Last December, after I posted my list of the Best Cabaret Performers of 2012, I followed up my original 'listmania' with a column that served as a way to include some 'honorable mentions,' basically a recognition of other memorable shows and performances of songs that were striking, unique, and/or original that year. The column received a positive response so I thought I'd wheel it out again this year. So as the hours tick away on 2013 and we anticipate the coming of a new year, here is an addendum to the 2013 New York Cabaret Performers of the Year--a totally random list of 30 Honorable Mentions of the 'Best' and 'Most' in Cabaret for 2013 . . . mainly because I can and it's fun. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, a new comedy written by Matt Murphy and Drama Desk Award winner Jim Brochu (Zero Hour, The Big Voice: God or Merman), based on the best-selling book by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman, will have its world premiere at The 777 Theatre (777 Eighth Avenue, between 47th and 48th Streets). Directed by Tim Drucker (writer/director of Spidermusical, co-book writer for the musical Fat Camp) Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man will begin performances on January 22, 2014. The press opening is set for February 9, 2014. Tickets for Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man are priced at $49.69 - $69.69 and are now on sale online at SexTipsPlay.com.
Surflight Theatre, the landmark summer theatre on the Jersey Shore, celebrates its 65th Anniversary of "Broadway at the Beach" in 2014 with a season of musicals from June through September.
While it was billed as a presentation celebrating the release of his 13-song CD, Tales From the Bonus Round, and his 60th birthday, Steven Schalchlin's recent show at the Metropolitan Room was so much more than that. It was also one about fear, fortitude, anxiety, anguish, compassion, courage, and love, all expressed in poetic and often clever lyrics and melodies ranging from uplifting gospel to Billy Joel-sounding mid-tempo pop to sensitive ballads, many colored with musical theater undertones. At their core, most of the songs conveyed what Schalchlin has thought, felt and experienced since early 1993, when he was diagnosed with AIDS, launched one of the first internet diaries/blogs (in early 1996), stared death in the face on a daily basis, took an experimental AIDS drug (Crixivan), and ultimately regained his health and career. When you listen to his songs, it's not hard to believe Schalchlin when he claims that during those scary days writing music and the “healing properties of piano vibrations” also helped save his life, and the 17 years since are what he calls his “Bonus Round.”
BORN FOR BROADWAY 2013, the fourth annual celebrity cabaret, featuring Broadway and TV stars donating their time and talent to raise money for paralysis-based organizations, took place at 54 Below last Monday, Sept. 30. Below, check out highlights from the concert, including performances from Annaleigh Ashford, John Tartaglia, and Betsy Wolfe!
Broadway On 22nd Street Returns to The Metropolitan Room for its Third Smash Year. Conceived and Produced by Joseph Macchia Broadway On 22nd Street the bi monthly series brings some of Broadways most talented singers down to the Metropolitan Room.
Jim Brochu, brings his one-man show, 'Character Man' to Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, New Jersey. The unique, highly acclaimed performance includes musical tributes to legendary show business performers.
Peter Scolari (TV- 'Girls,' 'Bosom Buddies,' Broadway- 'Lucky Guy'); Annaleigh Ashford (Tony nom, 'Kinky Boots'), Karen Akers (2 time Tony nom, original casts of 'Nine' and 'Grand Hotel'), Aaron Lazar ('Mamma Mia,' 'Les Miserables'), John Tartaglia (Tony nom, 'Avenue Q'),Howard McGillin (longest running Phantom in history, 2 time Tony nominee, 'Drood' and 'Anything Goes'), Ali Stroker (Glee Project/Glee) and others have join the cast of BORN FOR BROADWAY, the fourth annual celebrity cabaret, featuring Broadway and TV stars donating their time and talent to raise money for paralysis-based organizations has been announced. The evening will take place at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, on Monday September 30, 2013. Doors will open to the public at 8:45 PM with a 9:30 PM curtain. Hosts and full talent will be announced in the weeks ahead. www.bornforbroadway.com
A reading of the new musical comedy, The First Gentleman, which began rehearsals on September 9th in New York, will play tonight, September 16th and tomorrow, September 17th. The show features Book and Lyrics by David Howard, Music by Bret Simmons.
Gallery New World Stages, located at 343 West 49th Street, presents THAT FACE: THE ART OF KEN FALLIN - Broadway, Hollywood & Wall Street. Curated by Bernard Stote, this exhibit will feature over 75 original works of Caricature Art of popular cultural icons from Broadway community, Hollywood, politics, and Wall Street. Check out photos from the opening below!
Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher, Next to Normal), Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Catch Me If You Can) and Alex Gemignani (Chicago, Assassins) will star in an upcoming staged reading of The Dogs of Pripyat today, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th. The Dogs of Pripyat features music by Aron Accurso (Assoc. Conductor: Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella), and book by Leah Napolin and Abramovitz.
Popular actor/playwright Jim Brochu returns to Union County Performing Arts Center's Hamilton Stage Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, with a lively and affectionate tribute to Broadway musical stars past and present.
One of the biggest downers perpetrated by American culture is the characterization of Labor Day weekend as the 'unofficial end of summer.' But given what has passed for cabaret entertainment-at least the shows I was able to attend--since the 'unofficial start of summer' on Memorial Day weekend, the end of summer can't come soon enough. But my dismay over the hours lost watching average shows this season was tempered a bit by the pride and joy I felt watching the June performances of three strikingly attractive and talented 30ish brunettes with powerhouse voices-- Jackie Kristel, Karen Gross and Jodi Beck, who all staged entertaining shows as spring was turning to summer.
A reading of the new musical comedy, The First Gentleman, will begin rehearsals September 9th in New York with culminating performances on September 16th and 17th. The show features Book and Lyrics by David Howard, Music by Bret Simmons.
Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher, Next to Normal), Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Catch Me If You Can) and Alex Gemignani (Chicago, Assassins) will star in an upcoming staged reading of The Dogs of Pripyat Tuesday, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th. The Dogs of Pripyat features music by Aron Accurso (Assoc. Conductor: Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella), and book by Leah Napolin and Abramovitz.
Tony Award winner Richard Easton, Liz Larsen, Steve Vinovich, and Glory Crampton are set to star in The Peccadillo Theater Company's upcoming staged reading of Moss Hart's 1948 play LIGHT UP THE SKY tonight, July 29th at 7 PM at Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street (between Ninth & Tenth Ave.) The evening will be directed and hosted by Christopher Hart, the son of playwright Moss Hart and actress Kitty Carlisle Hart. Featured in the cast of LIGHT UP THE SKY are Peter Cormican (Follies, The Rivalry), Charles E. Gerber ("Royal Pains," "Third Watch"), Lucy Martin (Children of a Lesser God, The Sister Rosensweig), Michael Quinlan ("Blue Bloods," Death of a Salesman w/Dustin Hoffman), Bruch Reed (Lombardi), Tony Triano (The Man Who Came to Dinner), Marisa Vitale ("Bored to Death"), and John Wernke (The Lyons, The Royal Family).
