There’s something timeless about the Upper East Side. Even after all the recent Met Gala chaos, there’s a certain quiet glamour that lingers above 59th Street. And this past week, that feeling found itself within Liz Gillies, who took over the iconic Café Carlyle for an intimate five-night residency.
Following her on-screen roles in Victorious and Dynasty, Liz recently made her return to the stage this past March with a standout performance as Audrey in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. But this past week at Café Carlyle was different: She wasn’t playing a role — just herself with a microphone, a band and a room of people ready to listen, returning to the stage as Liz.
When Liz reached out asking if I was around to tag along for the week, I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my camera, hailed a cab and headed uptown to capture the most intimate moments from the show-filled week. What unfolded over the next five nights was something rare: five performances that felt both deeply personal and completely timeless. From pre-show rituals to post-show drinks, The Carlyle became her personal stage.
I arrived at The Carlyle Hotel on Tuesday afternoon and met Liz in her suite to go over the plan for the week as she prepped for opening night. The energy was calm but exciting, opening night always feels like that. She wasn’t nervous, just ready. Liz wore a beautiful black-and-white gown, which she handpicked herself, as she did with all of her looks for the week. In true Liz fashion, she did her own makeup, of course, as she always does.
“I like to keep my entourage small, basically nonexistent, for the exception of my hairstylist and friend Jenn, who’s been doing my hair since the first season of Dynasty” she tells me. And as final touches went on, we ran around the hotel to shoot ahead of call time.
It’s opening night, how does it feel being back at The Carlyle and doing this residency?
I’m so happy to be back. I’m trying to convince them to let me live here so I can just do this forever. I’ll let you know if I’m successful.
What are you most excited for tonight?
I just love being in that room. It’s so beautiful and classic. And tiny! I think I feel most comfortable in an intimate, cabaret setting where I can joke and talk to the audience and play around. It’s harder to do that in a bigger venue. I can’t wait to get in there. Every audience is different so I like to go in with zero expectations and just see where the night takes us.
What can the audience expect from you this week?
Good music and hopefully a few laughs. I really like my set list this year. I hop around genres a lot but I still think it works. Keeps it interesting.
How is this show different from anything you’ve done before?
The Carlyle is a singular experience. I’m not sure there’s anything in the world exactly like it.
As Liz did her final vocal warm-ups, I headed into Café Carlyle and took my seat, ready to experience opening night. The audience buzzed with excitement as they sipped champagne and martinis ahead of Liz taking over the stage. She opened the show with a cover of Nancy Wilson’s arrangement of Sinatra’s “Oh! Look at Me Now,” and suddenly, the room was transported to the charm and glamour of old New York.
Throughout the night, she performed a range of songs honoring icons such as Joni Mitchell, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington and more. Between numbers, Liz connected with the audience on a personal level, sharing stories, exchanging glances and slipping in a few subtle jokes.
“I’ve never had an espresso martini, are they good?” she pointed out as she asked what everyone was drinking tonight.
As she finished “The Nanny Named Fran,” the theme song from The Nanny, she laughed and said, “My friend was here tonight and he’s younger than me – he didn’t even know what the show was. But I love that song.” I loved it too — so much that I immediately set a reminder to finally watch The Nanny once the week wrapped.
With just a few songs left in the set, Liz invited Little Shop of Horrors cast member Jeremy Kushnier to join her on stage for a duet of “Falling Slowly” from Once, followed by a heartfelt rendition of “Somethin’ Stupid” by Frank and Nancy Sinatra with her co-star Milo Manheim. Having seen them on stage together in Little Shop, it was transformative to experience them in a new light, revealing a side to them we hadn’t seen before.
Liz ended the show with “Is That All There Is” by Peggy Lee, and just like that, opening night came to a close, leaving four more shows to go. As applause filled the room, she made her way down the stage to greet fans and took a moment to connect with friends and family, sharing the magic of the night’s success.
So, opening night is done! What was your favorite moment of the night?
Shocking everyone by singing The Nanny theme song with no warning. And Milo and Jeremy! They ran from Little Shop and threw on suits to come sing with me. So sweet. I love them.
What are you most excited for in the rest of the run?
I’m excited to see how each night shakes out. I know we’re sold out the last few nights so maybe it’ll get a bit rowdy. That’s always fun.
What was it like performing with Milo out of character?
We have such an easy rapport. It felt lovely. He’s wonderful. By the way, I didn’t know I chose a TikTok song for us to sing until you told me! I just know it as the Frank and Nancy duet! I’m so out of touch.
Throughout the rest of the week, show after show, Liz brought the same energy with a few fresh twists: slight changes to the setlist, new looks and surprise guests. Night after night, the audience experienced a new version of the show. Among the special guests were Milo Manheim and Jeremy Kushnier from Little Shop of Horrors, her husband Michael Corcoran and even her father, Dave Gillies.
What did it mean to be able to bring on these special guests to perform with you during this residency?
I love bringing out people to sing with me. Last year, I had my friends Aaron Simon Gross and Graham Phillips from 13 sing with me which was so special. This year, I had my boys from Little Shop. Oh, and my dad! And my husband! Last year, my dad brought the house down with his harmonica solo, so we’re doing it again. I added another song for us to do as well. And I gave my husband a solo because I love hearing him sing this Eric Clapton cover. It’s my show; I can do whatever I want!
If you could have a dream special guest, living or not, who would it be?
It’s a long list, but I have to go with Peggy Lee.
Closing night quickly approached. As Café Carlyle opened its doors for the final show, Liz slipped into a flowy white dress for last look of the week. While final touches were underway, we captured a few quiet moments ahead of the last performance.
I can’t believe it’s already closing night, how do you feel after performing here all week?
I feel great. I can’t believe it’s over either. Went by so quickly. I had a blast.
What was the process in selecting the songs for the set list, and why those songs specifically?
I have a very eclectic taste in music and like to sing a lot of different things so the biggest challenge is finding a way to make them all fit together. I try to make it as seamless as possible, but sometimes there’s a joke to be had when you jump from Julie London to Annie Lennox to The Nanny theme song. It’s wacky, but I love wacky.
Were there any songs you wish you could’ve squeezed into the set list?
It’s pretty packed. I take the first couple nights to see which songs are working and which ones aren’t and adjust my setlist accordingly. I’m not sure if there’s anything else I would’ve added in. I scrutinize over it pretty hard.
What about your own songs? Can we expect an album from you anytime soon?
You never know!
What was it like performing in such an intimate space like Café Carlyle?
It’s perfect. I know I keep saying it, but it’s my favorite. I also love being able to hear people’s commentary and specific laughter. You can’t get that in a big space.
Your friend Ariana Grande was here tonight to support. Do you think we’ll ever get a live rendition of “Give It Up”?
We sang it at the State Farm Arena in 2019! It already happened!
No way, how did I miss that?! Well, if you could’ve sung a song together with her tonight, what would it have been?
We have so many songs we love singing together, but I’m not going to make her sing. I just want her to relax and enjoy the show and heckle me if she wants!
Did the past five nights go as expected?
Yes and no! That’s the beauty of live performing. I welcome the twists and turns. Nothing should go exactly as planned. The unexpected is what makes it fun. Having said that, I am pretty happy with how it went.
If you could describe this week in one word what would it be?
Reinvigorating.
All in all, this week at The Carlyle was something truly special. Across five unforgettable nights, Liz delivered a residency that blended stunning vocals, intimate storytelling, and pure artistry – a series of performances that felt both timeless and entirely her own.
Photography: Vincenzo Dimino