FOR FANS of cabaret performance (bless them!), Mark Nadler is a familiar name. He has performed in virtually every cabaret venue in New York City and has toured the world, winning many awards and rave reviews.
During the Covid-19 lockdown in New York City, Nadler sheltered with his partner Dominic Meiman and their dog Figaro, and he decided to do something to cheer up his fellow New Yorkers, and others around the world, by performing a daily song from his immense repertoire and then posting it on-line for all to view. The response to “A Daily Bit of Mark” on You-Tube was instantaneous and sensational, with thousands of views and hundreds of emails of appreciation. Nadler’s encyclopedic knowledge of the American songbook was on full display (the videos are archived at marknadler.com), and the response showed how many people still love the old standards when well performed.
What fans didn’t know was that Nadler caught the Covid virus himself during the lockdown, but continued performing despite being very ill. Nadler spoke to me by phone from his home in New York City.
Matthew Hays, co-editor of the Queer Film Classics book series, teaches film studies at Marianopolis College in Montreal.
