“Calling her a cabaret singer is like calling Pablo Picasso a painter; it's true all right, but it leaves a lot out!” So said The Philadelphia Inquirer about Marilyn Maye, who will kick off the Music Mondays series at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor on Monday evening at 8.
The program is called "94, Of Course There's More!" because Ms. Maye is still going strong at that age, with a record 76 singing appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," seven albums, and 34 singles.
Ms. Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, and a Grammy-nominated recording artist whose entire life has been committed to song and performance.
The Arts Council of the Smithsonian Institution selected one of her recordings, "Too Late Now," for the Smithsonian-produced album "The 110 Best American Compositions of the Twentieth Century." She performs symphony and big-band concerts throughout the United States.
Of her ability to appeal to both cabaret fans and jazz aficionados, Will Friedwald of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Ms. Maye is the only pop-song diva working today who can satisfy both crowds at once." Known for her powerful delivery, stage presence, and audience rapport, she recently sold out four nights at 54 Below in New York City. Tickets are $69.99 to $89.99.
Looking ahead, in "The Lillias White Effect," the vocalist will share stories from her personal and show business life for the first time, onstage or off, on Aug. 8. An actress as well as a singer, Ms. White is known for her musical theater roles, including Sonja in Cy Coleman's "The Life," for which she won Tony and Drama Desk awards for best featured actress in a musical.
The New York Times called her a "one-of-a-kind performer who combines the sass of a classic blues mama with the skill of a Broadway star." She appeared on Broadway most recently in "Chicago" and off Broadway in "Black No More."
Subsequent programs will include "An Evening With Ali Stroker" (Aug. 15), "The Great American Mousical" (Aug. 22), a one-time only benefit that will be directed by Julie Andrews, and "Sip and Sing Live" with Kyle Barisich (Aug. 29).
