BY Alix Cohen
Over his past 16 years in the New York cabaret world, Stephen Hanks has been a show reviewer, website editor, publicist, producer, director, and even a performer. But he has also been a dedicated political activist, since 2018 producing 11 “Blue Wave” variety show concerts which have raised $13,000 for Democratic candidates and voting rights causes.
On May 7 at 7 pm at Don’t Tell Mama, Hanks kicks off a new series of four evenings titled “Project 2026: Blue Tsunami.” The next three are scheduled at the same venue on June 13, September 1, and October 20.
Overall, including the upcoming 2026 shows, more than 50 performers and music directors will have volunteered time and talent, with more than 30 appearing in multiple shows. While most of us just feel angry, fearful, and impotent about the current state of politics in America, Hanks repeatedly steps up to make a difference. So do these artists.
Top: Sue Matsuki, Laurie Krauz, Meg Flather, Rosemary Loar, Tracy Stark June 2018
Award-winning jazz singer Laurie Krauz has been a regular “Blue Waver” since the series began in 2018. “I’m involved in the “Blue Wave” shows because there has never been a time since the Civil War where changing the balance of power in Congress has become more of a moral imperative.”
Nicolas King, who regularly performs at 54 Below and venues across the country, will be a “newbie” in the May 7 show. “The lack of decency in our country and permitting the impermissible motivates me to get involved in any way I can,” he says.
Bruce Clough, who appeared in one of the 2018 “Blue Wave” shows, admits that “All my life I’ve despised, and often fought against, toxically masculine, narcissistic bullies. Trump is the most toxically masculine, narcissistic bully in my lifetime.”
This season, singer Ann Kittredge and music director and guitarist Sean Harkness, both award- winners, will also be appearing in their first “Blue Wave” shows: “What makes my blood boil,”says Kittredge, “is that the majority of republicans in Congress are refusing to do their job, abdicating their responsibilities to the executive branch, along with the reported hypocrisy.”
“At some point the pendulum will swing,” says Harkness, “and when it does, it is my hope that oligarchy is better controlled. This requires proactive leaders who fully understands that sort of power and have fallen under their spell.”
Hanks was politically aware from early childhood, dating his engagement to the assassination of an early hero, President John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963. Just having turned eight, the boy sat glued to his television for the four days of assassination coverage.
One year later, when JFK’s brother Robert was running for the US Senate from New York, Hanks saw another political hero making a campaign speech on a flatbed truck near his Bronx elementary school. He squirmed his way to the edge of the truck right under where the candidate was speaking. “RFK saw me applauding and cheering and he reached out and shook my hand. I’ll never forget it.”
Middle (Left to right): Mary Sue Daniels, Laurie Krauz, Julie Reyburn, Lane Bradbury, Jeff Eisenberg, Janice Hall, Sarah Rice, Sue Matsuki
Back row: Natalie Douglas, Katie Dunne McGrath, Jeff Macauley, Blair Alexis Brown, Rob Davis
June 2019
“I guess I’ve been a politics junkie ever since,” Hanks says. “I would watch the conventions on television every four years as if it was the political Olympic Games.” While his career goal was to become a magazine writer and editor, Hanks majored in political science at Lehman College in the Bronx and became student body president during his junior year in 1976.
That same year, Hanks campaigned for Jimmy Carter, worked in the New York Bill Clinton for President campaign in 1992, and supported Barack Obama in both of his campaigns. During the height of the Covid pandemic in January 2021, he traveled from New York to Atlanta to be a poll watcher during the two special Senate elections (won by Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff).
“I knew how desperately the Dems needed to win those Senate seats to support Joe Biden’s Presidency, so I went down to help in any way I could and spent 16 hours at a polling site.” Although exhausted, the volunteer stayed up late into the night to learn of Warnock’s victory. When Ossoff was declared winner of his race that morning, Hanks’ joy was severely dampened watching the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol on TV.
Front, Left to right: Tracy Stark (MD), Rosemary Loar, Sue Matsuki, Janice Hall, Karen Oberlin, Lisa Viggiano, Lane Bradbury
Back: Sandra Bargman, Meg Flather, Mary Sue Daniels, Sierra Rein, Julie Reyburn, Sarah Rice, Laurie Krauz
Hanks came up with the idea for the “Blue Wave” cabaret fundraisers in late December 2017, a year into the first Donald Trump presidency. “I had been really depressed and was desperate to do something before the 2018 midterms because Trump was already a disaster. I felt it was vital that the Democrats at least win the House back which they did flipping 40 seats.”
Does Hanks think Trump will succeed in his attempts at controlling voting to benefit him and Republicans. “He won’t win this fight,” he insists. “This is a particular sore spot with me; the voting rights issue is my number one hobby horse.”
What about Trump trying to eliminate mail- in voting? “The states control elections,” Hanks says. “All the lawsuits that are being staged now will stop him. Of course, there’s always the chance he’ll conjure up some sort of federal emergency so the government can take over elections. That just can’t happen.”
And the prospects for November? “Democrats will definitely take back the House,” Hanks forecasts. “We could win the Senate as well, but only by a couple of seats. Fifty-two Senate seats probably won’t be enough to impeach Trump, but it will be enough to get stop his anti- Democracy agenda.”
Every “Blue Tsunami” show will feature completely different casts. The cover charge is just $30 and all the proceeds will go to Democratic Senate and House candidates. The cabaret variety show series is compelling, entertaining, uplifting. All 7 pm at Don’t Tell Mama— https://donttellmamanyc.com/
Young Stephen
May 7
Michael Roberts MD: Lane Bradbury, Goldie Dver, Remy Block, Blair Alexis Brown, Sierra Rein, Nicolas King, Alex de Suze, Elizabeth Ward Land, Marissa Mulder, Karen Akers, Steve Schalchlin
June 13
Gregory Toroian MD: April Armstrong, Peter Calo, Terri Dannenberg, Natalie Douglas, Amy Engelhardt, Lauren Fox, Rosemary Loar, Sue Matsuki, Kati Neiheisel, Geri Palast
September 1
Ian Herman MD: Bruce Clough, Mary Sue Daniels, Dawn Derow, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Sean Harkness, Karen Oberlin, Julie Reyburn, David Sabella, Gerrilyn Sohn, Ty Stephens, Vanessa Trouble
October 20
Tracy Stark MD: Sandra Bargman, Raissa Katona Bennett, Meg Flather, Janice Hall, Laurie Krauz, Ann Kittredge, Lorinda Lositza, Adam B. Shapiro, Lisa Viggiano. Others TBA.
