Baby Wants It All At 54 Below
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, March 22, 2018.] The musical Baby, with music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 1983 and ran […]
David Yazbek, Lullabies, and The Band’s Visit Showstoppers
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, March 16, 2018.] Monday night at Feinstein’s / 54 Below, David Yazbek’s multi-modal jazz band of extraordinary performers was family welcoming guests stopping by […]
Jomama Jones on Black Light and Seeing in the Dark
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, March 1, 2018.] “What if I told you it’s going to be alright? … What if I told you it began tonight?” Somewhere on a […]
2017: excavation review themes
Simplifying, complicating, simplifying again. This has been a year of expanding and paring involvement on professional boards and projects, resuming old roles and assuming new ones. I continue into 2018 […]
2017: excavation review
Public performances in calendar year 2017, live or filmed, were many and thrilling, with new talents and old familiars, in large venues and intimate spaces. By my rough count, during […]
Ebersole and Stritch Sing of Snow and Memories at Birdland
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, December 27, 2017.] Musicians who have played together for years reunite for two Birdland performances this December. Winter tunes, holiday tunes, tunes of remembrance and […]
Stacy Kent Dreams Her Dreams
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, December 15, 2017.] Stacey Kent is at Birdland to promote her 2017 album I Know I Dream, and lends her delicate vocals and spare musical stylings […]
Callaway Jazzes the Movies
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, November 3, 2017.] Ann Hampton Callaway is a Chicago girl with one of the biggest hearts in cabaret. On a recent evening at Birdland, on […]
DeLaria Sings Bowie at Birdland
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, October 27, 2017.] Lea DeLaria holds court with passion and grace in her David Bowie tribute show. Twice a night through Saturday October 28 at […]
Melissa Manchester, Her Fellas, and Unexpected Joy
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, September 14, 2017.] “I finally made it to Birdland!” Melissa Manchester, who has had a career of many decades, with more than a score […]
Sugar Sing Along Loses the Beat
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, September 11, 2017.] Tony Roberts, one of the original stars of Sugar, the 1972 Broadway musical based entirely on the Billy Wilder, cross-dressing, Prohibition-era comedy […]
A Happening to Celebrate Birthday Girl Annie Ross
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, July 30, 2017.] July 25, 2017 really is the 87th birthday of Annie Ross and marks the 11th year of regular appearances at the […]
Linda Lavin and the Women Who Haunt Her
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, July 30, 2017.] Linda Lavin is a New York City girl who holds audiences rapt by comedic and dramatic performances on television, film, and stage. […]
Karrin Allyson Swings Low
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, July 30, 2017.] The scene at Birdland this steamy July evening skews young—tables of college-aged pals, a large group of teens from Britain. The bubbling […]
Barb Jungr and John McDaniel Find the Zing in Sting
[caption: John McDaniel and Barb Jungr at Joe’s Pub. Photo: Richard Hillman.] [Original published in Theater Pizzazz, June 30, 2017.] British-born Barb Jungr is often described in creative cross-breed superlatives: Edith […]
Seth Sikes Embraces His Divas
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, June 29, 2017.] I am a fan of the divas that inspire the passionate fandom Seth Sikes revealed in his June 24 cabaret show. I’ve […]
urban excavations 