Come What May
The month of May is not just merry — it’s extremely busy for those who value the art form of cabaret and its many superb practitioners.
Feinstein’s at the Regency offers a true one-two knockout punch this month, with powerhouse vocalist Linda Eder (May 1-12) followed by the New York cabaret debut of film, television, and stage star Peter Gallagher (May 16-June 2). In addition, local favorite Jeff Harnar will offer his new show Dancing in the Dark on Sunday evenings (May 6-June 24).
Moving further uptown, the wonderful husband-and-wife team of John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey light up the Café Carlyle (May 1-26), followed by an encore engagement by singing superstar Judy Collins (May 29-June 9). Meanwhile, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel hosts two of the club’s most beloved stars: Karen Akers, in a show dedicated to the late composer Jule Styne (through May 12), and the incredible Andrea Marcovicci, who is offering a reworked version of last year’s hit show just…love, by request (May 15-26).
Jim Caruso’s Broadway at Birdland series continues to thrill the crowds with Broadway star Nancy Anderson backed by Ross Patterson and his Little Big Band (May 7); the multi-talented Jeff Daniels; on a night off from MTC’s Blackbird (May 14); and the very lovely and gorgeous-voiced Melissa Errico (May 21 and 28).
Over at the ever-eclectic Joe’s Pub, highlights include Neil Sedaka (May 1-2); Daphne Rubin-Vega (May 4); the Waterwell Company’s concert presentation of Eugene O’Neill’s Marco Millions (May 6); Latin singers Danny Rivera and Frankie Negron (May 7); a concert version of the new musical The Hidden Sky, featuring Merle Dandridge, Manoel Felciano, Lauren Molina, and other Broadway stars (May 14); performance artist Ann Magnuson (May 18); singer Michael Winther (May 20); Eisa Davis, a co-star of The Public Theater’s new musical Passing Strange (May 21); and fashion designer-cum-cabaret singer Isaac Mizrahi (May 25).
There’s plenty of excitement this month at The Metropolitan Room, where the extensive list of performers includes Tony Award winner Linda Lavin with pianist Billy Stritch (May 4-7), former Tony nominee Euan Morton (May 6 and 13), funny lady Kristine Zbornik (May 7,14, 21), country singer and Broadway star Larry Gatlin (May 15-16), Elena Shaddow (May 19), TV and stage star Tom Wopat (May 25-26), and the monthly edition of Jamie deRoy & Friends (May 31).
Over at the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, performers include singer-songwriter Annie Dinerman (May 6), Lady J & The Pink Champagne Orchestra, Lois Walden, Barry Kleinbort, and Paul Greenwood’s acclaimed show Why Lee? (May 16 and 23), David Gurland’s Madonna Unplugged (May 20), and Hair composer Galt MacDermot (May 21).
At The Triad, the popular revue When The Lights Go On Again, featuring Bill Daugherty, Paul Kropfl, Christina Morrell, and Connie Pachl, continues through May 27.
Heading to the West Coast, the Wonder(Woman)-ful Lynda Carter makes her cabaret debut at San Francisco’s Empire Plush Room (May 1-6), while the fabulous Maureen McGovern visits the city’s Marines Memorial Ballroom (May 6). Heading south, that stellar married couple, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, play OCPAC‘s Samueli Theatre (May 10-13).
