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 Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be.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.
Broadway Concerts Direct proudly presents a new concert series in River Edge, NJ- BROADWAY COMES TO RIVER EDGE SERIES, on June 30, at 8PM. The evening will star Carole Demas (original Sandy in GREASE, THE MAGIC GARDEN on TV), CELIA BERK & RICH FLANDERS (SHENANDOAH, ANNIE 2, Will Rogers Cowboy Award, Best Song), CRAIG POMRANZ (International Recording Artist, 2012), and SARAH RICE (original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD, 2011 MAC Awards, 2010 Bistro Award).
Broadway Concerts Direct brings the new Broadway Comes to River Edge Series to the Fireside Theater & Café in River Edge, New Jersey. This new series brings together some of the finest voices and instrumentalists on the Broadway, music theatre, cabaret, television and operatic stages performing Broadway, the Great American Songbook, popular music, jazz, operetta and opera.
Broadway Concerts Direct presents a new concert series in River Edge, NJ,, the 'Broadway Comes to River Edge Series,' beginning with JUNE. MOON. SPOON. an Eclectic Evening Of Tune(s) on June 30, 2012 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30pm).
Broadway Concerts Direct proudly presents a new concert series in River Edge, NJ- BROADWAY COMES TO RIVER EDGE SERIES, on June 30, at 8PM. The evening will star Carole Demas (original Sandy in GREASE, THE MAGIC GARDEN on TV), CELIA BERK & RICH FLANDERS (SHENANDOAH, ANNIE 2, Will Rogers Cowboy Award, Best Song), CRAIG POMRANZ (International Recording Artist, 2012), and SARAH RICE (original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD, 2011 MAC Awards, 2010 Bistro Award).
It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
