Marilyn Maye Launches Hamptons Summer Songbook with Tribute to Johnny Carson and Onstage Chat with Joy Behar

Fireworks of a different kind lit up the Hamptons this Independence Weekend, as cabaret icon Marilyn Maye opened the 2025 season of Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea at LTV Studios with a performance that was as polished as it was personal.

The show, titled Meet Marvelous Marilyn Maye, served as both a musical celebration and a heartfelt tribute—marking what would have been the 100th birthday of Johnny Carson, the legendary host who invited Maye to perform on The Tonight Show 79 times. Her appearance not only paid homage to Carson’s centennial but also set the tone for a summer series that continues to place East Hampton at the cultural forefront of the season.

Following her standing ovation–worthy set, Maye joined Joy Behar for a live Q&A, offering behind-the-scenes anecdotes and reflections on her storied career. The evening took on an added note of distinction with the presentation of a New York State Assembly citation delivered by Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, honoring Maye’s enduring contributions to American music and live performance.

The show was produced by Donna Rubin and Josh Gladstone, LTV’s Creative Director and co-founder of the series, who continue to refine the art of cabaret in an unconventional space. With industrial-chic bones, café-style seating, and pristine acoustics, the studio is transformed into an intimate venue that regularly attracts a who’s who of Hamptons society.

The evening drew a cross-section of New York tastemakers, arts patrons, and theater insiders. Among those spotted in the audience were Bill Boggs, Howard & Eleanor Morgan, Jean Shafiroff, Bruce Michael and Clif de Raita, Lynn & Bruce Surry, Julie Monroid, and Dale Novick, in addition to Behar, Rubin, Gladstone, and Maye herself.

The 2025 Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea series continues through August 30, bringing a curated lineup of stage veterans and vocal powerhouses to East Hampton.

Upcoming performances include:

• Lee Roy Reams
  

• Liz Callaway
  

• Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano
  

• KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler
  

• Moipei, the acclaimed international vocal trio

The season reflects the series’ expanding influence as a cultural staple on the East End, drawing discerning audiences looking for a blend of intimacy, artistry, and nostalgia in an increasingly saturated summer scene.

• VIP Café Seating (front row, with drink ticket): $100
  

• General Admission (Advance): $60
  

• General Admission (At the Door): $65

Tickets and season details are available online. Dates and performers are subject to change.

Produced by Donna Rubin and Josh Gladstone, the series reimagines LTV Studios as a world-class cabaret venue, offering a refined yet welcoming setting for Broadway-caliber performances. Now in its third season, the Songbook continues to elevate East Hampton’s cultural calendar by merging legacy talent with impeccable production values.