A host of theatre performers — including Tony Award-winner Betty Buckley — will headline the plush New York cabaret Feinstein's at the Regency this fall.
The season begins with Love & Payne, a new act created by Carrie star Darlene Love and jazz vocalist Freda Payne. The two women will sing at Feinstein's Sept. 17-Oct. 5.
Ann Hampton Callaway, who received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in Swing!, will offer evenings of jazz-flavored tunes Oct. 8-19. The daughter of a television reporter and a Broadway vocal coach, Callaway has been singing since she was a small child. Not only a singer, she is also an acclaimed songwriter, whose works have been performed by Barbra Streisand, Patti LuPone and dozens of others. Her much-praised cabaret act with sister Liz, Sibling Revelry, is available from DRG Records.
Following Callaway into the elegant boîte is Tony winner Betty Buckley, who brings her eclectic repertoire to the intimate space Oct. 22-Nov. 9. Most recently on Broadway in Triumph of Love, Buckley scored one of her biggest successes in the London and New York productions of Sunset Boulevard. Not only did she receive rave reviews for her moving interpretation of the role of Norma Desmond, but she was nominated for an Olivier Award as well. Buckley's numerous solo recordings are available on CD; her latest, "Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar" received a 2001 Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Former talk-show host Kathie Lee Gifford will perform at Feinstein's Nov. 12-Nov. 23. Gifford made her Broadway debut in the Stephen Sondheim revue Putting it Together, playing one performance a week in the role usually inhabited by Carol Burnett. She also recently starred at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in the premiere of Rupert Holmes' Thumbs. The fall season at Feinstein's will end, appropriately, with Michael Feinstein himself. Pianist-singer American songbook guru Feinstein will take to the stage of his nightspot on Nov. 25 and will entertain audiences through Dec. 28.
Feinstein's at the Regency is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street. Show times are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:30 PM with late shows on Friday and Saturday nights at 11 PM. There is a $60 cover for all performances with a $39.50 minimum at early shows and a $25 minimum at late shows. Call (212) 339-4095 to make reservations.
—By Andrew Gans
