Lennie Watts News

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.

A heartfelt and talent-filled benefit took place at Don't Tell Mama for the Young Minds Foundation Friday night.

Venerated cabaret artist Lennie Watts' SINGNASIUM completes its' first year of classes in New York City.

Members of the NYC Cabaret community band together to fight teen suicide in a benefit at famed hotspot Don't Tell Mama.

Following their sold-out show last spring, Helane Blumfield, Lynda Rodolitz, Peggy Schwartz and Deborah Zecher bring their cabaret show FOUR WOMEN, FOUR STORIES' back to Don't Tell Mama on Wednesday, September 18 at 7 PM.

Tonight Don't Tell Mama's was packed to witness another round in the “Mama's Next Big Act” competition. Produced by Lennie Watts and Don't Tell Mama, each week singers compete with hopes to continue on to the finale and win a grand prize.

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 THIRTIETH annual New York Cabaret Convention at The Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, beginning Monday, October 28th and running through Thursday, October 31th. The four individual concerts will be offered at 6 o'clock each evening, and more than seventy-five vocalists and musicians are scheduled to perform.

Singer/Song writer Meg Flather brings together fellow singers on July 14 and September 14 at 4:00 pm at NYC's Don't Tell Mama, in a performance of her songs for A Cabaret Sisterhood.

A group of cabaret newcomers and veterans alike will join Meg Flather on July 14 and September 14 at Don't Tell Mama for MEG FLATHER SONGS: A CABARET SISTERHOOD, performing the work of the MAC and Bistro Award winner.

NYC actor/writer John Burns will premiere his new show John Burns is a Sexy Beast at historic Duplex Cabaret Theatre for three performances in June 2019 in honor of WorldPride & Stonewall 50. Directed by 15-time MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) award-winner Lennie Watts, performances will take place on Friday, June 7, Wednesday, June 26, and Saturday, June 29. All performances will begin promptly at 7pm.

The 33rd Annual MAC Awards were handed out last night (Tuesday, March 26, 2019) during a glitzy evening at New York City's SONY Hall.

The 2017 winner of Mama's Next Big Act, Heather Villaescusa, is bringing her show, The Happiness Project-A 10 Week Guide, back to NYC's Don't Tell Mama, exactly one year to the date of her opening, on Sunday, March 3 at 6:00pm. The singer returns with her long-time director Lennie Watts and musical director Steven Ray Watkins through a 10-week journey trying to find happiness in the insanity of being a mother, holding down a full-time job, being in a contest and ninja fighting those gremlins in the brain. Heather Villasescusa is an award contender for the 2019 Mac Award for Female Vocalist.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show 'Animal Magnetism' at Don't Tell Mama on February 10, 13, 24 and 27. When she grew frustrated with the dating advice she was getting from her human friends, Lynda turned to the animal kingdom to see what could be learned from them about lasting happy relationships. There'll be fascinating facts, great songs and lots of laughs along the way.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) has announced the 2019 MAC Award nominees. The nominees, in a majority of the categories, were determined by votes cast by the active MAC membership. Special committees selected the nominees in the Ensemble Instrumentalist, Piano Bar Instrumentalist, Piano Bar Singing Entertainer (Female; Male), Recording (LaMott Friedman), Major Recording, Song and Comedy/Novelty Song categories.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show Animal Magnetism at Don't Tell Mama on Sundays February 10, and 24 at 3 PM and Wednesdays, February 13 and 27 at 7 PM. The show is directed by Lennie Watts with Steven Ray Watkins as Musical Director, featuring Matt Scharfglass on bass and Don Kelly on percussion.

Kenneth Gartman's cabaret show When In Rome is back for three more performances at Don't Tell Mama on January 28, February 1 and March 11, all at 7 pm. This newest show celebrates Gartman's love of language, culture and travel, and is under the direction of 10-time MAC Award-winner Lennie Watts. Musical direction is by Troy Fannin with Marcel Hamel on bass and Mike Shapiro on drums.

After 4 sold out shows, Helane Blumfield, returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre on January 17th at 7pm with her Broadway World nom- inated show 'Tight Pants And Tears Of Joy, My love affair with Tom Jones and Neil Diamond!' benefiting *SINGNASIUM and its Scholarship Program.

Kenneth Gartman's new cabaret show "When In Rome" is back for 3 more performances after a successful run this fall in both NYC and Connecticut. Gartman is set to play Don't Tell Mama January 28, February 1 and March 11 at 7 pm. Kenneth made his cabaret debut in 2011 garnering him a nominations for Best Male Debut in the 2012 BWW New York Cabaret Awards. This newest show celebrates Gartman's love of language, culture and travel under the direction of cabaret legend and 10-time MAC Award-winner Lennie Watts with musical direction by Troy Fannin.

Lynda Rodolitz, the 2018 winner of Mama's next BIG Act, will present her new show 'Animal Magnetism' at Don't Tell Mama on February 10, 13, 24 and 27. When she grew frustrated with the dating advice she was getting from her human friends, Lynda turned to the animal kingdom to see what could be learned from them about lasting happy relationships. There'll be fascinating facts, great songs and lots of laughs along the way.

There's just one weekend left to vote for the BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards!