Maryann Lopinto News

See photos and a review of the March 30th night celebrating cabaret and musical star Karen Mason's birthday at Birdland Jazz Club, by guest contributor Maryann Lopinto.

Peter Filichia returned to 54 Below on March 2, 2026 with another chapter of his PETER FILICHIA AND FRIENDS: BR0ADWAY TALES AND TUNES. See photos and a review of the show by Maryann Lopinto

The Broadway veteran (Miss Saigon, Falsettos, Starlight Express, and Grease) returned to 54 on January 18 and 20. See photos snapped by Maryann Lopinto

The three-night engagement from December 19-21 featured Mason’s annual holiday cabaret program. See photos and a write up of the show by guest writer Maryann Lopinto.

The 10/21 to 10/23 shows celebrated the vibrant cabaret community. See photos from nights two and three of the event snapped by photographer Maryann Lopinto.

Karen Mason just finished a three-day run of her new show, KAREN MASON: MORE SPF! THE SUMMER CONTINUES, at Don't Tell Mama. See photos and a review of the night by Maryann Lopinto

The July 28th show celebrated a forgotten, frivolous and fun-filled musical, originally starring Lucille Ball, the third in a series produced and hosted by Backstage Babbles' Charles Kirsch.

Charles Kirsch’s latest Backstage Babble was a fun resurrection of songs from mostly flop shows that quickly failed on Broadway or out of town. The theme was inspired by Joe Allen's “flop wall” of posters from shows that closed in the first week.

Walter Willison’s concert production of High Spirits on 1/6 at 54 Below, was delightful. The semi-staged concert featured Judy Kaye, Christine Andreas, Ann Kittredge and more in perhaps one of the most bizarre musicals of the 20th century.

“Tomatoes Got Talent” – the decade-long talent show created and produced by The Three Tomatoes and Randie Levine-Miller, took its final bow after 10 years! It rocked the house on October 14 at the Triad, NYC. Check out photos here!

This reviewer was thrilled and completely overwhelmed by the outstanding and memorable performances by several Broadway icons.

54 Below honored legendary lyricist and composer Sheldon Harnick on Tuesday April 30th with two touching tribute shows. To Life: A Celebration of Sheldon Harnick’s Legacy on His 100th Birthday featured a 7 pm and 9:30 pm show, each with a completely different lineup of celebrated singers who were touched in some way by Harnick’s work.

It was wonderful watching cabaret singer Jennifer Roberts return to the work of one of her favorite lyricists, Sheldon Harnick. The Tuesday April 30th show in celebration of what would have been Harnick’s 100th birthday featured selections of some of Harnick’s most well-known songs and delightful obscurities plucked from the archives.

Not every Broadway show is a smash. A focus on 14 hidden gems from shows that disappeared too quickly fueled an entertaining evening at 54 Below last Sunday on April 29th. Hosted by Charles Kirsch of Backstage Babble podcast and Robert W. Schneider, the evening was a success.

On January 16, 2024, Moreclacke Publishers (Robert Armin, President) released the hardcover, Kindle and audio version (performed by the great Anita Gillette) of MARY & ETHEL...and Mikey Who? by Stephen Cole. Check out photos from the launch party here!

Gerard, Alessandrini,'s FORBIDDEN SONDHEIM: Merrily We Stole a Song begins performances tomorrow Friday, October 27th at 8PM.

Get ready for Gerard Alessandrini's latest creation, Forbidden Sondheim: Merrily We Stole A Song, a spoof and tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim. The show starts on October 27th at the new Green Fig Cabaret Theater in the Yotel. Don't miss this hilarious and entertaining production!

On Wednesday October 11, the crop of 12 contestants who were runner-ups in the past eight years of “Tomatoes Got Talent,” was narrowed down to four. Check out photos from the event here!

On June 24th, the industry lost a beloved and most interesting member of the family, and Marilyn Lester remembers her friend for Broadway World.

Ann Hampton Callaway and Amanda McBroom have made a dream team on stage and are best pals in real life. Now the DIVALICIOUS singer-songwriters have taken their magic into the recording studio.