Natalie Douglas News

Last December, with the 2018 Midterm elections on the horizon, New York-based Cabaret producer, performer, promoter, and former reviewer Stephen Hanks decided he needed to combine his passion for cabaret and politics and channel that energy into action on behalf of the Democratic and Progressive candidates running for the US Senate, the US Congress, and some state offices this November. To help him with his “Campaigning,” Hanks has recruited All-Star Casts of Cabaret performers who are equally passionate about motivating people to “Ride the Blue Wave” in 2018. On Hanks' Birthday, October 13, 7 pm, CABARET CAMPAIGNS: RIDE THE BLUE WAVE 2018! (with Michael Roberts, who wrote the Series theme song “The Great Blue Wave” as Musical Director) will feature the 4th All-Female Cast, featuring 2018 Two-Time MAC Award-Winner Natalie Douglas (representing Florida Governor Candidate Andrew Gillum).

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Coltrane Revisited, Nellie Mckay, Tom Tallitsch Quartet, and more!

It's a good thing Gianni Valenti built the new Birdland Theater incorporating substantial soundproofing material. The screams and laughter coming from last night's audience would have alarmed the upstairs music lovers enjoying a great performance in the legendary 'Jazz Corner of The World'

Lee Roy Reams (Tony nominee for 42nd Street), Jane Summerhays (Tony nominee for Me and My Girl), Diane J. Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Neva Small (Fiddler on the Roof), and Don Johanson (Jelly's Last Jam) have joined the 40th Anniversary concert of BALLROOM, the 1978 Tony nominated musical, at Feinstein's/54 Below today, September 4th at 7:00pm.

The American Songbook Association (ASA) is proud to present its first Annual Gala, The Joint Is Jumpin'!, a joyous celebration of contributions to the American Songbook by Black songwriters and notable singers. The ASA will also present its first annual Lifetime Achievement Award to singer Marilyn Maye. The award will be presented to Maye by her longtime friend, fashion designer, Bob Mackie. The event takes place at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42nd Street, New York City, on September 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Tickets, available by going to www.americansongbookassociation.org, are $150, $125 and $45.

The American Songbook Association (ASA) has announced its first Annual Gala, The Joint Is Jumpin'!, a joyous celebration of contributions to the American Songbook by Black songwriters and notable singers. The ASA will also present its first annual Lifetime Achievement Award to singer Marilyn Maye. The award will be presented to Maye by her longtime friend, fashion designer, Bob Mackie. The event takes place at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42nd Street, New York City, on September 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Tickets, available by going to www.americansongbookassociation.org, are $150, $125 and $45.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented singer Natalie Douglas with another one of her "Tributes!" On Monday, August 20, she celebrated the music and magic of the one and only 'First Lady of Song,' Ella Fitzgerald. Musical director for the evening was Billy Stritch, with Endea Owens on bass and Lucianna Padmore on drums.

Lee Roy Reams (Tony nominee for 42nd Street), Jane Summerhays (Tony nominee for Me and My Girl), Diane J. Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Neva Small (Fiddler on the Roof), and Don Johanson (Jelly's Last Jam) have joined the 40th Anniversary concert of BALLROOM, the 1978 Tony nominated musical, at Feinstein's/54 Below on Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00pm.

It's safe to say that Natalie Douglas is a little obsessed with Cher. Throughout TRIBUTES: CHER, the latest in her award-winning TRIBUTES series, Douglas made her way through the icon's life from her early career up to the present, both in song and in story. But the real focus of the July 16 show at Birdland wasn't necessarily in identifying with the woman, the myth, the legend that is Cher. (After all, how can anyone fully relate to someone for whom a phrase as simple as "Hi again" is a meme-able moment?)

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Count Basie Orchestra, Natalie Douglas Tributes: Ella Fitzgerald, The Renee Manning/Earl McIntyre Septet, Nina Storey at the Birdland Theater, and more!

Ballroom, the 1978 Broadway musical that was based on the acclaimed television movie The Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an all-star cast at Feinstein's/54 Below on Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00pm.

There's a new cocktail being served up at the Bridland Theater, and based upon it's debut last night, folks will be lining up to get into (or should I say down to).  It's being served up at the new venue underneath the legendary Birdland Jazz nightclub…. the Birdland Theater.   

Gianni Valenti, the music world's gift to New York City, has created another venue for the performing arts. Jim Caruso made it official last night as he introduced Lucie Arnaz, who with her longtime friend and music director Ron Abel thrilled a celebrity filled opening night audience.

Birdland Theater kicked off it's premiere summer season Tuesday night with audience favorite Lucie Arnaz, who also happened to be celebrating a birthday. Lucie's new show, "I Got The Job: Songs From My Musical Past" will take place at 7pm nightly through Saturday, July 21. There was a post-show celebration in the green room, with champagne, cake, singing, reveling and toasts to the birthday girl and new show room.

For three decades, the unofficial launch of 'autumn in New York' has been marked by the annual Cabaret Convention of The Mabel Mercer Foundation. This year, their four individual concerts will once again be presented at 6 p.m. at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Tuesday, October 9thand running through Friday, October 12th. More than seventy diverse vocalists -- ranging in age from seventeen to ninety -- are scheduled to entertain; thirteen of these will make their New York Cabaret Convention debuts during the 2018 performances.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Tommy Igoe Sextet, Paul Marinaro with Shelia Jordan, Augie Haas, and more!

r/j productions & Deborah Grace Winer present Baby, Dream Your Dream: The Great Women Songwriters, a spectacular musical review of Broadway's women composers and writers at Guild Hall on Sunday, July 8 at 7 pm, featuring acclaimed Broadway performers Karen Ziemba, Margo Seibert, and Natalie Douglas.

59th street (Florence Gould Hall) heard the sounds usually found on 44th street (Birdland) for a concert in celebration of The Big Apple last night and Broadwayworld was there. Check out the photos below.