Bistro Bits: Let’s Hear It for the Guys—King, Skipper, and Harnar Do the Things They Do

Mark Dundas Wood
First things first. I join Sherry Eaker in thanking everyone who made the Bistro Awards evening such a memorable event! Though a Bit Overdue.... This winter and early spring, much time was spent by the Bistros Committee in preparation for awards night. Consequently, content for Bistro Bits columns piled up. So I’m happy to return...

“André De Shields Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of ‘Haarlem Nocturne'”

Gerry Geddes
Haarlem Nocturne is not only a seminal show in the long and storied career of André De Shields, it is one of the seminal events in the history of New York cabaret. Teaming with his original music director, Broadway’s Marc Shaiman, De Shields mounted a 40th anniversary production of the show at 54 Below last...

Isabelle Georges in “Oh Là Là—A Passionate Journey Through the French Repertoire and Beyond”

Gerry Geddes
In spite of its rather academic subtitle, “Oh Là Là—A Passionate Journey Through the French Repertoire and Beyond was a delightful showcase for and introduction to the many sides of French musical star, Isabelle Georges. Seconds into her lively opening number, “La Grande Évasion” (music by Georges & P. Maniez, lyrics by Georges), she managed...

Tim Connell in “…it’s the joy in your heart…”

Gerry Geddes
Singer Tim Connell possesses such a warm, natural sound and such a thoughtful lyric delivery that it is easy to understand why he was awarded a 2023 Bistro Award for his last presentation on the intimate stage at Pangea. It is equally understandable that he wants to stretch his performing wings and embrace a broader, more...

Sally Mayes in “Now and Then: Jazz/Standard Time”

Gerry Geddes
At the top of her exciting new show, Now and Then: Jazz/ Standard Time, singer Sally Mayes barreled on to the stage like the proverbial blond bombshell, grabbed the room, and didn’t let go for the next hour, much to the delight of her cheering audience. Accompanied by Tedd Firth on piano and Tom Hubbard on...

Daisy Jopling’s “Who’s Who”

Gerry Geddes
The violin is no stranger to the cabaret stage. But most often it is a featured member of the band or a special guest appearance. In Daisy Jopling’s delightful show, Who’s Who, it is front and center and, in fact, more prominent than the vocals. As the title indicates, the focus of the show is...

Bistro Bits: January Discoveries Get the New Cabaret Year Going

Mark Dundas Wood
At the start of a new calendar year, are we—subliminally, maybe—more open to new ideas and fresh ways of doing things? I saw several cabaret shows this January. What links the three shows I'm writing about today is that each one involves a discovery of something fresh, innovative, and full of promise. Maybe I wouldn’t...

Carolyn Montgomery in “girlSINGER—A Celebration of Rosemary Clooney”

Gerry Geddes
If someone wants to experience a textbook example of the way to do a tribute show in a cabaret, they need look no further than Carolyn Montgomery’s girlSINGER: A Celebration of Rosemary Clooney, which debuted recently at Birdland, New York’s venerable, historic jazz club.  With an immensely talented quintet of musicians, savvy direction by Sally...

Bistro Bits: Happy New Year…Possibly

Mark Dundas Wood
I'f you're like me, you may have had mixed feelings in the past few weeks about the imminent arrival of 2024. With controversial wars raging and a shocking appetite for autocracy growing around the globe, plus a divisive, ultra-important election season ahead here at home, I find it a bit hard to concentrate on other...

Bistro Bits: Artist Tributes Highlight the 15th Annual Winter Rhythms Season

Mark Dundas Wood
Next to the NY Cabaret Convention each October, December’s annual Winter Rhythms festival at Urban Stages, is arguably the most important yearly collection of cabaret performances in the city. I got myself to more WR shows this go-round than I usually do. But I didn’t come close to seeing the whole lineup (which ran December...