MAUDE MAGGART

Fri. & Sat., Jan. 24 & 25; and Jan. 31 & Feb. 1.  MAUDE MAGGART, in “Strangers.” One of the privileges available to Gardenia patrons is witnessing the transformation of Miss Maggart’s shows.  This show, presented freshly conceived at The Gardenia in September, now returns fully mature, burnished by a run at Birdland in Manhattan.  In addition to her outings at The Gardenia and Birdland, Miss Maggart has graced The Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel in New York, attained national radio exposure by appearing with Garrison Keillor at the Town Hall broadcast of A Prarie Home Companion, charmed Keillor so much that he invited her to appear with him again at The Hollywood Bowl, appeared on the cover of Time Out New York, and was the recipient of the Time Out New York MAC Award for “Special Achievement in Cabaret,” AND the MAC Award for “Best Female Debut.”  In 2006, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with Michael Feinstein, sang with John Lithgow on his new children’s CD, broke the summer attendance record at The Colony in Palm Beach, sang with jazz great Dick Haymes and his orchestra at the Oregon Jazz Festival, was listed by Entertainment Weekly as one of the top 100 Summer picks, and participated in the filming of Bob Downey’s documentary on Kurt Weill.  She has also performed in London, Chicago, and Australia. Our favorite endorsement of her comes from Jim Bruce:  “If you have not yet heard Maude Maggart sing, I envy you the moment of discovery because there is nothing quite like the very first time you realize what a talent she is.  Then again there is also nothing quite like every single time after.”