Lovers of Cabaret flocked to New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theatre last night to attend The 27th New York Cabaret Convention and BroadwayWorld was there. Unlike a political convention there was complete agreement that this annual event produced and sponsored by the Mabel Mercer Foundation is one of the best entertainment experiences of the year. Madam Chairman' and artistic director KT Sullivan kept complete order as one by one the wonderful vocalists made their case to the extremely knowledgeable 'delegates' filling Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It's not politically correct to pick winners at the annual event, which presents newcomers and veterans of the cabaret art form, but if there's one...... The Audience! For two hours they hear some great music and get a potpourri of diverse singing styles that make the long evening seem brief. The superb song stylist and New York based vocalist Natalie Douglas was deservedly presented the prestigious Donald F. Smith award, and legend Maureen McGovern received the Mable Mercer Award.
Joe Sirola, one of the worlds most successful voice -over actors, film, TV, and stage actor, was honored in the the Metropolitan Room's famous, "This Is Your Night" series last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Managing partner Bernie Furshpan hosted the evening which had performances by Steve Ross, Shana Farr, Gregory Korostishevsky, Eric Rudy Lee Pfeiffer, Jamie deRoy, and KT Sullivan. Jon Weber served as music director.
Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.
This July, FEINSTEIN'S/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/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.
When New York cabaret community insiders and frequent club goers heard that Marissa Mulder was planning a Marilyn Monroe-themed show, the consensus was the vocalist's naturally breathy voice paired with a roster of songs from Monroe's films would be a good fit. Sidestepping expectations, Mulder and Director Sondra Lee have instead put together a one-woman theater piece with almost as much monologue (using Monroe's own words) as music. Equally surprising, the impressionistic show (currently in the midst of a four-show run at the Laurie Beechman Theatre after launching in February at the Metropolitan Room) features not Monroe's familiar material, but rather songs that reflect what its creators intuit as her internal life.
Artists in Partnership (AIP), a non-profit cultural arts organization, will host its 14th Annual Cabaret Festival May 19-22 at the Long Beach Public Library, 111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY. The festival will be a celebration of the cabaret genre honoring the Great American Songbook. All performances are FREE to the public.
Producer Ralph Lampkin, Jr; of Lampkin Music Group and Cafe Noctambulo co-owner Christopher Gines are proud to announce a new joint venture, 'SPOTLIGHT SERIES.'
At a ceremony held last night in New York, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs announced the winners of the 2016 MAC Awards. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Amanda McBroom. Also honored with a Board of Directors award was Maryann Lopinto. Jamie deRoy received the Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Award on behalf of her work with The Actors Fund: Jamie deRoy & Friends Cabaret Initiative. Sally Darling received the Hanson Award. The show was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, with musical direction by Matt Baker.
After BroadwayWorld launched its New York Cabaret Awards in 2012, the cabaret section's editors realized that the selected categories and the popular vote nature of the election didn't adequately recognize some great performances and shows for that particular year. So in 2013, BWW added "Editor's Choice Awards" to the mix to not only reward special performances but also to acknowledge people who have helped grow cabaret and foster the spirit of the art form.
This year, BWW New York Cabaret Editor Stephen Hanks and his reviewing staff-including Alix Cohen, David Clarke, Billie Roe, Rembert Block, and John Hoglund-selected seven stars of cabaret for this special honor. Now that the Awards for 2015 performances and shows are official, we wanted to tell you a bit about this year's "Editor's Choice Award" winners and offer them a chance to thank the New York cabaret community. Congratulations to all these worthy Award recipients.
How much do most of us know about Brooklyn's own Mary Jane 'Mae' West (1893-1980) other than that she was an iconic sex symbol who had a wicked sense of humor? It's common knowledge she acted and sang, but are you aware she was a playwright and screenwriter? Did you know she didn't make her first film until the age of 39 and never drank alcohol? Jazz vocalist Molly Ryan has done her homework, presenting a smart, multifaceted woman who was, outside her carefully constructed persona, "the epitome of modesty." Though narrative needs to be edited, her show Come Up and See Me Sometime at the Metropolitan Room (which completed a three-show run this past Wednesday night) is an excellent mix of history and anecdote making a case for increased appreciation of the subject.
Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for January 11-24, 2016, including Stacy Sullivan, Merman's Apprentice, Stacey Kent, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, and more. Scroll down for details!
Birdland Jazz Club has just announced its January 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, Jeff Lorber Fusion, The Birdland Big Band, Musette Explosion, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Mack Avenue Superband, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!
Marlene VerPlanck always makes one feel as the gathering's in her own living room. On the night after Christmas, with expert colleagues Jon Weber (piano) and Jay Leonhart (bass), the vocalist offers a mix of classic and new material at the intimate Jazz at Kitano. VerPlanck, who released her first album in 1955 when she was just 21 and sang with the Tommy Dorsey band, continues to put her own subtle stamp on phrasing without disrespecting melody or lyric. She swings without stress and communicates without acting.
Last night KT Sullivan & Jeff Harnar concluded their Sondheim Review titled Act Two, Another Hundred Years at The Laurie Beecham Theatre and BroadwayWorld was there.
Birdland Jazz Club has just announced its January 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, Jeff Lorber Fusion, The Birdland Big Band, Musette Explosion, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Mack Avenue Superband, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!
Stephen Hanks' Cabaret Life Productions and Associate Producer Fr. Jeffrey Hamblin, MD, are bringing back Karen Oberlin's 2010 Frank Loesser Tribute Show (with original Musical Director Jon Weber and bass player Sean Smith) as the first 2016 installment of the 'New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits' series at the Metropolitan Room on January 13 at 7 pm. 'I entered the cabaret world as a reviewer in late 2010 so I never saw this show,' says Hanks. 'I'm thrilled Karen Oberlin agreed to bring it back so those like me who didn't experience it will get a chance now.'
Though typically known for her sweet and tasty interpretations of classic American standards, Molly Ryan explores a deeper, decadent facet of her musical personality with 'COME UP AND SEE ME SOMETIME: a cheeky tribute to Mae West.' Check your propriety at the door and experience the irresistible allure of Molly Ryan as she salutes Hollywood's Queen of Risque. featuring Jon Weber - piano and special guest Carole J. Bufford
Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director, Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director of Musical Programming) today announced the line-up for this year's Award-Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2 and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre. WINTER RHYTHMS 2015 marks the seventh year that Urban Stages has brought noted musical artists to its stage during the holiday period. The mission of Winter Rhythms is to bring the talents of known and unknown singers, musicians, lyricists and composers to the attention of the New York theater community while performing at Urban Stages Theater. Winner of the 2015 Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series MAC Award, WINTER RHYTHMS benefits Urban Stages' acclaimed Outreach Program, which brings more than 200 free "arts in education" presentations to libraries and schools throughout the five boroughs. This year's event features 20 shows and more than 100 artists.
Urban Stages announces the line-up for this year's Award Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30thStreet, just East of 8th Avenue). Tickets are $25 per show and may be purchased by visiting urbanstages.org or by calling (866) 811-4111. For complete schedule information, visit urbanstages.org.
The final night of this year's estimable Cabaret Convention, What I Did for Love/Taking a Chance on Love, hosted by Klea Blackhurst, saluted composer/songwriter Vernon Duke in Act I and composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch during Act II. It was a curious pairing, indeed.
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