Cabaret Theater Reviews

Review: High-Powered Garland Tribute NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub
by Rob Lester - June 11, 2024

The 12th annual NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub had no shortage of pow to wow its eager audience. The annual event drew a big crowd and money for the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit benefitting homeless LGBTQ+ youth. The June 3rd show turned on the energy to the max....

Review: Marissa Mulder's SWINGIN' ON A STAR Swings & Soars at The Cutting Room
by Rob Lester - June 08, 2024

A wonderful singer, wonderful Jimmy Van Heusen melodies, and Jon Weber as M.D.: An ideal combination. What can I say about Marissa Mulder's June 2 performance of SWINGIN' ON A STAR at the Cutting Room? In a word, bravo....

Review: Norm Lewis Brings a Touch of Broadway to 54 Below
by Sharon Ellman - June 07, 2024

This reviewer left the theater this night with the phenomenal music still humming in my head. The show continues its run on June 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 54 Below with different guests each night, including Marc Shaiman, Alice Ripley, Will Swenson, Seth Rudetsky, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Nova Pa...

Review: TAKING NOTES Takes a Look at Learning at The Green Room 42
by Rob Lester - June 08, 2024

TAKING NOTES is a cabaret show with laughs and lessons learned in life and school. with a lot of pop and musical theatre along the way. Andrew Bova is the student taking it all in. The May 31st show was a promising NYC cabaret debut by a gregarious guy with teachable moments....

Review: THE ONE-OFFS Is One Off-the-Charts Smash for Those Girls at Pangea
by Rob Lester - June 05, 2024

Those Girls, the award-winning foursome, were back, with dazzling arrangements and harmonies. Together or separately, they are terrific and endlessly entertaining with any style of music. Those Girls raised their harmonious, glorious voices and raised the audience's spirits, too....

Review: MIRACLE OF MIRACLES Rekindles Broadway Memories at The 92nd Street Y
by Rob Lester - June 04, 2024

MIRACLE OF MIRACLES, a grand tribute to Sheldon Harnick, closed its trio of concert performances last night. It serves as a radiant reminder of a legendary talent of musical theatre. Sheldon Harnick's lyrics and legacy were warmly presented in the Lyrics & Lyricists series, which he was a major part...

Review: HER NAME IS BARBRA Bursts with Streisand Memories at The Green Room 42
by Rob Lester - June 04, 2024

HER NAME IS BARBRA on May 24th at The Green Room 42 was a sparkling tribute to the superstar. It was a delightful addition to the panoply of recent Streisand tributes. The fan club remains in session....

Monthly 'Birthday Salute': COLE PORTER
by Rob Lester - June 02, 2024

The talents and legacy of composer-lyricist Cole Porter are always worth celebrating, especially in his birthday month of June. Here's a look at some current evidence of his lasting presence in cabaret shows, etc....

Review: Jimmie Herrod's Beautiful COLOR & LIGHT at 54 Below
by Analisa Bell - June 01, 2024

Last Friday, May 24, the audience at 54 Below was treated to the beautiful, dulcet tones of America’s Got Talent finalist, Jimmie Herrod with COLOR & LIGHT. This reviewer loved seeing just how much Herrod was enjoying himself on stage. He performed with such ease and grace and communicated so effort...

Review: Broadway Veterans Shake the Walls at 54 Below
by Sharon Ellman - June 01, 2024

This reviewer was thrilled and completely overwhelmed by the outstanding and memorable performances by several Broadway icons....

Review: CASHINO at Birdland Is High-Energy, Nonstop Fun
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 31, 2024

Susie Mosher (Hairspray) and recording artist John Boswell are Johnny Niagra and Pepper Cole, two desperate, crazy Vegas casino singers. Mosher and Boswell are doing a limited run of Cashino, with a short film followed by a high energy live set featuring crazy, ultra-specific 80s + Broadway mashups....

Review: TO BARBRA, WITH LOVE Was a Swell Streisand Salute at 54 Below
by Rob Lester - May 31, 2024

Barbra Streisand's songbook gets paged through by admiring talents in this Streisand salute on May 23rd...

Review: Tony Danza Is a Natural in STANDARDS & STORIES at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 30, 2024

Tony Danza was all grace and charm at his solo show Standards and Stories on May 28. The actor, best known for his roles on TAXI and WHO'S THE BOSS also has a deep love for American standards, which he demonstrated at the show’s opening night. Danza has two more performances at 54 Below – you can ca...

Review: MOSS's Reunion at Joe's Pub Is Radiant
by Rob Lester - May 31, 2024

MOSS sang at Joe's Pub almost 20 years ago before making their first (and, so far, only) album. The occasional reunion of this group is an occasion for rejoicing! They were back for one of their regions and sound splendid. They are MOSS and they are marvelous....

Review: SPRING, STRINGS, AND TASTY THINGS at Green-Wood Cemetery Was Delightful
by Eliana Sara - May 31, 2024

Sometimes macabre, sometimes whimsical, always beautiful, Death of Classical presents some of the most unique classical music and opera experiences in New York City. Their immersive May 24th event continued their tradition of weird yet lovely death-based musical fare straight out of crypts, graveyar...

Review: Alexis Cole Celebrated New York City at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 28, 2024

On Tuesday May 21st at at 7 pm, Alexis Cole took us on a journey of songs celebrating New York City at 54 Below. I’LL TAKE NEW YORK: GREAT SONGS OF A GREAT CITY was a smooth, polished evening of intimate cabaret as Cole bounced from song to song, giving us a taste of classic songs performed expertly...

Review: Carolyn Montgomery Connects to Rosemary Clooney at 54 Below
by Rob Lester - May 26, 2024

Rosemary Clooney's lifetime of music is explored in Carolyn Montgomery's thought-provoking, memory-stoking act GIRLSINGER, directed by Sally Mayes. Its second NYC presentation on May 22nd is updated and expanded from its opening night in January. It will be followed by bookings in Florida plus LA, C...

Review: FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING Finds Steve Ross in Fine Form at Birdland
by Rob Lester - May 25, 2024

Finding words for FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING with veteran singer-pianist Steve Ross could result in adjectives such as 'lovely' and 'savvy' and 'charming.' Ross, the ultimate class act and champion of classic songs, makes us appreciate them anew, blossoming one more time, like the annual spring flower...

Review: 4 MUSICAL TENORS Make Heavenly Harmonizing at Carnegie Hall
by Sharon Ellman - May 25, 2024

The Czech-Slovak vocalists who compose the 4 Musical Tenors - Michael Bragagnolo, Janm Kriz, Pavel Vitek, and Marian Vojtko - each hails from an extensive background in musical theater or opera productions performed throughout Europe. This reviewer was completely overwhelmed by the powerful and inte...

Review: GETTING TO NOËL YOU at Don't Tell Mama Is Utterly Splendid
by Analisa Bell - May 29, 2024

On Wednesday night, May 22, you could feel the buzz amongst the supportive, near sold-out crowd as Henderson embarked on his final performance of GETTING TO NOËL YOU! His comic timing and facial expressions were nothing short of entertaining!...

Review: Grace McLean Celebrates Her MY LOVELY ENEMY Album Release at Joe's Pub
by Maya Gengozian - May 23, 2024

Grace McLean (Suffs, Bad Cinderella) is proving to be a force both on and off Broadway. On May 10th, she released her first album, My Lovely Enemy. She celebrated the album’s release with a concert at Joe’s Pub on May 6th. In her night off from starring as President Woodrow Wilson in Suffs, she shar...

Review: FABLES IN CONCERT at Green Room 42 Is Fun-Filled & Loaded with Lessons
by Rob Lester - May 23, 2024

The Green Room 42 celebrated Mother's Day with a family-friendly musical inspired by centuries-old fables. The messages and life lessons come through in force and in song when Aesop's characters are the characters in a musical. ...

Review: Adrienne Haan Brings the Fire of Weimar Berlin to NYC
by Sharon Ellman - May 23, 2024

Haan mesmerized this reviewer and the filled-to-capacity audience at the Triad Theater on May 21st with her intense and belting vocals....

Review: REEVE CARNEY SINGS THE BEATLES Is a Knockout at Green Room 42
by Rob Lester - May 22, 2024

The versatile singer/songwriter/musician/actor Reeve Carney (Hadestown) took on The Beatles last week at the Green Room 42. The May 13th show was a rocking sensation....

Review: Betty Buckley Enchants at Joe's Pub
by Nathan Johnson - May 20, 2024

From the first notes of 'It's a Lovely Day Today,' Betty Buckley's iconic voice resonated through the intimate venue. It was the perfect start to an evening that blended new songs and beloved classics. It truly was a collage of perfection. Buckley is unparalleled when it comes to song interpretation...