D Is For Diva

There is no other word for February –even if it’s not a real word — than divalicious.

At Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency, the line-up of powerhouse females include Tony Award winner Betty Buckley, celebrating her new jazz-flavored CD Quintessence (February 5-22), former Annie star Andrea McArdle (February 10-11), Spring Awakening leading lady Lea Michele (February 25), and R&B legend Freda Payne in a salute to one of the greatest divas of all time, Ella Fitzgerald (February 26-March 1)

There are equally wonderful women at the two other major rooms. The Café Carlyle welcomes back pop singing legend Judy Collins (through March 1), while over at The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, you can hear Shelly Berg with singers Tierney Sutton (February 1-2) and Lorraine Feather (February 5-9), the fabulous Lari White (February 12-31), brunch with jazz pianist Barbara Carroll, and even a new jazz-age musical Glimpses of the Moon, based on a novel by Edith Wharton, with special guests including daytime diva Susan Lucci (Mondays, through March 10).

Broadway at Birdland features a pair of great ladies: Capathia Jenkins with composer Louis Rosen (February 11), and country superstar Victoria Shaw (February 25), along with Broadway star Jason Danieley (February 4) and the multitalented Billy Stritch (February 18). The club’s roster also includes vocalist Ty Stephens (February 3), John Pizzarelli with his equally fabulous dad Bucky (February 12-16), and the great pianist-songwriter Michel LeGrand (February 26-March 2).

The diva parade marches on The Metropolitan Room, which houses a rare New York appearance by the superb Maureen McGovern, debuting her new pop-driven show A Long and Winding Road (February 13-23), and Stephanie J. Block, along with Sebastian Arcelus, Kate Rockwell, DB Bonds, Jim Stanek, Linda Balgord, and a host of stars performing songs from Big Tent, The Tammy Faye Baker Musical (February 18). Also playing this lovely venue are the superb Christine Pedi (February 3-4, 10-11), Broadway star Terri Klausner (February 4, 11), Michael Winther, with guest Sally Wilfert (February 10, 18); the Sullivan sisters — KT (February 14), Stacy (February 15), and Heather (February 16) — Jamie deRoy & friends, with special guests including Steven Brinberg, David Shire, Loni Ackerman, and Steve Ross (February 20), Mercedes Hall (February 23), Sheera Ben-David (February 25), and Luba Mason (February 27, 29).

There will be some very outspoken women on stage at Joe’s Pub this month; the irrepressible Bridget Everett with partner-in-crime Kenny Mellman (February 3, 10, 17, 24), the even more irrepressible Jackie Hoffman (February 4, 11, and 25), the dazzling Varla Jean Merman (February 16), and the one-and-only Julie Brown (February 22-23).

And don’t expect things to be much tamer at Zipper Factory, thanks to the all-female rock opera Super Chix (February 1), the amazing Wau Wau Sisters followed by the Brown Girls Burlesque (both February 2), the feisty Lauren Cregor (February 7), the extraordinary Kathleen Chalfant and Patricia Elliott in Vita and Virginia (February 11, 18, 25), Jenn Colella and Kate Rockwell, who will be just two of the performers at Broadway for Barack (February 11), and the hilarious Joy Behar (February 14, 28), among other don’t-miss acts.

At The Laurie Beechman Theatre, the month’s highlights include a benefit for Hillary Clinton with a host of Broadway stars (February 18), a special event connected to the PBS screening of Company (February 20), and a Society of Singers benefit headlined by Joe Iconis (February 29). Other exciting acts include Jackie Draper (February 3, 8), Marc Epstein (February 5, 13), Scot Albertson (February 7), Donna Moore (February 9, 13, 16), Maureen Kelley Stewart (February 10, 17), Lisa Asher and Brandon Cuttrell (February 14), Jonathan Whitton (February 15), The Dreams (February 16), Travis Cloer (February 25), and Liz McCartney (February 25).

Elsewhere around town, the amazing Judy Kuhn continues to perform her acclaimed show Serious Playground: The Songs of Laura Nyro at Iridium (February 7, 14, 21, and 28). Joanne Beretta checks into the recently opened Broadway Baby (February 14, 21, 28), the hysterical Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words at The Triad, Legally Blonde star Natalie Joy Johnson plays the club Therapy (February 25); and This is Burlesque continues its open-ended run at Corio.

Outside of the Big Apple, you can find a diva or two (or three) too! Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch play NJPAC’s Chase Room (February 9); Morgan’s Cabaret at the Prince in Philadelphia presents the beautiful soprano Anna Bergman (February 13-24); and Royal Room at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida welcomes
Debby Boone (February 5-16), followed by divo Lorenzo Lamas (February 19-March 1).

Heading farther west, the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace is the new home for the truly divine Bette Midler (beginning February 20); the Orange County Performing Arts Center hosts Tony Award winner Faith Prince (February 14-17); the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco hosts Amanda McBroom and Melissa Manchester (February 23), and the brand new Rrazz Room at San Francisco’s Nikko Hotel opens with the brilliant Paula West (February 12-March 16).