Ellen Kaye News

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. 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.'

For the first time in 15 years, cabaret star Julie Reyburn brings back her award-winning show, Fate Is Kind, to a New York nightclub stage when she performs the classic at the Metropolitan Room on Monday, September 14 at 7 pm as part of the new monthly series, New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits, produced by Stephen Hanks' Cabaret Life Productions with cabaret supporter Fr. Jeffrey Hamblin, MD as Associate Producer. [Reyburn's show will follow the Series launch on August 26 at 7 pm with Mark Nadler's critically acclaimed Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians), which won a 2003 Bistro Award.] Reyburn and her celebrated Musical Director Mark Janas (Producer of the Award-Winning Open-Mic show Salon) introduced Fate Is Kind in February 2000 at The Singer's Forum as a benefit cabaret for their scholarship program. It then moved to Judy's Chelsea in March 2000 for its official cabaret debut, and the show ran off and on there for most of the year. Fate Is Kind world earn Reyburn MAC and Bistro Awards in 2001 for "Outstanding Female Cabaret Debut."

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. 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.'

When BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer Billie Roe was invited to the CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown scheduled for June 4-7, it was to attend as a performer, not necessarily as a reviewer. But we couldn't resist the opportunity to have Billie at least report on some aspects of the long, event-filled weekend and record some of her impressions in something akin to a diary. Based on Billie's descriptive account here, this year's Cabaret Festival in Provincetown, MA, sounds like one of the cabaret highlights of the year.

Moscow 57 on Delancey Street in New York City is our 'Bar of the Week.' Great drinks, delicious food and fantastic music will make this venue one of your favorites.

Ellen Kaye and Jed Distler and their musical guests will present 'Kiss Me Like a Stranger Once Again' for three upcoming performances. The shows will be held on Friday, March 27th and Friday April 17th at Moscow 57 in New York City. An additional show will be performed on April 9th at Cornelia Street Cafe.

Newly opened Russian Central Asian restaurant with live music, Moscow 57, will host a party celebrating the premier of the documentary film, RED FATHER, on Friday, May 16th at 7:30pm. Moscow 57 owner Ellen Kaye met Tova Beck-Friedman, the film's director at a broadcast of Cat Radio Cafe, hosted by Janet Coleman and David Dozer on WBAI at The Cornelia Street Cafe.

Morgan Freeman said, "I don't want a Black history month. Black history is American history." Moscow 57, the new Russian Central Asian restaurant at 168½ Delancey Street in Manhattan, agrees and is honoring the African-American experience in Russia and the former Soviet Union by celebrating two unique and little-known chapters of Black history in the 20th Century.

Central City Opera is bringing a spectacular production of SHOWBOAT to the Buell Theater. This week, host of 'In Focus' Eden Lane sits down with local actor Ellen Kaye, who is making her debut on the Buell stage in this production. Click below to watch the interview!

This classic, big Broadway musical did not disappoint with its big cast, big sets, and bigger voices!

The actors comfortable interpretation of this verse, along with fantastic staging and great sword play made this show truly exceptional evening of theater.

After receiving more than 3,000 nominations once BroadwayWorld.com announced it's first-ever New York Cabaret Awards in early October, BWW is now pleased to announce it's final nominations ballot in 20 categories. Now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians and shows of the year. Voting will continue until December 31 and winners will be announced in early January.

Boulder's Dinner Theatre presents the Tony award winning hit AVENUE Q (Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and Book by Jeff Whitty) playing now through November 3rd in Boulder, CO. Okay, time for some honesty and confession - there has been a little hesitation for writing this review. Ultimately, it is time for a little tough love. As a critic, I am supposed to remain impartial but sometimes that is hard when we become invested in each play and the progress and setbacks of a company. Even though I am not supposed to show it, I must admit that each theater company holds a special place in my heart. I am thrilled when a company moves to a bigger performance space, add additional shows to their season or snags a regional or world premiere and am devastated when some have to shut down and their lights are extinguished forever.

The Arvada Center will open the regional premiere of a new restaging of Chess, A Musical directed by Rod A. Lansberry on March 27 running through April 15, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 pm, Wednesday at 1pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Preview performances are March 23 - 25. Moderated talkbacks with the cast are offered on Friday, April 6 after 7:30 p.m. show and Wednesday, April 11 after 1:00 p.m. show. Ticket prices range from $35 (previews) - $72. Group rates are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

The Arvada Center will open the regional premiere of a new restaging of Chess, A Musical directed by Rod A. Lansberry on March 27 running through April 15, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 pm, Wednesday at 1pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Preview performances are March 23 - 25. Moderated talkbacks with the cast are offered on Friday, April 6 after 7:30 p.m. show and Wednesday, April 11 after 1:00 p.m. show. Ticket prices range from $35 (previews) - $72. Group rates are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

The Arvada Center Artistic Producer and show Director, Rod A. Lansberry has announced the cast for Chess, A Musical. The show will run March 27 - April 15, 2012 in the Main Stage Theater. For show dates and ticket information go towww.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

OCTOBER AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM- Come join us every Friday and Saturday from 11PM-2AM for our piano lounge. No cover, no minimum!

Ellen Kaye will perform at Iridium Jazz Club for two nights only, Wednesday, April 25th at 8pm and Friday, May 18th at 7pm. She will be accompanied by Musical Director Tony Romano on guitar, Nate Shaw at the piano, J. Granelli on bass & Matt Kane on drums.