Chazz Palminteri will perform at Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret on Oct. 14.

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The best-kept secret in Staten Island - also known as "Brooklyn southwest" according to Borough President Marty Markowitz - is the new cabaret club inside the Hilton Garden Inn.

Owner’s Richard and Lois Nicotra are able to present a bevy of boldface names - including stars from Broadway, the movies and television - because of their ace in the hole, talent wrangler Erv Raible. A 30-year veteran of Manhattan’s cabaret club scene, Raible has owned and booked the Duplex Cabaret and Piano Bar, Brandy’s, Don’t Tell Mama Piano Bar and Cabaret and Eighty-Eight’s.

He describes the names he has booked for Lorenzo’s fall season as "all old friends."

Whether it’s chanteuse KT Sullivan performing her "Ladies of the Silver Screen" show (Sept. 9), or Cristina Fontanelli performing "Neapolitan Love Songs" (Sept. 16), or Billy Stritch doing a Mel Torme tribute (Sept. 23), or Dominic Chianese of HBO’s "Sopranos" singing songs from his childhood (Sept. 30), Raible said the consistent thread in his programming is "quality."

"It’s gotta be well sung and intelligent," assured Raible. "And yes, we’ve got a lot of Broadway belters."

Raible’s artists are set off to their best advantage in Lorenzo’s elegant dining room, with a stage enhanced with state-of-the-art lighting and sound.

On a recent Saturday night, the Nicotras circulated amongst the tables, greeting the guests who dined or sipped cocktails while Broadway veteran Sharon McNight made ’em laugh and cry with her bawdy but poignant act. Whether the star of off-Broadway’s "Red Hot Mama" was paying tribute to Mae West or Hank Williams, Sr., she consistently wowed the crowd with her impressive pipes (that certainly didn’t need the benefit of the newfangled sound system).

Raible said Lorenzo’s audience will have a rare opportunity to get a sneak peek of Chazz Palminteri’s new act, "My Life in Song," on Oct. 14.

"He’s a good writer and director," said Raible of the "A Bronx Tale" star and author. "This is a chance to see up close someone you usually see on the movie screen."


Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret is located at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave. at Lois Lane in Staten Island. Live cabaret is offered on Saturday nights ($35 cover charge and $25 food/beverage minimum) and live jazz is offered in the lobby lounge on Friday and Saturday nights (no cover charge). Free roundtrip shuttle service from the Staten Island Ferry terminal is available with advance reservation. For ferry reservations and to purchase tickets, call (718) 477-2400. For more information, visit the Web site www.sihilton.com.

©2006 Community Newspaper Group