Starry Starry Nights

New York’s three biggest cabaret rooms may be closed for the summer, but there’s still no shortage of top-notch entertainment around town. In fact, July marks a new era for the spacious Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café now that MAC Award winner Phil Geoffrey Bond is at the helm. Opening month attractions include the Storefront Theatre’s star-studded salute to the late Laurie Beechman, the return of the popular New Monday series, and solo shows by Brandon Cuttrell, Amanda Green, John Hill, Liz McCartney, Julie Reyburn, and Marty Thomas. There wil also be the debut of the new Friday night schmoozefest The After Party, co-hosted by Cuttrell and Alysha Umphress. And a very special guest will be on hand to kick off this soiree — former Wicked star Shoshana Bean.

There’s plenty of star-power at Birdland this month, as The Summer in the City series continues with appearances by Tony Award winner Linda Lavin (July 3), country great Victoria Shaw (July 10), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels star Lucie Arnaz (July 17), and Broadway veteran Patrick Quinn (July 24). Even more big names, including Laura Benanti, Lea DeLaria, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Alice Ripley can be found at Joe’s Pub, which will offer a one-night benefit concert of Michael John LaChiusa’s Little Fish (July 10). Other worthy attractions at the downtown hotspot include the fabulous Lina Koutrakos (July 5), Edinburgh-bound performance artist Taylor Mac (July 9, 16, and 23), The Petersons, the mock-rock group featuring actors Keira Naughton and Matthew Saldivar (July 10), the second installment of the comedy showcase Don’t Quit Your Night Job (July 27), and singer Bonnie Koloc with her special guest, Hair composer Galt McDermot (July 30).

Meanwhile, Lorenzo’s in Staten Island welcomes Jason Graae (July 8), Laurel Masse (July 15), Amanda McBroom (July 22), and Sandra Reeves-Phillips (July 29), all of whom are worth making a special trip to see. Broadway stars Kathy Brier, Eric Michael Gillett and Melanie Vaughn will be among the guests for the Jamie deRoy & friends show at the Metropolitan Room (July 26), while, Sweeney Todd‘s Benjamin Magnuson will do a one-night concert of contemporary music, Who Asked Me to Annoy You with My Sad Repartee?, at Urban Stages (July 30).

Elsewhere around town, the eclectic line-up at B.B. King includes pop favorites Dave Mason (July 5) and Taylor Dayne (July 18), cabaret favorite Quinn Lemley (July 25), and the legendary Wayne Newton (July 27). Those pop-rock singer/composers GrooveLily return to Ars Nova (July 14-15), which will also house the newest installment of its Uncharted series, featuring songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul with special guests Eden Espinosa, Jesse Nager, and Todd Buonapone (July 17), and Off-Broadway favorite Natalie Joy Johnson (July 22 and 31). The Blue Note hosts jazz greats Chuck Mangione (July 11-16), Maynard Ferguson (July 18-23), and Clark Terry (July 25-30).

Heading outside of the Big Apple, the one-and-only Debbie Reynolds makes a rare appearance at the Mohegan Sun in Uncas, Connecticut (July 5-9). The charming Bradstan Country Inn in White Lake, New York serves up the multi-talented Christine Pedi (July 2), the hilarious Mark Nadler (July 9), the ever-elegant Mary Cleere Haran (July 16), funny lady Angela LaGreca (July 23), and Richard Skipper as Carol Channing (July 30).

Odette’s, the lovely cabaret in New Hope, will showcase Billy Stritch (July 7-8), the legendary Julie Wilson (July 15-16), and the wonderful Baby Jane Dexter (July 28-29).

Heading out to Long Island, the Westhampton Beach Peforming Arts Center has its own absolutely fabulous line-up, including Burt Bachrach (July 3), Rosanne Cash (July 7), Dennis Miller (July 15), Art Garfunkel (July 16), Brian Stokes Mitchell (July 22), and Kenny Loggins (July 23). Over at the Bay Street Theatre, the fabulous Euan Morton will serve up a special one-night concert on Saturday, July 8 following his performance in The Who’s Tommy.

Going farther afield, the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida is home to two dynamic performers, Jeff Harnar (July 1-15) and Maude Maggart (July 21-August 12). Heading to the West Coast, San Francisco’s Empire Plush Room will feature legendary comedian Mort Sahl (July 6-9) and the peerless Andrea Marcovicci, who will be doing a special 20th anniversary show (July 11-30), while the Eureka Theatre will host KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler (July 25). Moving down to L.A., the recently opened Sterling’s Upstairs presents local favorite Paul Strioli (July 7-29), while over at Los Angeles City College, you can hear Broadway babes Susan Egan (July 14-15) and Heather McRae (July 21-22), as well as the vocal stylings of Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack, and John Boswell in Three Men and a Baby Grand (July 28-29).