Lenny Babbish News

Last night, shortly before the show was about to begin, the official opening night of The Collaboration was cancelled due to a case of Covid-19 in the cast detected during pre-show testing. However, the red carpet was still held prior to the announcement. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out the photos here!

By Popular Demand, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented the return of Julie Halston to the stage.  This special one-night-only event, entitled “Judge Julie Presiding” took place on February 3 at Birdland, located in the heart of Manhattan's Theater District.  The sold-out house was left helpless with laughter, thanks to Ms. Halston's rants, raves and readings!

Karen Akers, Julie Gold, Mark Nadler and Steve Ross have joined the elite lineup of ''Baby Jane Dexter: Forever Young: A Celebration in Words & Music'' on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Ave. (at 54th St.), New York City. 

TV producer and comedian Angela LaGreca hosted the Sunshine Commitee's Comedy & Raffle Night at the Friars Club last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the fun.  A group of very funny comics kept the Friars laughing in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room as they raised funds for the important work of the Sunshine Committee.

Luckily the Sunshine Comedy Show at the Friars starts after the main course in The Frank Sinatra dining Room. Comics are an impediment for the healthy digestion of a meal. I don't think that there has ever been a person that has been in the Friars club who has not shared a laugh or left the Monastery not smiling. That in itself is a huge accomplishment, but the Friars do so much more than entertain themselves and enjoy their camaraderie. The Friar's Club Sunshine Committee (Tom DeBow chairman) is to the Friars what Ronald McDonald House is to McDonald's-they bring a ray of sunshine to those who need it most!

Buster Poindexter returned to the Cafe Carlyle last night with his new show and BroadwayWorld was there.

Gingold Theatrical Group, under the leadership of David Staller, honored philanthropist Anita Jaffe and playwright/actor Charles Busch at its Annual Golden Shamrock Gala, earlier this week at Manhattan Penthouse (80 Fifth Ave at 14th Street). The GTG Golden Shamrock Award is given annually for artistic contribution to society. Past honorees include Terrence McNally, Judith Ivey, Brian Murray, and Robert Osborne. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night abd you can check out photo coverage below!

The singer, actress and comedienne Kaye Ballard, the Grammy and Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter and actress Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the jazz trumpeter and cornetist Warren Vaché will be the special honorees of the 2012 Bistro Awards tonight, April 23 at 6:30pm. Taking place at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th avenues), the 27th Annual Bistro Awards gala, which celebrates outstanding achievement in New York cabaret and jazz, will also recognize 22 other artists and shows.

The lineup of people either receiving or presenting honors at the 27th Annual Bistro Awards on Monday, April 23 (at 6:30pm at the Gotham Comedy Club on 208 West 23rd Street) just keeps getting better. The Bistro's will be the place to be that evening because there won't be as much cabaret/nightlife talent in one room, well, since last month's MAC awards.

Columnist Liz Smith, composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch, choreographer George Faison, and jazz artist Annie Ross are among the presenters appearing at the 27th Annual Bistro Awards on Monday April 23 at 6:30pm at Gotham Comedy Club in New York, 208 West 23rd Street.

The singer, actress and comedienne Kaye Ballard, the Grammy and Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter and actress Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the jazz trumpeter and cornetist Warren Vaché will be the special honorees of the 2012 Bistro Awards on Monday, April 23 at 6:30pm. Taking place at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th avenues), the 27th Annual Bistro Awards gala, which celebrates outstanding achievement in New York cabaret and jazz, will also recognize 22 other artists and shows.

As previously announced, internationally renowned singer, recording artist, and humanitarian Dionne Warwick and the legendary musical theatre performer Carol Channing will be honored, along with 16 other members of the New York cabaret and jazz community, at the 26th Annual Bistro Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, April 26 at Gotham Comedy Club, located at 208 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th avenues).