Ari Axelrod News

Enduring and endearing actress and singer, Linda Purl, is not only one of the great artists, she is also one of the great beauties, inside and out. Here, she chats with Stephen Mosher about life, art, isolation and motherhood.

Welcome to 'Cabaret Corner', a series devoted to having meaningful conversations with change-making cabaret artists.

On Monday, March 30th, the 2020 MAC Awards were broadcast via Facebook Live from the living rooms or Lennie Watts and Amy Wolk/Lorinda Lisitza in a split-screen presentation in which The Three Stooges of Cabaret made their community of artists laugh with many hi-jinks, giggles, grins, silliness, and an ongoing series of the new MAC Award theme song, penned by Wolk and Lisitza themselves. The intent was to bring some levity to a difficult time in the world and, judging by the comment scroll during the home-made telecast, the hardworking trio tickled the funnybones of many. As names were announced, recipients called in to say a few words (apropos to the proceedings, Mr. Watts' telephone ringtone is the Benny Hill theme song) and particularly moving speeches from the proceedings came from Lisa Viggiano, Meg Flather, and Jeff Harnar. The entire show can be seen on Broadway World HERE. Results of the voting can be seen below.

With the Coronavirus stopping all social gatherings and causing the closing of Don't Tell Mama for the duration, MAC has made a change from the previously announced event which was to be held at the club.

The MAC Awards were scheduled to be celebrated on March 30th at Sony Hall. Instead they will be announced via Facebook Live from Lennie Watts' home. The times are a little different now, but the celebration of art is the same.

While all non-essential businesses have closed, Birdland owner Gianni Valenti has been hard at work, preparing for the inevitable day when the legendary Manhattan hotspot will reopen for the throng of fans who call Birdland home.

For Stephen Sondheim's 90th Birthday Stephen Mosher makes a list of 90 cabaret-themed videos of his songs. It's Epic and it will be a great way to distract yourself during your time at home.

During the live entertainment shut-down in New York City people will need entertainment. Stephen Mosher starts a new series on Broadway World Cabaret - a regular playlist the puts a light on the talents who fill the stages of the clubs of NYC.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has announced the 2020 MAC Award nominees. The nominees were determined by votes cast by the active MAC membership, except for the four song and recording categories, which were determined by special committees.

Much-lauded cabaret singer Karen Oberlin opens this month at The Birdland Theater and next month at The Beach Café. Stephen Mosher talks with her about her life in the arts, feminism, and raising a child who wants to sing.

The Green Room 42 presented the second season of “GR42 Sings” back to its stage!

Up and coming cabaret artist Ari Axelrod continues his rise by capturing the hearts of a full house at the Upper East Side cabaret The Beach Cafe.

A five week program of training in the art of cabaret leads to a showcase in which eight fabulous young artists showcase those talents that will make them the future of the art form.

When they wrote 'I believe the children are the future' they must have had Ari Axelrod in mind because this twenty-something year old is out to change the cabaret world, one young student and one cabaret show at a time.

Below is the upcoming schedule at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater February 3 through February 16: 

In her New York Cabaret Debut, 'Like a Perfumed Woman,' singer and storyteller Joanne Halev blends stories of scent memory and the mysterious and passionate world of fragrance creation with songs of Porter, Loesser, Bacharach, Bucchino, Mercer, McBroom, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are pleased to present the schedule for the month of February! At Birdland Jazz Club, catch the iconic Lionel Hampton Big Band Featuring Jason Marsalis, current GRAMMY nominee Catherine Russell, the Birdland debut of AGUAS Trio with Omar Sosa, Yilian Cañizares and Gustavo Ovalles, and iconic vocalist Jane Monheit. Internationally recognized trumpeter Rachel Therrien, the Seth Weaver Big Band, and The Voice contestant Melinda Rose Rodriguez will also be performing upstairs. 

Stephen Mosher looks back at the cabaret scene, as captured by his camera in 2019

The acclaimed drag queen, 2 time MAC Award winner singer and BroadwayWorld.com nominee, Doris Dear, packed houses uptown at The Triad Theater on December 19, 20 and 21st for the fourth year in a row with her a?oeDoris Dear Christmas Speciala??! The show has quickly become a holiday tradition in NYC and this year, the level of guests that dropped into the a?oeRumpus Rooma?? was a?oesimply amazing!a??, as was exclaimed by audience members. Each year Doris Dear fills her a?oeRumpus Rooma?? with friends and shares stories, traditions and songs of the season. From new takes on holiday classic songs to exciting original compositions, this show brought smiles, laughter and cheers!

Stephen Mosher's personal tribute to Jerry Herman on the occasion of his death at 88.