Diane Ambrose & Phil Alexander: A Chanteuse and A Gentleman
Don't Tell Mama343 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Diane Ambrose and Phil Alexander bring A Chanteuse and a Gentleman to Don’t Tell Mama as a vocalist and pianist duo. The billed title frames Ambrose as the chanteuse and Alexander as the gentleman at the piano, for a cabaret set that runs approximately 65 minutes. The show is presented in Don’t Tell Mama’s cabaret room on Restaurant Row, a setting built for listening closely to singers and piano-led performances.
The pair’s show has been described by Cabaret Scenes in a 1950s supper-club style. Its reviewer called Ambrose’s voice “powerful and controlled,” finding that her own “style and personality” emerged especially in “When Your Lover Has Gone” and “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.” The same review felt that “Don’t Rain on My Parade” fell flat because “there wasn’t enough of her in it,” while a related assessment said, “With so much talent, Ambrose just needs to move away from her heroes and to establish her own personality.” No supplied information identifies either performer’s hometown or past collaborators.
Don't Tell Mama offers a distinctive cabaret experience with four separate spaces including a piano bar and two cabaret showrooms, where bartenders and servers often perform live music themselves. The venue features Mediterranean cuisine alongside a full bar, with a cash-only policy for food and drinks. Seating is limited and first come, first served, so arriving early is wise to secure a spot. Shows typically start in the evening with a 2-drink minimum and ticketed entry, often featuring multiple sets and a mix of seasoned headliners and rising talent. The room’s walls and layout create a close connection between performers and audience, making it a place to truly listen and engage with the music. Located on Restaurant Row in the Theater District, it blends dining and entertainment in a lively yet focused setting.