Reviews
Ira Lee Collings Is Naked—From the Neck Up at Don’t Tell Mama on Sunday, September 23rd
By Michael Barbieri for NiteLife Exchange
I caught Ira Lee Collings’ show Naked From the Neck Up recently at Don’t Tell Mama. What can I say? There really aren’t superlatives superlative enough to describe this wonderful show and the lovely, self-proclaimed Gay Geezer who graced us with his terrific performance!
Ira Lee Collings is a talented, adorable, inspiring 83-year-old performer who’s been singing nearly his entire life. Born in a small town in Indiana, he eventually moved to Chicago, where he studied at the Goodman Theatre. After three years, however, he moved east to NYC, where he worked in a variety of theatrical jobs, including dinner theatre productions of Pajama Tops and Woody Allen’s Play It Again Sam. He also sang at open mics in piano bars all over the city. In 2013, after a 25 year hiatus from show business, Collings returned to performing, this time in cabaret. Since then, he’s been nominated for a MAC Award and was the 2017 winner of the prestigious MAC Hanson Award.
To read the full article, click here: https://nitelifeexchange.com/ira-lee-collings-naked-from-the-neck-up-is-superlative/
IRA LEE COLLINGS @ DTM
Ira Lee Collings Is Naked—From the Neck Up at Don’t Tell Mama on Sunday, September 23rd
by Sue Matsuki for Cabaret Hotspot
2017 Hanson Award Winner; 2018 MAC Award Nominee and self-proclaimed Gay Geezer, Ira Lee Collings, did a run of 4 shows in September and October at Don’t Tell Mama called “Naked from the Neck Up” to high acclaim by many of my fellow writers and certainly by his loving, sold out audience.
For the record, I am a fan…a BIG fan. Ira has a way with delivering a sincere interpretation of the lyric that is so pure and unaffected. It is just so refreshing these days to sit back and be able to listen and just take in the music. His voice is lovely, and he has quite the range! At times, he is a pretty jazzy cat singing some of his old charts arranged by Ken Thompson and beautifully played by Musical Director, John M. Cook. Ira has been called “a celebration of life” and he certainly is all that and more. He’s fun, sweet, smart and he takes good care of the audience.
Click on the link to read the full article: https://www.cabarethotspot.com/ira-lee-collings-naked-from-the-head-up/
Ira Lee Collings Is Naked – From the Neck Up at Don’t Tell Mama on Sunday, September 23rd
Ira Lee Collings Is Naked—From the Neck Up at Don’t Tell Mama on Sunday, September 23rd
by NiteLife Exchange
Singer-raconteur, Ira Lee Collings, premieres his latest show, NAKED—From The Neck Up on Sunday, September 23rd at 5:30 PM, at Don’t Tell Mama in New York City. The Gay Geezer will dispense his usual sly patter and infectious enthusiasm in a very personal show, full of music and surprises and never-before-told secrets. Collings promises to bare all, from the heights of success to the darker moments of sorrow—aimed at at creating a feel-good experience. With Music Director, John M. Cook, and under the direction of Sally Darling, the curated set of songs include “On the Other Side of the Tracks,” “An Occasional Man,” “Mr. Wonderful,” Nothing Can Stop Me Now” and more. NAKED—From the Neck Up will also play at Don’t Tell Mama on Sunday, September 30th at 7 PM; Tuesday, October 2nd at 7 PM and Monday, October 15th at 7 PM.
Click on the link to read the full article: https://nitelifeexchange.com/ira-lee-collings-is-naked-from-the-neck-up-at-dont-tell-mama-on-sunday-september-23rd/
Ira Lee Collings: A Genuine Charmer
Ira Lee Collings: A Genuine Charmer
by Myra Chanin
Ira Lee Collings, an 81-year-old imp who blends Maurice Chevalier’s charm with Jimmy Durante’s conviviality, calls himself a Gay Geezer. Collings may have a “gay” sexual orientation. Nowadays who doesn’t? But as a performer he’s also gay in the former meaning of that word—jolly, animated, cheery, merry, carefree and playful. What’s more, there’s nothing Geezerish about this guy. Even when he’s feeling nostalgic, he’s totally hip and makes you share his joy in the past, present and future.
Click on the link to read the full article: www.theaterpizzazz.com/ira-lee-collings-genuine-charmer/
Simply, Ira Lee,, ‘Gay Geezer Celebration'
By Anne-Allegra Bennett (@aab_artiste)
In honor of his 80th birthday, Ira Lee Collings lights up the room at Don’t Tell Mama with his show Simply, Ira Lee (a Gay Geezer Celebration Through the Looking Glass… Warts and All). He takes the audience through a walk down memory lane with songbook classics, and stories of his life and career. Perfectly suited for the energy and setting of cabaret style spectacle, Collings brings a great joie de vivre and warmth to the stage with his charming personality. Kicking off the evening with a medley of music by Jerry Herman, the combination of “Before The Parade Passes By” and “Open A New Window” is the perfect way to engage the audience as his story unfolds.
Click on the link to read the full article: http://centerontheaisle.com/4216/review-simply-ira-lee-gay-geezer-celebration/
Ira Lee Returns as The Gay Geezer To Celebrate Turning 80
Keith Price's Curtain Call: Ira Lee Returns as The Gay Geezer To Celebrate Turning 80
Actor, Singer, Ira lee Collings, takes some time from his busy rehearsal schedule, as he prepares his latest installment asThe Gay Geezer in SIMPLY, IRA LEE, to chat with me about his upcoming show at Don’t Tell Mama. We also talk a little about life before and after coming out as an artist and a gay man.
Listen to the interview here: -> https://soundcloud.com/comedydaddy/ira-lee-collings-returns-to-dont-tell-mama-as-the-gay-geezer-to-celebrate-turning-80
Keith Price’s Curtain Call: www.keithpricecurtaincall.com
Ira Lee CollingsThe Gay GeezerDon’t Tell MamaKeith Price’s Curtain CallHangar StudiosSimply, Ira Lee
Call Answered: “Gay Geaser” Ira Lee Collings: “Life Is A Song – So, Why Not Sing It?” at Don’t Tell Mama
Call Answered: "Gay Geaser" Ira Lee Collings: "Life Is A Song - So, Why Not Sing It?" at Don't Tell Mama
by Adam Rothenberg
photo by Winston Leonard Photgraphy
When someone proclaims they have “Gay Geaser Power,” how could one not want to find out more! At 82-years-old, Ira Lee Collings is showing us you can do anything at any age. After a 25-year absence from show business, Ira has returned to his performing roots and is delighting audiences with his cabaret show Life Is A Song – So, Why Not Sing It? at Don’t Tell Mama.
Click on the link to read the full article: https://www.callmeadam.com/interviews/2017/10/28/call-answered-gay-geaser-ira-lee-collings-life-is-a-song-so.html?rq=ira%20lee%20collings
“Gay Geezer” Ira Lee Collings Reboots at Don’t Tell Mama for 3 Shows
“Gay Geezer” Ira Lee Collings Reboots at Don’t Tell Mama for 3 Shows
by Rob Lester
That charming and puckish cabaret doyen Ira Lee Collings is certified proof that “life begins at 80.” The self-described “Gay Geezer” is a delightful and dapper old boy who’s done a lot of living. (Featured photo: Ira Lee Collings, in back: A cheerleader for all times!
Click on the link to read the full article: https://nitelifeexchange.com/gay-geezer-ira-lee-collings-reboots-at-dont-tell-mama-tue-sept-26th/
The Irrepressible Ira Lee Collings and His Gay Pride
The Irrepressible Ira Lee Collings and His Gay Pride
by Marilyn Lester
The self-proclaimed “Gay Geezer,” Ira Lee Collings, is, at 81, still a work in progress. No matter that he’s been performing since he was a kid on the radio, the old guy is as young at heart as it’s possible to be, and going strong. Accolades for this MAC Hanson Award winner have been many; he’s been called an imp, an indefatigable optimist, an extrovert and a bundle of energy, among many other declarations of character. Collings is all that, neatly folding these attributes into his persona as an entertainer. He cuts a dapper figure, too – smartly attired in a tux, wearing a Gay Pride Mardi Gras-style necklace for flair and the claiming of identity.
Click on the link to read the full article: https://nitelifeexchange.com/3428-2/