
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: Mark Winkler Returns to NYC, Providing Jazz Pleasure at Pangea
June 24, 2026

Review: Carly Ozard Is Fierce in the ETHEL MERMAN DISCO ALBUM PROJECT at Green Room 42
July 2, 2026

Review: J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Co. Lights Up the Stage at AMT Theater
May 6, 2026

Review: Scott Siegel Honors a Legend in FRANK SINATRA: THE CONCERT at 54 Below
June 23, 2026

Review: Mark Winkler Returns to NYC, Providing Jazz Pleasure at Pangea
June 24, 2026

Review: BROADWAY ORIGINALS Brings Memories & Talent to 54 Below
July 15, 2026
The series BROADWAY ORIGINALS, presenting notable Broadway performers revisiting and talking about their roles of yore, scores again.

Review: CURTAINS & CADENZAS at 54 Below
July 13, 2026
Old showtunes prove there's life in old-school show tunes when the Pocket Change Combo combines forces with young singers.

Review: Seth Sikes Sparkles in the Singular SING A SONG WITH ME at 54 Below
July 6, 2026
Sunshine radiates from singer Seth Sikes in SING A SONG WITH ME, a show that returns to 54 Below on September 22.

Review: DAMES AT SEA Is Cheerfully Cheered at 54 Below
June 30, 2026
DAMES AT SEA: A fun, well-done, one-off, on-target concert of a happy-go-lucky old-fashioned musical, presented by Charles Kirsch (BACKSTAGE BABBLE) and Michael Lavine, makes the crowd happy

Review: Carly Ozard Is Fierce in the ETHEL MERMAN DISCO ALBUM PROJECT at Green Room 42
July 2, 2026
Carly Ozard's ETHEL MERMAN DISCO ALBUM PROJECT was a lively show from a live-wire performer (to say the least)! Ozard's big, belting voice was a perfect match for Merman's material.

Review: Mark Winkler Returns to NYC, Providing Jazz Pleasure at Pangea
June 24, 2026
Jazz man Mark Winkler, smile-inducing jazz man, came to play in NYC for the first time in four years.

Review: Scott Siegel Honors a Legend in FRANK SINATRA: THE CONCERT at 54 Below
June 23, 2026
Swell shows full of songs of FRANK SINATRA and Broadway hits, performed by some strong singers, hosted by Scott Siegel, are sprinkled through the summer at 54 Below.

Review: Singer-Pianist Chris Barrett Receives a Warm Welcome at Pangea
June 22, 2026
It was lovely to see, and hear, Chris Barrett, a singer-pianist with flair and nostalgia, at Pangea.

Review: OSCAR PETERSON CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE at Rose Theater (Jazz At Lincoln Center)
June 22, 2026
The OSCAR PETERSON CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE at Jazz at Lincoln Center was a lovely 100th anniversary embrace of his legacy by admirers.

Review: Unitard's ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAIN at Red Eye NY Is Anything But Plain
June 11, 2026
Do you revere the irreverent and have a taste for the 'tasteless'? The comedy trio Unitard's ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAIN returns to Red Eye NY on 6/24.

Review: The Steven Feifke Trio Sinks into Classics at Birdland
June 6, 2026
The Steven Feifke Trio playing at Birdland is always worth catching.

Review: BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT Lecture Series at AMT Theater
May 31, 2026
BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT at AMT Theater, a lecture series of interesting info and personal opinions and experiences by three men of the the theater with something to say.

Review: ESCAPE: THE MUSIC OF RUPERT HOLMES at AMT Theater Featured the Songwriter Himself
May 27, 2026
May 19's ESCAPE: THE MUSIC OF RUPERT HOLMES at AMT Theater was a cabaret with the songwriter himself in attendance, on-stage, and in good spirits, along with some cast members from the hosting J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company

Review: LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND Was Packed with Fine Songs at AMT Theater
May 18, 2026
A cabaret night celebrating the music of Bob Merrill in conjunction with J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Co.

Review: THE BEST OF TIMES Made for a lovely time at AMT Theater
May 11, 2026
THE BEST OF TIMES was a fine celebration of the songs of Jerry Herman by J2 Spotlight with its alumni and others.

Review: J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Co. Lights Up the Stage at AMT Theater
May 6, 2026
Don't think that the words 'Lecture Series' means something dry or preachy.

Review: SING HAPPY! at 92NY Overflows with Kander & Ebb Treats
June 2, 2025
Lyrics & Lyricists celebrate and examine Kander & Ebb's work with one final performance June 2 at 7 pm.

Review: NEW WRITERS at 54 Below Spotlights Songwriter Ethan Carlson
April 21, 2025
Up-and-coming songwriter Ethan Carlson's songs had a turn in the spotlight at the NEW WRITERS AT 54 showcase on 3/25, showing off some of his songs with a bevy of performers including Liz Callaway.

Review: THE LEADING LADY CLUB CONCERT Is a Female-Focused Blast at 54 Below
April 1, 2025
THE LEADING LADY CONCERT at 54 Below on March 22 featured lots of talent and more than just bravura belting--with some surprises.

Review: Cyrille Aimée & The Guitar Heroes Captivate at Birdland
March 21, 2025
With two sets a night through Saturday 3/22, Cyrille Aimée and her Guitar Heroes may be your jazz heroes this week with their strong show at Birdland.
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