Barbara Porteus

Roy Sander
Don't Tell Mama July 24 & 27 With an extensive background in theatre and cabaret, Barbara Porteus commands the stage like a pro. Backed by musical director Barry Levitt on piano, Eric Udel on bass, and Mayra Casales on percussion, she sings her way with assurance through an appealingly eclectic program in a voice equally...

Jonathan Long

Roy Sander
"Cherish the Tenor Moments" The Metropolitan Room July 19 & 28 You know how cabaret shows sometimes begin with an offstage voice exhorting us to "sit back, relax, and enjoy the show"? That introduction would be especially apt for Jonathan Long's show "Cherish the Tenor Moments," for Long delivers an hour of some of the...

Nicole Henry

D4vidFinkle
The Metropolitan Room  ~ 34 West 22nd Street
Friday, July 31 at 7:30 Nicole Henry sings with such brassy force that it's as if a parade is coming up the street with a battery of baton-twirlers in the lead. She can modulate her tones when she wants to-and she often wants to-but it's the power of...

Davis Gaines

D4vidFinkle
"All the Way' Forget about the old "you can't have everything" saying. Davis Gaines just stepped on it but good in "All the Way," a two-night Feinstein's at Loews Regency gig. He proved he does have everything, at least in a cabaret-requirements sense. First off, he's got a rich baritone that fits on a boite...

Julie Reyburn

Roy Sander
"Sing Happy" ~ Feinstein's at the Regency July 21 With her new show, "Sing Happy," Julie Reyburn persuasively establishes herself as one of the finest artists on the current cabaret scene. Not only is this her best show to date, it ranks with some of the most acclaimed work presented at our most prestigious venues....

Jaron Vesely

D4vidFinkle
"Swingers & Standards" Maybe it's because he's one of the Bistro-awarded Pink Flamingos that Jaron Vesely knows how to get his on-stage points across, casual or dramatic. But in his step away from the group for a solo grab for boite attention, he sure demonstrates extreme comfort. During an opening medley that includes the Michael...

Lee Summers

Roy Sander
Winds of Change ~ The Triad monthly; next show August 3, 9:30 You may be familiar with Lee Summers in his capacity as General Manager of The Triad. If that is the extent of your exposure to him, you're in for a big surprise when you see him perform. When he takes the stage, the...

Marcus Simeone

Roy Sander
Everything Must Change ~ Metropolitan Room appearing monthly When Marcus Simeone first came on the scene some years ago, a lot of people were taken with his voice—as was I. Pure, lovely, and ethereal, it is quite a striking instrument. However, I found his approach and sensibilities lounge-y, with too much emphasis placed on producing...

Perry Payne

Roy Sander
Getting Away From It All ~ Metropolitan Room July 1, 2, 10, 11 Just a few bars into Perry Payne's chipper opening number, Tom Adair and Matt Dennis's "Let's Get Away from It All," you know that the person on stage is charming, intelligent, in command of what she's doing, and a damned good singer....

Mark Nadler

Roy Sander
...His Lovely Wife Ira – Ira Gershwin with and without George ~ Metropolitan Room June 4, 11, 18, 25, 27, July 1, 8 Writing about Mark Nadler over a decade ago, I labeled him quite possibly the world's greatest entertainer. I did not say that hyperbolically. His ability to command an audience's attention and laughter...