Karen Akers News

The audience thought that they were getting a show but what they got was a lesson... in greatness.

On Monday, September 18, singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom returned to the Birdland stage with her musical director/songwriting partner Michele Brourman and special guest Sally Mayes in a show titled “Such Good Friends.” See photos from the show.

54 BELOW will reunite the original Broadway cast of the Tony Award® winning musical Grand Hotel in honor of Tommy Tune’s 85th birthday on February 26 & 27 at 7pm & 9pm.

On Monday, August 7, singer Klea Blackhurst and singer/pianist Billy Stritch returned to their Birdland home in “Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael.” Check out photos here!

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and expand the art of the cabaret, honor the music of Broadway, and provide an unparalleled experience to diverse communities.

Birdland presented the return of pianist/singer Steve Ross on Monday, July 17. Check out photos of the evening here!

Transport Group presented Nine in Concert, the next installment in the company’s Anne L. Bernstein Concert Series, on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 8pm in Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center. Check out photos from the concert here!

Singer Natalie Douglas returned to the Birdland spotlight with “A 60’s Songs Juneteenth Jubilee” on Monday, June 19. See photos from the show.

Oh, Marilyn Maye, how do we love thee? That would be A LOT.

Broadway World Cabaret photographer Conor Weiss captures the glitzy evening in his lens.

Acclaimed singer and songwriter Nellie McKay, along with dancers Daniel Booda and Wyatt Slone, have joined the cast of the 11th annual “Night Of A Thousand Judys'.

Transport Group has announced the cast for Nine: In Concert, this month at Kaufman Music Center. Learn more about the show and who is starring!

The original Off Broadway cast recording of “Other Lives: The Story Songs of Michael Colby” (Jay Records), a cycle of story songs by lyricist Michael Colby (Charlotte Sweet, Ludlow Ladd), with music by a variety of composers, including Alex Rybeck, Larry Hochman, Joseph Thalken, Steven Silverstein, will be officially released on CD and all digital music platforms on Friday, June 16th.

THE AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY has announced that special guest Tovah Feldshuh – the Tony and Emmy-nominated actress currently starring on Broadway in Funny Girl – will join their “Second Annual Benefit Evening” to honor the legendary Marilyn Maye on Monday, June 12 at 6:00 PM at Theater 555.

Tony Award winner Lauren Patten, T. Oliver Reid, jazz vocalist Hilary Kole, Jack Bartholet, and rising star Jae W.B. have joined the cast of the 11th annual “Night Of A Thousand Judys'. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Urban Stages will present its 39th annual benefit, taking place on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 starting a 6:30pm at the legendary club The Players - 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC. 

The 11th annual “Night Of A Thousand Judys” – the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre – will take place at Joe’s Pub on Monday, June 12. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Karen Akers brought her consummate artistry, marvelous colleagues, and all the stuff of legend to her latest Birdland offering.

The much-revered and oft-praised cabaret artist Karen Akers shone brightly last night in her return to the cabaret stage.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the New York solo concert debut of Brittney Johnson – who made history as the first Black actress to play “Glinda” in Broadway’s Wicked – on Monday, May 1 at 7:00 PM.