The Annual NYC Cabaret Convention Returns To Jazz At Lincoln Center, October 18th - 21st

The Cabaret Convention of The Mabel Mercer Foundation has become a much anticipated, much acclaimed annual highlight of New York's autumn music season. This year, however, the four-performance concert series observes two especially noteworthy achievements. In addition to celebrating its twenty-seventh convention presentation, the Foundation simultaneously heralds the onset of its fourth decade of operation. Against wildly fluctuating public preferences in music, entertainment, and entertainers, The Mabel Mercer Foundation now has endured for more than thirty years - and flourished in its absolute commitment to the classic, "Great Popular Songbook," past, present and future.

Commemorating that achievement, the 2016 Cabaret Convention returns to the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, from Tuesday, October 18th through Friday, October 21st to present four different music programs. More than seventy singers are scheduled to appear, and the productions include specific tributes to the songs of Stephen Sondheim, the lyrics of Sheldon Harnick, the melodies of Charles Strouse, and the repertoire of legendary jazz artist Sylvia Syms. Each evening boasts its own host(s), and the preeminent emcees include KLea Blackhurst, Jeff Harnar, Andrea Marcovicci, Rex Reed, and KT Sullivan; the latter also is the artistic director of The Mabel Mercer Foundation.

Each presentation begins at 6 p.m. at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, located at Broadway and 60th Street. Presale advance tickets now are available ONLY through The Mabel Mercer Foundation: (212) 980-3026 or info@mabelmercer,org.

Prices are $100, $50, and $25, and Premium Patron Seating is also available @ $500 ($350 of which is tax-deductible).

Those holding Patron Seating tickets are invited to a post-show cocktail reception with the evening's artists; Patron Seating is limited to fifty seats per performance.

On Tuesday, September 6th, any remaining tickets will be available for sale through the Jazz at Lincoln Center website (www.jalc.org); at their box office (Broadway at 60th Street at the Time Warner Center, ground floor: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m, to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m.. to 6 p.m.); or via CenterCharge: 212-721-6500.

The line-up for the twenty-seventh annual Cabaret Convention is below (all artists subject to availability):

Tuesday, October 18th: Gala Opening Night, hosted by KT Sullivan. With Matt Baker, Stefan Bednarczyk, Christina Bianco, Carole J. Bufford, Natalie Douglas, Barbara Fasano, Eric Yves Garcia, Allan Harris, Maxine Linehan, KristoffeR Lowe, Kelly McDonald, Maureen McGovern, Karen Oberlin, Vivian Reed, T. Oliver Reid, Kim David Smith, Jacob Storms, Stacy Sullivan, and Susan Winter. Presentation of The Donald F. Smith Award, underwritten by Adela & Larry Elow. Presentation of The Mabel Mercer Award to Maureen McGovern.

Wednesday, October 19th: Saluting Stephen Sondheim, hosted by Jeff Harnar & Andrea Marcovicci. With Karen Akers, Raissa Katona Bennett, Celia Berk, Kevin Dozier, Eric Michael Gillett, Sally Mayes, Donna McKechnie, Aaron Morishito, Marissa Mulder, Sidney Myer, Anthony Nunziata, Will Nunziata, Sarah Rice, Julie Reyburn, Steve Ross, Marta Sanders, Josephine Sanges, Jennifer Sheehan, Maureen Taylor, and Iris Williams.

Thursday, October 20th: Saluting Sylvia Syms, hosted by Rex Reed. With Joyce Breach, Ann Hampton Callaway, Barbara Carroll, Tedd Firth, Maud Hixson, Nicolas King, Jay Leonhart, Marilyn Maye, Sue Raney, Daryl Sherman, Billy Stritch, Carol Woods, and Tom Wopat. With Special Guest Stars.

Friday, October 21st: Saluting Sheldon Harnick and Charles Strouse, hosted by KLea Blackhurst. With Corinna Sowers-Adler, Broadway by the Year Chorus, Eric Comstock, Scott Coulter, Robert Creighton, Joshua Dixon, Shana Farr, Liam Forde, Penny Fuller, Zoe Gelman, Anita Gillette, Valerie Lemon, Stearns Matthews, Marieann Meringolo, Todd Murray, Liz Robertson, Shawn Ryan, Lauren Stanford, Joanne Tatham, and Amra-Faye Wright. Presentation of The Julie Wilson Award, underwritten by Linda and Peter Hanson. Presentation of The Margaret Whiting Award, underwritten by My Ideal Music.

For further information about the twenty-seventh Cabaret Convention, please visit: www.mabelmercer.org