The Q Is Back! Tonight, June 22, at 7 PM with $7 cover charge. Sharon McNight, Pearl Bennett and Pride

By ROB LESTER****Tonight at Don’t Tell Mama:  (Billy)  Lykken, Shawn Moninger, sassy guest star Sharon McNight, guest host Oscar Aydin join creator/host Joseph Macchia for The Q — a gay-centric talk and variety show returning to the cabaret universe this evening (Thursday, June 22) at 7 PM. You’ll also hear the special story of Pearl Bennett from her own lips.  Expect stories about “coming out” and adventures in “going out” for fun and “reaching out” to form a community.  It’s always quite a delight when the night brings Sharon McNight (at right) and her quips, for there is nothing like a dame who does not suffer fools gladly, but rather madly.

Opinions will fly and political correctness will fly out the window.  Expect a pow of a performance preview of Sacred Monster, the character and show that Lykken (left) will present singing and holding court at The Metropolitan Room on Saturday afternoon.  And, of course, there will be the chance to raise a toast to Gay Pride Month.  The shows and atmosphere are welcoming to all, open to the open-minded and judged to be non-judgmental.  You’ve seen The View, heard the chat about The Chew and perhaps talked about The Talk, but The Q takes a cue from these few and creates quite new coup to make a bigger to-do for you who like an unfiltered, hullabaloo  …and it’s hosted by all gay men who vary in interests, abilities and backgrounds.  I’d been invited to cover the earlier incarnations of The Q and recall having laughs, food for thought, entertainment, and sometimes blushing and raising my eyebrows.  The Q’s Q-sual suspects describe themselves as, “the Long Islander with a leathery past, the free-spirited Southern boy with a thing for attention, and the reverend who knows a thing or two about what’s good. They sing, they joke, they talk, and they’re up for most anything.”  Usually, there is a Q and A session with the audience invited to chime in, query, and opine.

Here’s a reader-friendly direct link to the reservation page:

http://donttellmamanyc.com/shows/main/the-q-6-22
Don’t Tell Mama cabaret is located at  343 West 46 Street in Manhattan.  Reservations are also taken by phone after 4 PM at 212.757.0788

The cover charge is $7 and there is a two-drink minimum.