Carly Ozard News

Carly Ozard in 'Midler on the Roof' at Stage 72 at the Triad, 158 W 72nd Street, NYC, NY 10023 on Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 at 7 p.m.

Since I attended more than 50 shows over the past eight months (a few more than once)--the large majority of which were reviewed on these web pages—I felt I had more than enough cabaret show inventory to present my second-annual “Mid-Year Cabaret Review” citing the “20 Best Cabaret Shows and Performances” for the first half of 2014. Since the eligibility period for 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Award consideration begins with shows staged since last November (late October if it was the first of a run), I've included a few of those late 2013 shows in this group. And with the announcement of the BWW Award nominees just four months away, I've offered some projections on the Award categories for which these shows very well might receive consideration.

The biggest challenge in personalizing a tribute show is when the set list is structured to tell a story about the performer's life. Those songs better be good, that life better be interesting, and that storytelling patter better be clever, humorous, and self-deprecating or an audience (let alone a reviewer) will tune you out quicker than a liberal accidentally hitting FOX News on the remote. I recently saw two different shows at The Duplex from enchanting young women performers—Carly Ozard and Nikki MacCallum--who deftly managed to weave their love of a singer (Bette Midler for Ozard) or a songbook (Kander & Ebb for MacCallum) into a tale of life journey and personal growth to produce charming and entertaining shows.

Variations Theatre Group continues its commitment to develop new and exciting work with DRAGULA, a new musical by John Arthur Long and Theodore Kastrinos, which will be presented in a special one-night-only performance at the Chain Theatre April 19th at 8pm.

After sold-out performances in New York City and her hometown of San Francisco, cabaret singer Carly Ozard will debut her latest show Midler on the Roof at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2014 at cabaret institution The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street at 7th Avenue in New York City. Tickets are $10 (plus a 2-drink minimum) and advance reservations are highly recommended by contacting (212) 255-5438 or www.theduplex.com.

Variations Theatre Group continues its commitment to develop new and exciting work with DRAGULA, a new musical by John Arthur Long and Theodore Kastrinos, which will be presented in a special one-night-only performance at the Chain Theatre this Saturday, April 19th at 8pm.

THE RICHMOND/ERMET AIDS FOUNDATION presents HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XII, the 12th Anniversary holiday gala -today, December 9, 2013 at the Marines Memorial Theatre 609 Sutter St., SF 94102.

'Love Makes The World Go 'Round, A Benefit Concert for Zani's Furry Friends' is set for the Laurie Beechman Theatre tonight, November 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

THE RICHMOND/ERMET AIDS FOUNDATION presents HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XII, our 12th Anniversary holiday gala -Monday, December 9, 2013 at the Marines Memorial Theatre 609 Sutter St., SF 94102. This star-studded AIDS Benefit Concert & Gala is the kick-off event heralding the holiday season in San Francisco. This year's annual holiday benefit concert features the talents of celebrity performers including singer and Broadway star Debby Boone, Tim Hockenberry (America's Got Talent semi-finalist), comedian /Broadway (Hairspray) star Bruce Vilanch, TV, film and stage star Jason Brock, Jai Rodriguez Broadway (Rent) / TV (Queer Eye / Celebrity Duets) star ,Tony-nominated cabaret star Sharon McNight, Cabaret star Carly Ozard, Cabaret star Shawn Ryan, Jazz star Kim Nalley, Broadway (Phantom of the Opera) star? Davis Gaines, and featuring cast members from THE BOOK OF MORMON (Nat'l. Tour) and AVENUE Q (NCTC).

New works home New York Theatre Barn will present the first New York City presentation of musical excerpts from Toulouse! The Musical! by Chicago-based writers Josh Walker (Jeff-nominated for music directing Sexy Baby) and John David Nelson on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City as part of New York Theatre Barn's revolutionary new musical development platform NYTB in the D-Lounge, produced by Laura Brandel and Jason Najjoum. Josh Walker is currently featured in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

After sold-out performances in New York City and her hometown of San Francisco, critically acclaimed comedic cabaret artist and musical theater singer Carly Ozard brings her smash cabaret show Somebody to Love: My Musical Tribute to Freddie Mercury to New York City's jazz institution Iridium for two performances: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight, April 16, 2013.

After sold-out performances in New York City and her hometown of San Francisco, critically acclaimed comedic cabaret artist and musical theater singer Carly Ozard brings her smash cabaret show Somebody to Love: My Musical Tribute to Freddie Mercury to New York City's jazz institution Iridium for two performances: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.

It's April 1st. Do you know when your Spring is coming? During another longggggg New York winter, the good news is that there were a ton of warming cabaret shows. The bad news is that there were so many, even during this seemingly endless winter our intrepid reviewer Stephen Hanks didn't have enough time to review them all right after the performances. So in what is becoming a seasonal ritual, here he offers yet another compilation of 13 'catch-up' cabaret show reviews.

At Jim Caruso's Cast Party this past Monday, October 22nd, there was an autumnal cornucopia of talent, with impromptu performances by two original cast members of Sophisticated Ladies, Terri Klausner and Ty Stephens. Check out photos of them and more at the concert below!

The RRazz Room has announced upcoming performances for April-December 2012 which include Elaine Stritch, Ben Vereen, Ann Callaway, and more.

Beginning Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 30, The RRazz Room will celebrate its first annual 'Season of Giving,' a benefit to raise funds for San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits making a difference in our communities.

Beginning Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 30, The RRazz Room will celebrate its first annual 'Season of Giving,' a benefit to raise funds for San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits making a difference in our communities.

Beginning Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 30, The RRazz Room will celebrate its first annual 'Season of Giving,' a benefit to raise funds for San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits making a difference in our communities.

Beginning Thursday, December 1 through Friday, December 30, The RRazz Room will celebrate its first annual 'Season of Giving,' a benefit to raise funds for San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits making a difference in our communities.

The Rrazz Room has announced many of its upcoming events. Look below for the full schedule.