Nic & Desi – “Dance Another Day”

Mark Dundas Wood
The European tradition of cabaret—bohemian and sophisticated (and frequently cerebral, political, satirical, and angsty)—continues to be a major influence on contemporary American cabaret.  But wait…. Don’t forget about the variety tradition: the commercial American entertainment genre that dominated pop culture over many decades, turning up in vaudeville, in casino showrooms, in Catskills resorts, in long-gone...

Maureen Kelley Stewart— “This Is Always”

Gerry Geddes
If likability were quantifiable, say on a scale of one to 10, singer Maureen Kelley Stewart would probably rate a 12. Her new show, and return to cabaret, This Is Always, was filled with beguiling charm and her ingratiating joy in singing. From her debut in 1991 she has always partnered with some of New...

Kim David Smith’s “Comme Une Folle: torch songs for tough times because gay”

Gerry Geddes
With his new show, at Joe's Pub, Comme Une Folle: torch songs for tough times because gay, singer Kim David Smith stepped out from the shadow of Marlene Dietrich and claimed the spotlight as his own, without an assist from the legendary diva.  Not that being in her shadow was in any way a detriment...

“The Best of Ann Hampton Callaway”

Penelope Thomas
The Best of Ann Hampton Callaway show, similarly to the last time I saw her at 54 Below in 2023, was somewhat cobbled together from Callaway’s other performances. Not that a “best of” cabaret necessarily needs an additional theme, but I felt like I was missing out on the other projects she frequently referenced in...

Deborah Stone— “String Theory”

Gerry Geddes
The idea of multiple universes, and worlds within worlds, is everywhere these days, from Marvel and DC movies, from podcasts, from books, from television. Admittedly this is an odd thought to pop up into my head while sitting in the audience at Don’t Tell Mama recently for singer Deborah Stone’s wonderful new show, String Theory,...

Corinna Sowers Adler—”All That Matters”

Mark Dundas Wood
Having rapport with an audience is an immeasurably valuable thing for a cabaret singer—arguably more important than musical virtuosity or construction of the perfect song list. We know many of the ingredients that help singers stay in good graces with their listeners:  confidence, a bright (and possibly devilish) sense of humor, a dash of vulnerability,...

Judith Owen at Django

Mark Dundas Wood
“This is about sex and filth and good music,” Judith Owen declared, early in the first set of the evening at Django. We were warned. This was the second time I’d seen Owen play at this club, the first being in February of this year. I didn’t write about her back then. I wasn’t sure...

Lauren Scales, Mike Flanagan, and Chris Grasso Celebrate Their New Album, “Many Rivers”

Gerry Geddes
Jazz is no stranger to the stage at 54 Below but the hard-edged, hardcore jazz that was presented by singer Lauren Scales, saxophonist Mike Flanagan, and pianist Chris Grasso was not the usual bill of fare, so there was a special excitement in the room as the trio, aided in no small way by bassist...

Anaïs Reno Quartet: Selections from “Lady of the Lavender Mist” (plus more)

Mark Dundas Wood
When Anaïs Reno took to the stage at Dizzy’s on a recent late-summer evening, she seemed enveloped in an aura of grace and goodwill. She’s a mere 21, but she began singing jazz when she was single-digit age, so she’s been around for some time now. She won the Julie Wilson Award in 2020 and...

The Highliners Celebrate Ten Years of Their Soulful Sounds

Penelope Thomas
It’s a pleasure to hear ensemble energy on a cabaret stage. The Highliners are celebrating their tenth anniversary together, with roots going back to formative years at the Eastman School of Music. Based in jazz with influences from world and classical traditions, this is soulful, intelligent music for grownups, with voice and alto sax in...