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: THE ZIEGFELD GIRLS REVUE Exposes More Than History at The Green Room 42
Review: THE ZIEGFELD GIRLS REVUE Exposes More Than History at The Green Room 42
April 18, 2024

THE ZIEGFELD GIRLS REVUE, on April 13th at the Green Room 42, puts a lot on view: Female pulchritude, nearly nude, with attitude.

Review: Daryl Sherman Gets Into the Swing with BORN TO SWING at Birdland
Review: Daryl Sherman Gets Into the Swing with BORN TO SWING at Birdland
April 14, 2024

Daryl Sherman is honoring an early jazz legend at Birdland -- one songbird chirping about another. A relaxed show with vintage music and musical cohorts playing with her. The show returns Tuesday at 5:30 pm.

Review: Marilyn Maye Reigns Super-Supreme at 54 Below
Review: Marilyn Maye Reigns Super-Supreme at 54 Below
April 12, 2024

Another natural wonder has arrived and is creating a thunderous storm in New York.  I refer to the whirlwind known as singer Marilyn Maye and the vociferous reception that greeted her on the opening night of her already extended engagement celebrating her 96th birthday, running through May 6 at 54 Below. She remains sensational and spellbinding.

Review: THE QUINTIN HARRIS TRIO Makes Sweet Music at Birdland
Review: THE QUINTIN HARRIS TRIO Makes Sweet Music at Birdland
April 12, 2024

The Quintin Harris Trio recently graced Birdland again. A classy set of standards was delivered. Check out our review and consider checking out their next appearance tomorrow Saturday April 13th at 5:30.

Review: THE JIVE ACES at Birdland Are Full of Friendly Fun & Frenzy
Review: THE JIVE ACES at Birdland Are Full of Friendly Fun & Frenzy
April 11, 2024

Jumpin' Jehovah! The Jive Aces surely jump for joy and jump into their music, determined to divert you and entertain with energy to the max. Once again, Birdland booked a band devoted to reviving music from the past, with The Jive Aces decidedly honoring the styles and songs of some stars of old on their April 4th show.

Review: THE HIGH SOCIETY NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND Brings Weekly Fun to Birdland
Review: THE HIGH SOCIETY NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND Brings Weekly Fun to Birdland
April 9, 2024

If you like the idea of “Throwback Thursday,” dedicating a day of the week to remember and revisit the past, Birdland can really “make your day” any Thursday with The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band. Choices from early 20th century popular music populate the set list each Thursday with the grand High Society New Orleans Jazz Band at Birdland. What a treat!

Review: Catherine Russell Is Cheery & Charming at Jazz At Lincoln Center
Review: Catherine Russell Is Cheery & Charming at Jazz At Lincoln Center
April 4, 2024

Singer Catherine Russell's joy is a joy to behold. Get a new appreciation for old songs with pep that swings. She won't let songs from a bygone era be gone. She brings 'em back with a breezy swinging style that proves there's life and juice in the oldies. And she's got a gem of a band backing her up to bring them back to life.

Review: BROADWAY BY THE SEASON Shines a Spotlight on the Past at Merkin Hall
Review: BROADWAY BY THE SEASON Shines a Spotlight on the Past at Merkin Hall
April 3, 2024

The Depression and World War II eras didn't stop Broadway from being filled with big shows and songs worth hearing again and again. Hear about what can be heard in a BroadwayWorld write-up.

Review: Joshua Turchin's COMPOSERS AT THE GREEN ROOM 42 Is a Standout
Review: Joshua Turchin's COMPOSERS AT THE GREEN ROOM 42 Is a Standout
April 1, 2024

Musical multi-tasking talent Joshua Turchin is the standout in a show he hosted with fellow songwriters & singers. When others their age were struggling to write essays, these people had already written full-length musicals and songs that got them zillions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, and you name it.

Review: Janis Siegel Gets Busy at Dizzy's Club
Review: Janis Siegel Gets Busy at Dizzy's Club
March 31, 2024

Jazz is about improvising and surprise, and so Janis Siegel stepped in for the under-the-weather booked singer at Dizzy's because the show must go on–even if it's a different one (with the same musicians). Janis Siegel was in great hands with a trio at Dizzy's on March 20th, and the audience gave them a great big hand. Read all about it.

Feature: Special April Birthday Salute – Who Is She?????
Feature: Special April Birthday Salute – Who Is She?????
April 1, 2024

Our 'Born This Month' Cabaret Birthday Salute goes to a woman with an incredible life story. An amazing musical inspiration. Do you know her name? Born in April, she changed music history during her 106-year life. Read about her in our monthly birthday feature.

Review: 54 Below Celebrated the Marquis Theater in a Jubilant Night of Song
Review: 54 Below Celebrated the Marquis Theater in a Jubilant Night of Song
March 27, 2024

54 Below is known for its seemingly endless variety of themes as happy reasons to group songs from musical theatre. Here's another, looking at some shows that came to the Marquis, starting in 1986. There were over 30 musicals that played the Marquis Theatre, and nine were revisited with songs and stories at 54 Below.

Review: Craig Rubano Returns and TAKES THE MOMENT at Laurie Beechman Theatre
Review: Craig Rubano Returns and TAKES THE MOMENT at Laurie Beechman Theatre
March 22, 2024

Don't call the Department of Missing Persons, Cabaret Unit. Singer Craig Rubano has been located and safely returned to the cabaret stage. Take a moment and read about 'Take the Moment,' the fine act by Craig Rubano, too long absent from cabaret. Rubano will be back with two more shows on April 13 and May 19.

Review: A TOAST TO STEVE & EYDIE at Zankel Hall Is a Triumph of a Toast
Review: A TOAST TO STEVE & EYDIE at Zankel Hall Is a Triumph of a Toast
March 21, 2024

Steve & Eydie were dynamite, separately and together. A TOAST TO STEVE & EYDIE on March 18th was a superb salute to these singers, and a hell of a good show, thanks to performers David Lawrence (their son), Debbie Gravitte, and a giant orchestra.

Review: 54 LOVES CAST ALBUMS at 54 Below Is a Love-In
Review: 54 LOVES CAST ALBUMS at 54 Below Is a Love-In
March 21, 2024

54 Loves Cast Albums. Don't you? Some of the top tracks and deep cuts come to life on stage at 54 Below in yet another of their Broadway celebrations on March 7th. If you love cast albums, you'd likely love 54 LOVES CAST ALBUMS.

EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW Is Everything a Tribute Show Should Be
EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW Is Everything a Tribute Show Should Be
March 20, 2024

Musical comedy history roared to life when Klea Blackhurst brought the songs and sass and stories of Ethel Merman. The tables were full, the stage was filled with energy at Chelsea Table + Stage. She's coming back there with a survey of songwriter Vernon Duke on April 14 and Jerry Herman later this spring.

Review: SALLY MAYES Continues Her Reign at The Green Room 42
Review: SALLY MAYES Continues Her Reign at The Green Room 42
March 18, 2024

Lovable Sally Mayes sings love songs and this and that in her 'Now and Then' series at The Green Room 42, with more shows to come in May and June. Sally Mayes entertains with ever-changing sets, chosen from material she's sung over the years. Read about her second chapter at BWW.

Review: IT'S DE-LOVELY when Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter at Birdland
Review: IT'S DE-LOVELY when Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter at Birdland
March 15, 2024

When Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter, 'in the still of the night,' it's 'true love' for cabaret-lovers. Want to know why? Read Rob Lester's review of the March 11th show

Review: Ann Hampton Callaway Is FINDING BEAUTY (and more fans) at Dizzy's
Review: Ann Hampton Callaway Is FINDING BEAUTY (and more fans) at Dizzy's
March 9, 2024

Get yourself to Dizzy's at Columbus Circle this weekend if you want to catch the beauty of 'Finding Beauty' with Ann Hampton Callaway's originals and pop covers. The sublime singeris in residence at Dizzy's through Sunday, March 10.

Review: BROADWAY BOUND - PART SIX Is a Treasurer-Hunter's Dream
Review: BROADWAY BOUND - PART SIX Is a Treasurer-Hunter's Dream
March 12, 2024

Just because the show never got to Broadway doesn't mean it didn't have good songs. Proof of this is in the hearing. And they get a fair hearing at 54 Below with the BROADWAY BOUND series. Even if a project might crash and burn, there can be things worth salvaging from the ashes. Read about 'em in our write-ups on 'Broadway Bound' --- a dream, a live show series, a podcast, a pleasure.






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