Anne Bobby & Friends: Still Standing ... and Streaming, Tonight!

Lovers of live music take note: The great Anne Bobby will be performing tonight at 54 Below, which you can see in person or via live stream:

Back in December, award-winning actress Anne Bobby returned to Feinstein’s/54 Below with stories and songs about a year like no other. The response was tremendous, so now 54 is bringing her back (with a few new surprises) to share her songs and stories wherever you are. 

Together with Christopher Schelling, Shannon Ford, Marissa Licata, Laura Dean and Steve Gettinger, Anne picks up where The Songs That Came In From the Cold and Back to My Routes left off, with an evening devoted to the city, the people, and the moments that made last year one to treasure more than ever.

Having worked with everyone from Stephen Sondheim to Clive Barker on Broadway, TV, film and beyond, Anne Bobby’s cabarets never fail to weave episodes from her journey with the songs that inspire her. From "Mad About You" to "Cop/Rock," from "Smile to Bioshock," from "Merrily We Roll Along" to "Born On the Fourth Of July," Anne’s filled this show with everything from Jacques Brel to Jethro Tull, from Demi Lovato to Carly Simon and from Cat Stevens to Yola.

Gather your friends and celebrate this midwinter eve that we’re ALL “Still Standing.”

I'll be there, so say hi if you go! 

Complete details HERE.

Anne Bobby Brings Her 'Chapter Verses' to Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3 Tonight

One of my cabaret favorites is performing tonight on the Lower East Side -- the perfect excuse to have a drink, relax and warm up. (And she's covering Kirsty MacColl!!!!!!!!!!)

Anne Bobby Presents CHAPTER VERSES: The Songs I Took to Brooklyn 

Anne Bobby presents CHAPTER VERSES: The Songs I Took to Brooklyn, an evening built around a dozen songs both old and new, overlooked and forgotten pop and rock gems from the ‘60s to today. They may never have cracked the Top Ten, but they tell stories that are as much a part of her as the place she now calls home. Guests include Laura Dean on vocals, Shannon Ford on percussion and Christopher Schelling on piano. Known for roles on TV ("Mad About You)" and film ("Happiness"), Anne made her Broadway debut at 16. Join her for this celebration of should-have-been-hits from Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, Kirsty MacColl, Ben Folds and more.

Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3

185 Orchard St. New York, NY,

Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:00 PM

This event is 21 and over

Tickets HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Nights on Broadway' by Anne Bobby

   Found some video of that creepy arrangement of "Nights on Broadway" from Anne Bobby's gig last week at 54 Below -- enjoy! Full review of show HERE. 

Anne Bobby Makes Triumphant Return to 54 Below

Because of a crackdown on photography and recording devices, I've been a little slow to write about going to see Anne Bobby's return to 54 Below on Thursday. (As you can see, I should have kept my sneaky pic a secret.) Saw her solo cabaret de-virgining back in March, when she did a delightful set of (mostly) little-known showtunes. But as fun as that was, I knew I was in for an even more Kenneth night when I learned the sophomore set was filled with obscure pop songs, in an evening billed as "Back to My Routes: The Songs I Took With Me." Although an advertised ELO number was dropped from the final lineup, it was an exhilarating evening that kicked off with a spooky arrangement of the Bee Gees' "Nights on Broadway," which may have been about unrequited love back in 1975 but can be thought of nothing short of stalking today. (Pay close attention to the lyrics. Rebecca Schaeffer did not die in vain.) Accompanied by guitarist Steve Gettinger, percussionist Shannon Ford, pianist/musical director (and my pal) Christopher Schelling, plus the great Laura Dean on backing vocals -- how I wanted to join her! -- other highlights of the evening were a great mashup of Bruce Springsteen's "Silver Thunderbird" and Marc Cohn's "Used Car" -- "Used Thunderbird" -- Tom Waits' "Take Me Home," from his soundtrack to the incredibly underrated and underappreciated Francis Ford Coppola film "One From the Heart" (Teri Garr 4ever!), "Don't Forget to Walk" -- the Kinks' "Don't Forget to Dance" + the Ronettes' "Walking in the Rain" -- plus a straight shot at Jimmy Webb's "All I Know," my favorite song off Art Garfunkel's "Angel Clare."

As clever as the arrangements were, it's still Anne's voice and her between-song stories that really make the night memorable, though. (And she doesn't even talk about "Cop Rock" or "Nightbreed"!) Sometimes as a gay men it's easy to get wrapped up in our otherness -- and make no mistake, growing up gay will scar you for life. But hearing Anne -- a seemingly carefree, all-American beauty -- talk about feeling like such an outsider as a girl, staring at the Manhattan skyline (occasionally) from (the rooftop of) her suburban home in New Jersey and feeling like New York City was the only place where she could fit in -- sound FAMILIAR? -- made me take a break from my solipsism long enough to remember that we are all in the same boat, struggling to find our place in this world. To look at the world from another point of view. Good art does that.

Anne's shows are sporadic, but they are definitely worth seeking out.

She's with the band

Afterward felt like a high school reunion with all of the cool people I've met through Christopher in attendance, including his hubby, Augusten Burroughs, plus Robert "Fag Hag" Rodi -- and a rare appearance by his man, Jeffrey.

Anne Bobby Goes Back to Her Routes This Thursday at 54 Below

If you're looking for something fun to do this Thursday, look no further. Anne Bobby -- star of stage and screen -- returns to 54 Below with "Back to My Routes: The Songs I Took With Me," delving into the music that shaped her Jersey childhood, featuring songs from the Bee Gees, Tom Waits, ELO, Bruce Springsteen and more. The "Smile" star's previous soldout performance in the basement of the famed Studio 54 was an enchanting evening of obscure show tunes, but something tells me this Kenneth-friendly set is going to officially make me wanna be Bobby's gurl! 

Details: 

Thursday, Sept. 18 at 9:30 p.m.  

Doors 8:45 p.m. 

Tickets available HERE
or by calling (646) 476-3551

Anne Bobby Tells a Story at 54 Below

Was invited to see Anne Bobby's cabaret show Tuesday night at 54 Below, the exquisite performance space in the famed Studio 54. Although she has a long and distinguished career, I was not acquainted with Ms. Bobby until this cellar rendez-vous, so her combination of personal stories and interpretations of many little-known songs had the effect of reading a memoir by someone who isn't famous, which just happens to be my favorite kind of book. The set list included everyone from Marvin Hamlisch and Alan Mencken to Randy Newman and Bruce Springsteen, but the stage was all Anne's, as she weaved the tale of her many lives, starting as a 16-year-old on Broadway, getting hired -- and fired -- from the first show she auditioned for, followed by a string of Broadway, film and television roles. (I may not have this exactly right, but I believe her replacement from the aforementioned sacking, Laura Dean, joined her onstage for a rendition of “Far From Home” from the show "Almost September," with a little help from Frank Vlastnik!) 

She later recounted how she turned down the role of Eponine in "Les Miserables," which would go on to make her replacement, Frances Ruffelle, a Tony winner and a bonafide Broadway star. (The musical she opted for instead, "Smile," was memorable flop.) The show was quaint and strictly New York. But for someone who doesn't thrive on over-the-top theatrical productions but still enjoys a cleverly written song, I was thoroughly charmed.

Anne Bobby Coming to 54 Below on March 4

Singer/actress Anne Bobby -- known for roles on TV ("Mad About You") and film ("Happiness," "Beautiful Girls," "Born on the Fourth of July") -- will be performing The Songs That Came in From the Cold at 54 Below this coming Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. Ticket information HERE. 

In this preview from the show, Anne performs James Mellon's "The Frying Pan," which hilariously reiterates what I've been saying all along: Nothing is ever as easy as it should be!

Anne made her Broadway debut at 16, and a year later starred in Marvin Hamlisch’s cult classic, "Smile." Now she’s gathered the discarded gems from thirty years of workshops, out-of-town tryouts and black-boxes – plus a few new favorites. It's a celebration of everyone from Alan Menken to Randy Newman, Marc Blitzstein to Bruce Springsteen, as well as should-have-been-hits from Steven Lutvak, David Spencer, Keith Herrmann, Daniel Maté and more. Anne will be joined by very special guests including Alice Ripley ("Next to Normal"), Evan Pappas ("Parade," "My Favorite Year"), Laura Dean ("Fame," "Chicago"), Frank Vlastnik ("Big," "The Sweet Smell of Success") and Shannon Ford ("Godspell," "Chaplin") in welcoming spring, waking up old memories and making new ones.

Like Anne on Facebook HERE.