About -

Scott Barbarino – Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

SCOTT BARBARINO wears many hats; he has been a performer, producer and promoter. In 2007, Scott added another hat to his collection, Publisher, by creating NiteLifeExchange.com, a news and reviews website “Where Broadway Meets Cabaret,” focusing on Cabaret performances in NYC and Broadway performers who grace the cabaret stage. His career began at the original Duplex Cabaret, where he became a singing bartender and eventually the Manager and Host of “Stars of Tomorrow,” one of the first competition shows in cabaret. Over the next 40 years, Scott also managed and/or booked acts at The Parkside Lounge on New York’s Lower East Side (Cheez Whiz), Chelsea Lobster Company (The Lounge-O-Leers), THAT Bar (Weekly Dance Party), Dillon’s Supper Club aka The Reprise Room (The Siegel’s Monthly CD Release Party), The Cutting Room (Rhonda Ross) and Iridium Jazz Club (Terese Genecco & Her Little Big Band) which played for over 100 performances to mention a few. His vocal comedy group Barbarino & The Bev Naps is a two time MAC Award Winner (1999 & 2000). He has been the Artistic Director of Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway for the last twenty years. Scott has served on the Board of Directors of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs as Member-at-Large (1997-2000), President (2004).

Marilyn Lester – Editor/Writer/Reviewer

Marilyn Lester, primarily trained as a journalist, has had a varied career as a self-employed entrepreneur. As a writer and editor, she’s covered many genres and now focuses exclusively on jazz, cabaret and theater. She’s written plays and screenplays, has been a producer for the stage and was the Founding Producing Director of the nonprofit, The New Phoenix Theater Company NYC (2001 – 2009). Marilyn was the Executive Director of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (2011-2015) and is currently Vice president of the Tin Pan Alley American Popular Music Project and Secretary of the Board for the American Popular Song Society. As a producer and creative consultant, she owns ML Creative.

Sue Matsuki – Columnist

Sue Matsuki, NLE’s Sue’s Muse columnist, is an award-winning singer/songwriter, producer and author/writer. Her Sue’s Views column has been previously seen on NLE and Cabaret Hotspot. As a cabaret performer she’s worked with music director Gregory Tororian for three decade, winning Bistro, MAC and the Julie Wilson awards. As an educator she’s taught at MAC to School, Fordham University, the University of Connecticut, Cabaret Hotspot’s Cabaret U and more. Among her many other credits, she is also the producer of Urban Stages annual Winter Rhythms festival. (Photo: Stephen Mosher)

Bart Greenberg – Writer/Reviewer

Bart Greenberg is a reviewer of cabaret, Off-Broadway and albums, who is alsothe award winning producer of the Any Wednesday series at Barnes & Noble. Bart has enjoyed a long career as a writer-editor for various publications. He is also currently a playwright.

Michael Portantiere – Writer/Reviewer

Michael Portantiere is a panelist for the BroadwayRadio podcast “This Week on Broadway,” presented by BroadwayStars.com, and is the creator and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com, a website offering thousands of reviews of musical theater cast recordings and soundtracks. He has worked as an editor and writer for InTheater magazine and Back Stage, and he was Editor in Chief of TheaterMania.com from 2000 to 2007. Michael has contributed to such publications and websites as Playbill, The Sondheim Review, Everything Sondheim and NPR.org. He has also written notes for several cast recordings and has long contributed cabaret-related reviews and interviews to various publications, in addition to his work as a theater photographer.

Andrew Poretz – Writer/Reviewer

Andrew Poretz is an entertainer—singer, guitarist, ukulele player and storyteller—and author of the blog, “The Boulevardier.” Poretz is also a reviewer of jazz and cabaret shows. An early podcaster, his “Coaches’ Corner on BlogTalkRadio” segments are still available on iTunes. He has performed in venues throughout New York and the Bay Area, and is also a board member of The American Popular Song Society (APSS).

Marcia Blondin – Puerto Vallarta Correspondent

Marcia Blondin is a Canadian expat from Calgary, Alberta, who has been living in Mexico for over 30 years. She is an artist, active it the PV artistic community, as well as the owner and editor of the Vallarta Mirror, writing about the PV entertainment scene. She also contributes occasionally to Out and About PV magazine.

Contributing Photographers:

Natasha Castillo—Through the Lens of Natasha is a 2018 MAC Award nominated best Emcee, Cabaret performer, photographer, videographer, with three full shows produced, directed by Lennie Watts and with Musical Director Steven Ray Watkins. She is also the co-creator and host of the monthly series, “Spotlight On YOU Open Mic.”

Maryann Lopinto is a long-time writer and photographer and cabaret expert who has enjoyed a long presence in the industry. Her personal knowledge of shows and performers in New York theater and cabaret is not only impressive but is a resource for those interested and requiring historical information in those genres.

Conor Weiss has always had a deep love for the American Songbook and for cabaret. He’s also an actor/director and occasional stage manager who has been on the staff as a technical director at Judy’s’ and at Danny’s Skylight room as well as subbed at many other clubs at one time or another.

Winston Mathis – Webmaster/Social Media Manger/Graphic Designer

Winston Mathis, a Jack of All Trades, holds a degree in Political Science from Morehouse College. As a student, Winston learned page layout and graphic design while working part-time in the college print shop, eventually earning a position as Layout Editor for the College Newspaper. Post-grad, Winston worked in a number of fields in an attempt to continue his left brained path in life but since moving to NYC in 2009, the right brain has completely taken over, allowing Winston to work as a freelance web designer, graphic designer, social media manger, and celebrity/fashion/event photographer.

Tommy Batchelor – Assistant

Tommy Batchelor is a dancer and performer with roots on Broadway and in the contemporary dance world. He has appeared in both traditional theaters and site-specific performances across New York City, always seeking projects that connect art to community. His love for live performance extends beyond the stage, and through his work at NiteLife Exchange he helps celebrate and share the city’s vibrant nightlife and performing arts scene.