Johnny Rodgers
Elizabeth Ahlfors
"What a Wonderful World" Oak Room at the Algonquin - May 11 - 29 Set Johnny Rodgers near a piano and Pow!, it's a concert, a vigorous, touching, enthusiastic musical mélange of Americana. From Memphis to St. Jo, with the snap of Chicago, easy Southern charm, New York energy and St. Louis rhythms—there's that crazy mixed-up American spirit and the multifaceted Johnny Rodgers to deliver it. With...
Adelmo Guidarelli
Roy Sander
"Operation Adelmo" Don't Tell Mama - March 27 The Triad - May 22 At the top of the musical circus that is "Operation Adelmo," baritone Adelmo Guidarelli tells us that he is "aware of the fact that everyone hates opera." He then proclaims, without pause, irony, or apology, that he is going to sing opera....
Linda Eder
Elizabeth Ahlfors
"All of Me" Feinstein's at Loews Regency - April 6 - 17 For several years, this Minnesota country girl could have made the case that she possesses vocal confidence and horsepower second to none. In her recent engagement at Feinstein's at Loews Regency, Linda Eder proved her case once again. Added to her impressive pipes,...
Colleen McHugh
Roy Sander
"Calendar Girl" Duplex - monthly For some time now, Colleen McHugh has been appearing monthly at the Duplex, each time with a different show and a different theme. How's that for a daunting self-assignment? The umbrella title for the series is "Calendar Girl"—for obvious reasons. The edition I saw on March 25 was called "Being...
Leslie Uggams
D4vidFinkle
"Uptown, Downtown" Café Carlyle - March 30 – April 17 Lone Scherfig's Oscar-nominated 2009 flick, An Education, has plenty to tell us about where we really acquire our significant learning. Leslie Uggams knows all about it. In her first Manhattan cabaret stint (at the Café Carlyle), the now-sexagenarian singer does a fine job of letting...
Joyce Breach
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Metropolitan Room - March 23, 26 Joyce Breach has an affinity for old movies and good songs, and she has the taste to choose the prime and avoid the second-rate. In most of her shows she includes tunes that you've probably heard once or twice but never had the chance to get to know. They...
Sean Harkness
Roy Sander
Metropolitan Room - March 28, 31 Unless you're a shut-in, you've probably seen guitarist Sean Harkness backing up any number of fortunate singers around town—which means that you are already familiar with how gifted and multi-faceted a musician he is and you've seen the enthusiasm, joy, and commitment he brings to performing. In his recent...
Penny Fuller
Elizabeth Ahlfors
"The War Between My States" Metropolitan Room - March 15 22, April 3 When you have an insightful actress/singer with a point of view, an astute director to help frame her message, and musical accompaniment that adds color and style, you'll get more than your penny's worth. Penny Fuller, nominated for Tony Awards for both...
KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler
Elizabeth Ahlfors
"Gershwin...Here to Stay" Guest Artist: Jon Weber Oak Room at the Algonquin - March 9 – April 10 KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler treat audiences to a magical, theatrical whirl—in, out and around the Oak Room. Gershwin...Here to Stay is non-stop musical revue/theatre with comedy, duets, solos, a little soft-shoe, tap, costume changes, patter, joy and some tears. Once...
Joe Bachana
Roy Sander
"Midnight Masquerade: The Music of Bernie Bierman and Jack Manus" Metropolitan Room - March 3, 17, 24 Before I discuss Joe Bachana's glowing celebration of the songs of Bernie Bierman and Jack Manus, I would like to put it in cultural perspective. More than a half-century after the phenomenon, the terms Tin Pan Alley and...