Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, has announced the nominees for the 2014 MAC Awards. Winners in twenty-five categories will be voted by the MAC membership by anonymous ballot and announced at the MAC Awards Gala on March 27th at BB King's Blue Club in Times Square at: 237 W. 42 St between 7th and 8th Avenues. Tickets start at $50.00. For additional information on MAC, to become a member, or to order tickets to the event, visit: http://macnyc.com.
Our intrepid cabaret columnist/reviewer Stephen Hanks catches up on some reviews of fall 2013 shows, including Mary Foster Conklin's BroadwayWorld.com Award nominated tribute to Fran Landesman, solo shows from Bernard Dotson, Gary Crawford, and Lauren Glazer, and a duo show from Alison Nusbaum and Jackie Kristel.
ScoBar Entertainment and Iridium NYC last night presented a one-night-only Tribute to Ervin Drake. The evening celebrated the life and music of legendary 94-year-old American songwriter whose works include Great American Songbook standards such as 'It Was A Very Good Year,' which was popularized by Frank Sinatra. Drake, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 also wrote the songs 'I Believe,' 'Good Morning Heartache,' 'Tico-Tico,' 'Perdido,' 'Now I Have Everything,' 'A Room without Windows,' 'AL DI LA,' & 'Quando Quando.' He is also the composer and lyricist of the 1964 Broadway show, What Makes Sammy Run.
The 2013 Dora Awards took place in Toronto on Monday June 25th at The St Lawrence Centre for the Arts. To accommodate demand, the Bluma theatre was also opened up for guests and the awards were live-streamed via 'Doratron'. As in previous years, there was a glamorous VIP ceremony pre-show followed by a post show street party that closed down Front Street. A record number of Doras were given out, with Young People's Theatre's CINDERELLA the runaway hit of the evening with seven awards. BWW is thrilled readers photos from the evening.
When Dana Lorge's run as a Variety Show hosted ended at the Iguana Restaurant last July-and after winning two 2012 MAC Awards for 'Best Variety Show' and 'Best Variety Show Host'-who knew she'd be reduced to being a cabaret audience member searching for a new showcase? But a Metropolitan Room Mentch has come to the rescue in the form of Bernie Furshpan (the Met Room's General Partner and Manager), who has provided Dana with a monthly forum for her unique brand of cabaret shtick beginning Friday, April 5 at 7-8:15 pm. While the new show won't be the two-hour plus extravaganza of yore featuring more than a dozen performers, Dana's new 'Variety Show' promises to feature a solid group of experienced and well-known cabaret and musical theater pros. For the April 5 opener, the Lorge Lineup features Richard Skipper, her former Award-winning Co-host from the Iguana days; film and stage actor Jim Brochu (of Zero Mostel One-Man Show fame), singers LaTanya Hall (from the CBS show 'Blue Bloods) and Peggy Herman Klat, Rick Crom (Creator of Newsical the Musical), and Mr. Furshpan, who will show off his stand-up comedy chops. But the real star of the show will always be the hilarious, unpredictable, darling Dana, who will both crack you up with her infectious humor and surprise you with her engaging singing performances.
If any New York cabaret performers staging shows last Wednesday evening (July 11) found their audiences a bit sparse, it's probably Dana Lorge's fault. The endearing and ditzy entertainment diva's final weekly talent showcase at Iguana NYC Restaurant on West 54th Street (just east of the new 54 Below) didn't bring out every cabaret connected person in the city, but it sure seemed that way. And if MAC had a vote for 'Variety Show of the Year,' Lorge's last Iguana presentation would win in a landslide.
The 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Awards took place this past Monday night, honouring the best of the best of the past year in Toronto theatre. The evening featured a pre-show VIP reception at The Sony Centre, a gala awards ceremony and the ever popular street party that takes place after the show under the stars on Front St. BWW was on hand to bring you pictures from the event and all the winners!
On Sunday, December 10 at 5PM, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), assisted by director/lyricist Peter Napolitano have announced that they will close their celebrated cabaret series WINTER RHYTHMS with the New York Premiere of Steve Ross's Irvin Berlin Show. The show will be followed by a champagne supper. Tickets for this event are $75 ($50 for MAC Members) and can be purchased by visiting www.SmartTix.com or calling 212 868-4444. Urban Stages is located at 259 West 30 Street
On Sunday, December 10 at 5PM, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), assisted by director/lyricist Peter Napolitano have announced that they will close their celebrated cabaret series WINTER RHYTHMS with the New York Premiere of Steve Ross's Irvin Berlin Show. The show will be followed by a champagne supper. Tickets for this event are $75 ($50 for MAC Members) and can be purchased by visiting www.SmartTix.com or calling 212 868-4444. Urban Stages is located at 259 West 30 Street
On Wednesday, December 7 at 7PM, Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins will headline Barry Levitt's Jazz Jam along with as Mary Foster Conklin, Cleve Douglass, and Kat Gang.
Thursday, December 1 at 7PM, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), assisted by director/lyricist Peter Napolitano will kick-off a two week musical celebration entitled WINTER RHYTHMS with a evening honoring Donald Smith, founder of the Mabel Mercer Foundation.
Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), assisted by director/lyricist Peter Napolitano announces a series of musical evenings entitled WINTER RHYTHMS, beginning on Thursday, December 1 and running through Thursday, December 11, 2011 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30thStreet.)
