Ray Watkins News

Two more chances to see the pop/jazz vocal group THOSE GIRLS in 'Those Girls Sing the Boys (vol.1)', their newest show, on November 22nd & December 2nd at 7pm. This time around, the Girls bring their mix of harmony and humor to celebrate music from five decades of male artists (with their own spin on them, of course, and a killer band.) From Elvis to The Rat Pack to Bruno Mars and then some! Performances will be at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, downstairs at the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd St. NYC - doors open 6:30pm. For tickets: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/956296 Directed by Lennie Watts, Musical Direction by Steven Ray Watkins. www.thosegirlssing.com

Two award winning cabaret besties are having a grand time playing HOMETOWN HEROES at The Laurie Beechman Theatre

Multiple Award winners Kim Grogg and Lennie Watts join forces to honor their HOMETOWN HEROES! Grogg, from Indiana, and Watts, from Missouri pay tribute to songwriters and artists that hail from their home states. Featuring artists from Cole Porter to Burt Bacharach and Hoagy Carmichael to Michael McDonald, Grogg and Watts explore their musical roots, with a nod to artists from New York, where they have resided for over 30 years. Steven Ray Watkins Musical Directs with Matt Scharfglass on bass.

Lynda Rodolitz brings a?oeAnimal Magnetism,a?? back to Don't Tell Mama in November.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's Next BIG Act, will reprise her show Animal Magnetismat Don't Tell Mama on Wednesday, November 6at 7 PM and Sunday, November 10 at 4 PM.

Join the multi-award winning vocal group THOSE GIRLS for 'An Evening With Those Girls', a very special event that's sure to be a great time filled with great music! Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack & Wendy Russell joined forces three years ago to form this critically acclaimed harmony project that celebrates a wide & eclectic mix of musical styles - pop, jazz, country, standards, rock and all that's in between. 

A heartfelt and talent-filled benefit took place at Don't Tell Mama for the Young Minds Foundation Friday night.

Members of the NYC Cabaret community band together to fight teen suicide in a benefit at famed hotspot Don't Tell Mama.

Tonight Don't Tell Mama's was packed to witness another round in the “Mama's Next Big Act” competition. Produced by Lennie Watts and Don't Tell Mama, each week singers compete with hopes to continue on to the finale and win a grand prize.

The 2017 winner of Mama's Next Big Act, Heather Villaescusa, is bringing her show, The Happiness Project-A 10 Week Guide, back to NYC's Don't Tell Mama, exactly one year to the date of her opening, on Sunday, March 3 at 6:00pm. The singer returns with her long-time director Lennie Watts and musical director Steven Ray Watkins through a 10-week journey trying to find happiness in the insanity of being a mother, holding down a full-time job, being in a contest and ninja fighting those gremlins in the brain. Heather Villasescusa is an award contender for the 2019 Mac Award for Female Vocalist.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show 'Animal Magnetism' at Don't Tell Mama on February 10, 13, 24 and 27. When she grew frustrated with the dating advice she was getting from her human friends, Lynda turned to the animal kingdom to see what could be learned from them about lasting happy relationships. There'll be fascinating facts, great songs and lots of laughs along the way.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show Animal Magnetism at Don't Tell Mama on Sundays February 10, and 24 at 3 PM and Wednesdays, February 13 and 27 at 7 PM. The show is directed by Lennie Watts with Steven Ray Watkins as Musical Director, featuring Matt Scharfglass on bass and Don Kelly on percussion.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show 'Animal Magnetism' at Don't Tell Mama on February 10, 13, 24 and 27. When she grew frustrated with the dating advice she was getting from her human friends, Lynda turned to the animal kingdom to see what could be learned from them about lasting happy relationships. There'll be fascinating facts, great songs and lots of laughs along the way.

'Songs You Don't Know...' had an outstanding opening performance Saturday, November 10, at Don't Tell Mama. 'The response was so welcome, after working alone with the band for so long. Hearing the laughs for that Johnny Mercer song with five verses was definitely a relief' said writer and actor Mischa Kischkum (Comedy Central Television; NBC; Cannes Festival).

Harvested from years of research, transcriptions, and arrangements, there's a new one-act review opening this Fall, featuring six actor-musicians. 'Songs You Don't Know By Writers You Love' is fashioned of hidden gems by popular writers like Carole King, Elton John, and Johnny Mercer.

Amy Wolk and Nikki M. James present I Only Have Lies For You, a live gameshow that pits Broadway panelists against each other in a lying contest, now in its second hit season! Two teams of three will go head-to-head telling stories, some of which may not be true---it is up to the other team to guess, Truth or Lie. Featuring musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, panelists will defend their stories by all means possible, including song and dance. Hosted by MAC Award winner Amy Wolk, I Only Have Lies For You is presented monthly at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City, and is being recorded as a podcast, which can be found on iTunes.

Harvested from years of research, transcriptions, and arrangements, there's a new one-act review opening this Fall, featuring six actor-musicians. 'Songs You Don't Know By Writers You Love' is fashioned of hidden gems by popular writers like Carole King, Elton John, and Johnny Mercer.

NYC favorites THOSE GIRLS are back at Pangea for one more night of unplugged harmonic revelry! Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack, and Wendy Russell joined forces to form this critically acclaimed & multi-award winning vocal project that brings a wide & eclectic mix of musical styles - pop to jazz, country to rock and everything in between - to stages of all shapes and sizes. 2017 & 2018 Award Winners - Best Vocal Duo/Group - Manhattan Assoc. of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC). Directed by Lennie Watts, Musical Direction Steven Ray Watkins.