The best cabaret of 2006

1. Paula West
Oak Room, October–November

In her majestic fall set, the jazz singer proved once again that she hasn’t just got the goods: She’s got the greats.

2. Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches
Joe’s Pub, October–present

The tornado-voiced Kritzer jumps up ten steps on the stairway to her own diva heaven with this jaw-dropping homage. Review

3. Eartha Kitt
Café Carlyle, June

Six decades into her legendary career, cabaret’s sleekest vamp is still digging for gold—and finding it.

4. Rebecca Luker
Feinstein’s, May

In her glowing cabaret debut, the honeyed Broadway ingenue sheathed the Great American Songbook in loveliness. Top live show

5. Ute Lemper: Blue Angels and Demons
Café Carlyle, February

A European chanteuse of the first rank, Lemper administered equal doses of dramatic heat and ironic frost.

6. Jack Jones
Oak Room, September

Returning to the Oak Room, the silver-haired and -voiced crooner sang like he owned the place and everyone in it.

7. Terese Genecco: Drunk with Love
Metropolitan Room; May, October

Backed by an ace band, Genecco set the Met Room swinging with her zippy tribute to Frances Faye. Top live show

8. Maude Maggart: Comes Love
Oak Room, February

The It songbird of cabaret continued to spread her wings in her latest Algonquin program.

9. Brandon Cutrell: Baggage
Feinstein’s, June

Moving on up to the East Side, the puckish After Party host served an intoxicating cocktail of humor, mischief and feeling. Top live show

10. Jane White
Feinstein’s, March

Now in her eighties, the fabulous White still can entertain on a blessedly grand scale. Top live show

—Adam Feldman