Francis Hill News

Tony Award winner Alan Cumming will bring his new show, Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, to San Francisco’s Curran Theater for one-night-only on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Urban Stages' Board of Directors and founding artistic director Frances Hill celebrated 35 years of acclaimed Off-Broadway plays/musicals and art programming at The Central Park Boathouse last night, May 15 at 6:30 pm.

JANICE HALL has made the journey seamlessly and successfully. After a long career on the international opera stage, Hall joined the New York cabaret scene in 2007 and just four years later won a Bistro Award and MAC Award for her critically acclaimed solo show, Grand Illusions: The Music of Marlene Dietrich. Hall has now created a truly unique new show THE OPERA SHOW (WITH NO OPERA)--that merges the two art forms and that will be launched at the Urban Stages WINTER RHYTHMS Series on Saturday, December 16 at 3 pm.

BroadwayWorld Cabaret is pleased to announce the nominees in 14 categories for the 2016 BWW New York Cabaret Awards.

On Thanksgiving Day, BroadwayWorld announced the nominees in 14 categories for the 2015 BWW New York Cabaret Awards. BroadwayWorld's cabaret editors and reviewers congratulate all the deserving nominees and everyone who performs in the great art of cabaret in New York. But today, as you munch on the leftovers from last night's dinner, it's time to actually vote for that one performer who you think is the absolute best in each category. Voting ends on December 31 and after a review of the ballots, winners will be announced officially early the week of January 4, 2016. (Note: There will not be a BWW Awards Show this year.)

Happy Thanksgiving Day, Cabaret Fans! Here's some breaking news you can discuss and debate in between courses at tonight's dinner: It's the final nominees for the 2015 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards. This year, the cabaret editors and writers at BWW have cited 116 nominees (including duos and variety show/recurring series producers) in 14 categories. In addition, this year six performers or musicians have been cited for special “Editor's Choice Awards,” led by veteran New York cabaret stars Karen Mason and Mark Nadler who have been named “Performers of the Year.”

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir just opened Off-Broadway at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) Wednesday March 5th. This limited run, in previews now, will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

As a cabaret reviewer, my role is to observe, muse, opine, critique, judge, and otherwise hobnob with all the thoughts in my fevered brain during and after a show. I don't believe it's appropriate for reviewers to promote specific shows—especially before they've reviewed them—so I don't write a “Pick of the Week or Month” column or advise readers on what or whom they should see. But here I'll break my own policy and urge you to go to the Metropolitan Room on Wednesday night, January 15 to see the shows of Steve Schalchlin (7pm) and Jim Brochu (9pm). Believe me, you'll thank me.

If you're wondering whether or not 2013 was a fantastic year for the cabaret art form in New York, all you have to do is scan the amazing list of nominees for this year's BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards and you'll know it was one of the best ever. So now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians, songs, and shows of the year. Voting will continue until Sunday night January 5 and the winners will be announced later that week. We hope that all the winners will be able to perform in the Award show on Sunday night February 23 at Joe's Pub.

It may not be like getting a gift on every one of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 4th Annual Urban Stages 'Winter Rhythms' series-presented over a dozen straight nights at the not-for-profit's Off-Broadway theatre on 259 West 39th Street-could be the closest thing to opening a daily present by the tree. From December 4-15, more than 80 singers and actors will perform in an eclectic mix of 22 shows (including three on Saturday and Sunday, 12/8 and 12/9), with all the proceeds from ticket sales dedicated to the Urban Stages 'On Tour Outreach Program.' Two years ago, Urban Stages Artistic Director Frances Hill brought in MAC and Bistro award-winning director, lyricist and producer Peter Napolitano to produce the Winter Rhythms program and broaden the scope of it's musical offerings. BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Columnist Stephen Hanks recently caught up with the new Sol Hurok of Urban Stages to learn how he had helped Winter Rhythms evolve and get some insights into this year's program.

Inspired by true events that let to a 1969 race riot in author Monica Bauer's hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, 'My Occasion of Sin,' is a study on the power of music to unite and racism to destroy and is running at Urban Stages until April 15.