Richard Malavet

Elizabeth Ahlfors
"The Billy Eckstine Project, Songs in the Key of 'B'" Metropolitan Room  –  July 1, 8, 10 Richard Malavet, a New York cabaret singer, certainly did his homework for his latest show, saluting Billy Eckstine. The music of the cool, dapper "Mr. B" is a fine choice for Malavet. He does not try to imitate...

Nellie McKay

Elizabeth Ahlfors
"Normal as Blueberry Pie – A Tribute to Doris Day"  Feinstein's at Loews Regency  -  June 1 - 12 Just wondering. Why, exactly did Nellie McKay choose to salute Doris Day? Many, not all, of the songs she's doing are identified with Doris Day, but McKay never explains why she chose them. Was she influenced by the legendary...

Jaron Vesely

Roy Sander
"Something Good" Metropolitan Room  -  returning June 25 Jaron Vesely has titled his new show after the Richard Rodgers song "Something Good." This is an understatement, for in every way—choice of material, programming/structure, vocal quality, interpretations, arrangements, instrumental accompaniment—the show is much better than merely good. He could have named it after the Rodgers &...

Barb Jungr

Elizabeth Ahlfors
"River" Metropolitan Room  -  May 18-23 When you think of an interpretive singer, one name that stands out is Barb Jungr. Jungr not only studies the lyrics, but takes them apart to root out the substance that speaks to her. She then reconstructs them and makes them her own. She will surround her selection with...

Teresa Fischer

Roy Sander
"Miss Congeniality" Don't Tell Mama  -  May 5, 9 Several bars into Teresa Fischer's opening number, I knew I was in good hands. The song was the often-done Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg's "I'm Hip," and though it's an appealing novelty number, I find the 45-years-old lyrics a bit dated and the song just not...

Mitzi Gaynor

Roy Sander
"Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins" Feinstein's at Loews Regency  -  May 18 - 29 After the band plays the overture, she makes her entrance from stage right. It is unmistakably her—Mitzi Gaynor—an icon whose name conjures up memories and images of Technicolor Hollywood and who triumphed on television in a series of highly successful...

Johnny Rodgers

Elizabeth Ahlfors
"What a Wonderful World" Oak Room at the Algonquin  -  May 11 - 29 Set Johnny Rodgers near a piano and Pow!, it's a concert, a vigorous, touching, enthusiastic musical mélange of Americana. From Memphis to St. Jo, with the snap of Chicago, easy Southern charm, New York energy and St. Louis rhythms—there's that crazy mixed-up American spirit and the multifaceted Johnny Rodgers to deliver it. With...

Adelmo Guidarelli

Roy Sander
"Operation Adelmo" Don't Tell Mama  -  March 27 The Triad  -  May 22 At the top of the musical circus that is "Operation Adelmo," baritone Adelmo Guidarelli tells us that he is "aware of the fact that everyone hates opera." He then proclaims, without pause, irony, or apology, that he is going to sing opera....

Linda Eder

Elizabeth Ahlfors
"All of Me" Feinstein's at Loews Regency  -  April 6 - 17 For several years, this Minnesota country girl could have made the case that she possesses vocal confidence and horsepower second to none. In her recent engagement at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, Linda Eder proved her case once again. Added to her impressive pipes,...

Colleen McHugh

Roy Sander
"Calendar Girl" Duplex  -  monthly For some time now, Colleen McHugh has been appearing monthly at the Duplex, each time with a different show and a different theme. How's that for a daunting self-assignment? The umbrella title for the series is "Calendar Girl"—for obvious reasons. The edition I saw on March 25 was called "Being...