Billy Stritch, Christine Ebersole, Jim Caruso, Klea Blackhurst, And More Take Home 40th Annual MAC Awards
The ceremony took place at Peter Norton Symphony Space on March 23, 2026, featuring special honorees Lillias White and Karen Akers.
By: Stephi Wild Mar. 24, 2026
The Manhattan Association of Cabarets presented the 40th Annual MAC Awards on the evening of Monday, March 23, 2026, at a LIVE ceremony at NYC's Peter Norton Symphony Space.
In addition to announcing the 2026 MAC Award winners, special honoree awards were presented, including Lifetime Achievement Awards to LILLIAS WHITE and KAREN AKERS, the Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Award was presented to THE SEASON: GOLDIE'S KIDS, the Hanson Award to ANYA TURNER & ROBERT GRUSECKI, and through a partnership between MAC and NiteLife Exchange, the Barry Levitt Jazz Award was presented to VICKI BURNS and JOE ALTERMAN, in a show directed by AMY WOLK, produced by JULIE MILLER, and musical directed by JOHN FISCHER.
In addition to announcing the 2026 MAC Award winners, special honoree awards were presented, including Lifetime Achievement Awards to LILLIAS WHITE and KAREN AKERS, the Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Award was presented to THE SEASON: GOLDIE'S KIDS, the Hanson Award to ANYA TURNER & ROBERT GRUSECKI, and through a partnership between MAC and NiteLife Exchange, the Barry Levitt Jazz Award was presented to VICKI BURNS and JOE ALTERMAN, in a show directed by AMY WOLK, produced by JULIE MILLER, and musical directed by JOHN FISCHER.
THE 2026 MAC AWARD WINNERS ARE:
Female Vocalist
Ann KittredgeRomantic Notions, When in Love, You Sleigh Me
Chelsea Table + Stage, Act2PV (Puerta Vallarta)
Male Vocalist
Frank DainA Celebration 24 Years in the Making
Don't Tell Mama
Major Artist – Female
Marieann MeringoloShades of Love, You Must Believe In Spring, A Century of Song: Celebrating Alan and Marilyn Bergman, In the Spirit:2025
Chelsea Table + Stage, 54 Below
Major Artist – Male
Sean HarknessJust Me
Don't Tell Mama
New York Debut – Female
Janice MccuneLet's Start Tomorrow Tonight!
Don't Tell Mama
New York Debut – Male
Ethan MathiasOutside the Lines
Don't Tell Mama
Celebrity Artist
Christine Ebersole With Billy Stritch54 Below
Duo/Group
Chrissy And Dan PardoDreams Don't Come True in Pennsylvania, Christmastide for Empire State Ride, Wine Hour at the Hotel Edison
Chelsea Table + Stage, Stonewall Inn, The Hotel Edison
Major Duo/Group
Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch And Klea BlackhurstA Swinging Birdland Christmas
Birdland
Recurring Series
The LineupCreated and hosted by Susie Mosher, produced by Hope Royaltey
The Green Room 42
Emcee
Jim CarusoJim Caruso's Cast Party
Birdland
Tribute Show
Dawn DerowSing Happy: The Wonderful Women of Kander and Ebb
The Triad, The Post Office Cafe
Special Production
Mama's Next Big ActProduced by Don't Tell Mama and Lennie Watts, created by Lennie Watts, musical direction by Yasuhiko Fukuoka
Don't Tell Mama
Director
Jeff HarnarCelia Berk/For the Record (54 Below), Christy Trapp/The Tender Trapp (Don't Tell Mama), Renee Katz/Lost in His Arms (54 Below), Judi Mark/Merely Marvelous (The Triad)
Musical Director
Tracy StarkMeg Flather/Walk Home (Don't Tell Mama), Kim David Smith/Comme Un Folle (Post Office Café, Joe's Pub), Justin Dylan Nastro/Live and In Person Whether You Like It or Not (Don't Tell Mama), Ethan Mathias/Outside The Lines (Don't Tell Mama), Linda Mironti/Perfectly Imperfect (Don't Tell Mama)
Technical Director
Kelly WohlfordFrank Dain/A Celebration 24 Years in the Making (Don't Tell Mama), Karen Mason/More SPF! (Don't Tell Mama), American Popular Song Society (Don't Tell Mama), Terri Dannenberg/Everything! (Don't Tell Mama), Billy Brouse/Thinking Out Loud (Don't Tell Mama)
Ensemble Instrumentalist
Matt Scharfglass, BassBillie Brouse/Thinking Out Loud (Don't Tell Mama), Lucille Carr-Kaffashan/8 Days a Week (Don't Tell Mama), Scott Coulter & Friends/Silly Love Songs: 50 Years of #1 Hits (54 Below), Can Yasar/Turkish Rhapsody (Don't Tell Mama)
Piano Bar Singing Entertainer – Uptown
Tara MartinezDon't Tell Mama
Piano Bar Singing Entertainer – Downtown
Maria GentileThe Stonewall Inn, The Duplex
Piano Bar Instrumentalist – Uptown
Dan PardoThe Townhouse, Don't Tell Mama, Brandy's
Piano Bar Instrumentalist – Downtown
Dan DalyMarie's Crisis
Song
Missing A ScrewMusic and Lyrics by Ava Nicole Frances
Comedy/Novelty Song
Too Much LoveMusic by Tracy Stark, Lyrics by Mark Dundas Wood
Recording (Lamott Friedman Recording Award)
Frank DainI've Had a Love
Major Recording
Eric Comstock And Barbara FasanoPainting the Town
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