Some years ago when Tony Award-winning actress (for For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf (Ntozake Shange) and playwright Trezanna Beverley's voice coach suggested she listen to Mabel Mercer, the artist had not heard of the nightclub and cabaret singing icon. A trip to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Harlem) began a protracted period of research into Mercer's life and work. Beverley found she not only respected and admired her subject, but felt a kinship both in spirit and color. Inspired, she decided to write her own theatrical script about Mercer's life and art with the goal of playing her in a one-woman show. Her dream has been realized with Mabel Madness, a play with music that opened this week at Urban Stages and runs until March 20.
Cabaret performers and musicians and fans of the art form tend to refer to the people in this tight-knit niche as “the Cabaret Community.” Well, that community is really coming together for one of its own with a benefit concert to raise funds for the extremely popular actor, director, and cabaret performer Erin Cronican, one of a very rare group of women in her 30s who is staging a fierce battle with breast cancer. The star-studded show, billed as Cabaret Beats Cancer and a call to arms to “Crush The Beast” is at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, 212-757-0788) on February 27 at 5 pm.
Jazz vocalist Ron Dabney returns to the Metropolitan Room in a sensational new show 'TONIGHT,' that indeed won't be just any night. Weaving together songs from the American Songbook, Broadway and jazz standards, the evening showcases songs of love - in all its hues.
She's been married and not. She's had serious relationships, flings, and romances with men of all ages (but mostly younger). She's experienced all the charms, foibles, and idiosyncrasies of the opposite sex--and loves them anyway. Actress and comedian Charlotte Patton brings all of that worldly wisdom to her sensual, provocative, and playful show . . . Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts) back to the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) on February 20 at 7 pm. Patton's show is Directed by Award-winning cabaret performer Karen Oberlin with Music Direction by MAC Award winner Barry Levitt and Jon Burr on bass. Peter Napolitano contributes as Creative Consultant.
Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Peter Napolitano, Associate Producer) continues its 32nd season with the World Premiere of Mabel Madness, the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse, Mabel Mercer, written and performed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley (For Colored Girls...). Co-directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Tuffus Zimbabwe, Mabel Madness begins its Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) beginning February 19, opening on Thursday, February 25 and running through March 20, 2016. Tickets are $40 ($25 during previews; Students are $15) and are available at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111.
New Yorkers will be dancing in the streets this December when Broadway, regional and Las Vegas star, Andrea Bell Wolff, reprises her smashing show 'Bad Girls Do Cry,' conceived and written by Andrea Bell Wolff and Barry Levitt, at Iridium tonight, Dec. 22.
Urban Stages Founder and Artistic Director Frances Hill and Producer Peter Napolitano last night officially launched the 2015 'Winter Rhythms,' a 20-shows-in 11-days festival featuring more than 100 star cabaret performers and musicians. The opening night show was ANY WEDNESDAY SINGS AGAIN, an homage to the old cabaret series favorite, ANY WEDNESDAY, which was a popular CD release concert series from June 2005 (the first show featured Ann Hampton Callaway) to late 2011 and was staged at Tower Records and then Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center.
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.”
New Yorkers will be dancing in the streets this December when Broadway, regional and Las Vegas star, Andrea Bell Wolff, reprises her smashing show "Bad Girls Do Cry," conceived and written by Andrea Bell Wolff and Barry Levitt, at Iridium on Dec. 22. The music and comedy performance featuring the diminutive performer with giant-size talent is dedicated to the sounds of 1960s girl groups. Musical Director Barry Levitt, leading a quintet as well as additional singers Carolee Goodgold and Deb Lyons, will accompany Andrea in a string of hits. Dennis Deal directs the show. "Bad Girls Do Cry" will play one show Dec. 22nd at 8:30pm at Iridium, 1650 Broadway in Manhattan (51st Street). Reservations are essential. Call (212) 582-2121 or reserve online at: http://theiridium.com/events/andrea-bell-wolff/. There is a $30 cover charge and a $15 drink or food minimum per person.
Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director, Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director of Musical Programming) today announced the line-up for this year's Award-Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2 and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre. WINTER RHYTHMS 2015 marks the seventh year that Urban Stages has brought noted musical artists to its stage during the holiday period. The mission of Winter Rhythms is to bring the talents of known and unknown singers, musicians, lyricists and composers to the attention of the New York theater community while performing at Urban Stages Theater. Winner of the 2015 Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series MAC Award, WINTER RHYTHMS benefits Urban Stages' acclaimed Outreach Program, which brings more than 200 free "arts in education" presentations to libraries and schools throughout the five boroughs. This year's event features 20 shows and more than 100 artists.
Urban Stages announces the line-up for this year's Award Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30thStreet, just East of 8th Avenue). Tickets are $25 per show and may be purchased by visiting urbanstages.org or by calling (866) 811-4111. For complete schedule information, visit urbanstages.org.
Garrison, NY -- SIMPLY STREISAND, New York's long-running hit revue, will make a special, one night only appearance in Putnam County tonight, September 26th at 7pm at the Philipstown Depot Theatre, located at 10 Garrison Landing in Garrison, NY.
For any cabaret performer, delivering an original song can be a nice touch in any show, but finding the right one can drive a singer crazy. The upside is that as well as highlighting the songwriter (which in some cases can be the singer's musical director) it gives the performer an opportunity to show what they can do with unfamiliar material. The combination of the two can be effective and memorable. Such was the case recently with singer Gary Crawford who along with musical director, arranger and songwriter Barry Levitt delivered a very compelling evening of songs on September 2 at the Metropolitan Room. Crawford is a lovable singer who highlighted the somewhat under-the-radar talent of one of cabaret's most respected musicians. After producing a MAC Award-winning show (for "Best Debut") in 2013-In Love With Love-and recording a subsequent CD, it was inevitable that Crawford and Levitt team up again, this time for Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook.
Broadway, regional and Las Vegas star, Andrea Bell Wolff, reprises her smashing show, 'Bad Girls Do Cry,' at Don't Tell Mama on October 8th at 7pm. The music and comedy performance - conceived and written by Andrea Bell Wolff and Barry Levitt and featuring a diminutive performer with giant-size talent - is dedicated to the sounds of 1960s girl groups. Musical Director Barry Levitt, leading a quintet as well as additional singers Carolee Goodgold and Deb Lyons, will accompany Ms. Bell Wolff in a string of hits. Dennis Deal directs the show. 'Bad Girls Do Cry' will play one show Oct. 8th at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC between 8th and 9th Avenues. Reservations are ESSENTIAL. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. CASH ONLY. Call 212-757-0788 after 4 p.m. to reserve or visit: http://tinyurl.com/onjcr35
Vocalist Gary Crawford burst onto the New York cabaret scene like a "thunderbolt" in October 2014 with his debut show 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room. With the veteran Music Director and Arranger Maestro Barry Levitt at the piano, Crawford produced a captivating show that earned him rave reviews from BroadwayWorld.com and Cabaret Scenes Magazine and ultimately a 2014 Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs Award (MAC) for "Best Male Vocal Debut." (Crawford had already performed a "CD Release" show of 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room that April). After spending the past year and a half performing as a guest singer in variety shows throughout city at venues such as Iridium, Birdland, Don't Tell Mama, and Urban Stages, Crawford has again teamed up with Levitt for a new show, this one featuring songs composed by Levitt himself. Crawford will star in Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook at the Metropolitan Room on September 2 at 7 pm. The show will feature the Barry Levitt Quartet, including Jon Burr on bass, Ray Marchica on drums, and Jack Cavari on guitar, as well as special guest vocalists.
Garrison, NY -- SIMPLY STREISAND, New York's long-running hit revue, will make a special, one night only appearance in Putnam County on Saturday, September 26th at 7pm at the Philipstown Depot Theatre, located at 10 Garrison Landing in Garrison, NY.
Vocalist Gary Crawford burst onto the New York cabaret scene like a “thunderbolt” in October 2014 with his debut show 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room. With the veteran Music Director and Arranger Maestro Barry Levitt at the piano, Crawford produced a captivating show that earned him rave reviews from BroadwayWorld.com and Cabaret Scenes Magazine and ultimately a 2014 Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs Award (MAC) for “Best Male Vocal Debut.” (Crawford had already performed a “CD Release” show of 'In Love With Love' at the Metropolitan Room that April). After spending the past year and a half performing as a guest singer in variety shows throughout city at venues such as Iridium, Birdland, Don't Tell Mama, and Urban Stages, Crawford has again teamed up with Levitt for a new show, this one featuring songs composed by Levitt himself. Crawford will star in Secret Dreams: Gary Crawford Sings The Barry Levitt Songbook at the Metropolitan Room on September 2 at 7 pm. The show will feature the Barry Levitt Quartet, including Jon Burr on bass, Ray Marchica on drums, and Jack Cavari on guitar, as well as special guest vocalists.
?New Yorkers will be dancing in the streets this summer when Broadway, regional and Las Vegas star, Andrea Bell Wolff, brings her show "Bad Girls Do Cry" to Iridium on August 30th at 7pm. The music and comedy performance featuring the diminutive performer with giant-size talent is dedicated to the sounds of 1960s girl groups.
When BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer Billie Roe was invited to the CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown scheduled for June 4-7, it was to attend as a performer, not necessarily as a reviewer. But we couldn't resist the opportunity to have Billie at least report on some aspects of the long, event-filled weekend and record some of her impressions in something akin to a diary. Based on Billie's descriptive account here, this year's Cabaret Festival in Provincetown, MA, sounds like one of the cabaret highlights of the year.
