Aaron Weinstein News

January and February have seen sell-out performances at the Crazy Coqs and March and April look set to continue the trend.

LiveWire Chicago Theatre, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the decidedly 21st century comedy ASSISTANCE, by Leslye Headland, directed by LiveWire Executive Director Joshua Aaron Weinstein, playing through March 16, 2014 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. The production features Brian E. Crawford, Krista D'Agostino*, Lauren Fisher, Matthew Nerber, John Taflan* and Hilary Williams*. Tickets for ASSISTANCE are available at nickandnora.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (312) 533-4666.

LiveWire Chicago Theatre, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the decidedly 21st century comedy ASSISTANCE, by Leslye Headland, directed by LiveWire Executive Director Joshua Aaron Weinstein, playing through March 16, 2014 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. The production features Brian E. Crawford, Krista D'Agostino*, Lauren Fisher, Matthew Nerber, John Taflan* and Hilary Williams*. Tickets for ASSISTANCE are available at nickandnora.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (312) 533-4666. The press performance is Friday, February 14 at 7:30 pm. Check out a first look below!

January and February have seen sell-out performances at the Crazy Coqs and March and April look set to continue the trend.

LiveWire Chicago Theatre, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the decidedly 21st century comedy ASSISTANCE, by Leslye Headland, directed by LiveWire Executive Director Joshua Aaron Weinstein, playing February 9 - March 16, 2014 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. The production features Brian Crawford, Krista D'Agostino*, Lauren Fisher, David Seeber, John Taflan* and Hilary Williams*. Tickets for ASSISTANCE are available at nickandnora.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (312) 533-4666. The press performance is Friday, February 14 at 7:30 pm.

Last December, after I posted my list of the Best Cabaret Performers of 2012, I followed up my original 'listmania' with a column that served as a way to include some 'honorable mentions,' basically a recognition of other memorable shows and performances of songs that were striking, unique, and/or original that year. The column received a positive response so I thought I'd wheel it out again this year. So as the hours tick away on 2013 and we anticipate the coming of a new year, here is an addendum to the 2013 New York Cabaret Performers of the Year--a totally random list of 30 Honorable Mentions of the 'Best' and 'Most' in Cabaret for 2013 . . . mainly because I can and it's fun. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

LiveWire Chicago Theatre, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, kicks off its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of the decidedly 21st century comedy ASSISTANCE, by Leslye Headland, directed by LiveWire Executive Director Joshua Aaron Weinstein, playing February 9 - March 16, 2014 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. The production features Brian Crawford, Krista D'Agostino*, Lauren Fisher, David Seeber, John Taflan* and Hilary Williams*. Tickets for ASSISTANCE are available at nickandnora.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (312) 533-4666. The press performance is Friday, February 14 at 7:30 pm.

BIRDLAND RECORDS has announced the release of "A Swinging Birdland Christmas" CD. The CD was recorded live in winter 2012 during a performance of this annual holiday show at historic Birdland Jazz Club in Midtown Manhattan. "A Swinging Birdland Christmas," stars Birdland regulars Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch with special guest jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein. In the tradition of beloved seasonal specials, Blackhurst, Caruso and Stritch perform swinging arrangements by Billy Stritch of Kay Thompson's classics "It's The Holiday Season," "Sleigh Ride," and "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," among other favorites. The record also features Billy Stritch on piano, John Hart on guitar, Paul Gill on bass, Carmen Intorre on drums. The album is executive produced by Birdland's Gianni Valenti.

BIRDLAND RECORDS has just announced the release of 'A Swinging Birdland Christmas' CD. The CD was recorded live in winter 2012 during a performance of this annual holiday show at historic Birdland Jazz Club in Midtown Manhattan. 'A Swinging Birdland Christmas,' stars Birdland regulars Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch with special guest jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein. In the tradition of beloved seasonal specials, Blackhurst, Caruso and Stritch perform swinging arrangements by Billy Stritch of Kay Thompson's classics 'It's The Holiday Season,' 'Sleigh Ride,' and 'I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,' among other favorites. The record also features Billy Stritch on piano, John Hart on guitar, Paul Gill on bass, Carmen Intorre on drums. The album is executive produced by Birdland's Gianni Valenti.

Two-time Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Christine Ebersole commits to disc a new collection of '20s and '30s standards titled STRINGS ATTACHED, now available on disc and digital download on iTunes and Amazon.

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presented a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage, November 16 through the 18th and 20-21, 2013. Click HERE to watch Corey Cott and Kara Lindsay perform!

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presents a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage today, November 16 through the 18th and 20-21, 2013.

Two-time Tony-winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street) just made her 54 Below debut, joined by the Aaron Weinstein Trio. Christine celebrated the release of her brand new CD, Strings Attached with classic standards from the 20's though the 40's including songs by legends like Fats Waller, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and George Gershwin. Check out photos from her performance below!

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:

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presents a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage November 16-18 and 20-21, 2013. This live showcase of musical theater works from the past 100 years features songs by some of the theater world's most talented composers and lyricists and concerts from a lineup of acclaimed musical theater performers. The celebration is part of the Center's daily, free Millennium Stage performance series streamed live on the Kennedy Center website and archived for future viewings. It is the first in a series of events across the country that will celebrate ASCAP's upcoming 100th birthday, on February 13, 2014.

For four magical nights this week, the Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from today, October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll.

For four magical nights in October, the Mabel Mercer Foundation will present a sparkling array of America's leading cabaret stars. Among the 60 outstanding artists who will take the stage at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center from October 7th through 10th are multiple Grammy Award winner Jack Jones, Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Karen Akers, Nellie McKay, and Barbara Carroll.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are thrilled to welcome two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole to Feinstein's at the Nikko for three performances only - Thursday, September 5 (8 p.m.), Friday, September 6 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, September 7 (7 p.m.).

Club Helsinki in association with SHOWSTOPPERS NY is proud to present some of Broadway's top performers on Sunday nights at seven in a new series called HELSINKI ON BROADWAY. Christine Ebersole was featured and you can check out photos of her in action below!

For one night only, stage and screen star Linda Lavin brought POSSIBILITIES to Barrington Stage Company, with Billy Stritch on the piano. Featuring an eclectic mix of Broadway standards and cabaret songs, Tony and Golden Globe-winning actress Linda Lavin's new cabaret shows you why Stephen Holden of The New York Times calls her "…a human tornado who lets nothing stand in her way…She has a jazz side, can swing and scat and even growl like Louis Armstrong, and displays a special fondness for Brazilian bossa nova."