Celia Berk News

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled that Los Angeles singer Todd Murray brought his acclaimed show 'CROON: When A Whisper Became A Song' to the historic music room this past Monday. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Metropolitan Room became one of those Art Deco Night Clubs in a1940 Black & White Movie last night. Harking back to the days when the girl singers had that luscious, sensual, understated, but spectacular voices and musicianship that made every person in the room fall in love with them. Although I have ears that sometimes show signs of wear and tear from a lifetime of hearing a lot of stuff, Celia's ability to annunciate and melodically roll out lyrics had me hearing vowels and consonants I usually miss in a crowded noisy cabaret. Come to think of it, the Metropolitan Room had the quietness of a recording studio as the very musically sophisticated audience was held in rapt attention by Celia's artistry. I would be enamored with any song she wrapped her voice around, but her unique song selection made the evening especially compelling. How fitting it was the Stacy Sullivan and Joanne Tatham were in the audience. Two singers that represent that same kind of sexy, restrained and understated musical excellence that Celia Berk possesses. It was also ironic that the title song of the show ( You Can't Rush Spring) was written by another of my favorite ladies - Ann Hampton Callaway.

From the Oscars to the Tonys, the Grammys to Emmys, awards ceremonies are always a hit-or-miss situation. Either the event is absolutely excellent or ends with spectators saying, 'Well, they'll do a better job with it next year.' The 2015 MAC Awards, presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, and held once again this year at BB King's on West 42nd Street, absolutely fell into the former category. It was a splendid affair (albeit it's usual 3-plus hours) that was expertly directed by MAC President Lennie Watts.

At a ceremony held Thursday 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. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the evening below!

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 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.

THE METROPOLITAN ROOM presents Kevin Dozier in 'A NEW YORK ROMANCE' on March 17, 2015, April 8 2015, and May 13, 2015.

Brought back by popular demand, 2015 Bistro Award winner CELIA BERK returned to the Metropolitan Room with her warmly received first solo New York engagement. Directed by Jeff Harnar, with Musical Direction by Alex Rybeck, it featured songs from her debut album YOU CAN'T RUSH SPRING and what Celia calls her 'hidden gems: lesser-known songs from great songwriters.' Rex Reed has called Celia "one of the best singers I've heard in a long time".

Jazz headliner Carol Fredette and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lillias White will be among the eleven performers honored at the 30th Annual Bistro Awards gala, which recognizes outstanding achievement in New York cabaret, jazz, and comedy. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, March 4, at 6:30pm at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd Street.

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.

The four-night Mabel Mercer Foundation's annual Cabaret Convention at Lincoln's Center's Rose Hall in late October has become arguably the most important cabaret event of the year. For the most part, it is a star-studded affair featuring celebrated veteran performers and exciting young newcomers. Night four of this year's 25th Convention featured a 'Songs of Irving Berlin' theme hosted by the popular Klea Blackhurst, and starring acclaimed cabaret entertainers such as Anita Gillette, Karen Mason, Sidney Myer, Karen Oberlin, and Stacy Sullivan. Also in the lineup was a relatively unknown vocalist named Celia Berk.

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.

Watching a singer like Celia Berk, who brings a heartwarming balance, a subtle good humor, originality, and a lot of affection to everything she sings, makes one realize the crucial role good instincts play in the self-conscious, self-absorbed world of cabaret. Right at the top of her recent debut run of shows titled You Can't Rush Spring (the title of her recently released excellent debut CD) at the Metropolitan Room, this New Yorker from the business world ingratiated herself with the audience by admitting she was fulfilling a lifelong dream. Berk had already built a following with a few excellent guest performances (most notably at this past October's Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center) and in this auspicious debut she proved she easily puts her personal stamp on an eclectic mix of songs. Such ability springs directly from who she is and not from someone's idea of who she should be.

NiCori Studios and Productions in association with the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center announces a new installment of the monthly concert series, Music at the Mansion, on Sunday, August 31, at 3pm. Performers include Jamie Hartmann, Celia Berk and Craig Pomranz. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be Talia Wynzel.

Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch have become known as 'The Entertainer's Entertainers,' thanks in part to their long-running Sunday night residency at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel. The musical duo has been joined at the grand piano by Bono, Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein, among many others. This past Sunday night's show was a parade of theatrical types, including Linda Lavin, (currently starring in Nicky Silver's Too Much Sun), who belted a torch song. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

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, February 24, at 3pm. Performers include Musical Director Andrew David Sotomayor, Singer/Songwriter Meg Flather, Cabaret Duo Rich Flanders and Ceila Berk. The featured performer in the 'Young Musician Moment' will be Clifton's Angelia Mocera.

Broadway Concerts Direct Presents 'Sarah Rice & Friends,' starring Sarah Rice (original Johanna, SWEENEY TODD, 2011 MAC Award, 2010 Bistro Award), David Vernon (International Recording Artist), plus special guests Celia Berk and Rich Flanders (SHENANDOAH, ANNIE 2, Will Rogers Cowboy Award, Best Song) tonight, August 17th.

Broadway Concerts Direct proudly presents a NEW MUSIC SALON in Teaneck, NJ: SARAH RICE & FRIENDS, Friday 8/17 at 7:30PM (doors open at 7:00pm). The concert stars Sarah Rice (original Johanna, SWEENEY TODD, 2011 MAC Award, 2010 Bistro Award), David Vernon (International Recording Artist), and special guests Celia Berk & Rich Flanders (SHENANDOAH, ANNIE 2, Will Rogers Cowboy Award, Best Song), Joanna Morton Gray, and other special surprise guests. Featuring Matthew Martin Ward on piano, Jim Russell on recorder, Jonathan Russell on jazz violin, and Eve Weiss on classical guitar.

Broadway Concerts Direct Presents 'Sarah Rice & Friends,' starring Sarah Rice (original Johanna, SWEENEY TODD, 2011 MAC Award, 2010 Bistro Award), David Vernon (International Recording Artist), plus special guests Celia Berk and Rich Flanders (SHENANDOAH, ANNIE 2, Will Rogers Cowboy Award, Best Song), August 17th.

Due to circumstances beyond Broadway Concerts Direct's control - emergency medical issues with folks who run the Fireside Theatre venue - the July 28th concert in the Broadway Comes to River Edge Series, DOUBLE STANDARDS, has been postponed to a date soon to be determined. Broadway Concerts Direct apologizes for any inconvenience and hopes to see you at the concert when it is rescheduled.