Maureen McGovern News

Maria Guida Swings the Standards is set for The Metropolitan Room next month.

The 27th Annual Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, kicked off on October 18, putting forth performances by some of the most iconic cabaret artists which the arena has to offer, as well as introducing new but equally captivating talent of the art form. Hosted by KT Sullivan, a cabaret stalwart herself, the evening moved briskly through an impressive 19 performers, each of whom was accompanied by their very own pianist--- if they weren't accompanying themselves, that is.

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. 

It takes guts to write a parody of 1970s disaster movies. After all, AIRPLANE!, the parody of the AIRPORT series, is one of the most beloved comedies of all time. It also takes guts to write a 1970s jukebox musical. A show you may have heard of called MAMMA MIA! ran for nearly 14 years and 6,000 performances. Nevertheless, into this field of exclamation points flew DISASTER!, a parody of 1970s disaster movies...and a 1970s jukebox musical. The show, co-written by multi-hyphenate Seth Rudetsky (who also plays one of the main roles) and director Jack Plotnick, was perhaps a bit slim for the past Broadway season. Its silliness, specificity, and lack of original songs may have caused it to struggle amid the powerhouse shows surrounding it, and it closed in May after 72 performances. But it did receive some enthusiastic reviews, and in particular acclaim for the breakout performance of Jennifer Simard, who was nominated for a Tony for her performance of a nun with a gambling addiction. (Her big moment in the show, singing 'Never Can Say Goodbye' to a HAWAII FIVE-O-themed slot machine, can be viewed online.) Now Simard will be accompanying the show to London. In the meantime, we have Broadway Records' DISASTER! cast album, which contains 28 (!) songs from the show.

After receiving degrees in Performing Arts, Choreography and Directing from Emerson College, Patrick Rinn was whisked away to N.Y.C. with Grand Hotel - The Musical as a Production Assistant and found himself working for 10 Time Tony award winner, Tommy Tune as his personal assistant. After taking a brief break from his duties and dabbling in some TV and movie work.

Summertime brings to mind nighttime fireflies, lemonade that makes your lips pucker, rocking chairs creaking on the front porch, and, like the famous Porgy and Bess tune of the same name, melodies that trickle into the night. Summertime Swing is the latest masterpiece and collaboration at its finest by the legendary Michael Feinstein and Marilyn Maye, evoking a sultry, steamy love letter to the fleeting season and a prime example of craft, art, and passion. The moment I walked into the dining room at Feinstein's/54 Below, where Summertime Swing played through September 1 a fashionably dressed gentleman greeted me with, 'It's a fantastic show.' The packed house was already alive with thrilling enthusiasm as they eagerly waited for the show to start. When you attend a show headlined by a golden age cabaret great and a prolific 'music revivalist' who happens to have the venue named for him, you come expecting to be no less than entertained. Summertime Swing elevated the art of summer entertainment tenfold--- a tribute to anything we could hope for in the last days of summer.

Producer Rick Murray's Crown & Anchor Broadway Series continues its 2016 season at the Paramount Cabaret in Provincetown, MA when Broadway veteran and Tony nominee Andrea McArdle returns to Provincetown in ANDREA McARDLE IN CONCERT for two performances only, Monday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 9 at 8:00 p.m.

the 2016 Cabaret Convention returns to the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, from Tuesday, October 18th through Friday, October 21st  to present four different music programs. More than seventy singers are scheduled to appear, and the productions include specific tributes to the songs of Stephen Sondheim, the lyrics of Sheldon Harnick, the melodies of Charles Strouse, and the repertoire of legendary jazz artist Sylvia Syms.

Donna McKechnie has just signed on to appear at the REAF Help Is On The Way 22 show on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.

SHELLEY MACARTHUR, featuring THE BRAD WILLIAMS TRIO, brings an evening of song that will be "MAINELY MAGICAL" to THE VINEGAR HILL MUSIC THEATRE, the Kennebunks' beautiful new state-of- the art entertainment venue featuring the finest in musical talent during the summer and fall months. She joins Vinegar Hills' great summer line-up, including Broadway's Linda Eder and Liz Callaway; along with pop stars Maureen McGovern and Maria Muldaur.

Singer Mary Elizabeth Micari (a.k.a. Reverend Mary and her M Band) begins a series of live performances culminating with the release of her new album, The Musements.

From 'Defying Gravity' to a year in space without gravity, Mayo Performing Arts Center's 2016-2017 season is definitely going to new heights.

The Ogunquit Playhouse sets sail with the delightful, Tony Award-winning Anything Goes June 15 to July 9. This splendid madcap musical comedy stars Broadway's Andrea McArdle as Reno Sweeney and features two-time Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers as Evangeline Harcourt. The pair are currently leading ANYTHING GOES at Gateway Performing Arts Center.

Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp celebrate 20 years of friendship and the iconic Tony Award winning musical RENT in a special engagement "Acoustically Speaking -- A 20 Year Friendship" at New York's Feinstein's/ 54 Below.

Maize & Blue on Broadway is a one-night-only benefit concert on May 16, 2016 at 7PM at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street) to celebrate the University of Michigan and its renowned Musical Theatre Department, as well as honor its longtime chair, Brent Wagner, who is retiring in May after 32 years of being the department's heart and soul.  

The Theory of Relativity, the new musical by the Drama Desk Award-nominated creators of Broadway's The Story of My Life, Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, will be released on disc by PS Classics on June 3. The album, recorded March 31 and April 1 at Avatar Studios in New York City, is produced by PS Classics staff engineer Bart Migal, who has produced over a dozen recordings for the label, including, most recently, Tony Yazbeck's debut solo album.

Singer Mary Elizabeth Micari (a.k.a. Reverend Mary and her M Band) begins a series of live performances culminating with the release of her new album, The Musements.

Sony Classical proudly announces the release of LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) available digitally May 6 and on CD, May 13.

Versatile and popular singer Pat Whiteman and Grammy-nominated songwriter and recording artist Harriet Schock will debut a new show on Thursday, May 19 at the E Spot Lounge in Studio City. Gary Lynn Floyd will serve as special guest along with a substantial band including Joe Lamanno on bass, Jennifer Richardson on cello, Andrea Ross-Green and Barbara Shane on background vocals, Scott Breadman on percussion, Kelly De Sarla on flute and Brad Blaisdell on harmonica.

After ten years of writing and performing sketch comedy together, Rudetsky and Plotnick reunite to write their first musical.