VG Lounge Cabaret and Beyond Series

SPONSORED BY KILLS BORO BREWERY

CABARET AND DINING EXPERIENCE

Check out the best restaurants in town, who are providing specials for you to
enjoy before or after your cabaret experience!

A Singular Sensation!

An evening of music from Broadway to Hollywood, and everything in between, sung by the stars of our annual Christmas Show as they sing their all-time favorite tunes with emcee Vinnie Medugno!  We’ll end the show with a little bit of Christmas in July!  Also starring, Victoria Billabla, Tom Cintula, Madison Gatullo, Jenny Kelly, Bill Newstad, Diane Papazian, Al Pica, Marcus Simeone, and Carmen Stone.

Rich-Richie Show!

Richie Byrnes and Nanci Richards joined forces to have you laughing up a storm. Richie’s comedy credits include such well-known clubs as Dangerfield’s, Caroline’s on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. Richie is proud to be the warm-up act for the hit series, “The Dr. Oz Show” since it’s debut in 2009. Richie’s other daytime warm-up credits include “The Rachael Ray Show”, “The Chew”, “The Jane Pauley Show” as well as the sit-com “Murphy Brown”. Nanci Richards, school teacher-by-day, comedian-by-night has been on the comedian for over 25 years. As a lifelong Staten Islander, her jokes revolve around life here.Nanci Richards who is well known for her ladies night comedy shows, she’s been on The View, and voted SI Live/AWE’s Best Favorite Comedian.

Packy Lynch Trio featuring Ray Scro

An intimate curated night of Jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms and funk! Celebrate a tribute to the heat and soul of a summer in New York City with The Packy Lynch Trio featuring Ray Scro. Join them for an evening with the effervescent and effortless chemistry of friends as these amazing musicians have been playing together for over 15 years and promises to deliver a show for the true music lovers out there!

Light the Lights – A Broadway Revue!

A spectacular Broadway revue enjoying your favorite tunes from Gypsy, Ghost, Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors,and more! Featuring Madison Gattullo (Miss Richmond County 2023), Nadia Anwar (Miss Staten Island’s Teen 2023), Sofia Borgognone (Miss Richmond County’s Teen 2023), Amelia Gordon (Miss Staten Island’s Teen 2022), Hayley Bond (Miss Richmond County’s Teen 2022).

The Buffalo 24

Staten Island! The Musical

A Special Reunion with Vinnie Medugno and Charlie Romo

The Michael Morreale Group

GULES Live!

IlluminArt Productions Presents Guided by The Stars: A Musical Celebration of Astrology

The Soulful Sounds of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Kahn and Al Green!

Fashion presented by Banks & Roses Society

A night celebrating some of NYC’s hottest emerging and established fashion designers with a show and pop-up shopping! Fashion Designers TBD

Poetry & Music presented by Banks & Roses Society

Live performances with special guests provided by independent music label, Banks & Roses Society. Talent TBD

Sundog Theatre presents Spin Cycle Improv Troupe

Spin Cycles improvisational games, similar to TV’s “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’ includes audience feedback for a night of hilarity and surprises.

Good Grief: A Song For Every Stage of the Cycle

Join producers April Lavalle and Jenny Kelly for “Good Grief: a Song for Every Stage of the Cycle.” Experience a cathartic evening hearing some of the most exciting talent from New York City and Staten Island sing through denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. A musical evening that examines every stage of life through song.

IlluminArt Productions presents Not Your Typical Puppet Show!

“Not Your Typical Puppet Show” is a brand-new improv troupe that mixes “Avenue Q”’s uncensored puppets and the wacky games of “Whose Line is It Anyway” for a night of hilarious improv. What would happen if puppets decided to teach lessons about bad blind dates, nursing hangovers, scandalous neighbors, and more.

IlluminArt Productions and Pride Center of Staten Island Presents Drag Coronation

IlluminArt and Pride Center of Staten Island presents Drag Coronation! Hosted by Jerrica Stone, the biggest Broadway beltress around, help welcome amateur drag kings and queens as they sashay their way to Drag Royalty. Come and help our judges including Doris Dear, 3X MAC Awards recipient for Best Impersonation/Drag Artist, crown the best queen/king in the drag competition for the ages! Ten contestants will be chosen for each show prior to the event and must agree on the terms. Contestants are required to submit a 1-2 minute video highlighting their drag personality/talent to Justin.illluminart@gmail.com to be considered. Contestants will be scored on talent and lip sink for their lives! (90 second performance)

Believe in Fate – Parlour Magic!

In the early 1900’s, magic was performed right before the spectator’s eyes in intimate parlours in the swankiest of establishments. Believe In Fate is bringing back some of that charm and allure of the early days with mentalist and illusionist, Robert Gorgoglione, Rey Fuentes, and emcee Bill Nestad. Join us for a night of close up magic and mentalism.

The Colonel Mastodon Comedy

The Colonel Mastodon Comedy is a touring stand-up comedy show, based  in New Jersey and playing all over the Tri-State area for more than a decade. Its founders, Reggie Parker and Dan Farley, through its production, are able to promote up and coming stand-up comedians that always bring the house down.

Sundog Theatre presents Spin Cycle Improv Troupe

Spin Cycles improvisational games, similar to TV’s “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’ Includes audience feedback for a night of hilarity and surprises.

IlluminArt Productions presents MUSICAL MADNESS – TOGA EXTRAVAGANZA

Party hardy and get those solo cups ready!  Your only requirements is a love of the best party music throughout the years from pop, rock to musical theater. Of course, we’ll be adding a toga costume contest!

Up, Up and Away: The Songs of Jimmy Webb

Up Up and Away a tribute to the music of Jimmy Webb featuring Marcus Simeone and Tracy Stark. Directed by Lina Koutrakos.

Tatiana Mroczek & Friends Sing Broadway Classics

Vocalist Tatiana Mroczek, Miss Staten Island 2022, has appeared on the stages of Broadway’s Music Box Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Don’t Tell Mama, the Cutting Room, and Columbia University’s Roone Alredge Auditorium. Watch her and special guests sing selections from Broadway favorites, “West Side Story,” “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “My Fair Lady,” “Grease,” “Anything Goes,” and more! This is a dreamy evening of music that is not to be missed.

Believe in Fate – Magic, Oddities, and Other Curiosities

Join us for a night of close up magic and mentalism with Robert Gorgoglione, Rey Fuentes, and emcee Bill Nestad.

Fashion presented by Banks & Roses Society

A night celebrating some of NYC’s hottest emerging and established fashion designers with a show and pop-up shopping! Fashion Designers TBD

Poetry & Music presented by Banks & Roses Society

Live performances with special guests provided by independent music label, Banks & Roses Society. Talent TBD

The Resistance

Gules Live!

IlluminArt Productions presents Monsters Amongst Us

Take a dive into the figurative and literal “monsters” that film and stage has to offer in a spook-tastic one night cabaret event, The Monsters Amongst Us!

IlluminArt Productions presents Trivia Night! Survival of the Nerdiest

Test your knowledge with an extremely fun session of games complete with some fun adorkable prizes. Explore the worlds of Westeros, Comics, Fantasy, Disney, Sci Fi, and more in Survival of the Nerdiest.

IlluminArt Productions presents Guess That Tune!

Test your ear and see how well you can name these tunes in a game for musical lovers everywhere.

A NIGHT OUT WITH JULIO VINCENT GAMBUTO

An evening that will make you laugh, cry, and think about the truly odd times we live in. Julio grew up on Staten Island and has been a loud champion for the borough in Hollywood, in his work, and in his life. He is the director of “Team Marco,” an independent family film that he shot entirely on the Island. Heralded my Leonard Maltin as “a life-affirming feel-good movie” and applauded by the New York Times for his “golden view” of his hometown, the movie was picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Film and Hulu. A writer, director, and performer, Julio has mastered the mic at Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, the Comedy Store, and ACME Comedy Theater. His first one-man show “Julie from Staten Island” ran in Times Square’s Theater Row for two years. When the pandemic hit, Julio attracted worldwide attention for his essay “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting,” which circled the globe in 48 hours, reaching over 21 million readers in 29 countries. He joins us at the VG Lounge for this special evening to tell stories, laugh with us about the madness of the modern world, and share selections from his new book, “Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!” from Simon & Schuster. Learn more at www.juliovincent.com.

Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk

If you’re looking for a show that’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, look no further than “Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk” starring award-winning TV host, storyteller, singer and comedian Doris Dear. Stories of growing up with her parents Taffy and Duke in Staten Island shouldn’t be missed! Doris Dear is a popular character created by native Staten Islander, Ray DeForest. Growing up with parents Taffy and Duke inspired many of the hilarious stories and anecdotes used throughout the shows. Doris Dear’s unique blend of humor and heart earned her numerous awards, including 3 prestigious MAC Awards for Best Impersonation/Drag Artist and 2 Telly Awards and a Communicator award for her TV series, “Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk” on the BroadwayonDeamand streaming network. Doris Dear’s live show “Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk” is a blend of music, comedy, and storytelling, where she regales audiences with tales from her past in Staten Island and insights into the world. Her performances, known for their infectious humor and Broadway belting, making her a beloved figure in the theater community. Doris Dear celebrates the power of self-expression and the importance of staying true to oneself, inspiring audiences everywhere to embrace their own unique identities.

Fuzz on the Improv

A night of comedy brought to you the way that only Staten Island’s own Fuzz on the Lens Productions can. We promise you’ll laugh, we hope you won’t cry and we’d love to tell you what else to expect, but no one really knows…and that’s the point.

IlluminArt Productions Presents Guided by The Stars: A Musical Celebration of Astrology

IlluminArt Productions presents NOT YOUR TYPICAL PUPPET SHOW!

“We Play With Puppets” returns with comedy that mixes “Avenue Q”’s uncensored puppets and the wacky games of “Whose Line is It Anyway” for a night of hilarious improv.

With a Little Help From My Friends: A Tribute to the Beatles

Clearly Now presents With a Little Help From My Friends, a tribute to the Beatles and more Featuring Marcus Simeone, Lina Koutrakos, and Sean Harkness.

L-O-V-E: A Celebration of Nat King Cole

Alex Leonard, Jay Leonhart and Al Gafa make up The Sutton Place Trio. Nat King Cole, one of the most identifiable voices in American popular music was also one of jazz’s finest pianists. His unique sound and remarkable sense of swing led him to be a major influence and inspiration. Having sold 50 million records in his lifetime the Capitol Records building in Hollywood is still referred to today as, “The House that Nat Built”. Despite his stardom in music and television he often encountered a world of prejudice. Despite such personal and professional challenges he projected enormous dignity with the power of his talent, grace and gentle demeanor.

Believe in Fate: Spooktacular

The world’s most famous magician, Harry Houdini, passed away 97 years ago on Halloween. Join us, as we attempt to bring some magic and perhaps the spirit of the great Houdini to the St. George! It will be spooktacular!

The Flesh Junkies

The Flesh Junkies perform live as we screen the Rocky Horror Picture Show silent movie style!

A NIGHT OUT WITH JULIO VINCENT GAMBUTO

An evening that will make you laugh, cry, and think about the truly odd times we live in. Julio grew up on Staten Island and has been a loud champion for the borough in Hollywood, in his work, and in his life. He is the director of “Team Marco,” an independent family film that he shot entirely on the Island. Heralded my Leonard Maltin as “a life-affirming feel-good movie” and applauded by the New York Times for his “golden view” of his hometown, the movie was picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Film and Hulu. A writer, director, and performer, Julio has mastered the mic at Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, the Comedy Store, and ACME Comedy Theater. His first one-man show “Julie from Staten Island” ran in Times Square’s Theater Row for two years. When the pandemic hit, Julio attracted worldwide attention for his essay “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting,” which circled the globe in 48 hours, reaching over 21 million readers in 29 countries. He joins us at the VG Lounge for this special evening to tell stories, laugh with us about the madness of the modern world, and share selections from his new book, “Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!” from Simon & Schuster. Learn more at www.juliovincent.com.

Joan Caddell and the Midnight Choir – Up Close and Personal!

Don’t miss this romantic evening of music to remember. Join Joan Caddell & The Midnight Choir (Scott Caddell, Dave Stoler, Sal Azzarelli and Robert Bocignone), voted Staten Island’s Best Original Band, for an intimate performance of acoustic, electric and original songs.