Ann Hampton Callaway News

The day is finally here! After one month of voting on preliminary nominees in 17 categories, the results of more than 5,000 ballots were considered along with the selections of BroadwayWorld's cabaret section editors to determine the final nominees for the 2014 BroadwayWorld.com New York Cabaret Awards. Joining cabaret icon Marilyn Maye with four nominations is budding star Carole J. Bufford, who made the final ballot for two different shows during 2014 and as 'Best Female Vocalist' and 'Performer of the Year.' Among Maye's nominations were 'Performer of the Year,' two shows in the 'Best Celebrity Show' category, and a 'Best Director' nomination for her work with jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli (who received two nominations). In addition to her usual nod for 'Best Jazz Vocalist,' jazz star Jane Monheit received two other nominations as 'Performer of the Year,' and as 'Best Host' for her new variety show at Birdland, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party (Monheit also co-starred with Clint Holmes in another nominated show, Frank Wildhorn and Friends in the 'Best Revue' category.) Eric Michael Gillett also earned three nominations for 'Best Show, Male,' 'Best Male Vocalist,' and 'Best Director.'

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chicago becoming the second-longest running show in Broadway history, Nene Leakes in CINDERELLA, and more!

Tony-nominated Broadway star and multiple MAC Award winner Ann Hampton Callaway brings a new personal and inspiring show to 54 Below

Last year at this time, Ann Hampton Callaway beamed love from the stage. This November, she's a newlywed. Though the musical life journey she shared last night at the opening of her new 54 Below show, Turning Points, contains a couple of dark numbers, on the whole it's celebratory. Callaway is incandescent. You'll feel it in your bones.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

During her musically spectacular performance at 54 Below last night Ann playfully introduces her pianist as George Gershwin. Ted Rosenthal may probably be able to play Gershwin's music with more accuracy than the composer did. However, I'm sure George Gershwin would never be able to accompany Ann as good as Ted Rosenthal does.

Coming up this week, 54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond.

Ashleigh Smith from Lewisville, Texas won the 3rd Annual Sarah Vaughan Competition held on Sunday, November 16 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. NJPAC, Larry Rosen Productions (LRP), and Concord Music Group have created a landmark agreement to provide an exclusive recording contract offer to record and release an album on Concord Records to the winner of the 2014 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, now known as the SASSY awards. In addition to a recording contract offer, Smith also received a $5,000 cash award. The 2nd Place Winner of the Competition was Shacara Rogers, from Washington, DC, who was awarded a $1,500 cash prize and the 3rd Place Winner was Sarah McKenzie, from Boston, MA, who received a $500.00 cash award.

Oakland, CA, November 18, 2014 - The world premiere of a new violin concerto entitled Begejstring ('Excitement') by popular jazz composer/violinist Mads Tolling will headline the Oakland East Bay Symphony's February 20, 2015 concert with Tolling as soloist at the Paramount Theatre conducted by Music Director Michael Morgan. The evening will also include Haydn's Mass in Time of War with the Oakland Symphony Chorus and Samuel Barber's Symphony No. 1 (Symphony in One Movement), conducted by Assistant Conductor Brian Nies. A pre-concert talk with John Kendall Bailey will be given at 7 pm and is free to ticket-holders. Tickets and information: $20-$70 www.oebs.org or 510-444-0802.

The multi-faceted musical director/arranger/accompanist/composer Alex Rybeck flexed his talent this past Sunday night, sharing songs of every ilk with an appreciatively packed 54 Below. 'Tonight is proof positive that dreams come true, just not how you imagine. I always thought you had to have a hit song to headline an evening here…' Delivered by many of his celebrated singer friends he's worked with often (including the Callaway Sisters, Liz and Ann), entertaining selections from the writer's canon included bossa nova, ballads, musical theater numbers, pop, comic turns, seasonal songs, and 'Serenade,' a haunting piece of music the author composed for his mother which seemed like portraiture: strong, proud, thoughtful, warm, light.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Chasing the Day, Broadsway, Christine Andreas in Love Is Good, Ann Hampton Callaway in Turning Points, A Night Like This Live in Concert, and Seth Sykes Sings Judy Garland.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Laura Osnes, Christian Borle, Hugh Panaro, Taylor Richardson, John Bolton, Tituss Burgess, Rachel Bay Jones and Julia Murney all took part in Best in Shows, a star-studded cabaret evening to benefit the Humane Society of New York, last night at New World Stages. Hosted and with Music Direction by Seth Rudetsky, Best in Shows was presented by Dorothy and Bill Berloni. Check out photos from inside the special event below!

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Broadway on 22nd Street, Ryan Scott Oliver and Lindsay Mendez's ACTOR THERAPY, The Songs of Adam Wachter: Just Come to This, A Night Like This Live in Concert, and The Music of Alex Rybeck.

54 Below recently hosted a special press preview featuring upcoming acts, inluding: Tony® nominee and multiple-MAC Award winner Ann Hampton Callaway (November 23-29); Dominic Chianese; Sara Gettelfinger (November 20); Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (October 27-November 1, November 7, November 11-13); Martin Moran with special guest star Marin Mazzie (December 3), and Christine Andreas (November 18-22). BroadwayWorld was there for the sneak peek event and you can check out interviews with the full gang and previews from their upcoming shows below!

Feinstein's at the Nikko is proud to announce the upcoming lineup for November 2014. Performers include Tony Award winning actress and singer Betty Buckley; Tony Award winner Laura Benanti; jazz legend Freddy Cole; acclaimed performance artist Jeffrey Johnson; star of stage and screen Telly Leung; Award-winning cabaret singer -- and Bay Area native -- Carly Ozard. Additional performers for November 2014 will be announced at a later date.

BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you 'Songs from My Living Room'- a new series that goes into the home of one of today's most acclaimed contemporary songwriters, as he explains the stories behind his songs. The monthly series will feature special guests from all corners of the entertainment industry to help bring to life the music and lyrics of Scott Alan straight from his living room into yours. The second episode, directed by Robbie Rozelle, features jazz vocalist Jane Monheit singing Alan's 'Always' from his second album, 'Keys'.