Ben Folds News

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and who she's seen in the world of cabaret in the past week. The past week's events include the MAC Awards, Hector Coris' 'Life Is Wonderful' and Rob Langeder's 'Any Place I Hang My Hat...'

terraNOVA Collective will present ONES AT TEN on Friday nights during THE 6TH ANNUAL soloNOVA ARTS FESTIVAL, celebrating solo arts into the wee hours with music, comedy, and spoken word. These late night parties extend the festival to encompass solo performers outside of the Mainstage solo shows.

Award-winning NYC cabaret performer Hector Coris premieres his debut solo show Life is Wonderful. at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788; www.donttellmamanyc.com). Show dates are Tuesdays, May 5th and 19th at 7:15PM and Saturday, May 9th at 5:00PM.

terraNOVA Collective will present ONES AT TEN on Friday nights during THE 6TH ANNUAL soloNOVA ARTS FESTIVAL, celebrating solo arts into the wee hours with music, comedy, and spoken word. These late night parties extend the festival to encompass solo performers outside of the Mainstage solo shows.

March 2, 2009 Los Angeles - The Off-Broadway hit ?Back to Bacharach and David? will have a short 23 performance engagement at The Music Box @ Fonda April 15 to May 17 (opening April 19).

Award-winning NYC cabaret performer Hector Coris premieres his debut solo show Life is Wonderful. at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788; www.donttellmamanyc.com). Show dates are Tuesdays, May 5th and 19th at 7:15PM and Saturday, May 9th at 5:00PM.

Bradley Dean, Jonathan Schwartz, Ramona Mallory and Douglas Ullman, Jr. will join the Off Broadway cast of The Fantasticks as El Gallo, Matt, Luisa and The Mute, respectively, beginning Monday, March 30, 2009.

The Independent UK reports that an opera by the singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright is to have its world debut in Manchester after being turned down by the New York Met. The Canadian's first foray into the world of opera, Prima Donna, was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera in New York, but was not performed after Wainwright refused to change the libretto from French to English.

Bradley Dean, Jonathan Schwartz, Ramona Mallory and Douglas Ullman, Jr. will join the Off Broadway cast of The Fantasticks as El Gallo, Matt, Luisa and The Mute, respectively, beginning Monday, March 30, 2009.

March 2, 2009 Los Angeles - The Off-Broadway hit ?Back to Bacharach and David? will have a short 23 performance engagement at The Music Box @ Fonda April 15 to May 17 (opening April 19).

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Caf? announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Caf? is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

Rufus Wainwright is one of the most interesting singer/songwriters of his generation. Rolling Stone called his 1998 debut one of the Best Albums of the Year, and named him Best New Artist of the Year. He has recorded five albums of original music, several EPs, and contributed to numerous soundtracks (Brokeback Mountain, Moulin Rouge, Shrek) and compilations (Live at the World Caf?). His latest, Release the Stars, debuted at #23 and went Gold. He has toured with Tori Amos, Sting, Ben Folds, and Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour. The Metropolitan Opera has commissioned him to write an opera. In 2006 he sold out Carnegie Hall twice, performing the entire Judy Garland concert album recorded there in 1961. His music, described as 'popera' and 'baroque pop,' often features just his beautiful tenor with piano or guitar (he plays both), but increasing employs full rock band instrumentation as well as symphony orchestra to deal with themes like love and unrequited love ('This Love Affair'), family ('Dinner at Eight'), religion ('Agnus Dei,' 'Gay Messiah'), distant places ('Sanssouci') substance abuse ('Go Or Go Ahead') school ('Millbrook') and celebrity and its consequences ('Matinee Idol'). This is a special, solo acoustic evening.

Rufus Wainwright is one of the most interesting singer/songwriters of his generation. Rolling Stone called his 1998 debut one of the Best Albums of the Year, and named him Best New Artist of the Year. He has recorded five albums of original music, several EPs, and contributed to numerous soundtracks (Brokeback Mountain, Moulin Rouge, Shrek) and compilations (Live at the World Caf?). His latest, Release the Stars, debuted at #23 and went Gold. He has toured with Tori Amos, Sting, Ben Folds, and Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour. The Metropolitan Opera has commissioned him to write an opera. In 2006 he sold out Carnegie Hall twice, performing the entire Judy Garland concert album recorded there in 1961. His music, described as 'popera' and 'baroque pop,' often features just his beautiful tenor with piano or guitar (he plays both), but increasing employs full rock band instrumentation as well as symphony orchestra to deal with themes like love and unrequited love ('This Love Affair'), family ('Dinner at Eight'), religion ('Agnus Dei,' 'Gay Messiah'), distant places ('Sanssouci') substance abuse ('Go Or Go Ahead') school ('Millbrook') and celebrity and its consequences ('Matinee Idol'). This is a special, solo acoustic evening.

Media industry website Broadcasting & Cable.com has revealed that musician John Mayer is currently at work shooting a variety show pilot for the CBS Network. CBS Network entertainment president Nina Tassler discussed the project at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles. Tassler expressed the potential that the pilot could end up becoming a series of specials or a full series. Mayer hosted the short lived 'John Mayer Has a TV Show' which aired for a single episode on VH1 in 2004.

THE ZIPPER FACTORY THEATER (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) will present the following entertainment events in January 2009. For advance tickets to all Zipper events call OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or buy online at www.thezipperfactory.com (For IN-PERSON purchases, The Zipper Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain for all events).

McCarter Theater Center has added new events for 2009. Ben Folds has been scheduled for February 11, 2009 at 8pm. Over the last 15 years, Ben Folds' first-class melodic gifts, irony-laced lyrics, and punk-rock tendency to play piano as if it were a contact sport have earned the North Carolina native a legion of devoted fans of all ages. Kris Kristofferson has been booked for February 27, 2009 at 8pm.

THE ZIPPER FACTORY THEATER (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) will present the following entertainment events in January 2009. For advance tickets to all Zipper events call OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or buy online at www.thezipperfactory.com (For IN-PERSON purchases, The Zipper Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain for all events).

Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper show, KatePazakis: Unzipped! on December 9th, 2008 at 7:00pm and again at 10:30pm. The show will be recorded for Pazakis' first live album. Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper Factory show, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped! December 9th, 2008 at 7:00pm and again at 10:30pm. This brand new show uses a mix of pop, rock, country and musical theatre to reveal the woman behind the powerhouse belt. The evening also gives the audience a chance to witness the live recording of Kate's debut album.

Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper Factory show, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped! December 9th, 2008 at 7:00pm and again at 10:30pm. This brand new show uses a mix of pop, rock, country and musical theatre to reveal the woman behind the powerhouse belt. The evening also gives the audience a chance to witness the live recording of Kate's debut album.

Downtown diva Kate Pazakis headlines her first Zipper Factory show, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped! December 9th, 2008 at 10:30pm. This brand new show uses a mix of pop, rock, country and musical theatre to reveal the woman behind the powerhouse belt. The evening also gives the audience a chance to witness the live recording of Kate's debut album.