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 (reviewer: cabaret/off-Br
oadway/CDs) is the 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 Barbieri – Writer/Reviewer
Michael Barbieri is best known In the cabaret community as a MAC and Bistro Award winning technical director. Over his 20 year career, he designed hundreds of shows for luminaries like Julie Wilson, Elaine Stritch, Linda Lavin, Andrea McArdle, Stephen Schwartz, and Amanda McBroom. Clubs at which he’s worked include The Duplex, Judy*s, and The Metropolitan Room. Michael began writing restaurant, show, and hotel reviews for a variety of publications, including for QLife Media and Gay Vegas Magazine. For NiteLife Exchange he has been a cabaret critic and author of Bistro Bites.
Christopher Struck – Reviewer
Chris Struck has 3-plus years of experience reviewing mainly Manhattan cabaret and some Broadway and Off-Broadway theater. As a novelist, three of his novels have been published, with further projects in the works.
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-tim
e 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 Ame
rican 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.
Jordan Tisaranni – Administrative Asst./Advertising
Jordan Tisaranni Is a recent grad from the University of Maryland and holds a Marketing and International Business Degree. Her work experience since graduating encompasses many aspects of marketing including social media, branding, advertising, management, and sales. While currently residing in Washington, DC, her familial ties to New York have brought her into the NYC cabaret scene, where she uses her business skills to support artists and performers. In her free time, she enjoys many creative hobbies including helping put together local shows and events and also attending them. She is also a tie dye artist (you can view her work @jhippiedyed on Instagram) and a freelance body painter- and if she keeps up with learning the guitar, maybe you’ll see her on stage one day!
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.
Web Design and Construction
ScoBar Entertainment
PO Box 20209
New York, NY 10025
646.491.0987
scobarent@gmail.com