Peggy Lee News

Next month on Wednesday, November 20 at 7PM spend an intimate evening with two of the funniest New Yorkers at A Conversation with Susie Essman & Mario Cantone, a special one-night comedy event taking place at STAGE 72 (158 West 72nd Street).

Actor and songstress Sandy Bainum, a longtime friend of Signature Theatre and cast member of this winter's production of Gypsy - will celebrate the launch of her new CD Simply with a special one-night-only concert and signing event at the theatre on the evening of Monday, November 18 at 7:30pm. Admission to the event is free, with a suggested donation of $30 by cash or check. All proceeds from the evening benefit Only Make Believe (OMB), a New York City and Washington DC based non-profit organization that brings the arts into hospitals and care facilities for children suffering from chronic illnesses and disabilities.

On December 9, 2013 92Y celebrates songwriting legend Mike Stoller on the occasion of his 80th year with An 80th Birthday Celebration, a one-night-only Lyrics & Lyricists Special Event hosted by Paul Shaffer and directed and written by Randy Johnson (director/writer of A Night with Janis Joplin). Confirmed artists performing expected and unexpected interpretations from Stoller's genre-spanning career in blues, R&B, rock 'n' roll and jazz include legendary vocal group The Coasters, along with artists Karen Akers, Mary Bridget Davies, Corky Hale, Maria Elena Infantino, Sally Kellerman, Bettye LaVette, Melissa Manchester, Billy Stritch, Tommy Tune and Steve Tyrell. Backed by Tyrell's band, the artists perform some of the greatest songs written by Stoller with his longtime lyricist partner Jerry Leiber and others. Leiber will be the subject of a special tribute during the evening. Stoller is planning to be in attendance for the celebration.

Baby Jane Dexter's new show, More Rules of the Road,debuts at Metropolitan Room for six performances only beginning Friday, November 22 and running on Fridays, a Saturday and one Thursday through December 27

Norm Lewis' amiable charm immediately makes him the best friend, next-door neighbor type. As he opened an evening of song at Sunday's Bay Area Cabaret concert, the Tony Award nominated performer endeared himself to his audience with appropriate selections of "The Best is Yet To Come" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo has been entertaining San Antonio and South Texas audiences and recording critically acclaimed CDs for more than 23 years. Now Ken Slavin will bring his unique sound to the Big Apple when he makes his New York City jazz cabaret debut on Thursday, October 31, at the world-famous Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street. Show time is 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25 - with a two-drink minimum - and are available at www.metropolitanroom.com.

For the first time in over fifty years, Harbinger Records will release 'Ballads for the Age of Science,' the most successful educational recordings of all time, as a six-CD box set. Featuring more than four dozen original songs written by Hy Zaret, co-author of the iconic popular song 'Unchained Melody,' and Lou Singer between 1959 and 1961, the albums introduced scientific concepts and terms using catchy, easy-to-learn lyrics and music to grade school students across America in the early 1960s.

The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes -- 8th Annual All Drag Xmas Exdrag-a-ganza -- will feature all new episodes for 12 performances only this holiday season, Dec. 5 - 22, 2013, playing Thurs. Fri. & Sat. at 8:00 pm and Sun. at 7:00 pm at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco.

Joanna Gleason is perhaps most well known for her Tony Award winning portrayal of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved Into The Woods. Good news! Ms. Gleason will be back on stage later this month in her NYC cabaret debut at 54 Below. Though busy preparing for the show, she took the time to chat with me about her upcoming cabaret performance, other future projects, and her surprise dancing abilities.

Following her acclaimed Ronnie Scott's debut in 2012, China Moses returns for 3 nights in November. The daughter of jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater and director Gilbert Moses, Paris-based China was born in the United States but raised in France. Multi-talented, she is a professional vocalist, songwriter, music producer, and television & radio host. She will be performing material from her fifth studio album, "Crazy Blues", recorded with pianist Raphael Lemonnier, which was released earlier this year.

Amber Martin, Tori Scott, Never Sleep Alone, Nikki M. James, Erin Markey, Bridget Everett, Andrea Marcovicci, Lady Rizo, Julie Klausner, Our Lady J, Tammy Faye Starlite, Jackie Hoffman, Sandra Bernhard and Pam Ann are set for the 'Women of Comedy and Cabaret' series at Joe's Pub at the Public, running October to December 2013. Details below!

Amber Martin, Tori Scott, Never Sleep Alone, Nikki M. James, Erin Markey, Bridget Everett, Andrea Marcovicci, Lady Rizo, Julie Klausner, Our Lady J, Tammy Faye Starlite, Jackie Hoffman, Sandra Bernhard and Pam Ann are set for the 'Women of Comedy and Cabaret' series at Joe's Pub at the Public, running October to December 2013. Details below!

Leda hasn't seen her daughter in years, but when her life comes to a crisis point her therapist does the unthinkable and offers concrete advice, sending all three women on a collision course with their all-too-human need for certainty and connection. Playing Oct 25-Nov 9 Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm with 2pm matinee on Saturday at Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave. For tickets ($19.99-29.99, taxes and fees not incl.) call 604.731.5518 or visit pacifictheatre.org. A guest production by Ruby Slippers Theatre.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 10th season this fall with a gala series at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. To celebrate this significant milestone, Bay Area Cabaret presents a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites from the past decade. Opening the seas tonight, September 21, 2013 with a bang is Broadway's Megan Hilty, known to millions as the powerhouse 'Bombshell' on NBC's television program Smash. The season continues October 20, 2013 with Tony nominee Norm Lewis (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess) and November 10, 2013 with 'America's romantic piano sensation,' multi-platinum selling recording artist Jim Brickman, joined by special guest Broadway heartthrob David Burnham.

Drag star MargOH! Channing is back with an all new show aptly titled 'MargOH! Sings the Booze' October 23 and 26 9:30PM at the world famous Duplex Cabaret,61 Christopher St, NY,NY. The evening is directed by Thom Fogarty with Musical Direction by Tracy Stark. Tickets are on sale nowhttp://margohsingsthebooze.brownpapertickets.com/

75 - year old singer Tonia Tecce has made her long-delayed New York City cabaret debut last night at The Metropolitan Room. Previously, Tecce has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Academy of Music, and sung with Peter Nero and many orchestras . Her show, A Cockeyed Optimist, Why We Believe, The Songs of Richard Rodgers, was written and directed by Michael Bush.

'Count' Basie, one of the pre-eminent jazz pianists in the country, nicknamed Grammy nominated pianist Judy Carmichael 'Stride,' acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style. Stephen Holden of the New York Times called Steve Ross the 'Crown Prince of New York Cabaret.' Tonight, September 7th at 8p.m. for one night only, this 'royal' duo of jazz and cabaret come together on the HARMAN Stage to kick off the Courtyard by Marriott Stamford Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series 'Perfect Pairs at The Palace.' This series is also sponsored by Norman Drubner.

The Crazy Coqs October schedule begins with Steven Brinberg, who returns following his sell-out show earlier this year with Simply Barbra (October 1- 5), followed by Les Miserables actress and singer Frances Ruffelle and her show Paris Original (October 8 - 12). New York singer-pianist Billy Stritch performs his show I've Got Your Number - The Jazz of Cy Coleman (October 15- 19). As part of the London Festival of Cabaret, Karen Kohler and KT Sullivan will duet together in their show Vienna to Weimar (October 22- 26) followed by KT Sullivan with Rhyme, Women and Song (October 29 - November 2).

"Count" Basie, one of the pre-eminent jazz pianists in the country, nicknamed Grammy nominated pianist Judy Carmichael"Stride," acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style. Stephen Holden of the New York Times called Steve Ross the "Crown Prince of New York Cabaret." On Saturday, September 7th at 8p.m. for one night only, this "royal" duo of jazz and cabaret come together on the HARMAN Stage to kick off the Courtyard by Marriott Stamford Broadway/Cabaret/Jazz Series "Perfect Pairs at The Palace." This series is also sponsored by Norman Drubner.

Maestro Gill Rose tells our readers what's on his iPod.