Peter Napolitano News

The angel of death did not pass over Dana Lorge's house last night and the world of New York cabaret is grieving as a result. During the evening of the second Passover seder, the New York cabaret community was shocked to learn that MAC Award-winning performer and variety show host Dana Lorge died from complications of lung cancer, which was diagnosed just a few months ago.

Urban Stages celebrates its critically-acclaimed 32nd season at the Central Park Boathouse on Monday, May 23rd at 6:30pm. This year's annual gala will honor the renowned Karen Akers with Urban Stages Musical Artist Award presented by ten-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune.

At a ceremony held earlier this week in New York, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs announced the winners of the 2016 MAC Awards. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Amanda McBroom. Also honored with a Board of Directors award was Maryann Lopinto. Jamie deRoy received the Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Award on behalf of her work with The Actors Fund: Jamie deRoy & Friends Cabaret Initiative. Sally Darling received the Hanson Award. The show was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, with musical direction by Matt Baker.

Urban Stages will extend its critically acclaimed World Premiere of Mabel Madness written and performed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley (For Colored Girls...) tells the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse, Mabel Mercer. Co-directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Tuffus Zimbabwe, Mabel Madness began performances on February 19 and was originally set to end its run on March 20, will now play Wednesday nights at 7PM and Sundays at 3PM & 7PM through April 10, 2016. Tickets are $40 and are available at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111.

Legendary jazz singer and lyricist Jon Hendricks, dubbed 'The Poet Laureate of Jazz,' celebrated jazz vocalist and actress Annie Ross, and acclaimed jazz singer Janis Siegel are among the artists who will be honored at the 31st Annual Bistro Awards gala tonight, March 8 at 6:30 pm at the Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Awards tradition, the evening will feature performances by the winners.

Some years ago when Tony Award-winning actress (for For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf (Ntozake Shange) and playwright Trezanna Beverley's voice coach suggested she listen to Mabel Mercer, the artist had not heard of the nightclub and cabaret singing icon. A trip to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Harlem) began a protracted period of research into Mercer's life and work. Beverley found she not only respected and admired her subject, but felt a kinship both in spirit and color. Inspired, she decided to write her own theatrical script about Mercer's life and art with the goal of playing her in a one-woman show. Her dream has been realized with Mabel Madness, a play with music that opened this week at Urban Stages and runs until March 20.

Legendary jazz singer and lyricist Jon Hendricks, dubbed 'The Poet Laureate of Jazz,' celebrated jazz vocalist and actress Annie Ross, and acclaimed jazz singer Janis Siegel are among the artists who will be honored at the 31st Annual Bistro Awards gala on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm at the Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. As is the Bistro Awards tradition, the evening will feature performances by the winners; for the full list, see below!

She's been married and not. She's had serious relationships, flings, and romances with men of all ages (but mostly younger). She's experienced all the charms, foibles, and idiosyncrasies of the opposite sex--and loves them anyway. Actress and comedian Charlotte Patton brings all of that worldly wisdom to her sensual, provocative, and playful show . . . Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts) back to the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) on February 20 at 7 pm. Patton's show is Directed by Award-winning cabaret performer Karen Oberlin with Music Direction by MAC Award winner Barry Levitt and Jon Burr on bass. Peter Napolitano contributes as Creative Consultant.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director; Peter Napolitano, Associate Producer) continues its 32nd season with the World Premiere of Mabel Madness, the dramatic story with music about the life of the famous cabaret chanteuse, Mabel Mercer, written and performed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley (For Colored Girls...).  Co-directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano with musical direction by Tuffus Zimbabwe, Mabel Madness begins its Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) beginning February 19, opening on Thursday, February 25 and running through March 20, 2016. Tickets are $40 ($25 during previews; Students are $15) and are available at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111.

The Algonquin Kid is based on Michael's experience as child being raised at the opulent and historic landmark building in NYC of The Algonquin Hotel. Located in the heart of NYC, this palatial haven to talent Icons from Ella Fitzgerald to the most unknown up and comers, The Algonquin Hotel's history has housed more talent in NYC than any other structure still in existence. Beautifully woven together by Mr. Colby, The Algonquin Kid-The Musical combines both his personal journey as a child with original material by Mr. Colby in addition to a slew of musical favorites from the American Songbook. This weave helps tell the story of his life growing up in the glory days at this incredible Hotel. The Algonquin Hotel was owned by Mr. Colby's Grandparents, Ben & Mary Bodne from 1946-1987.

Urban Stages Founder and Artistic Director Frances Hill and Producer Peter Napolitano last night officially launched the 2015 'Winter Rhythms,' a 20-shows-in 11-days festival featuring more than 100 star cabaret performers and musicians. The opening night show was ANY WEDNESDAY SINGS AGAIN, an homage to the old cabaret series favorite, ANY WEDNESDAY, which was a popular CD release concert series from June 2005 (the first show featured Ann Hampton Callaway) to late 2011 and was staged at Tower Records and then Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center. 

On Thanksgiving Day, BroadwayWorld announced the nominees in 14 categories for the 2015 BWW New York Cabaret Awards. BroadwayWorld's cabaret editors and reviewers congratulate all the deserving nominees and everyone who performs in the great art of cabaret in New York. But today, as you munch on the leftovers from last night's dinner, it's time to actually vote for that one performer who you think is the absolute best in each category. Voting ends on December 31 and after a review of the ballots, winners will be announced officially early the week of January 4, 2016. (Note: There will not be a BWW Awards Show this year.)

Happy Thanksgiving Day, Cabaret Fans! Here's some breaking news you can discuss and debate in between courses at tonight's dinner: It's the final nominees for the 2015 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards. This year, the cabaret editors and writers at BWW have cited 116 nominees (including duos and variety show/recurring series producers) in 14 categories. In addition, this year six performers or musicians have been cited for special “Editor's Choice Awards,” led by veteran New York cabaret stars Karen Mason and Mark Nadler who have been named “Performers of the Year.”

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras 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: Telly Leung: Songs For You CD Release; Ann Hampton Callaway Celebrates Women Songwriters; Lena Hall: The Villa Satori - Growing up Haight Ashbury; Laurie Beechman Tribute at the Metropolitan Room; and Sondheim Unplugged.

Librettist/Lyricist Michael Colby will bring a concert adaptation of his well-received memoir, THE ALGONQUIN KID: ADVENTURES GROWING UP IN NEW YORK'S LEGENDARY HOTEL to Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NY 10001 on Dec. 13th at 2:00pm.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director, Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director of Musical Programming) today announced the line-up for this year's Award-Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2 and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre. WINTER RHYTHMS 2015 marks the seventh year that Urban Stages has brought noted musical artists to its stage during the holiday period. The mission of Winter Rhythms is to bring the talents of known and unknown singers, musicians, lyricists and composers to the attention of the New York theater community while performing at Urban Stages Theater. Winner of the 2015 Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series MAC Award, WINTER RHYTHMS benefits Urban Stages' acclaimed Outreach Program, which brings more than 200 free "arts in education" presentations to libraries and schools throughout the five boroughs. This year's event features 20 shows and more than 100 artists.

Urban Stages announces the line-up for this year's Award Winning Musical event WINTER RHYTHMS 2015, which will begin Wednesday, December 2and will feature some of New York's best musical performances through December 13, 2015 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30thStreet, just East of 8th Avenue). Tickets are $25 per show and may be purchased by visiting urbanstages.org or by calling (866) 811-4111. For complete schedule information, visit urbanstages.org.

Urban Stages' American premiere of Oren Safdie's (Private Jokes, Public Places) Unseamly opened last night, October 14, and runs through November 1, directed by Sarah C Carlsen, at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street). BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night fesivities below!

It's a great week around our Broadway World!  In addition to featuring our Top 10 regional stories, we have now opened public nominations in over 40 regions so far for our annual BroadwayWorld Regional Awards, including: Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boise, Boston, Buffalo, Central Pennsylvania, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Connecticut, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Long Island, Los Angeles, Madison, Maine, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Omaha, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Philippines, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Rhode Island, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Seattle, South Africa, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Toronto, Washington, DC, and Wichita.  Be sure to nominate your favorites through October 31st!  Look for more cities coming soon!

This week, Mark Nadler made his solo television debut on WNET (New York/13) and WLIW (Long Island/21) in the latest installment of the new Public Television series 66th & Broadway (photo below). My friends, in the contemporary cabaret world, this is a BIG DEAL. Let's face it: When 100 people show up to a show on the same night it is an event, so the possibility of thousands (or--dare we dream--millions) of people watching Mr. Nadler perform in the comfort of their homes is beyond exciting. It is Cabaret Nirvana, Shangri-La, and Xanadu combined, the kind of exposure a cabaret artist dreams about but rarely receives.