Laural Mead Brings Vaudeville Legend Sophie Tucker to Life at Don’t Tell Mama

New York City’s storied cabaret club, Don’t Tell Mama, is set to host a one-show-only performance of Laural Meade’s acclaimed production, Ms. Tucker Will See You Now, on Sunday, August 16, at 3:30 pm. This tour de force performance celebrates the extraordinary life and music of the legendary vaudeville comedienne Sophie Tucker—a figure Bette Midler famously described as a “true vulgarian” and a “charming big-hearted broad”. By combining the pizazz of Tucker’s risqué songs with raucous audience interaction, writer and performer Laural Meade channels Tucker’s irreverent wit and “sexed-up spirit”.

A Record-Breaking Run of Award-Winning Success

The production arrives in Manhattan following a string of major accolades and successful runs on the West Coast. In June of last year, the show was awarded Best Cabaret / Burlesque at the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival. This recognition followed an impressive year-long performance residency at the historic Gardenia Supper Club in Los Angeles, which led to an ongoing series of performances at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The show continued its successful trajectory with engagements at the Echo Theater Company in Atwater and the Namba Performing Arts Space in Ventura. Critics have been unanimous in their praise, with ticketholdersLA.com naming it the “Best Cabaret of the Year” and describing it as a “perfect evening”. Cabaret Scenes Magazine also designated the show as a “Pick of the Month,” highlighting Meade as a “powerful singer with a thrilling voice”.

The Creative Team Behind the “Bawdy Queen of Comedy”

The production is directed by Actor’s Gang veterans Cynthia Ettinger and Michael Schlitt, featuring costumes styled by Emmy-award winning designer Daniel Selon. Joining Meade on stage is her longtime collaborator and “charming side-kick,” Fred Cassidy, who provides the accompaniment on the keys. Cassidy is an accomplished musician, composer, and filmmaker who has worked closely with Meade to help develop the project. Beyond his work in the theater, which includes composing for several Actor’s Gang productions, he is also a producer for a Netflix true-crime docu-series.

About Laural Meade

Beyond her portrayal of the “Bawdy Queen of Comedy,” Meade is a highly decorated theater maker whose original live creations explore titillating figures from early 20th-century American history. Her work has been showcased at prestigious venues ranging from the Mark Taper Forum and the Getty Villa to Chicago’s Bailiwick and Speeltheater in Holland. She is a recipient of grants and awards from the Mellon Foundation, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. When she is not on stage, Meade serves on the theater faculty at Occidental College, where she encourages the next generation of artists to be “louder, faster and funnier”.

Event Logistics and Reservations

The performance will take place at Don’t Tell Mama, located at 343 West 46th St., NYC 10036. Doors for the event will open at 2:45 pm, with the show officially starting at 3:30 pm. Attendees should be aware that there is a $20 cover charge in addition to a $20 minimum per person, which must include at least two drinks. Importantly, the venue operates on a CASH ONLY basis for all charges.