By Lucy Komisar

Can Marilyn Maye sing the blues? You’ve never heard anything like it! This past weekend at Don’t Tell Mama, the brilliant cabaret singer took a detour from the traditional American Songbook and dove headfirst into the gospel-tinged grit of “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News,” the showstopper from The Wiz, music and lyrics by Charles Emanuel Smalls. And the lady didn’t just sing it—she sermonized it.

“When you’re talking to me
Don’t be cryin’ the blues
‘Cause don’t nobody bring me no bad news
You can verbalize and vocalize
But just bring me the clues
But don’t nobody bring me no bad news”

When Maye wraps her voice around lyrics like “You can verbalize and vocalize / But just bring me the clues,” she isn’t just performing. She’s commanding the room, slapping down any hint of melancholy with a wink and an assertive downbeat. If you’ve only ever known Maye for her silky standards, this was a revelation. The audience was on its feet, clamoring for more of that sass, that swagger, that blues.

Click link for two minutes of unforgettable Maye singing the blues! Or below:

The evening, titled “Positivity” Reigns….Say “Yes!”, was a mixed bag of talent, directed by Maye herself. She shared the stage with actor John Philip (who received lead billing) and nightclub singer Seth Sikes. The songs were standards by the greats — Sondheim, Rodgers and Hart, Kander and Ebb, Johnny Mercer and more.

Let’s address the elephant in the cabaret room: Philip is a lawyer who acts, but he is decidedly not a singer. While he has a commanding presence, his numbers were more “talked” than sung, a stylistic choice that felt more like a legal brief than a ballad.

Seth Sikes, a seasoned nightclub performer, fared better, delivering some good songs you would expect from an artist who has been at major venues, though he warmed up the crowd without ever truly setting it on fire.

But then, Maye took the stage for her feature. From the first note, everything else faded into the background. The four-piece band, led by the impeccable David Pearl, pianist and conductor, tightened into a powerhouse unit behind her. Pearl provided a lush arrangement that let Maye’s voice shine.

After Marilyn Maye performed, she was all I wanted to hear. She is a force of nature—a whirlwind of joy, gravel, and virtuosity. The only complaint of the evening? That there wasn’t nearly enough of her. Don’t Tell Mama housed this jewel of a show, but it was Maye who made the room sparkle. It was a masterclass in how to own a stage.

“Positivity” Reigns….Say “Yes!” Featuring John Philip and Seth Sikes. Directed and special material by Marilyn Maye. Music director David Pearl. Don’t Tell Mama. 343 West 46 St, NYC. June 27 & June 28, 2026.

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