Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Recapping a summer’s worth of cabaret highs

• By drediman
• September 25, 2017
• No Comments

With the slowdown in theater openings during the summer months, I typically find myself spending more time at cabaret clubs across the city. Indeed, over the course of the summer that just ended, I estimate spending upwards of 30 nights exploring New York’s cabaret and nightlife scene. Here were some of the highlights.

 

BIANCA MARROQUIN

(Feinstein’s/54 Below)

Ever since seeing this dynamic Mexican firecracker as Roxie Heart in the long-running revival of Chicago, I’ve been an enormous fan of Bianca Marroquin. In fact, she’s become one of my very favorite Roxie’s of all time. Ms. Marroquin’s recent cabaret show at Feinstein’s/54 below was as irresistible as the lady herself, beautifully highlighting this diva’s irrepressible personality and nicely incorporating dance (she identifies herself as a dancer first and foremost) into the evening.

 

BRIDGET EVERETT & THE TENDER MOMENTS

(Joe’s Pub)

Of New York’s downtown divas, there are few that come to life in performance as singularly and thrillingly as the foul-minded and foul-mouthed Bridget Everett. Backed by her longtime band The Tender Moments, Ms. Everett’s latest set of shows at Joe’s Pub featured much of the same material a lot of us know and love, as well as some new ditties. Despite the familiarity, La Everett yet again rocked my world with her no-holds-barred, larger-than-life performance. Indeed, Ms. Everett’s performances are already legendary in cabaret circles.

 

 

JASON ROBERT BROWN

(SubCulture)

Once very few Mondays at the downtown music venue SubCulture, Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown and his group of loyal musicians put on a rousing party of a show. Don’t pass up the chance to invite yourself if you have the chance to catch on of them. His special guest this summer have included the likes of Lena Hall, Jason Guarini, and Bryonha Marie Parham (currently stopping the show in Prince of Broadway) – all fierce, powerhouse  vocalists who brought the house down.

 

 

 

JINKX MONSOON: JINKX MONSOON SINGS EVERYTHING!

(The Laurie Beechman Theatre)

Over the course of the summer, the Laurie Beechman Theatre played host to some of the mini-celebrities generated by the popular reality TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon’s current show “Jinkx Monsoon Sings Everything” ranks at the very top of those who have appeared at the Laurie Beechman. Ms. Monsoon is a deliciously fey onstage, but there’s a devilish fire behind the demure facade (and that stunning voice) that’s like crack to me.

 

JOHN PIZZARELLI: SINATRA AND JOBIM

(Birdland Jazz Club)

John Pizzarelli is one of our most extraordinary jazz guitarists. This summer at Birdland, he payed – and played – tribute to Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim; the show was pure magic. It was most magical, however, when he was joined by onstage by his wife, the exquisite Jessica Molaskey, and their lovely daughter, Madeline, who is also a fine jazz guitarist like her father. Together, they form a family act of the highest order.

 

LADY RIZO: INDIGO ALBUM RELEASE

(Joe’s Pub)

Over the last decade or so, Lady Rizo has risen the ranks to become one of New York’s premiere downtown chanteuses. A few weeks ago, she performed songs from her latest album “Indigo” at the revered venue Joe’s Pub. Her vocals were as electrifying as ever, as were her suite of new songs. As a stage presence, she deserved and got nothing less than complete adoration from her adoring fans, both old and new. Mark my world, Lady Rizo is the real deal and certainly a legend in the making, and her hair-raising live shows indicate why.

 

 

MARIN MAZZIE & JASON DANIELEY: BROADWAY & BEYOND

(Feinstein’s/54 Below)

Very early in the summer, Broadway’s favorite husband-and-wife team, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, performed a deeply moving show entitled “Broadway & Beyond” at Fienstein’s/54 Below. The bittersweet show personalized Marin’s bout with cancer and the strength of their relationship within the context of songs from the American musical songbook. There was no other show that me as emotionally shaken as theirs.

 

STEVE KAZEE

(Feinstein’s/54 Below)

Despite being away from the New York stage since his Tony-winning turn in Once, the angsty latter day matinee idol returned to the New York scene with a handful of performances at Feinstein’s/54 Below. New York has missed him, as evidenced by the effortless way he commanded the room with his subtle confidence, self-effacing charm, and soulful, stirring vocal delivery.

 

TODD ALMOND & MICHELLE SHOCKED

(Feinstein’s/54 Below)

One of the most surprising and refreshing nights of cabaret I attended this summer was Todd Almond and Michelle Shocked’s recent one-night-only performance at Feinstein’s/54 Below. I had gotten tickets on a whim, mostly to see Mr. Almond perform his own songs (he’s an engaging, twittering presence onstage). Well, most of the songs performed that night were Ms. Shocked’s, and I couldn’t have been more caught off guard: her songs were gloriously theatrical and sung with relish by this unlikely duo.

 

UTE LEMPER: SONGS FROM A BROKEN HEART

(Joe’s Pub)

There’s no mistaking the unique stylings of the riveting German cabaret star Ute Lemper. Even when the material she chooses doesn’t quite land (like a few of her recent outings), her nervy, sensuous approach alone is worth the price of admission. Luckily, her last show at Joe’s Pub, entitled “Songs from a Broken Heart” was pure cabaret gold.

 

 

Honorable Mention:

Meow Meow (Joe’s Pub)

Brian Stokes Mitchell (Feinstein’s/54 Below)

Justin Sayre: I’m Gorgeous Inside (Joe’s Pub)

Trixie Mattel (The Laurie Beechman Theater)