By Michael Barbieri****June is just around the corner, and in honor of Gay Pride Month, New York City’s cabarets are showing their Rainbow colors, out, loud and proud! Just about every club in town is featuring shows created by and for our beautiful, diverse LGBTQ+ community, so here are some of NiteLifeExchange’s picks for the month:
The Laurie Beechman Theatre
• On Saturday, June 8th, you can catch the phenomenal Mark Nadler, with his newest show, The Old Razzle Dazzle. Join this acclaimed neo-vaudevillian as he sings, plays the piano, tells tall tales and literally tap dances around the truth.
• If you’re a fan of great drag performances, be sure to check out BenDeLa Creme’s latest theatrical tour de force, BenDeLaCreme is…Ready to be Committed. DeLa is ready to settle down and tie the knot. Now all she needs is a man! Watch her tackle the pitfalls of love, marriage and romance June 12th thru 15th and 19th thru 22nd.
Pangea
• On June 10th, Colin Cunliffe presents It’s a Gay, Gay World, where he’s joined by a fancy family of homos and their allies, as they answer through song the question “What does the gay world mean to you?”
• June 17th and 18th bring us Jeremy Lawrence’s devastating, brilliant show, Lavender Songs, A Queer Weimar Cabaret. In this dark, subversive work, Lawrence’s “Tante Fritzi” celebrates the daring Jewish and queer artists of Berlin’s cabaret scene who stood up and pushed back at the ever-growing shadow of fascism. This amazing show is a lesson for all queer people in these dark times! A must-see!
• On June 26th, check out Celebrate Pangea Pride with Hostess Julia Van Cartier and Guests. In this show, conceived and directed by Bistro Award winner Gerry Geddes, Julia Van Cartier and seven out and proud, old and new members of the Pangea family celebrate Pride Week with music, fun, a few wigs and a bit of history.
Join Ms. Van Cartier, Jack Bartholet, Matt Di Pasquale, Strawberry Fields, Billy Lykken, Andre Montgomery, Jonathan Pennington, Daniel Le Clair, Yasuhiko Fukuoka, and Gerry Geddes for an evening of celebration, remembrance, love and pride!
Don’t Tell Mama
• On June 12th, 21st, 26th and 30th, Taylor Beyer presents And the Spoon Ran Away With the Spoon: A Lesbian Cabaret. Beyer’s work has been described as “surprisingly raunchy,” “incredibly witty” and “refreshingly irreverent.” So if you are a queer woman, or if you know a queer woman, this show is for you!
• The Gay Geezer is back! Out, proud octogenarian Ira Lee Collings brings his MAC Award-winning show Naked From the Neck Up back for one night, June 27th, as a benefit for SAGE. Come and hear songs and stories from “The Book of Ira Lee.” You’ll be charmed by this adorable gay sprite!
The Duplex
• All hail the First Haux! On June 4th, fabulous, funny drag chameleon Heidi Haux brings us First Haux, a madcap lip-sync journey wherein Heidi portrays various First Ladies, both iconic and obscure. You’ll meet Melania, Martha, Jackie, Hillary, Mary Todd and more, as Heidi re-tells history in her own hilarious and unique way!
• On June 22nd, the Duplex presents Trans Voices Cabaret, an 90 minute celebration starring an all-star cast of trans and non-binary performers. Hosted by Donnie Cianciotto, this evening will lift up the voices of the TGNC community in a show packed with power, pride and personality!
The Green Room 42
• On June 13th, come and meet Leola, everyone’s favorite Kelly Clarkson-worshipping, senior citizen, redneck lesbian, as she presents her latest show Hooray for Lady Land (Gay History for Straight People). Written and performed by Will Nolan, Leola will lead you through a celebration of our big gay world, from Gay to Z!
• Spencer Day, the self-proclaimed Fomo Momo Homo (Former Mormon Homosexual) brings his fabulous jazz stylings to The Green Room 42 on June 21st. Join this talented, handsome, modern-day crooner as he presents an evening of original songs and jazz classics. He’ll croon, you’ll swoon!
Broadway Comedy Club
• A special Pride edition of Thoroughly Gay Thursday, a hilarious variety show hosted by Drew Tessier and Nancy Nogood is scheduled for June 27th. Join them as they present a great line-up of gay stand-up comics, fabulous drag performers and game show antics! And as usual, all are welcome!
Feinstein’s/54 Below
• What could be gayer than a couple of big-time Broadway Divas?! On June 4th, the legendary Chita Rivera returns with her unique solo concert event, recreating moments from her illustrious career. You’ll hear numbers from West Side Story, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman and more! And on June 20th, 21st and 22nd, Andrea McArdle, Broadway’s original Annie, debuts a brand new show celebrating the Great American Songbook, Broadway and contemporary music. Join her as she takes you on a musical journey filled with reminiscing and anecdotes about the legends she’s met and worked with over the years!
• On June 22nd, Feinstein’s invites you to Celebrate Pride with Members of the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus. Join them as they celebrate WorldPride and the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This benefit performance will raise money to help the NYCGMC achieve its goal of love, equality and acceptance in our community and beyond!
So whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, come to the cabarets and celebrate 50 years of out, loud and fabulous Pride! Come have a gay old time!!
I’m coming to NYC in Late October to the MabelMercer Cabaret Convention.
I am looking forward to going to all of the cabarets you mentioned.