Lennie Watts News

The Mabel Mercer Foundation, led by KT Sullivan shows resilience as it evolves with the changing times and pandemic needs, presenting streaming and live performances for the 2021 Cabaret Convention.

Today we kick off the series with my conversation with musical director, Tracy Stark. She is one of the most prolific musical directors on the NY scene, playing upwards of 75-100 shows a year. She is the winner of 11 MAC awards in addition to the Bistro award and the Dottie Burman Songwriter of the Year award. She has worked with a plethora of great artists including Lesley Gore, Sarah Dash, Phoebe Snow, Karen Black, Randy Jones, Jimmy Osmond, Tovah Feldshuh, Eric Millegan. Tonya Pinkins, Ann Crumb, Marni Nixon, and hundreds of other rock, jazz, and Broadway artists. In the past 6 months, I have seen shows she worked on with Alice Ripley, Kim David Smith, and Meg Flather.

With cabaret greats Lennie Watts and Steven Ray Watkins by her side, Shannon Daley's debut at Don't Tell Mama was poised to make her proud. Helane Blumfield was on hand to document Shannon's first time up to bat.

The musical theater actor from The Windy City returned to Manhattan for a reprisal of his pre-pandemic show, and it's looking as fresh as ever.

A gentle wish for peace and an acknowledgment of the beauty all around us. Those were the last words to flow out of the pen of Oscar Hammerstein II. Born into a legendary theatrical family, his career spanned over 40 years on Broadway and he worked with a myriad of partners, notably Sigmund Romberg and Jerome Kern. But it is his groundbreaking partnership with Richard Rodgers that produced the work he will forever be remembered for. The partnership won him 8 Tony awards and two Oscars for best song. A playwright and lyricist, he created 5 works that are still staples of regional and community theatres around the world and 4 lesser performed works that pushed boundaries and are the basis of the musical play that still is a model for modern theatre writers. In terms of theatrical giants, they don't come much bigger than Rodgers & Hammerstein.

For her first show after the shutdown, singer-songwriter Meg Flather does a deep dive into musical theater history by creating an entire show of R&H.

Open to the public, this re-imagined programming in a COVID-responsible environment will bring headliners in solo performances as well as feature our Cabaret Fellows selected from across the country and Junior Fellows in singular evenings of entertainment.

Becca Kidwell's Show Of Dares is one of the most imaginative and creative ideas for a cabaret show, pushing her to new heights in her artistry, and proving that which her friends and mentors already know: in the cabaret rooms of New York City, Becca has found an artistic home.

Nicole Spano played a good show for MetropolitanZoom on June 10th and Broadway World Cabaret's newest team member was mightily impressed.

MetropolitanZoom will present NICOLE SPANO in a live premium virtual venue experience, with full service, including pre-show entertainment and meet and greet at the end of the show.

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has announced the 2021 summer season, which will be held in a hybrid format — both online and in-person. Support for artists, a welcoming environment for imaginative discovery and celebration, and the safety of our community are at the forefront of this #ONeillSummer.

It's been a long time for Meg Flather and for her fans, but everyone left The West Bank sated and smiling after a dinner music set that ranks as full-blown cabaret show.

Artistic Director John McDaniel brings the O'Neill Cabaret and Performance Conference back to in-person classes with a growing roster of prestigious instructors; applications are being accepted through May 13th.

Featuring new performers with every show, the weekly, award-winning Piano Bar Live! (PBL!) streams this Tuesday, April 20 at 7:15 pm ET, with host Scott Barbarino and guests Yvette Clark, Mark Hartman, Michael Kirk Lane, Ty Stephens, Lennie Watts and Reverand Yolanda, plus Mystery Guests and MORE!

Every March during Women's History Month, Goddard Riverside's Community Arts Program hosts an exciting month-long arts festival celebrating female artists and perspectives. All events are also written, directed, performed, or produced by women.

Rian Keating puts himself out on a line when he performs his club acts, but this deaf cabaret singing storyteller also puts himself on a line every day, living the life he wants to and helping those in need... and from the day the teenage Rian arrived in New York City, that's been his way.

Like everyone's favorite sister, Meri Ziev brings happiness and positivity wherever she goes, whether she's performing at Birdland, online or in her driveway. And that's how you built a fandom.

After its 2020 success with speakers including Chita Rivera and Joe Iconis, among others, the 92Y School of Music announces an all-new roster of cabaret programming for 2021, led by award-winning cabaret historian and performer, Michael Kirk Lane. Perfect for both practitioners and fans of the art form, it includes BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award-nominated interview series, Cabaret Conversations, as well as classes Cabaret History and Great Performances, and the newest, Cabaret Performance: Connecting to Your Lyric.  

Janice Hall and Adam B. Shapiro Bring Some Cheer For The New Year With their (Still A)Live From Shapiro Hall: Part 4: WHAT THE HELL, IT'S CHRISTMAS On The YouTubes

Voting ends THIS WEEK for the 2020 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards - which are back bigger than ever, celebrating the best in local theatre of the past decade! Check out the local nominees, cast your vote, and support live theatre entertainment in Cabaret!