Mad Dogs and Englishmen at the Metropolitan Room
Cabaret stylist Gregory Moore takes as his inspiration for a splendid set of the Metropolitan Room a 1955 Coward engagement at the long-gone Las Vegas venue Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn, […]
Karen Mason and Songs of Love Just in Time
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, May 15, 2017.] I’ve spent the past 12 hours melting into the memory of Karen Mason’s voice. Her current show Mason in May runs for […]
Jamie deRoy Hosts the Toast of Broadway Old and New
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, May 11, 2017.] Broadway performances past and present were evoked in the newest “Jamie deRoy & Friends” cabaret show on the intimate Birdland stage. This […]
Ute Lemper: Brecht, Bukowski, and Broken Hearts
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, January 14, 2017.] Ute Lemper was framed in her recent 54 Below engagement by comfort and edginess – black leather pants topped with […]
Marilyn Maye Always Something Big
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, January 6, 2017.] January in Manhattan means Marilyn Maye has brought her post New Year “by request” performances to the cozy and classy […]
2016: excavation review themes
After six annual marathons captured in “what Martha has seen” lists of theater and film adventuring (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), I’ve learned a few things. I’ve learned that […]
2016: excavation review
[featured image caption: Times Square. Screen capture from opening sequence of Babes on Broadway (1941).] Public performances in calendar year 2016, live or filmed, were many and thrilling. I viewed new […]
Singing Sondheim (Unplugged) All Night
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, December 13, 2016.] The sixtieth edition of the Sondheim Unplugged concert series, that began its monthly adventures at the beloved Don’t Tell Mama […]
Ethan Lipton’s ‘The Outer Space’: Outer space, inner life
[article as originally published in Broad Street Review, December 10, 2016.] Its musical stylings draw from folk, jazz, and klezmer strains, with strong lyrics delivered in a mesmerizing deadpan by […]
Corinna Sowers Adler and Friends at the Appel Room
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, November 8, 2016.] Corinna Sowers Adler is a picture of generosity in spirit, gesture, physique, instinct, and breadth of song selection. On a […]
Lainie Kazan Acts Through Her Cold
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, October 20, 2016.] Lainie Kazan has a cold, we soon realize. Raspy vocal quality, tetchy intonation, and without the big sound and wild […]
Natalie Douglas and Two Stevies
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, September 12, 2016.] [featured image caption: [L-R] Natalie Douglas and music director Brian Nash. Image by Kevin Alvey.] Natalie Douglas, a New York cabaret […]
One for the Show Plus One
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, August 22, 2016.] “Small but mighty,” our host Ken Prescott named us, the stalwart and engaged members of a recent evening audience at […]
54 Sings Hair
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, July 29, 2016.] [feature image caption: Andrew Kober and members of 1968 and 1977 Broadway casts of Hair. Image by Jennifer Ashley Tepper.] We […]
Vivian Reed Sings Standards and More
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, July 27, 2016.] The Metropolitan Room’s air conditioning could barely keep up with the heat generated by the enthusiastic early show crowd at […]
54 Sings the Pajama Game
[article as originally published in Theater Pizzazz, July 19, 2016.] Nature provided the steam outside on a Manhattan evening in July, while Broadway veterans generated the theatrical steam heat […]
urban excavations 