Ira Lee Collings Celebrates Gay Pride Month with New Cabaret Show in June

By: May. 03, 2017
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Hanson Award winner Ira Lee Collings returns to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC to celebrate Gay Pride Month with his new show LIFE IS A SONG - SO WHY NOT SING IT! on June 2nd, 12th and 26th at 7 PM.

The evening includes songs heard on the popular TV show 'Your Hit Parade.' Ira Lee adds: "and some weed songs too." He will be joined by Musical Director John M. Cook on piano. Sally Darling will direct.

In March, 2017, The MAC Awards honored Ira Lee Collings with The Hanson Award which is given 'to recognize and encourage performers of outstanding talent.'

Born in a very small town in Indiana, the youngest of 8 children, Ira Lee began singing on the radio with his sister when they were kids. After studying at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, he moved to New York where he appeared off-Broadway and in regional theatre, and even opened for the great Dawn Hampton in the 1960s. After many years of performing, he took a 25-year hiatus from show business, re-appearing a few years ago with several successful cabaret appearances in NYC. Now 81, his previous shows at Don't Tell Mama include "Gay Since 1935 - A Gay Geezer's Musical Odyssey" and "Simply Ira Lee (A Gay Geezer Celebration.)"

On BistroAwards.com, Kevin Scott Hall wrote: "Collings gives the impression of a life well-lived, with his heart smack-dab in the right place. He gives a self-assured performance, but he offers more than that. It's a celebration of life itself." Anne-Allegra Bennett of Center on the Aisle said: "He puts life, energy and compassion into the music" and the late Stu Hamstra said: "A true lesson in the real meaning of Cabaret."

Ira Lee has appeared in The Metropolitan Room Marathon and 2016 Aids Day Celebration and placed in the top ten in the "Mama's Next Big Act" competition at Don't Tell Mama. On May 15th he will be a special guest at Bobbie Horowitz' "It's Just a Number" at The Metropolitan Room, and on May 21st he will perform at the 15th Annual Cabaret Festival in Long Beach, NY. He will also appear at The Metropolitan Room at the Gay Pride Benefit on June 19th.

Ira Lee's show includes songs by Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Michel Legrand, Sammy Cahn, Sylvia Fine and Kim Gannon among others.

For more info on Ira Lee Collings, visit: http://shereedtm.wix.com/ira-lee-collings. There is a $15 cover and 2 drink minimum for Ira Lee Collings at Don't Tell Mama with a $10 cover for MAC members. No credit cards accepted. Reservations suggested: (212) 757-0788 or go to http://www.donttellmamanyc.com/shows



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