Ricky Ritzel News

The musical comedy about nightclub singers and night-time musical fantasies - Humpty Dumpty Cracks Up: The Nightmare of Cabaret --- will be performed in Manhattan on November 23, 24, and 25. The cast includes cabaret singers themselves in prominent and cameo roles, along with singer-actors who are kids, teens and adults (senior citizens among them). In the year marking her triumphant nightclub return, not resting her laurels or her tuffet, singer KAREN WYMAN is featured as Little Miss Muffet, writer of self-help books for arachnophobes and bullied teens. Cabaret-goers will find other favorites in the cast such as TERESA FISCHER as the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Rotating guests in cameo and featured roles include such folks as RICKY RITZEL at the first performance, The Duplex's THOMAS HONECK at the middle performance, and CHRISTINE LAVIN on the Monday night. As the legendary Little Bo Peep, TANYA MOBERLY sheepishly appears at the first and third performances. The plot concerns a first-time cabaret performer (WENDY RUSSELL), her singer pal (BRENDA BERGMAN) and strange dreams about nursery rhyme characters putting on cabaret acts.

One of the biggest downers perpetrated by American culture is the characterization of Labor Day weekend as the 'unofficial end of summer.' But given what has passed for cabaret entertainment-at least the shows I was able to attend--since the 'unofficial start of summer' on Memorial Day weekend, the end of summer can't come soon enough. But my dismay over the hours lost watching average shows this season was tempered a bit by the pride and joy I felt watching the June performances of three strikingly attractive and talented 30ish brunettes with powerhouse voices-- Jackie Kristel, Karen Gross and Jodi Beck, who all staged entertaining shows as spring was turning to summer.

Last night, August 13th at 8 & 10pm, ScoBar Entertainment presented A TRIBUTE TO Julie Wilson at Iridium NYC. Performers included Eric Comstock, Baby Jane Dexter, Natalie Douglas, Antonio Edwards, Eric Engelhardt, Barbara Fasano, Terese Genecco, Jeff Harnar, Mark Hartman, Tanya Holt, Sue Matsuki , Marissa Mulder, Christine Pedi, Colm Reilly, Julie Reyburn, Ricky Ritzel, KT Sullivan, Stacy Sullivan, Grace Wall, Lennie Watts & Carol Woods. Accompanying the performers was The Barry Levitt Trio, Barry Levitt on piano, Dick Sarpola on bass & Ray Marchica on drums. Check ot photos from the special event below!

On Tuesday, August 13th at 8 & 10pm, ScoBar Entertainment will present A TRIBUTE TO JULIE WILSON at Iridium NYC. Performers confirmed thus far are Eric Comstock, Baby Jane Dexter, Natalie Douglas, Antonio Edwards, Eric Engelhardt, Barbara Fasano, Terese Genecco, Jeff Harnar, Mark Hartman, Tanya Holt, Sue Matsuki , Marissa Mulder, Christine Pedi, Colm Reilly, Julie Reyburn, Ricky Ritzel, KT Sullivan, Stacy Sullivan, Grace Wall, Lennie Watts & Carol Woods.Accompanying the performers is The Barry Levitt Trio, Barry Levitt on piano, Dick Sarpola on bass & Ray Marchica on drums,

ScoBar Entertainment will present A Cabaret Full of Cahn Artists, a tribute to the great Sammy Cahn on his 100th birthday. Produced by writer Rob Lester, the evening, which consists of two different shows (8 & 10 pm) will benefit Cabaret Scenes Magazine, with all proceeds donated to Cabaret Scenes Magazine, the only print publication of its kind, its website, www.cabaretscenes.org and the non-profit Cabaret Foundation. Associate producer is Stevie Phillips. According to producer Rob Lester, this Centennial 'Cahn-cert' includes special 'Cahn-versations' about Sammy and a 'Cahn-Test' with prizes and a raffle.

ScoBar Entertainment will present A Cabaret Full of Cahn Artists, a tribute to the great Sammy Cahn on his 100th birthday. Produced by writer Rob Lester, the evening, which consists of two different shows (8 & 10 pm) will benefit Cabaret Scenes Magazine, with all proceeds donated to Cabaret Scenes Magazine, the only print publication of its kind, its website, www.cabaretscenes.org and the non-profit Cabaret Foundation. Associate producer is Stevie Phillips. According to producer Rob Lester, this Centennial 'Cahn-cert' includes special 'Cahn-versations' about Sammy and a 'Cahn-Test' with prizes and a raffle.

ScoBar Entertainment and The Iridium present a benefit for The One Fund Boston, hosted by Scott Barbarino and Terese Genecco with The Barry Levitt Trio. The 90-Minute concert will take place tonight, May 19th at 5pm.

Town Hall was the setting in 1968 of the legendary dual concert of America's leading cabaret performers, the great international club and recording artist Mabel Mercer and the reigning prince of cabaret Bobby Short. In a tribute to these great artists, The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented a lineup of today's leading practitioners of the intimate and enduring art of cabaret. Check out photos from the concert below!

ScoBar Entertainment and The Iridium present a benefit for The One Fund Boston, hosted by Scott Barbarino and Terese Genecco with The Barry Levitt Trio. The 90-Minute concert will take place on Sunday, May 19th at 5pm.

Town Hall was the setting in 1968 of the legendary dual concert of America's leading cabaret performers, the great international club and recording artist Mabel Mercer and the reigning prince of cabaret Bobby Short. In a tribute to these great artists, The Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a lineup of today's leading practitioners of the intimate and enduring art of cabaret. KT Sullivan, Artistic Director of the Foundation, will host the evening.

Cabaret warhorse Ricky Ritzel pays homage to Broadway legend Elaine Stritch in a hilarious and poignant evening of nonstop fun. From Angel in the Wings to A Little Night Music, Elaine Stitch has introduced and covered some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Now, Mr. Ritzel puts his unique spin on them in this loving tribute to one of Broadway's greatest treasures.

Town Hall was the setting in 1968 of the legendary dual concert of America's leading cabaret performers, the great international club and recording artist Mabel Mercer and the reigning prince of cabaret Bobby Short. In a tribute to these great artists, The Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a lineup of today's leading practitioners of the intimate and enduring art of cabaret. KT Sullivan, Artistic Director of the Foundation, will host the evening.

Cabaret warhorse Ricky Ritzel pays homage to Broadway legend Elaine Stritch in a hilarious and poignant evening of nonstop fun. From Angel in the Wings to A Little Night Music, Elaine Stitch has introduced and covered some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Now, Mr. Ritzel puts his unique spin on them in this loving tribute to one of Broadway's greatest treasures.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, will present stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launches its new series of late night events this March. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs just announced the winners of the 2013 MAC Awards yesterday, which were presented on March 21st at the 27th Annual MAC Awards Show. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners, and check out photos from the festivities below!

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs previously announced the following presenters who are scheduled to appear at the 27th Annual MAC Awards tonight, March 21st, at BB King Blues Club & Grill. Presenters will include: Helen Baldassare, Jeff Blumenkrantz, John Bucchino, Len Cariou, Mary Foster Conklin, Baby Jane Dexter, Anita Gillette, The Glamazons, Kim Grogg, Sean Harkness, Jeff Harner, Tonya Holt, Thomas Honeck, Mark Janas, David Kenney, Barry Kleinbort, Brett Kristofferson, Julie Miller, Sidney Myer, Julie Reyburn, Ricky Ritzel, Jay Rogers, KT Sullivan, Lennie Watts, and Kristine Zbornik.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs has announced the following presenters who are scheduled to appear at the 27th Annual MAC Awards this Thursday, March 21st, at BB King Blues Club & Grill. Presenters will include: Helen Baldassare, Jeff Blumenkrantz, John Bucchino, Len Cariou, Mary Foster Conklin, Baby Jane Dexter, Anita Gillette, The Glamazons, Kim Grogg, Sean Harkness, Jeff Harner, Tonya Holt, Thomas Honeck, Mark Janas, David Kenney, Barry Kleinbort, Brett Kristofferson, Julie Miller, Sidney Myer, Julie Reyburn, Ricky Ritzel, Jay Rogers, KT Sullivan, Lennie Watts, and Kristine Zbornik.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launches its new series of late night events this March. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launches its new series of late night events this March. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," singing sensation Marilyn Maye, performance legend Charles Busch, cabaret's own Ricky Ritzel, performance artist James Jackson, Jr. and more!

'Judy and Liza Together Again', starring internationally acclaimed entertainers Rick Skye and Tommy Femia, named 'BEST DUO' this year by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), has been extended through the Fall season at Don't Tell Mama's (343 West 46th Street).