Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf News

As the days dwindled down to a precious few in 2014, a few cabaret goers and performers in what is affectionately but also self-mockingly called the “cabaret community” would sidle up and ask if I was planning my annual end-of-the year “Best Of” column, similar to the “Top 20 Bests and Favorites” piece over the first half of the year I posted back in early July. I would respond in the negative with very reasonable and believable excuses, but the truth is I didn't want to reveal my “Bests” of the year until the voting for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards had ended. There's enough baggage and backstage whispering that comes with administering the BWW Awards, so I wasn't about to publish any opinions that might influence the vote while it was in process. I may be crazy but I'm not masochistic. But now all bets are off. You want lists? I'll give you lists.

The Pit Stop Players, a fourteen-member instrumental ensemble composed of veteran Broadway pit musicians, will present "Bolling Night," an evening of music by the legendary Claude Bolling, plus pieces by other composers who combine jazz and classical idioms. The event will take place Monday, February 9, at 7:30 pm, at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York City.

On January 9th, Broadway's biggest belters celebrated the best-selling Canadian music artist in history, Celine Dion, in an evening of epic power ballads, and classic pop tunes at 54 Below.

?After four BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award Nominations and a critically acclaimed run, Maxine Linehan will return to the Metropolitan Room for three encore performances of Beautiful Songs and the official album release.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz: 'I've Been Played,' Amy Spanger: This Must Be the Place, Broadway Loves Celine Dion, Starring Jeremy Jordan, Taylor Louderman, and More, The Best of Ann Hampton Callaway, and Starry Starry Night: An Evening of Mini-Concerts.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

This January and February 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

On January 9th, Broadway's biggest belters celebrate the best-selling Canadian music artist in history, Celine Dion, in an evening of epic power ballads, and classic pop tunes at 54 Below.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

The day is finally here! After one month of voting on preliminary nominees in 17 categories, the results of more than 5,000 ballots were considered along with the selections of BroadwayWorld's cabaret section editors to determine the final nominees for the 2014 BroadwayWorld.com New York Cabaret Awards. Joining cabaret icon Marilyn Maye with four nominations is budding star Carole J. Bufford, who made the final ballot for two different shows during 2014 and as 'Best Female Vocalist' and 'Performer of the Year.' Among Maye's nominations were 'Performer of the Year,' two shows in the 'Best Celebrity Show' category, and a 'Best Director' nomination for her work with jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli (who received two nominations). In addition to her usual nod for 'Best Jazz Vocalist,' jazz star Jane Monheit received two other nominations as 'Performer of the Year,' and as 'Best Host' for her new variety show at Birdland, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party (Monheit also co-starred with Clint Holmes in another nominated show, Frank Wildhorn and Friends in the 'Best Revue' category.) Eric Michael Gillett also earned three nominations for 'Best Show, Male,' 'Best Male Vocalist,' and 'Best Director.'

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will welcome five original programming producers: Scott Coulter, Shoshana Feinstein, Brandon Ivie, Benjamin Rauhala, and T. Oliver Reid. In their new capacity, the five producers have been commissioned to create a variety of shows including musicals in concert, songwriter celebrations, reunion concerts, and more.

Desi Oakley, currently the Eva Peron alternate on the National Tour of Evita, has released her debut EP, 'Don't Look Back,' this week.

When it comes to breathtaking, dazzling musical scores Jason Robert Brown is no stranger; therefore, his fans and theatergoers in general hotly anticipated his latest musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Ghostlight Records released a beautiful recording of the Tony nominated score on May 19, ensuring that this score can be enjoyed for generations to come.

New York's hotspot offers some of Broadway's biggest stars in August and September 2013, including Paulo Szot, Brian d'Arcy James, Duncan Sheik, Emily Skinner, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Laura Benanti, Telly Leung, John Tartaglia, Morgan James, Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway, Alice Ripley, Eric Michael Gillett, Sierra Boggess, Ahrens & Flaherty, Frances Ruffelle, David Yazbeck, The Meeting, The Skivvies, Melanie Field: Goodbye for Now, Sondheim Unplugged, Ute Lemper, Moment by Moment: Songs by Alexander Sage Olyen, Lindsey Mendez, Submissions Only, Alexis Fishman, Broadway Swings, Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf featuring Jessica Molaskey and Mary Beth Peil, A Tribute to Woodstock, Tales of Joni: 54 Sings Mitchell, Donna Vivino and Not at This Performance, plus 54 Below's late night series and jazz series.

The Pit Stop Players, a thirteen-member instrumental ensemble composed of veteran Broadway pit musicians, will kick off their third season with a concert at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm. The critically acclaimed group will offer creepy-themed music the night before Halloween, in a program titled 'Dark Side of the Tune.'

The Pit Stop Players, a thirteen-member instrumental ensemble composed of veteran Broadway pit musicians, will kick off their third season with a concert at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm. The critically acclaimed group will offer creepy-themed music the night before Halloween, in a program titled 'Dark Side of the Tune.'