Jeff Cubeta News

In just three years since the inception of the BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards, the ceremony has evolved into one of the community's most-anticipated events. And this year's festivities, the second one at Joe's Pub, proved to be the most glittering and energetic assemblage to date. In fact, there couldn't have been a more promising start to the annual cabaret awards season, which continues with the Bistro Awards at Gotham Comedy Club on March 4, and culminates with the MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) at BB King's on March 26. The 3rd Annual BWW Awards Show was just the right spark to get this season's prizes off to a veritable fireworks display.

Arbender Robinson, Crystal Dickinson, Jerry Dixon, Lauren Elder and Tony Award-nominee Keala Settle are among Broadway actors participating in 'The Stars Are Brightly Shining: A Broadway Brunchtime Series Holiday Benefit Concert Treat' today, December 18, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at NYC's Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen .

Arbender Robinson, Crystal Dickinson, Jerry Dixon, Lauren Elder and Tony Award-nominee Keala Settle are among Broadway actors participating in 'The Stars Are Brightly Shining: A Broadway Brunchtime Series Holiday Benefit Concert Treat' on Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at NYC's Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen (www.holyapostlessoupkitchen.org).

According to mythology, the 'Phoenix' was a bird of great beauty, said to have lived 1,000 years in the Arabian wilderness. The Phoenix burns itself to ashes on an ancient funeral pyre, only to rise again from those ashes with the renewed exuberance of youth. Its renewed life cycle symbolizes the immortality of the spirit, the rebirth of idealism, the essence of creativity, and the aura of eternal hope. With her new show at the Laurie Beechman, Visible Phoenix (which opened October 17 and returned last Friday night), multi-award winner Carolyn Montgomery-Forant has returned to the cabaret stage (after a 14-year hiatus to raise her son and run a cafe business) as the very personification of that rare beautiful bird.

Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.

The 7th Season of The Parks Concert Series, (formerly The Concerts for City Greens), a free outdoor concert series, continues tonight, August 13th at 6:30 pm (Rain date: Thursday, August 14th at 6:30pm.) at Tudor City Greens, and will feature professional performers from Broadway and the New York City cabaret, jazz, classical and opera scene. All performers donate their time and talent for these concerts. The concert will be hosted by Tudor City resident, Broadway and cabaret veteran Raissa Katona Bennett.

The 7th Season of The Parks Concert Series, (formerly The Concerts for City Greens), a free outdoor concert series, continues on Wednesday, August 13th at 6:30 pm (Rain date: Thursday, August 14th at 6:30pm.) at Tudor City Greens, and will feature professional performers from Broadway and the New York City cabaret, jazz, classical and opera scene. All performers donate their time and talent for these concerts. The concert will be hosted by Tudor City resident, Broadway and cabaret veteran Raissa Katona Bennett.

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre announces THE PARTING GLASS, a series of special one-night only events celebrating Irish arts and culture. THE PARTING GLASS, which marks the end of the Irish Rep's 2013-2014 Season, will feature traditional Irish music, dance, poetry and storytelling. The series will take place on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage of the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street).

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre announces THE PARTING GLASS, a series of special one-night only events celebrating Irish arts and culture. THE PARTING GLASS, which marks the end of the Irish Rep's 2013-2014 Season, will feature traditional Irish music, dance, poetry and storytelling. The series will take place on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage of the Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street).

JOSEPH JOHN PRODUCTIONS present DIVAPALOOZA. The ALL-MALE Diva Cast Singing ALL-FEMALE Diva Songs. Songs by Whitney Houston, Patti Lupone, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga and more.

The Amanda McBroom Project, conceived and directed by Eric Michael Gillett and Arthur Masella, with musical direction by Jeff Cubeta is playing at The Laurie Beechman Theatre for 3 nights only, March 14th, 15th & 17th. Starring in the production are, Karen Akers, Aisha de Haas, Terese Genecco, Mandy Gonzalez, Carolyn Montgomery-Forant and Kt Sullivan. Also appearing are Alison Grace Bradbury, Leah Jennings, Eva Kantor, Lauren Stanford, Erin Wegner Brooks and Melanie Vaughan. BroadwayWorld was there at the opening, check below to see photos from the performance!

Broadway's Mandy Gonzalez (Wicked, In the Heights, Dance of the Vampires, Lennon) has joined the cast of The Amanda McBroom Project, set for tonight, March 14, 15, and 17 at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42 Street (Between 9 and 10 Avenues.)

The Amanda McBroom Project...continuing the journey will play tonight, March 14, 15, and 17 at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42 Street (Between 9 and 10 Avenues).

Broadway's Mandy Gonzalez (Wicked, In the Heights, Dance of the Vampires, Lennon) has joined the cast of The Amanda McBroom Project, set for March 14, 15, and 17 at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42 Street (Between 9 and 10 Avenues.) For Reservations: 212.695.6909Music charge $20. Food/drink minimum $15

The evening will benefit Help Is On The Way Today a non for profit organization that helps assists children living with HIVand AIDS.

The Amanda McBroom Project...continuing the journey will play March 14, 15, and 17 at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42 Street (Between 9 and 10 Avenues). Reservations: 212.695.6909. Music charge $20; Food/drink minimum $15.

Eric Michael Gillett will bring BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME to the Laurie Beechman Theater on Valentine's Day, tonight, February 14 at 7 PM.

EMG Collective/Singers Forum presents two separate shows of SHOWSTOPPERS: UPTUNE & A BALLAD on Feb. 3 and 10 at 7 p.m. at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Not all performers appear on both nights.

Eric Michael Gillett will bring BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME to the Laurie Beechman Theater on Valentine's Day, Friday, February 14 at 7 PM.

If you're wondering whether or not 2013 was a fantastic year for the cabaret art form in New York, all you have to do is scan the amazing list of nominees for this year's BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards and you'll know it was one of the best ever. So now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians, songs, and shows of the year. Voting will continue until Sunday night January 5 and the winners will be announced later that week. We hope that all the winners will be able to perform in the Award show on Sunday night February 23 at Joe's Pub.