Seat Filler

The Loose Chanteuse
With cheeky numbers like an Ambien tribute and a mash-up of Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” and The Magic Flute, Varla Jean Merman took Manhattan before taking her rollickingly ribald new act to New Orleans and San Francisco. A comically complaisant creation of Jeffery Roberson, the Girls Will Be Girls star also gave out Fleet enemas with Oprah’s enthusiasm while Tom Judson — pruriently known as Gus Mattox — tickled the ivories.
Ars Nova, closed February 26.

The Other Steve and Edie

For three evenings that lucky attendees will rave about for years, Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco and Stephen Wallem teamed for a classy cabaret act, a cool salute to the swingin’ stylings of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé. The gay Wallem — Jackie’s gay nurse Thor — is a celebrated fixture of Chicago’s cabaret scene, but Falco showed off warm, confident vocals as the duo elevated their on-screen chemistry to unexpected new heights.
Laurie Beechman Theatre, closed February 6.