Tanya Moberly, Frank Dain & More to Judge MAMA'S NEXT BIG ACT!

"Mama's Next BIG Act!" a 12-week talent competition that mixes styles and genres, is announcing its celebrity judges panel today. Featuring a mother lode of entertainers, critics and notable personalities, the jury pool is also reflective of the contest's diversity, pitting -- in direct competition -- solo, duo and group acts in music, magic, drag, burlesque and variety.

Legendary Theatre District nightspot Don't Tell Mama's first annual "Mama's Next BIG Act!" gets underway on Tuesday June 9 at 9:30pm. It runs on 12 consecutive Tuesdays through August 25 when Mama's will anoint New York's next BIG act, the one that stands out, the one that will have everyone talking.

Serving as permanent judges throughout the 12-week audience and jury-voted competition are the singer-entertainer Tanya Moberly and Frank Dain, editor-in-chief of Cabaret Scenes Magazine. After the contest's initial three-weeks of trials the two are joined by an extended family of New York entertainment bigs, namely William Blake, Mary Foster Conklin, Scott Coulter, Cynthia Crane, Natalie Douglas, Tommy Femia, Michael Holland, Cady Huffman, Rick Jensen, David Kenney, Barry Kleinbort, Lina Koutrakos, Karen Mack, Karen Mason, Marissa Mulder, Georga Osborne, Phyllis Pastore, Kelli Rabke, Julie Reyburn, Ruby Rims, Ricky Ritzel, Jay Rogers, Richard Skipper, Stacy Sullivan, and Nancy Witter.

"It's definitely a family affair," says Lennie Watts, the contest's co-producer, "with entertainers and industry leaders who have nurtured live entertainment for years lending their support and jurisprudence in this massive undertaking. We also wanted our judges closely associated with Don't Tell Mama. Many either got their start here, or are currently performing here either in the cabaret or piano bar."

Watts is co-producing the event with Don't Tell Mama's general manager Limor Shekhter. Submissions are now being accepted by e-mailing mamasnextbigact@gmail.com or by visiting www.donttellmamanyc.com The deadline for submissions is May 29. Acts containing open flames and livestock are not eligible.

The contest's winner will be showered with career and life-changing inducements: a fully-produced, four-show run of a new show, complete with publicity support; a "making of" promo video; social media Vine clips of the winning performance; an appearance on Seth Rudetsky's nationally-aired Sirius/XM Radio show; a feature story in Cabaret Scenes, AND a Black & Decker toaster oven. The winner's show poster will be permanently enshrined on Mama's Legacy Wall which is festooned with original posters of some of the club's legendary acts.

"Mama's Next BIG Act!" runs for twelve consecutive Tuesdays -- June 9, 16, 23 (at 9:30pm); June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18 and 25 (at 7:30pm). The shows will be live-tweeted. Don't Tell Mama is located at 343 West 46th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.

There is a $12 cover, plus a two-drink minimum. Mama's is cash-only baby, so stop your crying. For reservations 212/757-0788 (after 4pm) or to reserve online go to www.donttellmamanyc.com # # #

Need more Cabaret Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...