene until I began reviewing shows in 2010 and people would tell me about some of the award-winning or critically praised shows from the past that I missed," Hanks says, who is also the New York Cabaret Editor for BroadwayWorld.com and a feature writer for Cabaret Scenes Magazine. "I figured if I wanted to see those great shows, perhaps I should just produce them myself and also give the broader cabaret community and audience a chance to enjoy them-either again or for the first time."

Hanks wanted the cream of the New York cabaret crop to open the series and tapped veteran cabaret star Mark Nadler, who the New York Times critic Stephen Holden has called "Mr. Show Business" and "an immensely talented latter-day Al Jolson." On August 26 (7-8:30 pm), Nadler will perform his critically acclaimed show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians), which won a 2003 Bistro Award for "Raising Standards of Cabaret Performance," and received MAC and Nightlife Award Nominations for "Outstanding Performance in a Major Engagement." Nadler's decidedly Russian-themed show at the Metropolitan Room will be fittingly co-sponsored by Manhattan's Moscow 57 Restaurant (168 ½ Delancey Street), which is providing special pre-show delicacies.

"What a thrill it is to bring Tschaikowsky (and Other Russians) back to the boards," Nadler admits. "So many people have asked me to do this one again, so here's their big chance."

When Nadler first performed this show in 2003, the raves flowed like unlimited vodka shots. Wrote the New York Times' Holden: "It takes a comic spark plug touched with brilliance to pull off the kind of tour de force that the maniacally exuberant singer, pianist and cutup Mark Nadler has brought in his one-man show." Rex Reed of the New York Observer opined: "Mark Nadler is a combination of all the Marx Brothers put together . . . What he does is risky, impudent and defies description . . . Talented and fearless, he never runs out of fresh ideas, and he has the wacky style and infectious humor to pull them off."

Following Nadler's series kickoff, during Fall 2015 Hanks and Cabaret Life Productions will feature three more highly acclaimed cabaret shows from the past. On September 14 (7 pm), Julie Reyburn (photo right) presents Fate Is Kind, for which Reyburn won MAC and Bistro Awards in 2000 for "Best Debut, Female." As in the show's initial run, Music Director Mark Janas will be on piano. On November 2 (7 pm), Maxine Linehan, who recently garnered raves for her 2014 show Beautiful Songs, will bring back her 2009 show, What Would Petula Do: A Tribute to Petula Clark (featuring Music Director Ryan Shirar on piano). And on December 14 (7 pm), cabaret veteran and 2015 MAC Hanson Award Winner Meg Flather offers her passionate show Portraits, which first debuted in 1993. Flather's show will feature Paul Greenwood on piano and John Mettam on guitar.

"With thousands of Cabaret productions in recent decades, I'm thrilled that Stephen Hanks and his Cabaret Life Productions is bringing back some of the best shows to our Metropolitan Room," says Bernie Furshpan, the club's Managing Partner. "What a great idea and brilliant to call it New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits. I can't believe I didn't think of it myself. Bravo, Stephen! "

For 2016, Hanks has already booked a star-studded lineup of performers to present their "Greatest Hits" shows. Each of the 12 classics throughout the year will be on the 13th of the month and begin at 7 pm. (Note: 2016 shows subject to change during the year.)

January: Karen Oberlin-Frank Loesser: Heart and Soul
February: Steve Schalchlin & Jim Brochu-The Last Session
March: Steve Ross-Alan Jay Lerner: I Remember Him Well
April: Rosemary Loar-The Quando Swing
May: Laurie Krauz-25 Years With (Music Director) Daryl Kojak
June: Barbara Porteus-Up On The Roof
July: Jeff Harnar (with Music Director Alex Rybeck)-1959 Broadway Songbook
August: Jeff Macauley-Mwah! The Dinah Shore Show
September: Janice Hall-Grand Illusions: The Music of Marlene Dietrich
October: Susan Winter-Love Rolls On
November: Deb Berman-All In Good Time
December: Ellen Kaye-Ice Wine: Songs for Christmas and Dark Winter Nights

Tickets for New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits shows are $20 ($15 for MAC Members) plus a 2-Drink Minimum. For reservations, call 212-206-0440 or go to www.metropolitanroom.com.

For more information, contact Stephen Hanks, Producer, Cabaret Life Productions, 718-753-1323 or email stephenhanks41@gmail.com