‘Cabaret Under Glass’ To Benefit Five Charities

Huntington songstress Risa Finkel will perform this weekend in the greenhouses at Scarsella’s Flowers to benefit five children’s charities.  

Five local charities will be the beneficiaries of funds raised during a unique four-night event when Huntington songstress Risa Finkel, who regularly performs in New York City clubs, brings her cabaret style to Scarsella’s Flowers in Laurel Hollow.

“Cabaret Under Glass,” as Finkel calls the show, celebrates springtime and children, and will benefit five Long Island nonprofits that help children in need: The Baker Grenville Boys and Girls Club, The Lend a Hand Project, The North Shore Holiday House, Long Island Cares and Save the Children.

The performances will be a preview of the new show Finkel is set to begin performing at Pangea in Manhattan on May 10.

Known for weaving stories and humor into selections from the American songbook, Finkel regularly performs to cabaret audiences both on the Island and in New York City.  Finkel was a seasoned concert and opera performer when she moved over to the musical theatre stage. She found her true calling in cabaret, she said, and regularly performs in New York City at Don’t Tell Mama, The Metropolitan Room and Pangea. She also plays many charity events throughout the region, notably with Oscar and Tony winners Richard Maltby and David Shire and Emmy-winning actress Didi Conn.

Finkel said she loves the intimacy of cabaret, and the candlelit ambience created by Scarsella’s for four shows in the nursery’s 85-year-old greenhouses enhance that. 

She will be performing with Rex Benincasa, percussion and drums; Bob Renino, bass; and, multi- award winning Music Director, Christopher Denny on piano.  The show is directed by multi-MAC Award and Bistro Award Winning director, Lennie Watts with creative consultants, Tony Award winning actress, Faith Prince and MAC, Bistro and multiple award winning songwriter, composer and producer, David Friedman.

Finkel performed the first two nights of Cabaret Under Glass at Scarsella’s last weekend. Remaining shows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Reserve tickets at brownpapertickets.com.  There is a minimum suggested ticket price of $70 per person.

Scarsella’s Flowers is located at 1702 Rt. 25A, Laurel Hollow.  

—PETER SLOGGATT