Rob Lester

A REVIEW OF A REVUE Whatever happened to the topical revue format? As differentiated from musical revues that recycle old, established songs by particular writers, the topical revue presented new material in both songs and sketches. Once a mainstay of nightclub and theatre entertainment, the format was a potpourri of songs and comedic skits, maybe…

ONE WOULD BE MAD TO NOT HAVE RSVP’D “YES” TO THIS PRIVATE PARTY CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF RODGERS & HART’S “MANHATTAN” Oh, if these walls could talk!!! Actually, the walls would probably also sing because so much music has been played and planned over the decades at the elegant apartment in question dubbed “54 Above.”…

IT’S JAZZ. IT’S JOY. IT’S JUDY On the very rainy night May 14th, performing at that place called Pangea, the attractive venue on Second Avenue in Greenwich Village, vocalist Judy Wexler is the featured attraction. It’s a one-night-only opportunity to catch her, so it’s worth getting wet. Notably, a cluster of admirers includes other singers…

ANY TIME IS A GOOD TIME TO GIVE MY REGARDS TO [THE MAN WHO OWNED] BROADWAY The tribute show is called George & Me. The only singer on the bill is a man named Bill: That’s Bill Bartus, bow tie at his neck and hat and cane at the ready, and he’s ready to share…

HARNICK…HEARTFELT & HEARTWARMING Sheldon Harnick, who passed away in 2023 at age 99, is alphabetically in good company among the great Broadway writers. His name comes after E.Y. “Yip” Harburg — whose work and personal encouragement inspired him as he began his career — and the witty Lorenz Hart, but before Jerry Herman, who similarly…

BRAVURA BELTING, BONDING, AND BONHOMIE A double dose of old-school star power, show biz history, and charisma radiated through the showroom at 54 Below, fondly received and encouraged by a cheering, packed audience. The ladies have played the venue before with their solo acts, but when Lorna Luft and Andrea McArdle share the bill and…

DONNA MCKECHNIE TAKES US INTO SONDHEIM’S WORLD It may be impossible NOT to be charmed by the mega-vivacious, sunny-spirited, endearing veteran Donna McKechnie. Her smile and talent light up the room and the mood at 54 Below where Take Me to the World, her show devoted solely to Stephen Sondheim material, continues for two more…