Lina Koutrakos News

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

If you're wondering whether or not 2013 was a fantastic year for the cabaret art form in New York, all you have to do is scan the amazing list of nominees for this year's BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards and you'll know it was one of the best ever. So now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians, songs, and shows of the year. Voting will continue until Sunday night January 5 and the winners will be announced later that week. We hope that all the winners will be able to perform in the Award show on Sunday night February 23 at Joe's Pub.

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.

After a highly competitive semi-final round of the 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' at The Metropolitan Room last night, five finalists were picked to move forward in the 7-week singers' competition. The five finalists, who will go head to head next Monday, August 19, are Stephen Mitchell Brown, Venessa Diaz, Jason Morris, Tony Ponella and Lauren Stanford.

The Bistro Award-winning series Sondheim Unplugged will return to 54 Below next weekend, tonight, July 28, with a show at 7:00 p.m.

SONDThe latest edition will feature special guests Chip Zien (Into the Woods' original Baker), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd's original Johanna), and Terri White (Stella Deems, 2011 Broadway revival of Follies).

Beginning tonight, 75 solo singers are competing in the sixth annual MetroStar Talent Challenge at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. Hosted by the comic actor-singer Jay Rogers, the seven-week, jury-and audience-voted competition kicks off with three weeks of trials (July 8, 15, 22), after which the Top 18 contestants will advance to the next round.

Back on April 1, when he posted his third compilation of delayed cabaret reviews from shows staged during the winter, BroadwayWorld.com's lead New York cabaret reviewer promised Number 4 would come with arrival of summer. Okay, so he missed his self-imposed deadline by a couple of weeks. but here's yet another catch-up column with critiques of a half dozen spring shows performed by Bryan Batt, Dawn Derow, Lynly Forrest, Dennis McNeil, Anastasia Barzee, and Nina Hennessey.

After a smash debut this spring, cabaret singer and songwriter Karen Gross will bring her buzzed-about show'Cabaret Mixtape' back to The Metropolitan Room at 4:30 p.m. today, June 29, 2013. Advance reservations are requested by calling 212-206-0440 or ordering at www.metropolitanroom.com.

After a smash debut this spring, cabaret singer and songwriter Karen Gross will bring her buzzed-about show'Cabaret Mixtape' back to The Metropolitan Room at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2013. Advance reservations are requested by calling 212-206-0440 or ordering at www.metropolitanroom.com.

Karen Gross-Philadelphia's celebrated cabaret singer, songwriter, and comedienne who recently put down roots in New York City-will debut her all-new show 'Cabaret Mixtape' at 4:30 p.m. today, April 13, 2013 at the premier cabaret venue The Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Aves.), New York City, NY.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs has just announced the winners of the 2013 MAC Awards, which were presented last night at the 27th Annual MAC Awards Show. The awards ceremony was held at B.B. King Blues Club, and the show was directed by Lennie Watts and produced by Julie Miller. Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Tom Wopat and Penny Fuller. The Board of Directors Award was presented to 54 Below, and a special award was presented in memory of Ruth Kurtzman. The Hanson Award was presented to Elaine St. George. The show was hosted by KT Sullivan, with music direction by Tracy Stark, and stage management by Amy Wolk.

Karen Gross-Philadelphia's celebrated cabaret singer, songwriter, and comedienne who recently put down roots in New York City-will debut her all-new show "Cabaret Mixtape" at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the premier cabaret venue The Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Aves.), New York City, NY. Tickets are $20, plus a two-drink minimum, and advance reservations are requested by calling 212-206-0440 or ordering at www.metropolitanroom.com.

Karen Gross-Philadelphia's celebrated cabaret singer, songwriter, and comedienne who recently put down roots in New York City-will debut her all-new show 'Cabaret Mixtape' at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the premier cabaret venue The Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Aves.), New York City, NY.

The French singer and actress Floanne returns to Joe's Pub on Sunday March 24 at 7:30pm with a new edition of her still unfolding Edith Piaf project, "Edith Piaf Alive."

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs will present the 27th Annual MAC Awards on Thursday, March 21st, at B.B King Blues Club & Grill in New York City.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, will present the following acts.

Cabaret Cares Concludes its 2012 Season with its Christmas Extravaganza on Dec 17th hosted by Tanya Holt. Cabaret Cares is the award winning series that raises funds for Help Is On The Way Today. Started in 2005 Cabaret Cares has raised over $74,000 for Help Is On The Way Today.

After receiving more than 3,000 nominations once BroadwayWorld.com announced it's first-ever New York Cabaret Awards in early October, BWW is now pleased to announce it's final nominations ballot in 20 categories. Now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians and shows of the year. Voting will continue until December 31 and winners will be announced in early January.