The Very Month of May

As May flowers into bloom, the city’s cabaret scene provides something for everyone.

At Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency, the club hosts a semi-annual appearance from namesake Michael Feinstein (May 8-17), who will salute the music of Alan and Marilyn Bergman (with special guests including Mr. Bergman himself), followed by the dynamic two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth in her club debut (May 20-31). Also on the agenda are Sunday in the Park star Alexander Gemignani (May 5, 18), Carolyn Leonhart and Wayne Escoffery (May 7), and Harvey Granat (May 12, 19).

The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel is currently spotlighting Maude Maggart (through May 10), whose new show Speaking of Dreams spans everyone from Harold Arlen to Paul Williams to Kate Bush. Up next is one of the club’s most popular chanteuses, Karen Akers, whose new show Move On (May 13-June 14) features the work of Sondheim, Yeston, Porter, McBroom, Rodgers & Hart, and Ahrens & Flaherty. In addition, Morrow Wilson will perform his show Noel Coward 101, directed by Rue McLanahan with musical direction by David Lewis (May 12 and 19).

At the Café Carlyle, the debut of 1980s pop phenomenon — and Academy Award winner — Christopher Cross (through May 10) is followed by pop legends Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (May 13-31). Can you surrey? Can you picnic?

The always exciting Broadway at Birdland brings us the CD release of Jeremy Schonfeld’s 39 Notebooks with guests including Jarrod Emick, Kate Shindle, and Amy Spanger (May 5); former Drowsy Chaperone star Mara Davi (May 19), and composer Georgia Stitt and friends (May 26).

The big news at Zipper Factory is Inner Voices (May 12-30), an evening of three solo musicals starring Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, Jennifer Damiano, and Barbara Walsh. Also on the calendar are appearances by Eelwax Jesus (May 4), The Broadway Boys (May 11) with special guests Antonique Smith, Patina Miller, Carly Hughes, and Janet Dacal, as well as Lauren Kennedy performing selections from her CD Here and Now (May 18), Eric Himan (May 21), the monthly installment of Don’t Quit Your Night Job (May 22), and the amazing Nellie McKay (May 31)..

There are plenty of reasons to visit Joe’s Pub, including monologist Mike Daisey’s How Theater Failed America (May 4, 11), Broadway star Nicole Parker (May 4), Tammy Faye Starlite (May 5), Capathia Jenkins and Louis Rosen (May 12, 18, 19, 26), a star-studded benefit for theater collective 13P (May 13), Jill Sobule (May 18, 20), David Yazbek (May 30), and Jamie Leonhart (May 31).

The Metropolitan Room once again pulls out all the stops this month. Highlights include Rachel York (May 4), Marcus Simeone (May 4), Eleanor Reissa (May 8, 15, 22), John Treacy Egan (May 11), Avenue Q Swings (May 12), Jamie deRoy and friends, including special guests Lucie Arnaz, Stephen Bogardus, Penny Fuller, and Donna Lynne Champlin (May 14), Kathy Brier (May 16 & 17), Alexis Gershwin (May 21-24), Suzanne Caricco (May 26), and Jeff Harnar (May 28-31).

Outside of the Big Apple, Morgan’s Cabaret at the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia will host award-winning singer Barbara Fasano’s show Let’s Fall in Love — Celebrating Harold Arlen (May 14-18), and the Rrazz Room at San Francisco’s Nikko Hotel offers television favorite Lynda Carter (through May 4), Ashford & Simpson (May 6-18), Jane Olivor (May 21-25), and Bobby Caldwell (May 29-June 1).