Theater News

When October Comes

Joy Behar, Betty Buckley, David Burnham, Victoria Clark, Jason Graae, Tammy Grimes, Mary Cleere Haran, Judy Kuhn, Maureen McGovern, Mark Nadler, Daniel Reichard, Steve Tyrell, Paula West, and Rachel York entertain this month.

Rachel York
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Rachel York
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

It’s an incredibly busy month at Feinstein’s at the Regency, beginning with the debut of Rendezvous, a revue of French music (October 2-6), continuing with Hawaiian singer Amy Hanaiali’i (October 9-13), and concluding with the wonderful Mary Cleere Haran in a new tribute to the great Doris Day (October 16-27). Equally (if not more) exciting is the line-up for the club’s Sunday-Monday series: Tony Award winner Clifton Davis (October 7), Broadway leading lady Rachel York (October 14-15); singing legend Tony Martin (October 21-22), and Joni James (October 28-29).

The more-beautiful-than-ever Café Carlyle continues to host the one-and-only Eartha Kitt (through October 27) followed by another of the club’s favorite performers, crooner Steve Tyrell (October 30-December 31). Meanwhile, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel spotlights two of my favorite female performers: KT Sullivan (without frequent partner-in-crime Mark Nadler) in the aptly-titled Autumn in New York (through October 13) and the always-incredible Paula West (October 16-November 10).

Jim Caruso’s Broadway at Birdland series continues to offer shows you just can’t miss, beginning with Legally Blonde composer-lyricist Larry O’Keefe, joined by that show’s stars Orfeh, Andy Karl, and Annaleigh Ashford — along with funny man Mo Rocca (October 1). Also on tap are evenings devoted to songwriters Sam Davis (October 7) and Jeremy Shoenfeld (October 29) and sure-to-be-great performances by the multi-talented Jeffry Denman (October 8), Klea Blackhurst (October 14-15), Jason Graae (October 21-22), and Nancy Anderson (October 29).

Over at the ever-eclectic Joe’s Pub, highlights include three-time Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn celebrating her new CD, Serious Playground: The Songs of Laura Nyro (October 1, 8, 15, 22); Tony winner John Gallagher Jr.’s band, Old Springs Pike (October 8, 29), The Petersons, featuring Broadway stars Matthew Saldivar and Keira Naughton (October 14), an evening of the music of Emma composer Paul Gordon, with a host of special guests include Brian D’Arcy James, Kate Reinders, and Marla Schaffel (October 15), Across the Universe star Dana Fuchs (October 23), jazz legend Andy Bey (October 25), and jazz duo The Breithaupt Brothers with guests such as Lea DeLaria, James Naughton, and his newly married son and daughter-in-law, Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara (October 29).

At the ultra-hip Zipper Factory, the main attraction is The Sensual Woman, a burlesque-variety show hosted by Margaret Cho (through October 20). You can also catch comedian and View co-host Joy Behar (October 9 and 23), acclaimed pop-theatre band Groovelily (October 14) and a special performance of the comedy sensation Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words featuring guest appearances by Karen Ziemba, Cheyenne Jackson, Kristen Johnston, Richard Kind, Tony Roberts, Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa, and Seth Rudetsky (October 15).

There’s plenty of excitement this month at The Metropolitan Room, most notably West Coast favorite Devlin (October 6, 13), Light in the Piazza star Davd Burnham (October 7), soprano Anna Bergman (October 11-13, 18-20), Broadway stars Sarah Rice and Rob Gardner (October 21, 28, 29) and the return of Tony Award winner Tammy Grimes (October 24-27). Also on tap are a host of cabaret favorites including Barbara Brussell October 4, 11, 18, 25), Lina Koutrakos (October 8), Mercedes Hall (October 13, 20), Dane Vanatter (October 14), Cynthia Crane (October 21, 28), Jeanne MacDonald (October 27), and Ricky Ritzel and Leslie Anderson (October 30).

Over at Ars Nova, the acts include Jeremy Schonfeld (October 1), singer-songwriter Todd Almond (October 4), Jersey Boys star Daniel Reichard and special guests (October 5), musical theater composer Paul Scott Goodman (October 6), In the Heights co-author Lin-Manuel Miranda (October 7), and psychic Patti Canova (October 17-November 3).

At Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, the main events include Maureen Kelley Stewart (October 3-4), the new monthly event Saturday Night Underground, hosted by Ben Rimalower and Lady J (October 6), a trio of “Cabaret Cares” benefits (October 8, 22, 29), singer Marcus Simone (October 12, 26), and an evening of the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Eddie Varley, Felicia Finley, David Gurland, Rob Maitner, and Bill Weeden (October 21).

Elsewhere in the eastern United States: Port Washington’s Landmark Theatre on Main Street serves up The Bacon Brothers — that’s Kevin and Michael (October 6) and the great Maureen McGovern (October 12); the Stamford Center for the Arts presents Tony Award winner Betty Buckley (October 5) and Queen Latifah (October 9); Philadelphia’s Morgan’s Cabaret at the Prince hosts Billy Stritch (through October 7) and the always-entertaining Mark Nadler in his critically acclaimed show Tchaikovsky (and Other Russians) (October 30-November 11); and The Colony Hotel’s Royal Room, in Palm Beach, Florida, kicks off its season with singer Charles Cochran (October 18-20, 25-27).

Heading to the West Coast, San Francisco’s Empire Plush Room presents a one-night concert featuring Sweeney Todd stars Lauren Molina and Benjamin Magnuson (October 1), Broadway favorite Christine Andreas (October 2-14), KT Sullivan (October 16-21), singer-actress Elaine Joyce (October 22-24), singer Sony Holland (October 25-28), and Tammy Grimes (October 30-November 11).

Heading downstate, L.A.’s Sterling’s Upstairs at Vitello will host New Orleans native Tiba (October 7), Broadway veteran Tam (Bernier) Evas (October 14), singing duo Sandy Zacky and Mike Clifford (October 20), and pop singer Tricia Kelly (October 27). Last but by no means least, Tony Award winner Victoria Clark lands at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (October 11-14).