She’s a vocalist and a photographer; Helane Blumfield debuted in cabaret at Don’t Tell Mama in 2012, with Verge, transitioning from executive roles in the fashion, lifestyle and advertising spheres. She followed that show with Call Me H and then by her BroadwayWorld Award winner, Tight Pants and Tears of Joy: My Love Affair with TomJones and Neil Diamon
d at the Laurie Beechman. In 2022, Blumfield returned to Don’t Tell Mama with the MAC-nominated Me and Bobby Peaco. Recently, she was invigorated by her experience at the Midwest Cabaret Conference. Beyond the stage, Blumfield is also an award-winning photojournalist and photographer. In 2020, she received a BroadwayWorld Award for “Best Documentarian of Cabaret, Photography or Film/Video.”
Blumfield, debuts Invisible to Invincible at Don’t Tell Mama on Wednesday, April 15 and Saturday, April 18, both at 7 PM at Don’t Tell Mama. The show, with musical direction by John Fischer, explores themes of resilience, identity and the courage to be seen. Directed by Lennie Watts. For more information and to reserve, click here.
NLE Six Questions Editor, Tommy Batchelor (NLE) asks Helane Blumfield (HB) Six Questions:
NLE: Your new show, Invisible to Invincible, suggests a deeply personal and empowering journey. What inspired you to create this show, and what does that title represent for you as both a performer and a person?
HB: The idea for this show really came from reflecting on my own life and asking myself, “What’s next?” I think many of us reach moments where we feel a little 
invisible—whether it’s because of age, circumstance, or simply being in a transition. The title Invisible to Invincible represents that shift for me. Creating this show has been a very personal process, and sharing that journey through music and storytelling feels incredibly empowering.
NLE: You’re collaborating with musical director John Fischer and director Lennie Watts for this production. What has each of them brought to the creative process, and how have they helped shape the storytelling and musical identity of the show?
HB: Working with Lennie and John has been such a gift. Lennie has this wonderful ability to really see the story inside a show and help shape it in a way that feels authentic. He asks the right questions and encourages me to go deeper emotionally. John brings such beautiful musical instincts to everything he does. His arrangements are powerful and expressive, and they really support the emotional flow of the show. Together they’ve helped me turn something very personal into a fully realized cabaret experience.
NLE: You’ve earned acclaim for your powerful voice and emotional connection to material, particularly in shows celebrating Tom Jones and Neil Diamond. How does Invisible to Invincible expand or challenge you vocally and emotionally compared to your previous work?
HB: Those earlier shows were
such fun because they celebrated artists I love, and the music was big and exciting. But this show is different because it’s really about my own journey. That requires a deeper kind of vulnerability. Vocally, there are still powerful moments, but there are also quieter songs that rely on intimacy and storytelling. I’ve had to trust those quieter moments more, and that’s been a beautiful challenge for me as a performer.
NLE: The show will play at Don’t Tell Mama before traveling to The Players Studio in Sarasota, FL. How do you approach performing the same show for audiences in different cabaret communities, and do you find each city brings out something new in your performance?
HB: Every audience brings its own energy, and that’s one of the things I love about cabaret. New York audiences are incredibly knowledgeable about the art form and really listen closely to the storytelling. Sarasota has a wonderful and very supportive arts community, and the audiences there respond in such a warm and heartfelt way. I always find that performing for different audiences keeps the show alive and evolving.
NLE: You’ve spoken about pushing musical and emotional boundaries in your recent creative work. Were there particular moments in developing this show where you surprised yourself as an artist?
HB: Yes, there definitely were. There were moments during rehearsals when I realized I was sharing things that felt more personal than I expected. That can be a little scary, but it’s also where the magic happens. I also discovered new emotional layers in some of the songs we chose. Sometimes the music opens doors you didn’t even know were there, and that’s always exciting as an artist.
NLE: Your career spans fashion, photography and performance—fields rooted in storytelling and emotional connection. When audiences leave Invisible to Invincible, what do you most hope they carry with them?
HB: I hope people leave feeling inspired and maybe a little more connected to their own story. Life is full of transitions, and sometimes those moments can feel uncertain. But they can also be opportunities for growth and rediscovery. If someone walks out of the room feeling a little stronger, a little more hopeful, or simply reminded that it’s never too late to step forward again, that would mean everything to me.
