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Who Was WHERE! The Storied History of Panache–and the Making of the Most Beloved Man in Cabaret

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On a recent sunny afternoon, I was thrilled to have lunch with beloved cabaret icon Sidney Myer at Tony’s Di Napoli in Times Square. We discussed the seven and a half years Sidney was involved with the club Panache (1981-1988) through its three incarnations and three locations, prior to the thirty-five years he’s been with Don’t Tell Mama (1989-present).

The Storied History of Panache–and the Making of the Most Beloved Man in Cabaret on Nite Life
— Nite Life Exchange

Lynne Charnay at Don’t Tell Mama

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Cabaret Review By Marilyn Lester… Seventy-six years ago, in 1948, a radio show entitled “Life Begins at Eighty” debuted, eventually moving on in 1950 to that new invention: television. At the genesis of the show, actress-singer Lynne Charnay was 23. But she must have taken something on board and absorbed it well, because now, on the threshold of 100, she’s going strong, her love of life undiminished.

Lynne Charnay at Don’t Tell Mama on Theater Pizzazz
— Theater Pizzazz

After Dark
2019 FINALIST

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— Canclerge Choice Awards

Two Time GOLDEN GLOBE© Winner HUGH LAURIE

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Two Time GOLDEN GLOBE© Winner HUGH LAURIE interviewed by LARRY KING at don't tell mama, Season 2, Episode 23. With his 'House' days behind him, Hugh Laurie is singing the Blues. The award-winning artist talks preferring music over acting, revisits the role that made him a star -- and gives Larry a taste of his album at don't tell mama.Click Here Watch The Full Episode

— LARRY KING

Nurse Jackie

Featured scene at don't tell mama on Season 5, Episode 10 'Soul'. Starring Edie Falco and our very own Stephen Wallem, who has performed his Cabarets 'Off The Walem' and 'Schwartz And All' at don't tell mama.Click Here Watch The Full Episode

Nurse Jackie
— Nurse Jackie series

The Boy Who Became Judy Garland

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DOWN some dark stairs, past cases of empty beer bottles, in the brick warren beneath the Off Off Broadway cabaret called Don't Tell Mama, a middle-aged man helps his middle-aged brother adjust the blue sequined top that complements his black sequined skirt. Fifteen minutes to showtime.

— Dan Barry

Karen Mason, a Well-Seasoned Belter, at Don't Tell Mama

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'I've come home at last!' Norma Desmond's triumphant announcement in the semioperatic ballad, 'As If We Never Said Goodbye,' from 'Sunset Boulevard' has rarely been put to more powerful use than in Karen Mason's show at the Midtown cabaret Don't Tell Mama on Monday evening. Ms. Mason, who was a stand-in for three Broadway Normas - Glenn Close, Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige - captured the character's scarily compelling essence in clawing body language.

— Stephen Holden

Pompie's Place,' a Blues Club in a Time Warp

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'Some of New York City's finer jazz and blues musicians performed Wednesday evening at 'Pompie's Place,' an imaginary club within a club at Don't Tell Mama.

— Stephen Holden

A Broken Heart and Nostalgia: Joyce Breach Performs Standards at Don't Tell Mama

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Joyce Breach, a beloved longtime fixture on New York's cabaret circuit, is a quintessential keeper of the flame of an intimate nightclub tradition that flickers mostly under the mass-media radar.

— Stephen Holden

Tunes of a Wry Tenderheart: Elaine St. George Sings Songs by Steve Goodman

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Gentle humorous observations from the heartland steeped in whimsy, with a healthy dollop of baseball lore: that only begins to describe the legacy of the Chicago-born songwriter Steve Goodman, best remembered for 'City of New Orleans,' a hit for Arlo Guthrie in 1972.

— Stephen Holden

What Good Is Sitting Alone in Your Room? Cabaret Is a Steal

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Fans of the American Songbook can get their fix of torch songs and 11 o'clock numbers on almost any night in New York. This weekend alone brings the husband-and-wife duo of Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie to the Cafe Carlyle; K T Sullivan saluting Dorothy Fields at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel; and Nnenna Freelon covering songs made popular by Lena Horne at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.

— Erik Piepenburg

Ms. Mason (that's Karen) Makes Music at Mama's in May

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Luckily for New York theatre and cabaret fans, the current month starts with the letter 'M'-Broadway star and chanteuse Karen Mason's favorite time to revisit her old stomping grounds, Don't Tell Mama. Her terrific current show, 'Mason at Mama's in May' (the follow-up to 'Mason at Mam's in March') includes selections from her new album 'It's About Time' (Zevely Records), along with a mix of well-known and rarely performed Broadway tunes.

— Shari Lifland

Karen Mason: Mason at Mama's in May

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What makes a great cabaret show? Cabaret-goers know. It starts with a singer with a top-of-the line voic ... someone with the intelligence and acting chops to interpret and project a song's essence ... the honest warmth of personality to hold an audience's affectionate attention ... and great songs to sing. That's the combination that has been filling the house for Mason at Mama's in May.

— Peter Haas

Chasing Taste

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The funny indie romantic comedy 'Chasing Taste' is written by don't tell mama's very own Lori Fischer. 'Chasing Taste' features an incredible ensemble cast with Sidney Myer, who has been with don't tell mama for over 25 years. Scenes filmed on location.

— Lori Fischer

USA TODAY 10Best

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If you are in the mood for a no-holds-barred eclectic mix, plan to go to don't tell mama. This piano bar features live jazz, sing-alongs and cabaret rooms, which feature comedy groups, musicals, vocal groups and a variety of other acts.

— USA TODAY 10Best

New York Mag

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There are up to three performances nightly in the two cabaret theaters, but what makes don't tell mama such a showstopper is the way Sidney Myer, its longtime booking agent, varies the diet. While he may be an American Songbook diehard, Myer also showcases rock 'n' roll vocalists, comedy groups, new musicals and highly respected impressionists.

— New York Mag

OpenTable

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Decent food, nicely presented, and at a very reasonable price, especially the prix fixe. Great for pre-theatre.

— OpenTable

PlayBill

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Sandra Bernhard, Lea DeLaria and Scott Thompson will all chat with host Rudetsky. The weekly live talk show, which includes interviews and performances from Broadway stars, is now held... at the New York cabaret don't tell mama.

— PlayBill

BWW Feature: SALON Offers a Safe Space at Don't Tell Mama

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When a cabaret performer doesn't have a show to do, how do they keep their skills up? How do they continue to grow without spending precious earned cash on an expensive master class? They go to Salon.

— Stephen Mosher

BWW Interview: Tanya Moberly of MOBERLY AT MAMAS MONTHLY at Don't Tell Mama

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I've been singing at Mama's for 22 years... I just love what I do.

— Stephen Mosher

Don't Tell Mama's Sidney MyerPerforms at Live at Lynn University.

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Don't Tell Mama but I'm sure production coordinator Desiree McKim will be telling Live at Lynn producer Jan McArt (who couldn't attend) how the audience was enthralled by Sidney's performance last night.

— Stephen Sorokoff

Nicholas King Returns to Don't Tell Mama

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Nicholas King, show opener for Liza Minelli, Returns to don't tell mama.

— Stephen Sorokoff

Gretchen Sings Janis Joplin's 'Pearl' at don't tell mama

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Nightlife, Bistro and MAC Award winning artist Gretchen Reinhagen and her all-girl band, led by...

— Lauren Wolman

VICKIE & NICKIE Return to don't tell mama

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NYC's well-known wacky musical comedy sister duo of Vickie and Nickie are returning to don't tell mama for one night only...

— Gabrielle Sierra

Linda Kosut Band Comes to don't tell mama nyc

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BMI/Bistro Award winner jazz/cabaret vocalist LINDA KOSUT returns to New York City wit a one-night-only performance at...

— Gabrielle Sierra

Woman who lost hand after being shoved in front of subway set to perform cabaret

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MANHATTAN - If cabaret singing is storytelling, then, boy, does Renee Katz have a story to tell....

— Magee Hickey

EAT IT, ANDERSON! 'RHONY' STAR WON'T STOP MAKING MUSIC

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Countess LuAnn de Lesseps - the veteran 'Real Housewives of New York' star - wraps herself around the microphone like a seasoned cabaret singer warming up for her big number.

— Tamara Beckwith

How Billy Porter Became the HBIC

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Reminiscing on his nights at Don't Tell Mama in Hell's Kitchen, he adds that, for what it's worth, such watering holes can be formative for the early-career musical theater performer: 'I would always try out new material for auditions...

— Billy Porter