Theater News

Summer Springs Up

Nancy Anderson, Lucie Arnaz, Laura Bell Bundy, Jason Danieley, Lea DeLaria, John Gallagher, Jr., Andrea Marcovicci, Billy Stritch, KT Sullivan, and Julie Wilson are some of the stars lighting up the summer’s nightlife scene.

Lucie Arnaz
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Lucie Arnaz
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

The warm weather means that you’ll probably be spending more time outside and less in the city’s cabarets and clubs. Indeed, two of the major hotel rooms, Feinstein’s at the Regency and the Café Carlyle have already closed up shop for the summer, while, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel finishes up its season with jazz singer Claire Martin (through July 7).

But all is not lost for music lovers. Jim Caruso’s Broadway at Birdland series pulls out the stops this month, with appearances by Nancy Anderson (July 2), the Broadway Boys (July 9), Lucie Arnaz and Valarie Pettiford with Ron Abel (July 15-16), The Fabulous Pink Flamingos (July 22), Legally Blonde leading lady Laura Bell Bundy (July 23), and Billy Stritch (July 29) with some very special guest stars.

The line-up at the ever-eclectic Joe’s Pub offers more than a few sundry pleasures including Can’t Prove It On Me a special benefit for New Orleans’ Musicians, featuring Rome Neal, Lea DeLaria, and Fred Hersch (July 9); Old Springs Pike, the band led by Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr. (July 9); Grammy winner Jesse Harris (July 11); up-and-comers Lady GaGa and Josiah Bell (July 16); funny lady Julie Brown (July 27-28); and Broadway favorites Shoshana Bean and Jason Danieley in back-to-back shows on July 30.

Over at The Metropolitan Room, the month’s main attractions include jazz legend Annie Ross (July 10, 17, 24, and 31), the ageless Julie Wilson (July 12-14, 19-21), Broadway leading man Martin Vidnovic (July 16, 23, 30), the wonderful Lennie Watts (July 15, 22, 29), and the dynamite trio of Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter, and Tim DiPasqua (July 27).

At the Zipper Factory this month, you can catch the incredible Our Lady J (July 6), the multitalented Brian Charles Rooney (July 11), singer-songwriter Todd Almond (July 16), and the one-and-only Wau Wau Sisters (July 21). Meanwhile, down at Iridium the new, Broadway Swings series continues with local favorites Terry Burrell (July 8), Sal Viviano (July 15), and KT Sullivan (July 29).

The Laurie Beechman Theatre in The West Bank Café will host a variety of performers including Vicky Mordica (July 3 and 5), Jim Van Slyke (July 10), Shira Lissek (July 11, 18, 25), David Gurland (July 12), Joe Iconis & Gaby Alter (July 15), and Broadway’s Matt Castle (July 16).

If you’re heading out to the Hamptons, make sure you make time for a stop at the Bay Street Theatre Comedy Club, where two of the country’s most popular comics are ready to make you laugh: Caroline Rhea (July 16) and Louis CK (July 23).

A summer trip to the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncas, Connecticut is always in order. This month’s entertainment includes The Smothers Brothers (July 4-8), comedian Lewis Black (July 28), and singing superstar Josh Groban (July 30).

Finally, there’s a double dose of good news for the many fans of the peerless Andrea Marcovicci. She will debut her new show, Marcovicci Sings Rodgers & Hart at San Francisco’s Empire Plush Room (July 10-29) before jetting back east to reprise her popular show Andrea Sings Astaire at the gorgeous Caramoor estate in Katonah, New York (July 31-August 2).