Rex Reed News

Nominations for the 2017 Chita Rivera Awards were announced today. In keeping with the mission of the Chita Rivera Awards, nominators considered shows and films that opened during the 2016-2017 season.

Lug Nut Entertainment (Daniel DeMello and Nathaniel Nowak) in association with the world popular dating app SCRUFF, has announced that it will present FORK ON THE LEFT, KNIFE IN THE BACK: BROADWAY ROASTS MICHAEL MUSTO, a one night only charitable event.

International song stylist Iris Williams returns to the Los Angeles cabaret scene in a one night only solo performance at Catalina's located on Hollywood's storied Sunset Boulevard on February 28 at 8:30pm.  During Ms. Williams' set, themed "Let the Music Begin," she interprets standards by the likes of Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Nat King Cole, Carole King, Ashford & Simpson and Edith Piaf. http://www.catalinajazzclub.com

No plans yet for Valentine's Day?  Come spend 'Singles Awareness Day' with Significant Other! Producers of the Broadway bound production are pleased to announce that they have partnered with Bourbon Street Bar & Grill (346 W 46th St) and will be holding a special SINGLES AWARENESS DAY PARTY following their first preview on Tuesday, February 14th. 

Feel the love this February at Dino's Backstage and The Celebrity Room! The heart-stomping month of entertainment is highlighted by the return of the American music treasure, Marilyn Maye. Maye will dazzle audiences on Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 14 at 7 p.m. In addition to Ms. Maye, throughout the month are features performances by Kathy Graham, Deirdre Finnegan, Paula Johns, Bob Egan and Michael Richard Kelly. Dino's Backstage and The Celebrity Room - the unique dining and entertainment experience reminiscent of the sophisticated supper clubs of the 40s and 50s - is located at 287 Keswick Avenue in Glenside, PA. See www.dinosbackstage.com or call 215-884-2000 for more information, including specific music charges. Marilyn Maye's performances must be reserved in advance.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced an updated lineup for January 23-29, featuring the John Pizzarelli Trio, Marilyn Maye, Victoria Shaw, and more. Scroll down for details!

International song stylist Iris Williams returns to the Los Angeles cabaret scene in a one night only solo performance at Catalina's located on Hollywood's storied Sunset Boulevard on February 28 at 8:30pm.  During Ms. Williams' set, themed "Let the Music Begin," she interprets standards by the likes of Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Nat King Cole, Carole King, Ashford & Simpson and Edith Piaf. http://www.catalinajazzclub.com

Producers of the Broadway bound production of Significant Other have just announced that the full creative team from the sold out run at the Roundabout Theater Company will be joining playwright, Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews) and director, Trip Cullman on the Great White Way next month.

Two of cabaret's favorite and most-acclaimed merrymakers - KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler - are coming together to headline New Year's Eve at Pangea this year. 

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, will welcome Chris Gillespie, Champian Fulton and Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch to Bemelmans Bar for Sunday night residencies throughout the winter 2017 season.

Announcing the 2017 Gloucester Stage Season! 

Two of cabaret's favorite and most-acclaimed merrymakers - KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler - are coming together to headline New Year's Eve at Pangea this year. 

To celebrate his second consecutive win at the Greenwich Village Film Festival on October 26th, 2016, award-winning filmmaker RICK McKAY (Broadway: The Golden Age, Broadway: BEYOND the Golden Age, A&E Biography, PBS's City Arts and Egg: The Arts Show), releases a six-minute sample of his 2015 winning short film, 'Greenwich Village: A World Apart'. The never-before-seen footage can be seen below or on YouTube at:https://youtu.be/i2-wjVAqwsA

On the penultimate night of the 2016 Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, 11 fantastic cabaret artists---those who are celebrated in the form as well as those who are emerging alike---assembled to salute the late and legendary Sylvia Syms. The evening, hosted by one of Syms' closest confidants, the critic Rex Reed, was brassy, delivered wonderful anecdotes, and was ultimately very moving musically, much like Syms herself. A black and white photograph of Syms, accurately capturing her maternal warmth, hung high inside the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center throughout the evening, which was formatted in two distinct segments. Act One was comprised of each performer taking to the stage alone to sing one of Syms' lesser known cabaret staples, or the songs which she "rescued" from obscurity such as those cut from golden age musicals. Act Two saw the performers again take on a Syms staple, but those which were more well-known hits and standards, displaying the full range of Syms' nightclub chops.

KT Sullivan made an astute call and turned over the creation of the third night of the Cabaret Convention to host Rex Reed.  If there is anyone in the world who symbolizes music sophistication with a flawless comprehension of what good cabaret performance is about it is the elegant Mr. Reed. The Convention's final evening is yet to be heard (tonight), but last evening must have been one of the finest chapters in the long history of Donald Smith and the Mabel Mercer Foundation's twenty seven year old creation. The musicians, singers, and material, which honored the legendary cabaret performer Sylvia Syms truly represented the highest quality of cabaret performance. Rex also made an important artistic decision….he included himself as one of the vocalists.  Rex Reed was a participating member of the golden age of New York life and his unique ability to verbally convey it's history honored Sylvia Syms, who as Rex pointed out at the start of the evening…..died the way she wanted, singing in a  nightclub (Oak Room Algonquin)  to a standing ovation.  She collapsed into the arms of audience member Cy Coleman.  

The national music treasure, award-winning Marilyn Maye, will grace the stage and delight audiences at Dino's Backstage and The Celebrity Room today, October 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. for a Hollywood style Black Tie Gala Weekend.

The second night of the 27th New York Cabaret Convention at Rose Hall was hosted by long time cabaret artist favorites, Jeff Harnar & Andrea Marcovicci. The evening including performances by: Sally Mayes, Aaron Morishito, Julie Reyburn, Maureen Taylor, Raissa Katona Bennett, Will Nunziata, Anthony Nunziata, Jennifer Sheehan, Kevin Dozier, Sarah Rice, Donna McKechnie, Jon Weber, Marissa Mulder, Eric Michael Gillett, Celia Berk, Josephine Sanges, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Sidney Meyer, Iris Williams, and Marta Sanders. Tonights evening will be hosted by Rex Reed and the Conventions closing night honoring Charles Strouse will be hosted by Klea Blackhurst

Broadway bound Significant Other- a new work by young playwright, Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews) and directed by Trip Cullman, has just announced its Broadway cast.  Reprising their roles on the Great White Way, following the sold out run at the Roundabout Theater Company, are Gideon Glick (currently starring in LCT's, The Harvest), Oscar and Tony nominee Barbara Barrie, John Behlmann, Sas Goldberg, Lindsay Mendez and Luke Smith. New to the company for the Broadway run is Rebecca Naomi Jones.

The national music treasure, award-winning Marilyn Maye, will grace the stage and delight audiences at Dino's Backstage and The Celebrity Room on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. for a Hollywood style Black Tie Gala Weekend.

SALLY MAYES  (Tony Nominee 'She Loves Me,' 'Closer Than Ever,' 'Urban Cowboy' and JEFF HARNAR finished their September run at The Laurie Beechman Theatre with an audience that included TOVAH FELDSHUH (Tony Nominee 'Golda's Balcony'), PENNY FULLER (Tony Nominee 'Applause'), Anita Gillette (Tony Nominee 'Chapter Two'), KAREN AKERS (Tony Nominee 'Grand Hotel' and 'Nine'), BILL HUTTON (the original Joseph 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat'), Mark Waldrop (Director 'When Pigs Fly'), songwriter Tom Toce and award-winning singer JULIE BUDD.