Jon Weber News

Nominees Announced For 2019 Matilda Awards

Everything old is new again….. that's if you happen to sing like Marissa Mulder and have Jon Weber at the piano to envelop your dulcet voice with inspired accompaniments.

Cabaret artist and interviewer Eugene Ebner sits down with Hannah Jane Peterson just before her debut at Birdland with Lady Legends of Broadway. Watch this Broadway World exclusive video interview!

Playwright/actor/reality star Joe Gulla, best known for his award-winning shows, Bronx Queen Trilogy, Garbo, Gay.Porn.Mafia, Sleeping With The Fish, and his sold-out engagements at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, made his Feinstein's/54 Below debut with The Bronx Queen on December 27th. 

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is launching into Leap Year with 23 dazzling shows, concerts and special events for every entertainment preference, from classical music to Broadway razzle dazzle, including the return of Michael Feinstein and the Kravis Center Pops Orchestra, the 13th annual Palm Beach Wine Auction Dinner & Live Auction, and the local premiere of HAMILTON, the biggest blockbuster of the past decade.

Remember that song lyric “with Barons and Earls”……..Sophisticated, well heeled and well dressed New Yorkers came to the most elegant spot in New York City, The Pierre on Fifth Avenue last night as KT Sullivan brought Broadway and Cabaret to the iconic hotel's Two E Lounge. It was truly a royal audience in every way (check out the photos). They came to the 90 year hotel which was home to Elizabeth Taylor, hosted Rex Harrison and wife renewing their vows, and was where Yves St Laurent debuted his first US Collection, to hear arguably one of the finest artists in the world of Cabaret, KT Sullivan.

This is the 12th year Sullivan has held a celebration of artists born in a 20th century year, 100 years after their birth; many of the songs were originally composed by Ervin Drake, though the show also hosted tributes to Liberace, Nat King Cole, and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Cabaret lovers will have many memories from the Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2019 New York Cabaret Convention. Attendees to all four of the presentations at Rose Theater will no doubt have their favorite music moments from the performances of the more than 75 cabaret artists. However, perhaps the most enduring remembrance will be the remarkable organizational abilities and intelligence of the foundations artistic director, it's face (and hat) of the convention… KT Sullivan. Just imagine how difficult it must be to satisfy the requirements of 75 singers, make their moment in the spotlight as successful as it can be, and cope with the egos that are a necessary part of every performers DNA. All the while fulfilling the sophisticated and knowledgeable audience's expectations of a great show. There were many highs and “almost highs” during the 12 hours of music, and that's what makes it so exciting. Every artist brings their own unique talent to the stage.

The third night of the Mabel Mercer Foundation's New York Cabaret Convention hosted by Judy Garland expert John Fricke and actor, singer, humorist Klea Blackhurst had many noteworthy performances during it's three hours last night at Rose Theater. However, the most touching and dramatic Judy Garland minute was not musical. It happened when Sidney Myer a New York City Cabaret superstar related a story from his youth. It seems that Sidney survived the stress of the 50's and 60's of being “different” in the all boy New Jersey Prep School he attended (which Sidney recalled was populated by boys who specialized in terrorism) by focusing on his love of music and his worship of Judy Garland. He described to a spellbound Convention audience of being brought to a Judy Garland concert by his parents, he had his sign “ We Love Judy” in hand and with thousands cheering her as she walked down the aisle in a twist of fate he accidentally came face to face with her. Judy shook his hand and he managed to get out a “thank you” even though he had rehearsed a speech for years if this kind of moment ever happened. . There wasn't a dry eye in the house after his story. The evening had many humorous and emotional moments as Emmy Award winning host John Fricke, who is considered the preeminent Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz authority related many stories about Garland. Klea Blackhurst is probably one of the most effective and beloved Convention hosts and she used her wit and music to make it as always one of the most enjoyable of Convention nights.

Day two of the 2019 Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2019 New York Cabaret Convention filled Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center with a lot of Heart and Soul and the music of Frank Loesser last night. The Convention audience was immersed with the music of one of the greatest Broadway songwriters as one by one 23 renowned Cabaret artists performed Frank Loesser hits. The one and only Marilyn Maye brought the evening to a stunning conclusion with her rendition of Joey, Joey and her exciting 3/4 time version of Luck Be A Lady Tonight all arranged and played by the remarkable pianist Tedd Firth.

It was a spectacular start to the four night 2019 Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater Last night.

If a visitor from another planet landed here and asked the question “What is Cabaret?” an easy explanation would be to send him/her to attend a performance by KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar, wether it be solo or jointly. They didn't invent the art form but KT and Jeff's artistry and show construction ranks as one of the finest examples of Cabaret.

From a?oeFevera?? to a?oeIt's a Good Day,a?? Peggy Lee's songs captivated millions. On Nov. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m., Stacy Sullivan returns to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in a portrait of the gifted singer-songwriter's life and music. The performance is part of the theater's Cabaret Series where patrons are seated directly on the Carpenter Center stage for an up-close cabaret experience.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present singer Natalie Douglas in another one of her “Tributes” series with a celebration of the songs recorded and performed by Miss Nancy Wilson. The one-night-only event took place on September 23.

With her series Tributes, Natalie Douglas gives audiences a thrill a minute by putting the spotlight on Miss Nancy Wilson.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

Beloved cabaret duo KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar bring their special brand of magic to The Laurie Beechman Theatre with their Sheldon Harnick/Charles Strouse show and the full house on opening night ate it up. And then some.

In a combined triumph for the Classic Popular Songbook, its purveyors and adherents, and the professionalism and perseverance of THE MABEL MERCER FOUNDATION, that unique organization presents its 30th Annual New York Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Monday, October 28th and running through Thursday, October 31st. The four individual concerts will be offered at 6:00 PM each evening, and more than seventy-five vocalists and musicians are scheduled to perform. Tickets are on sale at the Jazz at Lincoln Center box office and www.jazz.org starting today, Monday, September 9.

The popular duo KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar bring a new night of music and a new tribute to Broadway composers to The Laurie Beechman Theatre.