Debbie Bush Whiting News

Last night, Sheldon Harnick received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Songbook Association! Performers included Kissy Simmons, Klea Blackhurst, Adam Heller, Danny Bacher, Samantha Massell, Melanie Moore, Alexandra Silber, Brad Oscar, Liz Callaway, Jeff Harnar & Alex Rybeck, Alan Schmuckler, Jeffrey Saver and Rhyn Mclemore Saver, Ed Dixon, Sidney Myer, Judy Kuhn, Robert Cuccioli, and Steven Skybell.

There's no 'Tomorrow' for this years four day 27th New York Cabaret Convention but there certainly was a thrilling performance of that song by host Kela Blackhurst and the Broadway by the Year Chorus.  The composer and lyricist were in attendance as their songs were performed by a wonderful group of cabaret artists. The convention even produced a 12 year old to recreate the emotions of seeing 'Annie' as Zoe Gelman sang Maybe & NYC to the Rose Theater audience. Luckily there will be a 'tomorrow' for the Mabel Mercer Foundations Cabaret Convention and mark your calendars for the 28th New York Cabaret Convention in 2017.

 Critically acclaimed artists Stacy Sullivan and Todd Murray brought a thought provoking, sometime humorous, and musically entertaining look at the very human quandary of 'should I stay or should I go with '  with their show Separate Ways to Feinstein's/54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there. They say that breaking up is hard to do; most certainly. But with writers such as George Gershwin, Joni Mitchell, Adam Guettel, Adele, we find that skies can be sunny blue or grey, and goodbyes can be happy. Songwriters have looked for ways to express the angst of people's need to be joined and separate at the same time. Todd and Stacy are masters at bringing honesty and life to their lyrics.

Jeff Harnar & Andrea Marcovicci hosted the second day of the Mabel Mercer Foundation's New York Cabaret Convention.  The Donald Smith Award was presented to Jeff by managing director Rick Meadows and Debbi Bush Whiting presented Celia Berk with The Margaret Whiting Award. Performing in the evenings concert were: Karen Akers, Danny Bacher, Julie Budd, Carole J. Bufford, Eric Comstock, Natalie Douglas, barbara Fasano, Jeff Harnar, Nicolas King, Karen Kohler, Andrea Mardovicci, Marissa Mulder, Todd Murray, Josephine Sanges, Jennifer Sheehan and Iris Williams.?

Show business' brightest stars memorialized one of their own yesterday, at A Tribute to Polly Bergen, at the American Airlines Theatre (227 W. 42nd Street). An Emmy Award-winning actress and singer, Ms. Bergen's career spanned more than six decades in films, TV, Broadway musicals and concerts. She passed away from natural causes September 20 at age 84. A Tribute to Polly Bergen, produced by Rex Reed and Michael Alden with creative consultant Deborah Grace Winer, celebrated her life and career with a star studded lineup of participants. They included Christine Andreas, Harry Belafonte, Arlene Dahl, Raul Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Gregory Harrison, Judith Ivey, Chris Matthews, Phyllis Newman, Kelli O'Hara and cast members from the 2001 revival of Follies.

Last nght, The Metropolitan Room welcomed some of Broadway's brightest to salute the legendary Elaine Stritch with an evening of stories and songs, hosted by the famed cabaret's owner, Bernard Furshpan. Check out a look back below!

The Metropolitan Room previously announced that they will proudly salute the legendary Elaine Stritch with an evening of stories and songs onAugust 7th 2014 at 7:00pm. Hosted by the famed cabaret's owner, Bernard Furshpan, performers of all backgrounds will join forces to honor her memory.