One of the most famous cabaret champions is trying to build a new collaboration with one of its most famous venues and end the relationship with another venue.
From October 11th to 22nd, Michael Feinstein will be performing a series of shows showing his new relationship with Cafe Carlyle, a room on the Upper East Side famous for his relationship with Bobby Short. Since its opening in 1955, Carlyle has welcomed generations of cabaret fixtures and aspirants, from the circuit and Elaine Stritch to the hopeful “American Idol” Katharine McPhee and designer Isaac Mizrahi.
The new arrangement marks the end of Feinstein’s creative partnership with 54 Below, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in June. A historian, archivist, performer and entrepreneur, Feinstein joined forces in 2015 with a young venue that he called the “Broadway Living Room.” Feinstein’s / 54 was honored as part of last month’s Tony Awards. Prior to that, it was affiliated with another hotel not far from Carlisle. The Regency Feinstein was closed in 2013.
“I’m excited about 54 Below and its future, and my future and the future of my brand,” Feinstein told the Times. “I’ve been thinking about moving for two years now. I’ve achieved everything I envisioned at Feinstein’s / 54 Below. I felt like it was time to make changes. How to beat the Tony Awards. Do you do that by working with Café Carlyle, the world’s most famous nightclub. I couldn’t be more excited. “
Feinstein’s October show will be his first show at Carlyle. He is expected to carry out more engagement there in the future.
In a joint statement, 54 Below partners, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel and Steven Baruch, said: We decided a few months ago to return to our original name, 54Below, and shared that information with him and his management. We look forward to 54 Below over the next decade, with even more amazing new artists and legendary performers in our Broadway living room. “
Café Carlyle does not adjust its name. In a statement, Marlene Pointer, managing director of the Carlyle Hotel, said the venue was looking forward to “adding Feinstein’s name to the heritage of Cafe Carlyle.”