Jeff Harnar News

It's an undeniable, outstanding, and extraordinary musical milestone, to be sure: 2015 marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Mabel Mercer Foundation! Not only has the organization survived the ongoing and vastly fluctuating public tastes in music, lyrics, and performers, it has proliferated and burgeoned in its three decades of commitment to the classic, "Great Popular Songbook" -- both past and present.

The 2015 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' is extending its deadline for applications to July 4 and adding new mentoring to help competitors up their games during the 7-week contest. The eighth annual edition of the summer tradition runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from July 6 through August 17.  All contestants must certify that they will be available to compete throughout the jury-and audience-voted, elimination-round competition.

Stephen Hanks, Producer of Cabaret Life Productions, and Union Temple of Brooklyn (17 Eastern Parkway) are proud to announce that Musical Director/Pianist Jon Weber will perform his critically acclaimed show, From Joplin to Jarrett: 100 Years of Piano Jazz, at Union Temple tonight, June 19 at 8 pm. The one-man concert will be in the 3rd Floor Social Hall at 8 pm after the 6:30 pm Shabbat Service and dinner. Admission to the concert is FREE.

Join Encompass for this spectacular one night only benefit event in a unique Tribeca penthouse with a grand outdoor terrace featuring panoramic NYC views, to take place at 66 Leonard Street, New York, NY 10013 (between Church Street & Broadway) in the penthouse of Mr. Chip Seelig. In addition to an evening of great entertainment, guests can also expect savory hors d'oeuvres and enjoy wines from Mr. Seelig's private collection.

Barry Kleinbort, director, composer, lyricist, and librettist shared his vast theatre knowledge with the 970am radio audience this past Sunday. Barry paid a visit to his longtime friend Jamie deRoy at Backstage with Peter LeDonne. This informative hour is available on Podcast at http://am970theanswer.com. Mr. Kleinbort is one of the select of creative people who are called upon to write special material for many cabaret and theatre performers.

Stephen Hanks, Producer of Cabaret Life Productions, and Union Temple of Brooklyn (17 Eastern Parkway) are proud to announce that Musical Director/Pianist Jon Weber will perform his critically acclaimed show, From Joplin to Jarrett: 100 Years of Piano Jazz, at Union Temple on June 19 at 8 pm. The one-man concert will be in the 3rd Floor Social Hall at 8 pm after the 6:30 pm Shabbat Service and dinner. Admission to the concert is FREE.

There was More Music by Alex Rybeck at 54 Below last night and Broadwayworld was there.

Nancy Rhodes, artistic director of Encompass New Opera Theatre, announced today that cabaret and Broadway star Jason Graae will be the featured performer at the Encompass Jazz Cabaret Gala in Manhattan on June 29th, 2015. 

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Tribute shows to iconic entertainers celebrating a centennial birthday in 2015 seem to be all the rage this year. But nobody has been celebrated more in cabaret variety shows than Frank Sinatra—and rightly so. Wall Street Journal entertainment columnist Will Friedwald, also a producer and author who wrote the 1997 book Sinatra! The Song Is You—A Singer's Art, this past Saturday presented the biggest (and longest) tribute to “Ol' Blue Eyes” so far this year with Sinatra-Thon at The Cutting Room (co-curated with performer Cary Hoffman), a potpourri of events running from 10 am to an after-midnight jam, and which included varied live entertainment, rare film clips, and panel discussions.

Julie Wilson, who died at age ninety on April 5th, was celebrated and remembered by her peers in a special, one-time-only performance on Tuesday evening, April 28th at The Town Hall. The concert was underwritten by The Mabel Mercer Foundation.

Julie Wilson, who died at age ninety on April 5th, will be celebrated and remembered by her peers in a special, one-time-only performance this evening, April 28th at The Town Hall. The concert is being underwritten by The Mabel Mercer Foundation and begins at 6 o'clock.

Urban Stages' Board of Directors and founding artistic director Frances Hill will hold their annual benefit at the Boathouse in Central Park at 6:30PM on May 18th. This event will honor philanthropist Henry Buhl for his contributions to Urban Stages and the New York Community as the Founder of the Association of Community Employment for the Homeless (ACE). Brilliant singer and actress, KT Sullivan will receive the first Musical Theatre Award for her work with Urban Stages and as director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation which produces the New York Cabaret Convention.

Julie Wilson, who died at age ninety on April 5th, will be celebrated and remembered by her peers in a special, one-time-only performance on Tuesday evening, April 28th at The Town Hall. The concert is being underwritten by The Mabel Mercer Foundation and begins at 6 o'clock.

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!

It's not exactly a secret that cabaret has for decades been a world dominated by female entertainers. Sylvia Syms, Julie Wilson, Margaret Whiting, Karen Akers, KT Sullivan, Karen Mason and myriad others have assumed the top notches of the art form. But, perhaps, men might be taking their place among the front lines and a perfect example this past week were the shows from cabaret veterans Kevin Dozier and Frank Torren.

The latest edition covered 1941 to 1965, featuring songs from Oklahoma, Carousel, Finian's Rainbow, Kiss Me Kate, The Pajama Game, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Oliver!, Hello Dolly, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and more. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the evening below!

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.

The critically acclaimed Broadway by the Year series fifteenth season will bring 100 years of Broadway history in four incredible evenings.

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.