Rob Lester

Rob Lester

Rob Lester, native New Yorker, has been covering entertainment for more than 15 years for various outlets and has recently returned to Broadway World writing staff.  His involvement in cabaret has also led to involvement with the genre's awards as a voting judge and, pre-pandemic, he helped to curate the Artists In Partnership (AIP) Cabaret Festival. As far as musical theatre, he loves attending, researching, reviewing, directing, writing songs and scripts, as well as being a dramaturg.  He also worked with author Deb Berman on her book for kids about what happens before birth called "9 Months in The Play Womb: The Inside Story." He personally hails from the womb of a mother who loves the Great American Songbook and its singers, instilling that appreciation in him.






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: High-Powered Garland Tribute NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub
Review: High-Powered Garland Tribute NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub
June 11, 2024

The 12th annual NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub had no shortage of pow to wow its eager audience. The annual event drew a big crowd and money for the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit benefitting homeless LGBTQ+ youth. The June 3rd show turned on the energy to the max.

Review: Marissa Mulder's SWINGIN' ON A STAR Swings & Soars at The Cutting Room
Review: Marissa Mulder's SWINGIN' ON A STAR Swings & Soars at The Cutting Room
June 8, 2024

A wonderful singer, wonderful Jimmy Van Heusen melodies, and Jon Weber as M.D.: An ideal combination. What can I say about Marissa Mulder's June 2 performance of SWINGIN' ON A STAR at the Cutting Room? In a word, bravo.

Review: TAKING NOTES Takes a Look at Learning at The Green Room 42
Review: TAKING NOTES Takes a Look at Learning at The Green Room 42
June 8, 2024

TAKING NOTES is a cabaret show with laughs and lessons learned in life and school. with a lot of pop and musical theatre along the way. Andrew Bova is the student taking it all in. The May 31st show was a promising NYC cabaret debut by a gregarious guy with teachable moments.

Review: THE ONE-OFFS Is One Off-the-Charts Smash for Those Girls at Pangea
Review: THE ONE-OFFS Is One Off-the-Charts Smash for Those Girls at Pangea
June 5, 2024

Those Girls, the award-winning foursome, were back, with dazzling arrangements and harmonies. Together or separately, they are terrific and endlessly entertaining with any style of music. Those Girls raised their harmonious, glorious voices and raised the audience's spirits, too.

Review: MIRACLE OF MIRACLES Rekindles Broadway Memories at The 92nd Street Y
Review: MIRACLE OF MIRACLES Rekindles Broadway Memories at The 92nd Street Y
June 4, 2024

MIRACLE OF MIRACLES, a grand tribute to Sheldon Harnick, closed its trio of concert performances last night. It serves as a radiant reminder of a legendary talent of musical theatre. Sheldon Harnick's lyrics and legacy were warmly presented in the Lyrics & Lyricists series, which he was a major part of in its early years.

Review: HER NAME IS BARBRA Bursts with Streisand Memories at The Green Room 42
Review: HER NAME IS BARBRA Bursts with Streisand Memories at The Green Room 42
June 4, 2024

HER NAME IS BARBRA on May 24th at The Green Room 42 was a sparkling tribute to the superstar. It was a delightful addition to the panoply of recent Streisand tributes. The fan club remains in session.

Monthly 'Birthday Salute': COLE PORTER
Monthly 'Birthday Salute': COLE PORTER
June 2, 2024

The talents and legacy of composer-lyricist Cole Porter are always worth celebrating, especially in his birthday month of June. Here's a look at some current evidence of his lasting presence in cabaret shows, etc.

Review: TO BARBRA, WITH LOVE Was a Swell Streisand Salute at 54 Below
Review: TO BARBRA, WITH LOVE Was a Swell Streisand Salute at 54 Below
May 31, 2024

Barbra Streisand's songbook gets paged through by admiring talents in this Streisand salute on May 23rd

Review: MOSS's Reunion at Joe's Pub Is Radiant
Review: MOSS's Reunion at Joe's Pub Is Radiant
May 31, 2024

MOSS sang at Joe's Pub almost 20 years ago before making their first (and, so far, only) album. The occasional reunion of this group is an occasion for rejoicing! They were back for one of their regions and sound splendid. They are MOSS and they are marvelous.

Review: Carolyn Montgomery Connects to Rosemary Clooney at 54 Below
Review: Carolyn Montgomery Connects to Rosemary Clooney at 54 Below
May 26, 2024

Rosemary Clooney's lifetime of music is explored in Carolyn Montgomery's thought-provoking, memory-stoking act GIRLSINGER, directed by Sally Mayes. Its second NYC presentation on May 22nd is updated and expanded from its opening night in January. It will be followed by bookings in Florida plus LA, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, & Seattle.

Review: FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING Finds Steve Ross in Fine Form at Birdland
Review: FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING Finds Steve Ross in Fine Form at Birdland
May 25, 2024

Finding words for FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING with veteran singer-pianist Steve Ross could result in adjectives such as 'lovely' and 'savvy' and 'charming.' Ross, the ultimate class act and champion of classic songs, makes us appreciate them anew, blossoming one more time, like the annual spring flowers. He's a perennial, too.

Review: FABLES IN CONCERT at Green Room 42 Is Fun-Filled & Loaded with Lessons
Review: FABLES IN CONCERT at Green Room 42 Is Fun-Filled & Loaded with Lessons
May 23, 2024

The Green Room 42 celebrated Mother's Day with a family-friendly musical inspired by centuries-old fables. The messages and life lessons come through in force and in song when Aesop's characters are the characters in a musical.

Review: REEVE CARNEY SINGS THE BEATLES Is a Knockout at Green Room 42
Review: REEVE CARNEY SINGS THE BEATLES Is a Knockout at Green Room 42
May 22, 2024

The versatile singer/songwriter/musician/actor Reeve Carney (Hadestown) took on The Beatles last week at the Green Room 42. The May 13th show was a rocking sensation.

Review: LOVE IS NEVER GONE Spotlights Marvin Hamlisch at Green Room 42
Review: LOVE IS NEVER GONE Spotlights Marvin Hamlisch at Green Room 42
May 20, 2024

MARVIN HAMLISCH: LOVE IS NEVER GONE recalls the ups and downs and talents of the late man of music in advance of his 80th birthday in June. The much-admired composer and conductor's life story gets the musical biography jukebox treatment. The May 10th show shone a warm spotlight on Hamlisch, best known for writing the music to A CHORUS LINE.

Review: Jane Monheit & Band Bring Smokin' Hot Music to Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
Review: Jane Monheit & Band Bring Smokin' Hot Music to Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
May 17, 2024

You have until Sunday May 19th to make your way to catch jazz delight Jane Monheit sing with her small but very mighty band at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club. Monheit's singing is heavenly.

Review: J2 Spotlight's BACK TO BEFORE at AMT Theater Is Spot-On
Review: J2 Spotlight's BACK TO BEFORE at AMT Theater Is Spot-On
May 15, 2024

A cabaret night called Back To Before looked back at the numerous scores of Ahrens and Flaherty. Material from Seussical, Anastasia, Ragtime, The Glorious Ones, and more sounded glorious at the May 7th show.

Review: ONE OF THE GIRLS Is a Springtime Sensation at Chelsea Table + Stage
Review: ONE OF THE GIRLS Is a Springtime Sensation at Chelsea Table + Stage
May 13, 2024

Chelsea Table + Stage continued its 'Box Set' of shows by Klea Blackhurs. With the May installment, she finds joy and pow with Jerry Herman's show tunes. Jerry Herman's lively life-affirming songs are a perfect fit for Blackhurst.

Feature: MONTHLY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE: Let's salute Irving Berlin
Feature: MONTHLY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE: Let's salute Irving Berlin
May 11, 2024

Irving Berlin's songs continue to fill the air. Let's toast him on the anniversary of his birth, May 11.

Review: Broadway Kids Take the Stage at Chelsea Table + Stage
Review: Broadway Kids Take the Stage at Chelsea Table + Stage
May 10, 2024

Wondering what the kids are up to? The Broadway Kids are singing at a nightclub and training for their professional careers. BKA (Broadway Kids Auditions) hosted a talent showcase of young aspiring performers. The young folks raising their voices in song seemed at home on a stage, delivering their material with gusto and grace

Review: Wednesday GUITAR NIGHTS Are Wonderful at Birdland
Review: Wednesday GUITAR NIGHTS Are Wonderful at Birdland
May 9, 2024

Frank Vignola makes the guitar sing. And his May 1st GUITAR NIGHT brought singer Karrin Allyson's tones, too, along with the band and guest violinist and a varied repertoire.



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