Bernie Furshpan News

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.”

For diehard cabaret fans and lovers of live music, there's nothing like experiencing a classic show once again or seeing an award winning 'blast from the past' for the first time. That's how cabaret show producer and publicist Stephen Hanks felt and so through his new company, Cabaret Life Productions, he's launching a new monthly series at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) titled New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits. Hanks wanted the cream of the New York cabaret crop to open the series and tapped veteran cabaret star Mark Nadler, who the New York Times critic Stephen Holden has called 'Mr. Show Business' and 'an immensely talented latter-day Al Jolson.' On August 26 (7-8:30 pm), Nadler will perform his critically acclaimed show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians), which won a 2003 Bistro Award for 'Raising Standards of Cabaret Performance,' and received MAC and Nightlife Award Nominations for 'Outstanding Performance in a Major Engagement.'

For the first time in 15 years, cabaret star Julie Reyburn brings back her award-winning show, Fate Is Kind, to a New York nightclub stage when she performs the classic at the Metropolitan Room on Monday, September 14 at 7 pm as part of the new monthly series, New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits, produced by Stephen Hanks' Cabaret Life Productions with cabaret supporter Fr. Jeffrey Hamblin, MD as Associate Producer. [Reyburn's show will follow the Series launch on August 26 at 7 pm with Mark Nadler's critically acclaimed Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians), which won a 2003 Bistro Award.] Reyburn and her celebrated Musical Director Mark Janas (Producer of the Award-Winning Open-Mic show Salon) introduced Fate Is Kind in February 2000 at The Singer's Forum as a benefit cabaret for their scholarship program. It then moved to Judy's Chelsea in March 2000 for its official cabaret debut, and the show ran off and on there for most of the year. Fate Is Kind world earn Reyburn MAC and Bistro Awards in 2001 for "Outstanding Female Cabaret Debut."

 In nail-bitingly close voting Monday night, the MetroStar Talent Challenge bid farewell to two audience favorites in a hotly contested semi-final round.  Let go by the jury were the contest's popular 9th grader Josephine Bianco and the veteran piano bar performer Sheree Sano.

Alysha Umphress has a special relationship with Barrington Stage Company and William Finn so it wasn't a surprise that on her day off  from On The Town she came to Pittsfield and sang in Mr. Finn's Cabaret.  It also wasn't a surprise the demand for tickets was so great that a second late show had to be added.  

For diehard cabaret fans and lovers of live music, there's nothing like experiencing a classic show once again or seeing an award winning 'blast from the past' for the first time. That's how cabaret show producer and publicist Stephen Hanks felt and so through his new company, Cabaret Life Productions, he's launching a new monthly series at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) titled New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits. Hanks wanted the cream of the New York cabaret crop to open the series and tapped veteran cabaret star Mark Nadler, who the New York Times critic Stephen Holden has called 'Mr. Show Business' and 'an immensely talented latter-day Al Jolson.' On August 26 (7-8:30 pm), Nadler will perform his critically acclaimed show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians), which won a 2003 Bistro Award for 'Raising Standards of Cabaret Performance,' and received MAC and Nightlife Award Nominations for 'Outstanding Performance in a Major Engagement.'

The 2015 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' is extending its deadline for applications to July 4 and adding new mentoring to help competitors up their games during the 7-week contest. The eighth annual edition of the summer tradition runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from July 6 through August 17.  All contestants must certify that they will be available to compete throughout the jury-and audience-voted, elimination-round competition.

America's Got Talent Finalist Dorothy Bishop returns to her monthly spot as an Artist in Residence at New York's #1 Jazz and Cabaret club, The Metropolitan Room, with her hilarious show "The Dozen Divas."

Last night Julie Budd gave her first performance as  the latest Artist In Residence at The Metropolitan Room and broadwayworld was there.  While enjoying a multi-faceted musical career, Julie's credits range from television to film, the New York stage, and symphonies all over the country, along with the most lavish casinos and showrooms everywhere.  She began her professional career at the tender age of twelve, after meeting record producer/orchestrator Herb Bernstein. He immediately took Julie under his wing and introduced her to Merv Griffin at a recording session in New York City. After hearing Julie sing, she was invited to appear on more than 100 of Merv's Shows.  

New York Cabaret Community Honors Actor/Director/Photographer RUSS WEATHERFORD With All-Star Show at Metropolitan Room.

The 8th annual 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' gets under way on Monday July 6 at 7pm. The summer tradition, in which singers of different ages, styles and backgrounds are challenged to raise their standards and push themselves artistically, 'MetroStar' runs eight consecutive Mondays through August 24 at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. Applications are now being accepted through July 1.

Bernie Furshpan, operating partner of the Metropolitan Room served up Champagne at a reception to celebrate Julie Budd's Residency at the Cabaret. Lots of show biz friends turned out to congratulate Julie on her "new home".  Julie's first show is on May 14th and Richard Skipper her publicist announced the the opening performance is almost sold out.

At a ceremony held last night in New York, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs announced the winners of the 2015 MAC Awards. The show was hosted by Karen Mason, with musical direction by Barry Levitt, and was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs has announced the presenters that are scheduled to appear at the 29th Annual MAC Awards on Thursday, March 26th at B.B King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.

Metropolitan Room's Joseph Macchia and Bernard Furshpan are excited to announce the formation of the Cabaret Hall of Fame (CHOF), as well as the Inaugural Induction Black Tie Gala on January 16th, 2016 at Metropolitan Room, named New York's Best Cabaret by New York Magazine.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs will present the 29th Annual MAC Awards on Thursday, March 26st, at 7:30pm, at B.B King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.

During World War ll actors were among the very few who were left untouched to do their craft in Germany. There was a women named Eleonore who started in theatre at age 12, acting on stage with her father, Heinrich Schroth. Eleonore was one of the last generations of the most famous acting family in Germany, dating back 5-6 generations (like our Barrymores). One branch of the family was French, and one of it's members was an actor and famous rebel in the French Revolution under Robespierre. His name was Collot d'Herbois. Eleonore later recalled of "touring" as an actor and having to travel to the next town in the back of a potato cart for the next show. Her father had to walk behind the cart because there wasn't room for him. It was the middle of winter and his shoes had worn out so he was almost barefoot. Her cousin, Hannelore Schroth, became the first famous movie star after the war, the German version of Elizabeth Taylor. Her Uncle, Carl-Heinz Schroth also became famous on film, and is known as one of the most famous historic German comic geniuses, actors, and directors. He had the longest running comedy series called"Karschunke und Sohn, which was an exact parallel to "Sanford and Son". Eleonore moved to the United States with her family in 1971.

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.

After eight years of terrifically entertaining, monthly fundraisers at The Laurie Beechman Theater, Cabaret Cares/Help Is On The Way Today is on the move! The 501c non-profit organization that assists children and youth living with HIV/AIDS is relocating to new digs. The first event of 2015 will be held on January 25th at Metropolitan Room, where the charity's founder, Joseph Macchia, is the co-booking manager with owner Bernie Furshpan. Cabaret entertainer Gretchen Reinhagen will host "Lovely Ladies Of Cabaret" with Jennylind Parris, Karen Mason, Tracy Stark, and Joanna Morton Gary. Gretchen will also perform. Metropolitan Room is in the fashionable Flatiron District at 34 West 22nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

New York's Metropolitan Room will shock the entertainment world with an unprecedented, pull-out-the-stops programming initiative to kick off 2015. For three days -- tonight, January 1 at 7pm to Sunday January 4 at 7am -- the intimate concert venue will stage its first 'Marathon Variety Show,' with continuous entertainment for 60 hours straight. The marathon, which is eligible to become a Guinness World Records record-holder for longest variety show ever, will feature up to 100 Metropolitan Room artists -- from its most prominent stars to its most promising emerging talents.