Lennie Watts News

Black, Blind and Beautiful, Peggy Easton's robust and gorgeous style will enthrall everyone who hears her. Once again, she is directed by ten-time MAC winner Lennie Watts -- and after two successful outings on June 9th and June 15th, Peggy is back again tonight, July 23rd.

Award winning composer/lyricist, Scott Evan Davis, will make his 54 Below debut on September 23rd with special guest vocalists singing new music, favorites from his debut CD, Cautiously Optimistic, and material from his upcoming musical, Indigo (with book by Tessa Derfner).

Black, Blind and Beautiful, Peggy Easton's robust and gorgeous style will enthrall everyone who hears her. Once again, she is directed by ten-time MAC winner Lennie Watts -- and after two successful outings on June 9th and June 15th, Peggy is back again on July 23rd.

The Midtown International Theater Festival has announced its 2014 lineup. Details below!

Nathan Chang's critically acclaimed show "Steppin' off the Sidewalk" is being extended for three more summertime performances. This show, which garnered him a 2014 Bistro Award and a 2014 MAC Nomination, opened in February of 2013 and is continuing its run this summer on July 3rd at 7pm, July 19th at 8pm and August 6th at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama NYC. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made by calling (212) 757-0788 after 4pm or by visiting www.donttellmamanyc.com. Tickets are $10 ($5 for MAC/AEA/SAG-AFTRA members).

Stearns Matthews is a three-time MAC Award nominee in three different categories (Best Male Debut, 2009; Best Male Vocalist, 2011; Best Musical Comedy Performer, 2013), has appeared twice at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Annual Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and was the first-ever first runner-up in the Metropolitan Room's MetroStar Talent Challenge in 2008

Peggy Eason is one of those characters who seem to have been made for the New York cabaret scene. She's a bodacious woman who is ubiquitous at the local clubs, possesses a passion for singing, and bills herself as the 'Chocolate Diva,' although on stage she's more like a Red Hot Mama. Eason opened her third solo cabaret show, I'll Show Them All, at Don't Tell Mama on Monday night (she's appearing again at the club on Sunday at 7pm) with the decidedly politically incorrect titled song written especially for her by David Conforte, 'Black, Blind and Beautiful' (Hey, 'African American, Visually Challenged and Beautiful' doesn't have the same ring to it.). But there was little that was incorrect about her fast-paced and entertaining show that was often poignant and funny at the same time.

Director Simon Greiff writes for BWW:UK about creating the new musical, starring Charlotte Wakefield and Helen Hobson, which begins its official rehearsal period on Monday!

Stearns Matthews is a three-time MAC Award nominee in three different categories (Best Male Debut, 2009; Best Male Vocalist, 2011; Best Musical Comedy Performer, 2013), has appeared twice at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Annual Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and was the first-ever first runner-up in the Metropolitan Room's MetroStar Talent Challenge in 2008

MAC nominee, Jim Speake brings back his acclaimed show celebrating the music of Broadway composer, Cy Coleman: 'I'm A Brass Band, Jim Speake Sings Cy Coleman at the Duplex'. The show is directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, featuring the SRW band.

If you are even a semi-regular reader of this column of reviews, you know that about every three or four months, I post a compilation of observations of shows from the previous quarter of the year. This cabaret critiquing mash up happens for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I admittedly see too many cabaret shows for the amount of time I have to promptly review them (and then, of course, the usual writer's procrastination sets in). So I have to prioritize the timeliness of the reviews based on the prestige of the performer, the length of a show run, the strength (or lack thereof) of the performance, etc. The quality of the shows in these compilations—which can range from a half dozen to a dozen reviews in one shot—are usually a mixed bag of outright raves, qualified positives, and constructive pans (I'm not a fan of the word “negative” in the reviewer lexicon). With that in mind here are a collection of cabaret show reviews going back to the start of a very harsh winter.

MAC nominee, Jim Speake brings back his acclaimed show celebrating the music of Broadway composer, Cy Coleman: 'I'm A Brass Band, Jim Speake Sings Cy Coleman at the Duplex.' The show is directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, featuring the SRW band.

Peggy Eason will bring "I'll Show Them All!" to "Don't Tell Mama" on June 9th, 15th, 2014.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

MAC nominee, Jim Speake brings back his acclaimed show celebrating the music of Broadway composer, Cy Coleman: "I'm A Brass Band, Jim Speake Sings Cy Coleman at the Duplex". The show is directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, featuring the SRW band.

Cabaret Cares/Help Is On The Way Today, a 501c non-profit organization founded by MAC Award winning producer, Joseph Macchia, will hold its annual fundraising gala (cocktails, auction, dinner, show) on May 18th at the Laurie Beechman Theater, featuring a live show with many of New York's favorite performers who donate their time and talent to this wonderful event.

MAC nominee, Jim Speake brings back his acclaimed show celebrating the music of Broadway composer, Cy Coleman: "I'm A Brass Band, Jim Speake Sings Cy Coleman at the Duplex.' The show is directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, featuring the SRW band.

NYC cabaret artist Angela Shultz takes to the stage with her 2014 show 'Reality Check' on Saturdays, April 26 and May 10, both shows at 5:30pm, at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788; www.donttellmamanyc.com). There is a $20 cover charge plus a 2-drink minimum. (Members of MAC -- $15.) Reservations may be placed by calling (212) 757-0788 after 4pm daily or by visiting www.donttellmamanyc.com

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, held their 28th Annual MAC Awards celebration last evening at BB King's Blues club in Times Square. Winners in twenty-five categories were announced. The show was hosted by the vivacious singer, band leader, multiple MAC Award winner and 2014 Nominee, Terese Genecco. The gala was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, the current MAC President. Don Rebic served as Musical Director. Presenters included Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal and designer Bob Mackie. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners.

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, held their 28th Annual MAC Awards celebration last evening at BB King's Blues club in Times Square. Winners in twenty-five categories were announced. The show was hosted by the vivacious singer, band leader, multiple MAC Award winner and 2014 Nominee, Terese Genecco. The gala was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, the current MAC President. Don Rebic served as Musical Director. Presenters included Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal and designer Bob Mackie. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners.