Who would have ever thought that the New York Cabaret scene would end up having almost as many awards shows as the film industry? The Nightlife Awards Show at Town Hall was presented on January 14, and the newly established BroadwayWorld.com New York Cabaret Awards Show filled the Metropolitan Room on February 21. The Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) will hold it's 27th Annual MAC Awards Show on March 21 at B.B. King's Blues Club. But next up is the 28th Annual Bistro Awards Gala, which recognizes outstanding achievement in New York cabaret, jazz, and comedy, on March 4 at 6:30pm at the Gotham Comedy Club (208 West 23rd Street, Between 7th & 8th Ave). The evening, under the direction of Shellen Lubin, will once again be co-hosted by comedian and actor Jim David, and will feature performances from most of this year's Bistro-winning artists.
The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs will present the 27th Annual MAC Awards on Thursday, March 21st, at B.B King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.
Broadway Star, Robert Cuccioli will make his debut at 54 BELOW (254 W. 54th Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue) tonight, February 6th, at 9:30 p.m. with A Standard Love, featuring Barry Levitt as Musical Director with Jon Burr on bass and Alvester Garnett on drums.
If you're a cabaret performer thinking about staging a musical comedy theme show, or even if you're just a cabaret fan who appreciates a thoroughly entertaining show on multiple levels, you should try to squeeze yourself into The Duplex on Wednesday night at 7 pm to see Adam Shapiro's encore performance of his Guide to the Perfect Breakup, which is also a textbook on how to create the almost perfect musical comedy cabaret show. With the guidance and support of Director Peter Napolitano and Musical Director Barry Levitt, Shapiro has crafted a structurally intricate yet seamless show about the evolution of romantic relationships-no matter what your gender-which is also funny without being sarcastic, biting without being bitchy, and tender without being cloying. And it showcases the talents of a cuddly teddy bear of a performer, who possesses the kind of solid singing, acting, and comedic chops that make him a young, rising cabaret star.
Terese Genecco and her eight-piece 'Little Big Band,' a monthly musical staple at The Iridium Jazz club since March of 2009, teams up with producer ScoBar Entertainment and special guest star Lea DeLaria to present two shows at the brand new Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street (between Park and Madison Avenues) in New York City tonight, January 29th at 8 and 10 PM.
NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, 'Music at the Mansion', today, January 27, at 3pm. Performers include NJ resident singer/actress Sahirah Johnson, actor/cabaret singer Adam Shapiro and Award winning pianist Barry Levitt. There will also be a new segment called the 'Young Musician Moment' and will showcase a young performer. The first ever 'Young Musician Moment' will feature 9 year old Ava Rose Dressendofer.
Broadway Star, ROBERT CUCCIOLI will make his debut at 54 BELOW (254 W. 54th Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue) on Wednesday, February 6th, at 9:30 p.m. with A Standard Love, featuring Barry Levitt as Musical Director with Jon Burr on bass and Alvester Garnett on drums.
Terese Genecco and her eight-piece "Little Big Band," a monthly musical staple at The Iridium Jazz club since March of 2009, teams up with producer ScoBar Entertainment and special guest star Lea DeLaria to present two shows at the brand new Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street (between Park and Madison Avenues) in New York City on Tuesday, January 29th at 8 and 10 PM.
Legendary singer-actress Lainie Kazan and versatile performer Maurice Hines will be honored, along with 16 others, at the 28th Annual Bistro Awards gala, which recognizes outstanding achievement in New York cabaret, jazz, and comedy. The celebration will take place on Monday, March 4 at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th avenues).
NiCori Studios and Productions in association with Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, 'Music at the Mansion', on Sunday, January 27, at 3pm. Performers include NJ resident singer/actress Sahirah Johnson, actor/cabaret singer Adam Shapiro and Award winning pianist Barry Levitt. There will also be a new segment called the 'Young Musician Moment' and will showcase a young performer. The first ever 'Young Musician Moment' will feature 9 year old Ava Rose Dressendofer.
ROBERT CUCCIOLI, who electrified audiences in Broadway's smash hit musical, Jekyll & Hyde, is electrifying listeners again with the release of his debut solo album, ROBERT CUCCIOLI - THE LOOK OF LOVE. It includes 28 magnificent American Songbook classics from the '30s and '40s. Cuccioli who is currently starring in Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark will be appearing on WLNY's 'On The Couch' tomorrow morning, January 4 to perform a song from the album. The program airs 7 AM-9 AM ET on Channel 10 in Long Island, Queens and Staten Island.
By the last August, I had fallen so far behind on writing reviews of cabaret shows from the spring and early summer (I guess it's a positive when there are more performers and shows in New York than days in the week) that I decided to play catch up by combining a bunch of critiques into one big column. I hadn't planned on doing that again, but this fall there were so many shows that once again I couldn't keep up. but at least I've beaten my self-imposed deadline New Year's Eve deadline of posting these reviews of 12 shows, all staged between September-December by lovely, attractive women (okay, so one is a gender-bender) of varying talents and levels on the cabaret depth chart, from established stars to MAC and Bistro Award-winners to comeback 'kids' to interesting beginners and occasional performers who are in the game to follow their bliss. Whether their performances were rave-worthy, earning of qualified praise, or not quite up to snuff, they all deserve kudos for taking the plunge.
Wow, talk about a thumbs up! BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer/Columnist Stephen Hanks received such a positive reaction to his '2012 Best of New York Cabaret' piece posted yesterday that we thought it would be fun for him to add to his original 13 "honorable mentions" list. So, here for your holiday week reading pleasure is Part 2 of his "Best" and "Most" Honorable Mentions in Cabaret for 2012 with 21 new listings (because an even 20 would be trite). Enjoy!
2012 was indeed a very good year for the art of Cabaret in New York City. Here, BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer and Columnist Stephen Hanks offers up his exclusive 'Best New York Cabaret Performers of the Year' for 2012, plus some surprising honorable mentions. Let the debates begin!
Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano announces a series of musical evenings entitled WINTER RHYTHMS 2012, beginning on Tuesday, December 4 and running through Friday, December 15, 2012 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Tickets are $25 per show (both shows in one night, $40). Beer and wine will be available for a $3 donation. Tickets may be purchased on www.smarttix.com or 212 868-4444.
Urban Stages, in association with producer/director/lyricist Peter Napolitano, announces a series of musical evenings entitled WINTER RHYTHMS 2012, beginning tonight, December 4 and running through Friday, December 15, 2012 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street).
It may not be like getting a gift on every one of the 12 Days of Christmas, but for cabaret and musical theater lovers, the 4th Annual Urban Stages 'Winter Rhythms' series-presented over a dozen straight nights at the not-for-profit's Off-Broadway theatre on 259 West 39th Street-could be the closest thing to opening a daily present by the tree. From December 4-15, more than 80 singers and actors will perform in an eclectic mix of 22 shows (including three on Saturday and Sunday, 12/8 and 12/9), with all the proceeds from ticket sales dedicated to the Urban Stages 'On Tour Outreach Program.' Two years ago, Urban Stages Artistic Director Frances Hill brought in MAC and Bistro award-winning director, lyricist and producer Peter Napolitano to produce the Winter Rhythms program and broaden the scope of it's musical offerings. BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Columnist Stephen Hanks recently caught up with the new Sol Hurok of Urban Stages to learn how he had helped Winter Rhythms evolve and get some insights into this year's program.
Voting is now underway for the Inaugural Cabaret Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!
BROADWAY SWINGS, which began last year for a one night only concert at White Plains Performing Arts Center, is coming to New York City for four special performances during the week of Thanksgiving, tonight, November 20 through the 24th, 2012.
Voting is now underway for the Inaugural Cabaret Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the standings here!
