Peter Napolitano News

I first saw Julie Reyburn in her 2011 cabaret show Winter Songs, where she wonderfully explored in music the beauty of winter from its cool, autumnal evenings to the somber tranquility of a snow fallen night. It was a terrific act. So I was excited when Reyburn announced she would reprise her 2000 cabaret debut show, Fate Is Kind, which pretty much put her on the New York cabaret map and earned her MAC and Bistro Awards in 2001 for "Best Female Cabaret Debut." On September 14, Reyburn's show was the second in Stephen Hanks' monthly New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits Series (produced by his own Cabaret Life Productions) at The Metropolitan Room. The big questions with a series like this are: Do these shows and performances withstand the test of time? Are they really worth bringing back? In Reyburn's case, 15 years after debuting the show the answer is a resounding-YES!

For any cabaret performer, delivering an original song can be a nice touch in any show, but finding the right one can drive a singer crazy. The upside is that as well as highlighting the songwriter (which in some cases can be the singer's musical director) it gives the performer an opportunity to show what they can do with unfamiliar material. The combination of the two can be effective and memorable. Such was the case recently with singer Gary Crawford who along with musical director, arranger and songwriter Barry Levitt delivered a very compelling evening of songs on September 2 at the Metropolitan Room. Crawford is a lovable singer who highlighted the somewhat under-the-radar talent of one of cabaret's most respected musicians. After producing a MAC Award-winning show (for "Best Debut") in 2013-In Love With Love-and recording a subsequent CD, it was inevitable that Crawford and Levitt team up again, this time for Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook.

On Saturday, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), hosted a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia. Directed by three-time MAC Award-winner Peter Napolitano, The Music of Madeline Kahn, with music director Jeff Cubeta on piano, featured friends & colleagues of the comic legend, as well as performers who have been inspired by her.

Tonight, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), will host a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia.

On Saturday, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), will host a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia. Directed by three-time MAC Award-winner Peter Napolitano, The Music of Madeline Kahn, with music director Jeff Cubeta on piano, will feature friends & colleagues of the comic legend, as well as performers who have been inspired by her.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Darius de Haas: 'Something to Live For: Celebrating Strayhorn & More;' Linda Lavin: Starting Over; Carter Calvert at 54 Below; Nicholas Guest: Finding Nick; and Madeline Kahn Tribute.

On Saturday, September 12, 2015, William V. Madison, author of Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life (University Press of Mississippi, 2015), will host a musical tribute to the late singing actress as part of Metropolitan Room's GONE TOO SOON series, produced by Joseph Macchia. Directed by Peter Napolitano, THE MUSIC OF MADELINE KAHN will feature several friends & colleagues of the comic legend, including her co-stars from Richard Rodgers' Two by Two, Walter Willison and Joan Copeland, with Lawrence Leritz, guest star on 'Cosby'. They will be joined by performers from theatre, cabaret & opera who have been inspired by Kahn, including Ann Harada (Avenue Q, "Smash"). Jeff Cubeta serves as music director. 

Vocalist Gary Crawford burst onto the New York cabaret scene like a "thunderbolt" in October 2014 with his debut show 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room. With the veteran Music Director and Arranger Maestro Barry Levitt at the piano, Crawford produced a captivating show that earned him rave reviews from BroadwayWorld.com and Cabaret Scenes Magazine and ultimately a 2014 Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs Award (MAC) for "Best Male Vocal Debut." (Crawford had already performed a "CD Release" show of 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room that April). After spending the past year and a half performing as a guest singer in variety shows throughout city at venues such as Iridium, Birdland, Don't Tell Mama, and Urban Stages, Crawford has again teamed up with Levitt for a new show, this one featuring songs composed by Levitt himself. Crawford will star in Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook at the Metropolitan Room on September 2 at 7 pm. The show will feature the Barry Levitt Quartet, including Jon Burr on bass, Ray Marchica on drums, and Jack Cavari on guitar, as well as special guest vocalists.

Located in the heart of the fashion district, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Peter Napolitano, Associate Producer) is proud to present the American Premiere of Oren Safdie's (Private Jokes, Public Places) play Unseamly this October.  Directed by Sarah C Carlsen, Unseamly will begin performances on October 8; Opening night is set for October 14 through November 1 at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street) Tickets will be $55 ($35 during previews) and are available at UrbanStages.org and Theatermania.com.

Located in the heart of the fashion district, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Peter Napolitano, Associate Producer) is proud to present the American Premiere of Oren Safdie's play Unseamly this October.  Directed by Sarah C Carlsen, Unseamly will begin performances on October 8; Opening night is set for October 14 through November 1 at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street) Tickets will be $55 ($35 during previews) and are available at UrbanStages.org. Cast will be announced very soon.

Vocalist Gary Crawford burst onto the New York cabaret scene like a “thunderbolt” in October 2014 with his debut show 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room. With the veteran Music Director and Arranger Maestro Barry Levitt at the piano, Crawford produced a captivating show that earned him rave reviews from BroadwayWorld.com and Cabaret Scenes Magazine and ultimately a 2014 Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs Award (MAC) for “Best Male Vocal Debut.” (Crawford had already performed a “CD Release” show of 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room that April). After spending the past year and a half performing as a guest singer in variety shows throughout city at venues such as Iridium, Birdland, Don't Tell Mama, and Urban Stages, Crawford has again teamed up with Levitt for a new show, this one featuring songs composed by Levitt himself. Crawford will star in Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook at the Metropolitan Room on September 2 at 7 pm. The show will feature the Barry Levitt Quartet, including Jon Burr on bass, Ray Marchica on drums, and Jack Cavari on guitar, as well as special guest vocalists.

The 2015 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' is extending its deadline for applications to July 4 and adding new mentoring to help competitors up their games during the 7-week contest. The eighth annual edition of the summer tradition runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from July 6 through August 17.  All contestants must certify that they will be available to compete throughout the jury-and audience-voted, elimination-round competition.

It takes a woman of considerable wit, style, and maturity to tackle (let alone celebrate) the subject matter of men. In her new show, Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts), seen last Thursday night at the Metropolitan Room, happily, Charlotte Patton possesses all those traits as she leads us on her guided tour of all the various male idiosyncrasies that can drive a woman wild--or mad.

Charlotte Patton has been married and not. She's had serious relationships, flings, and romances with men of all ages (but mostly younger). She's experienced all the charms, foibles, and idiosyncrasies of the opposite sex--and loves them anyway. Now the actress and comedian will bring all of that worldly wisdom to her sensual, provocative, and playful new cabaret show . . . 'Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts),' opening at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) tonight, May 28 at 9:30 pm. Patton's show is Directed by Award-winning cabaret performer Karen Oberlin with Musical Direction by MAC Award winner Barry Levitt. Recent MAC Award winner Tom Hubbard is on bass. Peter Napolitano contributes as Creative Consultant.

One might easily call Susan Winter's Monday night show at Don't Tell Mama, A Woman for All Seasons: Part Two as half its numbers were in the first show by this name she performed during a run starting last September at the Metropolitan Room. Winter is the kind of class act that would've been lauded in nightclubs way back when, as she's a steward of the American Songbook at its most genuine but with a side of jazz influence.

Somewhere In This Song: The Music and Lyrics of Nicholas Levin, which premiered this past Saturday afternoon at Metropolitan Room is a hit show that will undoubtedly find its legs for a much-deserved extended run there, or possibly on an Off-Broadway stage. Levin, a prodigious songwriter, has never achieved the recognition he deserves, in spite of getting a handful of award nominations, his stellar contributions to the 2006 hit Off-Broadway musical That Time of the Year at the York Theatre, and his long participation in the acclaimed ASCAP/MAC Songwriters Showcases. But with this latest revue featuring his songbook, Levin--and his work--may finally get his chance to shine.

Charlotte Patton has been married and not. She's had serious relationships, flings, and romances with men of all ages (but mostly younger). She's experienced all the charms, foibles, and idiosyncrasies of the opposite sex--and loves them anyway. Now the actress and comedian will bring all of that worldly wisdom to her sensual, provocative, and playful new cabaret show . . . 'Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts),' opening at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) on May 28 at 9:30 pm. Patton's show is Directed by Award-winning cabaret performer Karen Oberlin with Musical Direction by MAC Award winner Barry Levitt. Recent MAC Award winner Tom Hubbard is on bass. Peter Napolitano contributes as Creative Consultant.

From the Oscars to the Tonys, the Grammys to Emmys, awards ceremonies are always a hit-or-miss situation. Either the event is absolutely excellent or ends with spectators saying, 'Well, they'll do a better job with it next year.' The 2015 MAC Awards, presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, and held once again this year at BB King's on West 42nd Street, absolutely fell into the former category. It was a splendid affair (albeit it's usual 3-plus hours) that was expertly directed by MAC President Lennie Watts.

At a ceremony held Thursday night in New York, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs announced the winners of the 2015 MAC Awards. The show was hosted by Karen Mason, with musical direction by Barry Levitt, and was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the evening below!

At a ceremony held last night in New York, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs announced the winners of the 2015 MAC Awards. The show was hosted by Karen Mason, with musical direction by Barry Levitt, and was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts.