Alex Rybeck News

On Thanksgiving Day, BroadwayWorld announced the nominees in 14 categories for the 2015 BWW New York Cabaret Awards. BroadwayWorld's cabaret editors and reviewers congratulate all the deserving nominees and everyone who performs in the great art of cabaret in New York. But today, as you munch on the leftovers from last night's dinner, it's time to actually vote for that one performer who you think is the absolute best in each category. Voting ends on December 31 and after a review of the ballots, winners will be announced officially early the week of January 4, 2016. (Note: There will not be a BWW Awards Show this year.)

Happy Thanksgiving Day, Cabaret Fans! Here's some breaking news you can discuss and debate in between courses at tonight's dinner: It's the final nominees for the 2015 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards. This year, the cabaret editors and writers at BWW have cited 116 nominees (including duos and variety show/recurring series producers) in 14 categories. In addition, this year six performers or musicians have been cited for special “Editor's Choice Awards,” led by veteran New York cabaret stars Karen Mason and Mark Nadler who have been named “Performers of the Year.”

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Broadway's Sally Mayes with cabaret's Jeff Harnar in a new duo concert, 'Double Take' on Monday, November 9. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Sally Mayes & Jeff Harnar in 'Double Take'; Andrea Burns at 54 Below; Tamara Tunie: Mash Up!; Matt Doyle & Bonnie Milligan at 54 Below; and Daisy and Jordan: Rejected Bond Girls.

On December 1st at 7 pm at at Barnes & Noble located at 150 East 86th Street, Ann Hampton Callaway will perform selections from THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS, a new collection of Christmas songs interpreted by the multiplatinum-selling singer, Tony nominated actress, pianist and leading champion of the American songbook, with lyrics by two-time Emmy Award winner William Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn will join Callaway in the discussion, with Alex Rybeck on piano.

Corinna Sowers Adler took us all soaring to High Standards at The Metropolitan Room in NYC. This beautiful soprano was nominated for 2 Tony Awards in the category of Best Musical Theatre Educator of the year. Together with Pianist & Musical Director Alex Rybeck at the keys, Ms. Adler glided her vocals with ease through music from the American SongBook all the way to Billy Joel, John Lennon and Joni Mitchell.

The performance will be held on Sunday, November 15 at 3pm. Cabaret on the Hudson is a series that features three outstanding cabaret performers or small groups, each bringing a 25 minute sampling of their New York City cabaret shows to Westchester, NY.

Recently nominated for the Excellence in Theatre Education TONY Award, CORINNA SOWERS ADLER returned to the Metropolitan Room last night for three shows three shows and Broadwayworld was there.  Her new show entitled, HIGH STANDARDS, is a musical journey through some of the best music ever written, reimagined by Musical Director, Alex Rybeck on piano.

Recently nominated for the Excellence in Theatre Education TONY Award, CORINNA SOWERS ADLER returns to the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, for a three shows starting tonight, October 22 and continuing through December 19. 

On the second night of this year's 26th Annual Cabaret Convention, Jeff Harnar and Andrea Marcovicci hosted A Sentimental Journey: World War II Songs, inspired by Marcovicci's memorable Oak Room at The Algonquin show, I'll Be Seeing You--Love Songs of World War II. (The CD is highly recommended.) As always with this pair's Convention contribution, the show was a treat in part because of its singular glamour. Much of our audience was exceptionally familiar with and nostalgic about these songs. A few had to be politely quieted for singing along, more than a few took each other's hands. It seems I've heard that song before . . . the co-hosts begin, warming the room.

Although she's been away from the New York cabaret scene for several years, Francesca Amari is no stranger to it (having debuted at The Metropolitan Room in 2007 and appeared there again in 2008 and 2009). She returns to The Metropolitan Room in October with two performances of her critically-acclaimed tribute show to the late comedian/entertainer, Gilda Radner.

Although she's been away from the New York cabaret scene for several years, Francesca Amari is no stranger to it (having debuted at The Metropolitan Room in 2007 and appearing there again in 2008 and 2009). She returns to The Metropolitan Room in October with 2 performances of her critically-acclaimed tribute show to the late comedian/entertainer, Gilda Radner. In fact, Amari will perform "You Make Me Laugh: A Love Song to Gilda Radner" exactly 40 years to the day that Gilda Radner Made her debut on Saturday Night Live (October 11, 1975). She performs at 7 pm on Sunday, October 11th and Saturday, October 17th.  Music director for Amari is popular Broadway/cabaret music director Alex Rybeck.

Recently nominated for the Excellence in Theatre Education TONY Award, CORINNA SOWERS ADLER returns to the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, for a three shows starting on October 22 and continuing through December 19. 

Cabaret on the Hudson series, a production in conjunction with NiCori Studios and Productions, returns to Irvington Town Hall Theater for its second season!

Although she's been away from the New York cabaret scene for several years, Francesca Amari is no stranger to it (having debuted at The Metropolitan Room in 2007 and appearing there again in 2008 and 2009). She returns to The Metropolitan Room in October with 2 performances of her critically-acclaimed tribute show to the late comedian/entertainer, Gilda Radner. In fact, Amari will perform "You Make Me Laugh: A Love Song to Gilda Radner" exactly 40 years to the day that Gilda Radner Made her debut on Saturday Night Live (October 11, 1975). She performs at 7 pm on Sunday, October 11th and Saturday, October 17th

The Kennedy Center hosts its 14th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival from Today, September 5 to Monday, September 7, 2015, featuring more than 50 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The 14th Annual Page-to-Stage event showcases more than 40 new plays by female playwrights and includes nine works that are part of the citywide Women's Voices Theater Festival, which officially begins on September 8.

Back in January, BroadwayWorld's lead cabaret reviewer Stephen Hanks announced he was giving up critiquing shows to start his own company, Cabaret Life Productions, through which he would publicize, promote, and help book cabaret performers, and also produce cabaret shows. Hanks' first major production out of the box is a monthly series at the Metropolitan Room called New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits, that features talented artists recreating award-winning or highly-praised shows we wish we'd seen--a really good idea. Hanks' series launched Wednesday night with Mark Nadler's award-winning 2003 show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians). The Metropolitan Room was filled to the gills and abuzz with anticipation, as most of the audience was only familiar with the show's second-hand praise and/or the CD version of Nadler's performance.

For diehard cabaret fans and lovers of live music, there's nothing like experiencing a classic show once again or seeing an award winning 'blast from the past' for the first time. That's how cabaret show producer and publicist Stephen Hanks felt and so through his new company, Cabaret Life Productions, he's launching a new monthly series at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) titled New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits. Hanks wanted the cream of the New York cabaret crop to open the series and tapped veteran cabaret star Mark Nadler, who the New York Times critic Stephen Holden has called 'Mr. Show Business' and 'an immensely talented latter-day Al Jolson.' On August 26 (7-8:30 pm), Nadler will perform his critically acclaimed show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians), which won a 2003 Bistro Award for 'Raising Standards of Cabaret Performance,' and received MAC and Nightlife Award Nominations for 'Outstanding Performance in a Major Engagement.'

 Saturday, August 15th, New Hope, Pennsylvania was treated to a one night only performance of longtime friends and Broadway veterans Liz Callaway and Jason Graae in their cabaret review 'Happily Ever Laughter.'

Although she's been away from the New York cabaret scene for several years, Francesca Amari is no stranger to it (having debuted at The Metropolitan Room in 2007 and appeared there again in 2008 and 2009). She returns to The Metropolitan Room in October with two performances of her critically-acclaimed tribute show to the late comedian/entertainer, Gilda Radner.