The Frederick News-Post, December 1, 2005
'Here Lies Dorothy Parker'
Musician conjures poet through song
By Dickson Mercer

Style Magazine

NOVEMBER 21, 2005
It's a brilliant concept, really. Take the genius of Dorothy Parker's poems, set them to folky music, add a few diary entries to carry the narrative along — and voila! — you've got a witty and wicked play dealing with one of the most interesting women of the early 20th century. Catonsville singer-songwriter Niki Lee performs her one-woman salute, "Here Lies Dorothy Parker," at Towson University's recital hall on Nov. 21. Tickets, $10; students and seniors, $5. 410-704-2787

NPR's "The Signal" Presents Niki Live Listen to Niki sing and talk about her one-woman show, "Here Lies Dorothy Parker," in this interview by Aaron Henkin. Listen or download MP3 (15 minutes, 3.4 MB) (Originally aired july 8, 2005) The Signal, a weekly radio magazine produced by WYPR, is devoted to exploring Maryland's thriving artistic and cultural scene.

January 2004
Review by John Lewis

After watching the film Mrs. Parker and her Vicious Circle a few years ago, local singer/ songwriter Niki Lee began setting Dorothy Parker’s poetry to music. Those tunes spawned Lee’s acclaimed one-woman show, HERE LIES DOROTHY PARKER, which has lit up theater venues around town; now, she has released a CD culled from the show. Brutally honest, and laced with Parker’s trademark wit, the poems are a good match for Lee’s folksy voice. To her credit, Lee never condescends to Parker, or the music, choosing instead to frame the material with the love of a fan and the affection of a collaborator. She doesn’t shy from Parker’s dark side either, and perhaps more importantly, her delivery richly underscores the joy that permeates some of the material. Lee has earned a seat at Parker’s roundtable.

LITERARY ACQUISITION

About a year and a half ago, Catonsville singer/songwriter Niki Lee began writing songs featuring the poetry of literary girl-about-town Dorothy Parker. After putting together a body of Parker-inpired tunes. Lee bought the rights to put the famous wit's verse to music (for a reported 400 bucks!). She's currently working on a one-woman show of Parker material.

The LA Times, April 24, 2001
She Hopes Parker's Words Will Still Strike Some Chords
Feeling an affinity for the poetry of fabled wit Dorothy Parker, singer and songwriter Niki Lee set them to music.
By Rafael Alvarez, Special to The Times

The Baltimore Sun, January 6, 2001
Rhyme and Reason
For singer-songwriter Niki Lee of Catonsville, Dorothy Parker's poems have been a musical inspiration.
By Carl Schoettler, Sun Staff

The Baltimore Sun, November 16, 1998
Gem of Singer Blends Humor, Stories on CD
By Dan Rodricks

"Niki Lee, who you might know as Niki Ryan, has released a new CD, Here. The Baltimore songstress displays keen observations and a wonderful sense of humor on this pop/rock adventure. Lee seems to be just as comfortable with this kind of material as she reportedly is with jazz standards, which she has received a ton of glowing press for. Look for her around town, and give Here a listen..."

- Kelly Conneley, December 1998

Music Monthly

"Jazz singer and Fells Point bartender Niki Lee has self produced a jazzy pop-rock album... This is a moody, deeply layered recording with a gritty, urban, art-house vibe... She rocks hard like Chrissie Hynde or even Exene Cervenka. Her lyrics are strong and thought provoking, ranging from punkish to introspective... Fans of the Indigo Girls would love it."

- Tobias Hurwitz, April 1999