Divas to Do

Diva lovers, rejoice! April is far from the cruelest month — except for those who don’t have the time (or money) to see such wonderful women as Audra, Diahann, Linda, and even “Barbra” in performance in NYC, and such equally divine dames as Megan, Andrea and Michele across the country.

If you’ve been suffering from Audra McDonald withdrawal while the quadruple-Tony Award winner has been away from our fair city, your suffering will end on April 29 when she comes home to Carnegie Hall for a special one-night concert that will focus on show tunes by the Gershwins, Harold Arlen, Stephen Sondheim, and more.

Feinstein’s at the Regency outdoes itself this month by offering up two singular sensations. The clarion-voiced Linda Eder plays this chic room for a brief engagement (April 4-8) before ceding the stage to Diahann Carroll (April 18-29). Beloved for both her stage work (including her Tony-winning performance in No Strings) and her TV appearances (including groundbreaking roles in Julia and Dynasty), Carroll is the true definition of a star.

Speaking of stars: The statuesque Karen Akers has been a cabaret and Broadway headliner for three decades, and her annual engagement at the Algonquin Hotel is always something special. This year, she presents First You Dream: The Songs of Kander & Ebb, showcasing that songwriting team’s extraordinary catalogue of theater tunes (April 4-May 15). Over at the Café Carlyle, the ever-appealing Mary Cleere Haran makes a return engagement with an eclectic program that includes a tribute to the late Bobby Short (April 4-29.)

And now to “Barbra.” Has La Streisand really come out of retirement (again)? No such luck — but the next best thing is Steven Brinberg as “Simply Barbra.” If you don’t believe me, head to Birdland on April 17, where this extraordinary entertainer will delight you. Also part of “The Spring Season” at this classy club is Christine Pedi, one of the best vocal imitators in the business and a darn good singer in her own right (April 3); There will also be a couple of cool cats at the club this month; composer Jason Robert Brown will be perform selections from his vast repertoire — along with Urban Cowboy star Jenn Colella — on April 4, and the versatile Billy Stritch salutes Mel Torme on April 10.

The line-up at Danny’s Skylight Room is particularly stellar this month, with Blossom Dearie, Mary Bond Davis, Barbara Brussell, Marianne Challis, Jim Van Slyke, and Dane Vanatter all taking turns at the microphone. The pickings at Helen’s Hideaway Room are also choice, with such top-notch entertainers as Jeanne MacDonald, Marieann Meringolo, Eileen Fulton, Angela Scollo, and Cynthia Crane on the bill. Over at The Duplex, the main attractions include Trent Armand Kendall, John Wallowitch, Steven Lutvak, David Gurland & Randi Driscoll, and the Storefront’s salute to singer Joni Mitchell.

Elsewhere around the Big Apple, the fabulous Euan Morton performs selections from his new CD New Clear at Joe’s Pub on April 3, while singer Franc D’Ambrosio stops there on April 30. Light in the Piazza star Glenn Seven Allen shows off his pipes at Ars Nova as part of the Broadway Spotlight series (also on April 3). And the wonderful Steve Ross salutes Fred Astaire at Iridium (April 30).

Finally, there are divine divas at cabarets across the country this month. Will and Grace star Megan Mullally shows off her vivacious vocals at the Orange County Pefrorming Arts Center (April 18-22); the dynamic Michele Lee makes her debut at the Colony Theater’s Royal Room in Palm Beach, Florida (April 18-29), the always incredible Andrea Marcovicci does a tribute to the late, great Hildergarde at the Gardenia in Hollywood, California (April 19-22), pop singer Freda Payne salutes the late, great Ella Fitzgerald at the Empire Plush Room in San Francisco (April 25-30), and Jane Olivor takes the stage of the Community Theatre in Morristown, New Jersey (April 28).