Ray Watkins News

Tonight Don't Tell Mama's was packed to witness another round in the “Mama's Next Big Act” competition. Produced by Lennie Watts and Don't Tell Mama, each week singers compete with hopes to continue on to the finale and win a grand prize.

The 2017 winner of Mama's Next Big Act, Heather Villaescusa, is bringing her show, The Happiness Project-A 10 Week Guide, back to NYC's Don't Tell Mama, exactly one year to the date of her opening, on Sunday, March 3 at 6:00pm. The singer returns with her long-time director Lennie Watts and musical director Steven Ray Watkins through a 10-week journey trying to find happiness in the insanity of being a mother, holding down a full-time job, being in a contest and ninja fighting those gremlins in the brain. Heather Villasescusa is an award contender for the 2019 Mac Award for Female Vocalist.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show 'Animal Magnetism' at Don't Tell Mama on February 10, 13, 24 and 27. When she grew frustrated with the dating advice she was getting from her human friends, Lynda turned to the animal kingdom to see what could be learned from them about lasting happy relationships. There'll be fascinating facts, great songs and lots of laughs along the way.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show Animal Magnetism at Don't Tell Mama on Sundays February 10, and 24 at 3 PM and Wednesdays, February 13 and 27 at 7 PM. The show is directed by Lennie Watts with Steven Ray Watkins as Musical Director, featuring Matt Scharfglass on bass and Don Kelly on percussion.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show 'Animal Magnetism' at Don't Tell Mama on February 10, 13, 24 and 27. When she grew frustrated with the dating advice she was getting from her human friends, Lynda turned to the animal kingdom to see what could be learned from them about lasting happy relationships. There'll be fascinating facts, great songs and lots of laughs along the way.

'Songs You Don't Know...' had an outstanding opening performance Saturday, November 10, at Don't Tell Mama. 'The response was so welcome, after working alone with the band for so long. Hearing the laughs for that Johnny Mercer song with five verses was definitely a relief' said writer and actor Mischa Kischkum (Comedy Central Television; NBC; Cannes Festival).

Harvested from years of research, transcriptions, and arrangements, there's a new one-act review opening this Fall, featuring six actor-musicians. 'Songs You Don't Know By Writers You Love' is fashioned of hidden gems by popular writers like Carole King, Elton John, and Johnny Mercer.

Amy Wolk and Nikki M. James present I Only Have Lies For You, a live gameshow that pits Broadway panelists against each other in a lying contest, now in its second hit season! Two teams of three will go head-to-head telling stories, some of which may not be true---it is up to the other team to guess, Truth or Lie. Featuring musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins, panelists will defend their stories by all means possible, including song and dance. Hosted by MAC Award winner Amy Wolk, I Only Have Lies For You is presented monthly at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City, and is being recorded as a podcast, which can be found on iTunes.

Harvested from years of research, transcriptions, and arrangements, there's a new one-act review opening this Fall, featuring six actor-musicians. 'Songs You Don't Know By Writers You Love' is fashioned of hidden gems by popular writers like Carole King, Elton John, and Johnny Mercer.

NYC favorites THOSE GIRLS are back at Pangea for one more night of unplugged harmonic revelry! Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack, and Wendy Russell joined forces to form this critically acclaimed & multi-award winning vocal project that brings a wide & eclectic mix of musical styles - pop to jazz, country to rock and everything in between - to stages of all shapes and sizes. 2017 & 2018 Award Winners - Best Vocal Duo/Group - Manhattan Assoc. of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC). Directed by Lennie Watts, Musical Direction Steven Ray Watkins.

NYC favorites THOSE GIRLS are back at Pangea for one more night of unplugged harmonic revelry! Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack, and Wendy Russell joined forces to form this critically acclaimed & multi-award winning vocal project that brings a wide & eclectic mix of musical styles - pop to jazz, country to rock and everything in between - to stages of all shapes and sizes. 2017 & 2018 Award Winners - Best Vocal Duo/Group - Manhattan Assoc. of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC). Directed by Lennie Watts, Musical Direction Steven Ray Watkins.

From one-person character driven shows to pop performers and Broadway personalities, Richard Skipper and friends paint a picture for us of the magic, the music, and the romance that is cabaret!

Richard Skipper topped himself once again with a rousing afternoon of Broadway and Off-Broadway stars taking to the stage at the Laurie Beechman Theater to tell stories of how they created or personalized great roles in the musical theater.

NYC favorites THOSE GIRLS are springing into Spring with a series of acoustic sets at the lovely downtown supper club & music room Pangea starting March 14th at 7pm. Last year's launch of this 'Unplugged' show was a nominee for a Broadway World Award for Best Special Event (which they lost to Glenn Close, but totally saw it coming.)

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) is pleased to announce the 2018 MAC Award nominees. The nominees, in a majority of the categories, were determined by votes cast by the active MAC membership. The MAC Board of Directors selected the nominees for Show of the Year. Special committees selected the nominees in the Ensemble Instrumentalist, Piano Bar Instrumentalist, Piano Bar Singing Entertainer (Female; Male), Recording (LaMott Friedman), Major Recording, Song and Comedy/Novelty Song categories. The names of the songwriters in the Song and Comedy/Novelty Song categories are being withheld during the voting period, but will be announced publicly as soon as the voting period concludes.

Urban Stages presents this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2017, which begins tonight, December 12, featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

Urban Stages announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2017, which will begin Tuesday, December 12 and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

MAC Award winner Amy Wolk is back with her first new show in five years, 'Hungry Like the Wolk.'