As the days dwindled down to a precious few in 2014, a few cabaret goers and performers in what is affectionately but also self-mockingly called the “cabaret community” would sidle up and ask if I was planning my annual end-of-the year “Best Of” column, similar to the “Top 20 Bests and Favorites” piece over the first half of the year I posted back in early July. I would respond in the negative with very reasonable and believable excuses, but the truth is I didn't want to reveal my “Bests” of the year until the voting for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards had ended. There's enough baggage and backstage whispering that comes with administering the BWW Awards, so I wasn't about to publish any opinions that might influence the vote while it was in process. I may be crazy but I'm not masochistic. But now all bets are off. You want lists? I'll give you lists.
Think Bucket List!! 12 finalists - doctors, retired school teachers, inn owners, etc., will perform for a packed, sold-out crowd tonight, Jan. 21, 2014, 7PM, at Stage 72/Triad, 158 W. 72nd Street as part of TOMATOES GOT TALENT!
Think Bucket List!! 12 finalists - doctors, retired school teachers, inn owners, etc., will perform for a packed, sold-out crowd on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, 7PM, at Stage 72/Triad, 158 W. 72nd Street as part of TOMATOES GOT TALENT!
The annual New York City Cabaret Convention -- conceived, launched, and brilliantly sustained for the past 23 seasons by The Mabel Mercer Foundation --has honored many specific people and events across the past two decades. Legendary performers, composers, lyricists, and their anniversaries have all had their day and their due as the Convention grew in visibility, stature, and acclaim.
The annual New York City Cabaret Convention -- conceived, launched, and brilliantly sustained for the past 23 seasons by The Mabel Mercer Foundation --has honored many specific people and events across the past two decades. Legendary performers, composers, lyricists, and their anniversaries have all had their day and their due as the Convention grew in visibility, stature, and acclaim.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 20, 21, 22, The Mabel Mercer Foundation presented its 22nd annual Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. More than forty exemplary vocalists and musicians appeared in three diverse programs. heck out photos from the event below!
Donald Smith greeted all the performers as they were about to set upon the stage at the Cabaret Convention last night, but unfortunately it had to be with a letter from him posted backstage at Lincoln Center. Mr. Smith is still in rehab after surgery (back soon) and this was the first time the Mabel Mercer Foundation's founder was not able to be among the assemblage of cabaret fans and marvelous performers that make this three day event the highlight of the 'cabaret year'
However, Mr. Smith's touch was apparent by the quality of the artists chosen to appear in this years convention. Rick Meadows, Director and Production Stage Manager of the show started the evening off with some wonderful words from Donald, and then introduced Andrea Marcovicci to pinch hit for Mr. Smith.