Rob Lester, native New Yorker, has been covering entertainment for more than 15 years for various outlets and has recently returned to Broadway World writing staff. His involvement in cabaret has also led to involvement with the genre's awards as a voting judge and, pre-pandemic, he helped to curate the Artists In Partnership (AIP) Cabaret Festival. As far as musical theatre, he loves attending, researching, reviewing, directing, writing songs and scripts, as well as being a dramaturg. He also worked with author Deb Berman on her book for kids about what happens before birth called "9 Months in The Play Womb: The Inside Story." He personally hails from the womb of a mother who loves the Great American Songbook and its singers, instilling that appreciation in him.
BWW Review: WITH YOU I LIKE, LYRICS & LYRICISTS EMBRACES JERRY HERMAN at 92Y (and an earlier side order of Irving Berlin)
February 26, 2020
February 26, 2020
When Jerry Herman's songs fill the air, it's always 'The Best of Times.' 92Y's Lyrics & Lyricists concert series proves that again with a strong presentation to enrich afternoons and night-time (February 22-24). The sturdy arts hub continues to honor Broadway's best, whether with a grand staged program like this or a casual classroom chat by Irving Berlin biographer James Kaplan.
BWW Review: Jungr, DeLaria, Oberlin, Mulder: These 4 Females Focus on Songwriters and Love at Joe's Pub & Birdland Theater
February 20, 2020
February 20, 2020
Barb Jungr, Lea DeLaria, Karen Oberlin, Marissa Mulder...Each of these female vocalists had plenty to say about love and made some 20th century popular music their own, each in her own quite original way.
BWW Review: IN ALONE TOGETHER CATHERINE RUSSELL & BAND REALLY HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER at Birdland Jazz Club
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
Catherine Russell makes her show like a party with happiness overflowing as she and hr band swing sets early and late thru February 15. Birdland is the place.
BWW Review: Singers Capture THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY at Feinstein's/ 54 Below
February 10, 2020
February 10, 2020
Eager, competent company members amply demonstrated their wares and polish. (I don't mean bringing shiny silverware from their place of employment.) a?oeWe don't just carry meatloaf!a?? remarked the gregarious host.
BWW Review: The Loser's Lounge TRIBUTE TO THE RAT PACK Packs 'Em In at Joe's Pub
February 10, 2020
February 10, 2020
At Joe's Pub, the eclectic collective of entertainers offers something for almost everyone, in a parade of approaches that ranges from sincere to oh my dear --- a mixed bag to be sure. Even though uneven, the odds are that most would find reason to smile and happily hop into the hipster heyday melee.
BWW Review: BARBARA FASANO IS SLEEK AND CHIC IN THE WHOLE OF THE MOON at Birdland Theater
February 9, 2020
February 9, 2020
When at her blissful best, Barbara Fasano makes the appealing onion-peeling of phrases judiciously considered, mining the potential of points of view and images that wordsmiths articulate. She luxuriates in the moods that melodists and instrumentalists paint.
BWW Review: SONGWRITER TRIBUTES Glow Affectionately at 92nd Street Y
January 26, 2020
January 26, 2020
Two prolific writers who put the a?oeGreata?? in a?oeThe Great American Songbooka?? were celebrated and explored in the same week at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y. In different presentations, there were embraces of the legacies of lyricist E.Y. (a?oeYipa??) Harburg and composer/lyricist Cole Porter.
BWW Review: KARRIN ALLYSON SINGS MOSE ALLISON ...and Soars at Birdland
January 22, 2020
January 22, 2020
Now at Birdland, Karrin Allyson is a great muse for Mose Allison. His wit and satirical edge sound interestingly freshened sung by a modern female voice who is clearly in sync with the way he used to think.
BWW Review: MARISSA MULDER Warms Cold NYC Night (and Hearts) at Beach Cafe
January 20, 2020
January 20, 2020
Witnessing the bliss of Marissa Mulder singing gems from vintage Broadway scores and classic movies, accompanied just by longtime musical director/pianist/pal/pro Bill Zeffiro, is worth risking frostbite.
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