All stories by Michael Barbieri on BroadwayStars

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Mama’s Boys Will Have You Cheering for MORE! by Michael Barbieri

Mama’s Boys are the perfect blendship! Four talented guys, fabulous harmonies, an eclectic mix of musical styles and warm onstage camaraderie make this a show that will have you smiling, …

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 05:33PM
Thursday, October 3, 2019

Leslie Orofino Dazzles Radiantly in “Shine” by Michael Barbieri

Leslie Orofino is a class act! Smart, talented and self-assured, the lady knows how to put on a terrific cabaret show. Her new show, Shine, at Don’t Tell Mama showcased the music of four…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 03:26PM
Wednesday, September 25, 2019

RuPaul’s DragCon NYC 2019: Day 3 by Michael Barbieri

Sunday, September 8th was something of a wrap-up day at DragCon. And although the festivities ended earlier than the first two days, it was no less packed with glam-oor, Hunny!

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 06:55PM
Monday, September 16, 2019

Drag-Tastic: RuPaul’s DragCon NYC 2019 Day 2 by Michael Barbieri

Not many things can get me out of bed at 6 am, but RuPaul’s DragCon NYC is one of them! On Saturday September 7th, DragCon began bright and early, with VIPs admitted at 9 am. Press, howev…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 05:16PM
Friday, September 13, 2019

RuPaul’s DragCon NYC 2019: Day 1 by Michael Barbieri

When it comes to FABULOUS, nothing in New York can compare with DragCon NYC!! Wigs! Heels! Glitter! Stunning lewks! Merch galore! And more fashionistas and famous drag queens than you …

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 06:28PM
Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Latrice Royale Is the Total Package by Michael Barbieri

Oh my GOD!! Latrice Royale is EVERYTHING, Hunny!! Latrice Muthafuckin’ Royale is the total package! In her fabulous new show, Here’s to Life, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, Latrice serv…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:08PM
Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Michael Kirk Lane’s “Just Because”…Because You Can’t Go Wrong by Michael Barbieri

You really can’t go wrong with Michael Kirk Lane! He’s charming; he’s childlike; he knows his way around comedic material and yet he can melt your heart with a tender ballad. In his ne…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 05:23PM
Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Picked Up—Hauntingly Intriguing and Compelling by Michael Barbieri

Have they met before? Is he or isn’t he? Will they leave together? And where the hell is that bartender? In Dan Manjovi’s intriguing and mesmerizing new play, Picked Up, two men find…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 03:37PM
Monday, August 5, 2019

Review: Manilow Broadway—A Pure Delight— Delivers the Goods in a Big Way by Michael Barbieri

*A joyous spectacle! Hit after hit! Songs you know and love! Barry Manilow has begun a residency at New York’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and this show delivers the goods! Whether you’re …

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 11:53AM
Monday, July 22, 2019

Billy Lykken’s A Faggy Resistance Packs Power by Michael Barbieri

We the people are under siege! Women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, the free press, and anyone who dares speak their mind freely, are being challenged on a daily basis. And as with any fight,…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 11:18AM
Monday, July 15, 2019

Celebrating Pangea Pride with, Well… Pride! by Michael Barbieri

I’m proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community! I’m proud to be a part of the cabaret community! At Pangea, in the East Village, a group of immensely talented performers presented Cele…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:39PM
Thursday, July 11, 2019

Diane Arnstein’s “I Wanna Wander” Is a Sweet Travelogue by Michael Barbieri

I traveled recently to Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Hawaii, London and even to Paris! But I did it all without leaving my seat at Pangea, where I enjoyed Diane Arnstein’s sweet travelogue of …

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:28PM
Monday, July 8, 2019

Ilaria Della Bidia Makes A Stunning Debut with “The Music of My Heart” at The Cutting Room by Michael Barbieri

After Ilaria Della Bidia’s stunning U.S. solo debut show, The Music of My Heart, I approached her and said, in Italian, “Che bella voce!” In other words, “What a beautiful voice!”…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 12:39PM
Thursday, June 27, 2019

BenDeLaCreme is…Ready to be Committed by Michael Barbieri

It’s been said that marriage is a wonderful institution. Yeah, but who wants to be in an institution?! Well, clearly BenDeLaCreme does and her hilarious new show, BenDeLaCreme is…Ready…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:56PM
Friday, May 24, 2019

Scarlet Envy’s “Reflections”—Southern Beauty Meets NYC Grit by Michael Barbieri

A soft, warm summer evening. A lovely but modest wood-framed house in the rural south. Sitting on the front porch with a tall drink, garnished with a sprig of fresh mint. There’s a gent…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:09PM
Monday, May 20, 2019

Sutton Lee Seymour Is a Force of Nature! by Michael Barbieri

What did I just witness??!! When I went to the Laurie Beechman Theatre to catch Dragflix, I had no idea what was in store! Let me tell you, Hunny—I was not READY for the whirlwind, the f…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 01:07PM
Saturday, April 13, 2019

Miz Cracker’s “American Woman” Is Outspoken Fun by Michael Barbieri

Sometimes you go to a drag show and you get a fun, frivolous, occasionally vulgar evening of entertainment. When I caught Miz Cracker’s show, American Woman, at the Laurie Beechman Theatr…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 09:49AM
Tuesday, March 26, 2019

La Rivista at Broadway Joe’s Steakhouse Is a Warm and Welcoming Eatery by Michael Barbieri

Several years ago, I was assigned to review La Rivista at Broadway Joe’s Steakhouse, a terrific little eatery on the stretch of West 46th Street known as Restaurant Row. Back then, I enjo…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 12:03PM
Saturday, March 9, 2019

Lynda Rodolitz: Animal Magnetism—A Goofy, Charming and Funny Treat by Michael Barbieri

Sometimes a show comes along that is so goofy, so off the wall, and yet so charming, you can’t help but love it. Such was the case for me with Lynda Rodolitz’s new show Animal Magnetism…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 06:19PM
Friday, March 8, 2019

Liza’s Back! (Is Broken)—A Spot-on Knockout! by Michael Barbieri

Did you know that Liza Minnelli was offered the role of Maria in The Sound of Music? That she was supposed to play Fanny Brice in Funny Girl? That she was set to play Fantine in the origin…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 10:26AM
Monday, March 4, 2019

Monét X Change: A Raucous Ton of Fun by Michael Barbieri

In an African patterned maxi dress and leonine wig, the fabulous Monét X Change made her way through the audience, hilariously shouting—yes, SHOUTING the opening chant to “The Circle of…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:29PM
Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Phyllis Pastore’s The Last 30 Years Is Marvelously Warm and Funny by Michael Barbieri

Every so often I’ll see a performer who makes me remember why I fell in love with cabaret back in the day. Phyllis Pastore’s show, The Last 30 Years, at Pangea, was a warm, funny evenin…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 10:28AM
Tuesday, February 12, 2019

The High-Energy Francesca Loeber Fills a Room With a Mighty Sound by Michael Barbieri

In her recent show at the Triad Theater, Francesca Loeber proved, as the old saying goes, that big things often do come in small packages! Born and raised in New Jersey, Loeber, also known a…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 01:06PM
Saturday, February 9, 2019

Here’s a Rare Opportunity to Catch Desmond Child—Songwriter-Singer Extraordinaire—on Saturday, February 16 in the Appel Room by Michael Barbieri

Desmond Child may well be the most famous songwriter of whom you’ve never heard. But even if you don’t know his name, you definitely know his music. Known as one of the music industry�…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 09:59AM
Friday, February 8, 2019

The Beechman Hits the Jackpot with Monét X Change by Michael Barbieri

With the move of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to VH1, this reality competition is reaching more drag fans than ever before. The art of drag has definitely become a global phenomenon! Here in…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 04:39PM
Sunday, January 27, 2019

Yael Rasooly and Iliya Magalnyk Invoke the Thrill of Paris in “Glamour in the Dark” by Michael Barbieri

Picture this: you’re sitting at a little table surrounded by friendly music lovers. In front of you there’s a smart cocktail or a nice glass of wine. A lone accordionist in a newsboy cap…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:00PM
Sunday, January 13, 2019

Lina Koutrakos, Marcus Simeone & Sean Harkness Can See Clearly Now by Michael Barbieri

Three fantastic voices and one masterful guitar! What else do you need for a perfect evening of cabaret? With their show, Clearly Now, the moment Lina Koutrakos, Sean Harkness and Marcus S…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 07:14PM
Monday, January 7, 2019

Happy New Year, Your Madge-esty! by Michael Barbieri

I first read the news on Facebook. My good friend, Kimlee Hicks, had put up a post asking “So, where were you on New Year’s?” Kimlee is a fabulous singer who happens to be one of the…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 05:02PM
Thursday, January 3, 2019

Me and Mr. Jones Is Captivating and Hypnotic by Michael Barbieri

When it comes to David Bowie, Raquel Cion wears her heart on her sleeve—the sequined, bugle-beaded sleeve of her fabulous Bowie-inspired couture! Her show, Me and Mr. Jones: My Intimate Re…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 01:28PM
Friday, November 30, 2018

BariToned Is a Fabulous Farcical Trio by Michael Barbieri

Okay! I’ll admit it! I have been BariToned!!! Yes, BariToned is a fabulous, farcical trio of large and in charge baritones whose deliciously campy show, Damsel in Distress, celebrated t…

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 02:11PM
Sunday, November 11, 2018

Cynthia Crane, Much More than a “Saloon Singer” by Michael Barbieri

At one point in Cynthia Crane’s most recent turn at Don’t Tell Mama, she reminded us that she’s a saloon singer. And while she is certainly one of the best interpreters of those smoky …

SOURCE: NiteLifeExchange at 10:58AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic
TBA: Ragtime