Theater News

Hotter Than Ever

Joy Behar, Victoria Clark, Jeff Daniels, Susan Egan, Michael Feinstein, Kiki & Herb, Lorenzo Lamas, Andrea Marcovicci, Sally Mayes, Steve Tyrell, and Paula West heat up the city’s cabarets.

Andrea Marcovicci
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Andrea Marcovicci
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

As winter’s chill begins to seep in, the temptation to stay home grows stronger and stronger. But fight the urge to cuddle beneath that comforter, since the city’s cabarets are hotter than ever — full of tremendous talents who can warm the coldest heart or soul.

You can’t help but feel the heat at the Algonquin Hotel, thanks to the always fabulous Paula West (through November 11) who’s serving up a brilliant show that proves she can really sing anything. Whether tackling a selection from the operetta New Moon, offering a jazzy take on the Celtic folk song “Loch Lomond” or tearing into Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” West is never short of breathtaking. Following her into the Oak Room is the peerless Andrea Marcovicci, who’s celebrating her 20th anniversary at the Algonquin with her new show, I’m Feeling Like a Million: A Salute to the Incomparable Hildegarde (November 14-January 13), which features a slew of songs made famous by the late, great entertainer.

While cabaret is best known for its female singers, the city’s two other big rooms are spotlighting men this month! At Feinstein’s at the Regency, film and television star Lorenzo Lamas makes his cabaret debut (through November 11), followed by a brief stint by comedian Jackie Mason (November 14-18), and the return of the club’s namesake, Michael Feinstein (November 28-December 31). In addition, the wonderful Jeff Harnar will be debuting his show A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar Sings Cy Coleman, for six nights, with special guests Lee Roy Reams (November 12), Liz Callaway (November 13), Andrea Marcovicci (November 19), and Karen Ziemba (November 20).

Meanwhile, crooner Steve Tyrell returns to his New York City home The Café Carlyle with his holiday show This Time of the Year (November 14-December 31).

Jim Caruso’s Broadway series at Birdland also focuses its spotlight on male performers, starting with hunky cellist Peter Sachon (November 6), who will be joined by Tony Award winner Victoria Clark and the always superb Michael Winther. They’ll be followed by the award-winning actor Jeff Daniels (November 13), who will show off his considerable skill as a singer and songwriter. Concluding the month are the superb composer Jeff Blumenkrantz with special guests Clark, Liz Callaway, Michael McElroy, and Alysha Umphress (November 20), the handsome and talented Jack Donahue (November 27 at 7pm), and the super-talented Euan Morton (November 27 at 9pm and 11pm).

Over at Joe’s Pub, the choice selections include Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me star Capathia Jenkins with composer Louis Rosen (November 5 and 12), the indescribably amazing Kiki & Herb (November 15-16, 26-27), James Naughton and future-daughter-in-law Kelli O’Hara with the Breithaupt Brothers (November 20), a host of Broadway stars singing the music of David Kirshenbaum (November 20), the hilarious Christine Lavin (November 24-25), the dynamic Leslie Kritzer re-creating the 1980 club act of the one and only Patti LuPone (November 26), former Hairspray star Shayna Steele (November 27), a special benefit performance of Cause Celeb featuring Charles Busch, Marylouise Burke, Julie Halston, Joan Rivers, and Michael Musto, and another star-filled installment of Don’t Quit Your Night Job (November 30).

The line-up at The Metropolitan Room is sure to thrill even the most jaded cabaretgoer, beginning with the unveiling of Tony Award nominee Sally Mayes’ new show Unwritten (November 1-3 and 16-18). Also on tap are comedian Joy Behar (November 9 and 16), singers Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch, who will salute the music of Hoagy Carmichael (November 9-12), Tony nominee Susan Egan (November 12-13), Broadway star Nancy Anderson, who will perform songs from her CD Ten Cents a Dance with Ross Patterson and the Little Big Band (November 14 and 28), Michael Winther and jazz pianist Dan Tepfer (November 19-20, 26-27), and the electrifying Mary Bond Davis (November 24-27).

Heading outside of Manhattan, the statuesque chanteuse Karen Akers plays Lorenzo’s in Staten Island (November 11) and the incomparable Barbara Cook checks into the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (November 25). Down south, Palm Beach, Florida’s lovely Colony Hotel kicks off its 2006-2007 season with the popular Charles Cochran (November 9-11, 16-18). Moving to the West Coast, San Francisco’s gorgeous Empire Plush Room hosts the lovely Maude Maggart (November 1-12), while The Commandants Ballroom at the Marines Memorial Club welcomes the sublime Amanda McBroom and Bay Area favorite Sony Holland (November 12).