Ricky Ritzel News

Stephen Mosher compiles and presents a list of shows presented online in their entirety. It's enough to get you through an entire week of isolating. Or a day, if you binge-watch.

Stephen Mosher continues his ongoing series designed to show Broadway World readers what they are missing in cabaret and who they should see when the clubs reopen.

On Monday, March 30th, the 2020 MAC Awards were broadcast via Facebook Live from the living rooms or Lennie Watts and Amy Wolk/Lorinda Lisitza in a split-screen presentation in which The Three Stooges of Cabaret made their community of artists laugh with many hi-jinks, giggles, grins, silliness, and an ongoing series of the new MAC Award theme song, penned by Wolk and Lisitza themselves. The intent was to bring some levity to a difficult time in the world and, judging by the comment scroll during the home-made telecast, the hardworking trio tickled the funnybones of many. As names were announced, recipients called in to say a few words (apropos to the proceedings, Mr. Watts' telephone ringtone is the Benny Hill theme song) and particularly moving speeches from the proceedings came from Lisa Viggiano, Meg Flather, and Jeff Harnar. The entire show can be seen on Broadway World HERE. Results of the voting can be seen below.

With the Coronavirus stopping all social gatherings and causing the closing of Don't Tell Mama for the duration, MAC has made a change from the previously announced event which was to be held at the club.

The MAC Awards were scheduled to be celebrated on March 30th at Sony Hall. Instead they will be announced via Facebook Live from Lennie Watts' home. The times are a little different now, but the celebration of art is the same.

Another day of self-isolation around the globe brings still more creativity from the artists of the entertainment industry

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has announced the 2020 MAC Award nominees. The nominees were determined by votes cast by the active MAC membership, except for the four song and recording categories, which were determined by special committees.

Singer Mary Ellen Ryan returns with an encore performances of her debut solo show, No Apologies, playing at Don't Tell Mama on Saturday, November 23rd at 4:00 pm. Director is Eadie Scott and musical direction is by MAC Award winner Ricky Ritzel. Musical styles are diverse and include musical theater, country, novelty, pop, folk and more.

ScoBar Entertainmentpresents PIANO BAR LIVE! for an open-ended run at Brandy's Piano Bar on the Upper East Side. Joining Piano Bar Maestro, MICHAEL McASSEY at the keys, will be a veritable Who's Who of Cabaret and Broadway! PIANO BAR LIVE! is an interactive, live-streaming Piano Bar experience. THERE IS NO COVER CHARGE for PIANO BAR LIVE! but there is a two drink minimum.

Last month, Gretchen Reinhagen kicked off her monthly residency at Pangea, downtown's destination for alt-cabaret. Reinhagen thrilled the audience with her big voice, soulful music-making, and uproarious comic observations on everything from the Paleo Diet, public transportation, and fraught relationship with the health care industry. On Tuesday, October 15, she returns to Pangea to deliver another evening's entertainment that's sure to tug at the heartstrings and bust guts each in equal measure.

Nightlife, Bistro and MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award winning artist, Gretchen Reinhagen kicked off her residency at the downtown supper club, Pangea earlier this month. She returns to Pangea on Tuesday, October 15th, and continues monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7PM. What began as an encore of Reinhagen's sold out CD Release Show, Take It With Me at the Laurie Beechman in February, has become a brand new version of the show, adding a rotation of special guests and an ever changing comic monologue. The cabaret will continue to highlight the music of the CD by the same title, with a few of the songs and stories changing each month. 'The hope' says Reinhagen, 'is that this new platform gives us an opportunity to share music from the album, while also being able to feature different artists each month, and new comedy sets each month, so that no two shows are the same and audience members may return regularly knowing they'll be seeing something new.' Also joining her on stage will be two of the album's band members, Music Director Tracy Stark and Bassist Tom Hubbard. Barry Kleinbort directs.

The 33rd Annual MAC Awards were handed out on Tuesday night, March 26, during a glitzy evening at New York City's SONY Hall.

The 33rd Annual MAC Awards were handed out last night (Tuesday, March 26, 2019) during a glitzy evening at New York City's SONY Hall.

The 33rd Annual MAC Awards were handed out last night (Tuesday, March 26, 2019) during a glitzy evening at New York City's SONY Hall.

The 33rd Annual MAC Awards were handed out last night (Tuesday, March 26, 2019) during a glitzy evening at New York City's SONY Hall.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has announced the 2019 MAC Award nominees. The nominees, in a majority of the categories, were determined by votes cast by the active MAC membership. Special committees selected the nominees in the Ensemble Instrumentalist, Piano Bar Instrumentalist, Piano Bar Singing Entertainer (Female; Male), Recording (LaMott Friedman), Major Recording, Song and Comedy/Novelty Song categories.

Continuing its 35th Anniversary season, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Tom Toce Producer) proudly announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2018, which will begin Wednesday, December 12 featuring some of New York's best musical performances through Saturday,December 22, 2018 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street, just East of 8th Avenue).

The 2nd Annual Gettysburg Pride Events are scheduled May 31-June 3, 2018 in downtown Gettysburg for LGBT+ Community and friends. In summer of 2017, when a few friends were sitting around wondering why Gettysburg didn't have a Gay Pride Event yet, they decided to organize a bar crawl. With just a two-week notice, they thought maybe a dozen people would show up. On June 22, 2017, over 80 people filled the bar at Gettysburg Hotel's One Lincoln. Pride flags, glow in the dark necklaces, and LOTS of smiles with friends old and new filled four different local bars as we walked around historic Lincoln Square with PRIDE. Similar to other LGBT Pride Fests like those in Baltimore, Lancaster, and Harrisburg, this year, Gettysburg Pride 2018 will have a full weekend of events of all kinds including: bar crawl, education/outreach and free rapid HIV testing and counseling from Family First Health's Caring Together Program, restaurant, winery, shopping tours, piano bar cabaret and more May 31-June 3, 2018. Many businesses in town will be sponsoring Gettysburg Pride so be sure to look for the Pride flags and visit them to say thanks for their support!

This week the 2018 MAC Award winners were revealed at the 32nd MAC Awards on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York City. Check out the full list of winners and checkout exclusive backstage photos from the event below!

Here are the 2018 MAC Award winners, revealed at the 32nd MAC Awards on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York City.