When Cole Porter wrote, 'Anything Goes,' he could have easily been referring to New York cabaret circa the 2000-sies. One of the joys of attending and reviewing cabaret shows in the Big Apple these days is that every performing style, show theme, cultural perspective, political point of view, race, gender, and sexual preference is represented on a stage. Some cabaret purists may not agree, but the genre seems to have no boundaries in terms of what is acceptable and what is not. And as long as a show is entertaining, who cares about boundaries and strict definitions of what works in the art form? Here are reviews of three recent shows from Barbara Malley, Robin Kradles, and Donna Hayes that reflect the delicious diversity that is cabaret.
As the days dwindled down to a precious few in 2014, a few cabaret goers and performers in what is affectionately but also self-mockingly called the “cabaret community” would sidle up and ask if I was planning my annual end-of-the year “Best Of” column, similar to the “Top 20 Bests and Favorites” piece over the first half of the year I posted back in early July. I would respond in the negative with very reasonable and believable excuses, but the truth is I didn't want to reveal my “Bests” of the year until the voting for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards had ended. There's enough baggage and backstage whispering that comes with administering the BWW Awards, so I wasn't about to publish any opinions that might influence the vote while it was in process. I may be crazy but I'm not masochistic. But now all bets are off. You want lists? I'll give you lists.
Today we are saluting one of the most adored and respected stars of the stage and screen in acknowledging her 89th birthday this week, Dame Angela Lansbury!
Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its lineup now through June 8. Details below!
Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming shows, today, May 21 through June 1, 2014. Details below!
Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming shows, May 21 through June 1, 2014. Details below!
Acclaimed Grammy-nominated choral conductor and Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) Music Director Emeritus Paul Salamunovich, whose artistry touched millions of people around the world through recordings, live performances, college and university clinics, and the numerous film scores on which he conducted and sang, has died at age 86 from multiple complications due to West Nile virus.
Recording artist and entertainer Lena Prima, youngest daughter of music legend Louis Prima, returns to the Suncoast Showroom for one night only to perform popular songs recorded by her father along with original hits, Today, September 20.
Recording artist and entertainer Lena Prima, youngest daughter of music legend Louis Prima, returns to the Suncoast Showroom for one night only to perform popular songs recorded by her father along with original hits, Friday, September 20.
Mint Theater presents its Annual Gala Benefit, which will celebrate past productions and honor George Morfogen, long time Mint actor. The benefit, Playing Favorites, will take place this evening, June 24th at the Cosmopolitan Club (122 East 66th Street).
Mint Theater (Jonathan Bank, Artistic Director) today announced their Annual Gala Benefit, which will celebrate past productions and honor George Morfogen, long time Mint actor. The benefit, Playing Favorites, will take place Monday evening, June 24th at the Cosmopolitan Club (122 East 66th Street).
The Metropolitan Ballroom dance team will add a visual twist to the Charlotte Symphony as they perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 25 at the Knight Theater (in downtown Charlotte). The musical presentation features high-energy ballroom dancing, while the orchestra plays. Highlights will include Piazzolla's Libertango, Lecuona's Malaguena, Johann Struass' Voices of Spring Waltz, and Bach's Toccata and Fugue uniquely arranged in a Latin style. It is a one-of-a-kind experience with live symphonic music and spectacular dancing all on one stage.
On Thursday, three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway composer Richard Adler passed away at the ripe old age of 90. Responsible for two of the biggest Broadway smash hits of the 1950s, THE PAJAMA GAME and GAMN YANKEES, Adler never quite managed to equal his career-high double-hitter of that era, yet his earlier work with Tony Bennett ('Rags To Riches'), Doris Day ('Everybody Loves A Lover') and Marilyn Monroe (the iconic 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President') surely shall solidify his place in the firmament of entertainment history along with his two classic musicals from the Golden Age. Winning both Best Score and Best Musical for both THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES, Adler's partnership with lyricist Jerry Ross - which began on Broadway in 1953 with JOHN MURRAY ANDERSON'S ALMANAC - was tragically cut short just months after the DAMN YANKEES premiere when Ross was diagnosed with lung disease and passed away soon thereafter. Yet, thanks to the beloved film versions of THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES and continued interest in the entities as expressed in the revivals and reappraisals of both onstage from Broadway to Biloxi to Bombay year after year, the snappy, snazzy tunes of Adler and Ross live on eight times a week all around the world - even now, more than fifty years after they premiered. Unfortunately, Adler's subsequent shows with other collaborators post-1955 failed to capture the early magic of his previous projects with Ross and his earlier musical and theatrical endeavors in the pop arena, with the racially charged KWAMINA flopping on Broadway in 1961 (though he took home a Best Composer Tony Award for his efforts anyway) and the awkwardly titled MUSIC IS failing to recreate the magic of its source material, Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT, in 1976. A MOTER'S KISSES, starring Bea Arthur and a young Bernadette Peters, died on the road, as well. In the intervening years, Adler attempted musical adaptations taken from a number of intriguing sources - OF HUMAN BONDAGE and others among them - though only his ballet scores seemed to reach an audience; particularly his last, commissioned for a new production of Lorca's THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA in 1998. Of course, THE PAJAMA GAME has had two Broadway revivals - most recently the rapturously received Kathleen Marshall-directed production starring Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelli O'Hara; and DAMN YANKEES famously returned to the Great White Way with much ado in 1994 starring Victor Garber. Now seems particularly ripe for remounting YANKEES, as we approach twenty years in its absence - especially given the musical's seriously smashing showing at Encores! in 2007. Who knows, perhaps some risky producer will even take a chance on a new production of KWAMINA, MUSIC IS, A MOTHER'S KISSES or one of the bottom drawer shows someday soon to see if they possess any of the limitless potential shown by Adler's earlier work. Or maybe a stage treatment of his TV musical GIFT OF THE MAGI (originally composed for then-wife Sally Ann Howes)? Or, better yet, how about a revue? What a stupendous songstack Adler created over the course of his career - 'Whatever Lola Wants' to 'Hey There' to 'Hernando's Hideaway' to 'You Gotta Have Heart' to 'Steam Heat' to the aforementioned Bennett, Day and Monroe standards and so many more chestnuts.
German cabaret vocalist Ute Lemper and Berlin's Vogler Quartet are joined by pianist and clarinetist Stefan Malzew, as they perform music from the Weimar-era on Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall.
German cabaret vocalist Ute Lemper and Berlin's Vogler Quartet are joined by pianist and clarinetist Stefan Malzew, as they perform music from the Weimar-era on Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall.
WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin today announced the line-up for the 2012 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, March 1-11 at the Addison Theatre Centre.
The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, called "a riotously funny and campy variety show" by Next Magazine, and 'a rollicking, wry affair complete with funny political commentary on current events' by Gay City News, will present their newest edition on Thursday, December 15 at 9:30 PM.
The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, called "a riotously funny and campy variety show" by Next Magazine, and 'a rollicking, wry affair complete with funny political commentary on current events' by Gay City News, will present their newest edition on Thursday, December 15 at 9:30 PM.
Kupferberg Center for the Arts announces its 2011/2012 season of classical music, theater, dance, special events and family programming.
Kupferberg Center for the Arts announces its 2011/2012 season of classical music, theater, dance, special events and family programming.
Producer Samuel Joseph will present a 4 day festival of the finest UK vocalists performing their unique interpretations of some of the great songwriters of the 20th century at the stunning Kings Place Wed 21 September to Saturday September 24.
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance today announced its full Harris Theater Presents 2011-2012 season, offering Chicago audiences a ground-breaking collection of innovative, culturally diverse programming by the world's finest musicians and dance companies, as well as Harris' signature collaborations with Chicago's leading dance and music institutions.
Producer Samuel Joseph will present a 4 day festival of the finest UK vocalists performing their unique interpretations of some of the great songwriters of the 20th century at the stunning Kings Place Wed 21 September to Saturday September 24.
David Kennedy, Westport Country Playhouse associate artistic director, has been named to direct the 2011 season opening production, "Beyond Therapy" by Christopher Durang, announced Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.
David Kennedy, Westport Country Playhouse associate artistic director, has been named to direct the 2011 season opening production, "Beyond Therapy" by Christopher Durang, announced Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.
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