Raissa Katona Bennett News

The Concerts at Tudor City Greens is sponsoring a songwriting contest of songs celebrating New York's parks and green spaces, and the different roles they play in the lives of New Yorkers. THe jury will incude: Neil Sedaka, Amanda McBroom, Ann Hamton Callaway, Michael John LaChiusa, David Friedman, and Matt Parillo.

Following fifteen sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a sixteenth installment, Monday, July 25 at 7pm. In this special addition to the series, we'll be celebrating our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, having begun this journey of celebrating Sondheim in July of 2010.

The Concerts at Tudor City Greens, the free outdoor concert series that brings the sounds of music to the heart of Midtown, continues on Wednesday August 3 at 6:30pm.

Following fifteen sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a sixteenth installment, Monday, July 25 at 7pm. In this special addition to the series, we'll be celebrating our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, having begun this journey of celebrating Sondheim in July of 2010.

50 solo singers have been chosen to compete in the fourth annual 'MetroStar Talent Challenge,' an eight-week, jury and audience-voted elimination-round competition that begins on Monday, July 11, at 7pm at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street.

Singers Forum, a non-profit musical oasis committed to providing the highest quality vocal training for New York City residents, will be offering a weekend intensive Teen Cabaret Workshop from Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 25.

Following thirteen sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a fourteenth installment, Monday, May 23 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Eric Michael Gillett (The Frogs, Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success), Jana Robbins (Mazeppa in the 1989 revival of Gypsy), and Lucia Spina (B'way's Legally Blonde, South Pacific). We're also pleased to welcome three very special guests, each of whom created roles in Sondheim musicals: Crista Moore (Louise in the 1989 Broadway revival of Gypsy), Teri Ralson (Company's original Jenny and Mrs. Nordstrom in the original A Little Night Music) and Sarah Rice(Sweeney Todd's original Johanna). Recently, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series, and was nominated for the 2011 MAC Award.

Last night, May 10, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs presented the 2011 MAC Awards. The awards ceremony and show was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts and was held at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. The evening was hosted by Christine Pedi. Steven Ray Watkins was the musical director.

The Board of Directors of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs is proud to announce the winners of the 2011 MAC Awards. The awards ceremony and show, produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, was held on May 10th, at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. The evening was hosted by Christine Pedi. Steven Ray Watkins was the musical director.

Following twelve sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a thirteenth installment, Monday, April 25 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums.

Following twelve sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a thirteenth installment, Monday, April 25 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums.

Hosted by Christine Pedi, the 2011 MAC Awards will take place on Tuesday, Mat 10 and B.B. King Blues Club and Grill. The ceremony will honor Annie Ross for Lifetime Achievement and George Sanders with the MAC Board of Directors Award.

Following eleven sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a twelfth installment, Monday, March 28 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Karen Akers (Nine, Grand Hotel), Christina Bianco (Drama Desk nominee, Forbidden Broadway), Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success), Steve Ross (Present Laughter), Steven Lutvak (Kleban & Larson award-winner) and Alysha Umphress (American Idiot). We're also pleased to welcome back three very special guests, all of whom created roles in Sondheim musicals: Annie Golden (Assassins), Teri Ralston (Company, A Little Night Music) and Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd). Recently, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series.

Following eleven sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a twelfth installment, Monday, March 28 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Karen Akers (Nine, Grand Hotel), Christina Bianco (Drama Desk nominee, Forbidden Broadway), Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success), Steve Ross (Present Laughter), Steven Lutvak (Kleban & Larson award-winner) and Alysha Umphress (American Idiot). We're also pleased to welcome back three very special guests, all of whom created roles in Sondheim musicals: Annie Golden (Assassins), Teri Ralston (Company, A Little Night Music) and Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd). Recently, Sondheim Unplugged received the 2011 Bistro Award for Outstanding Cabaret Series.

2010 MAC Award Nominee Joshua Warr is launching his new production company this year and is celebrating with a star-studded concert fundraising event with more than a few tricks in the bag. A dazzling assortment of the best and brightest talent from Broadway, Cabaret, Dance and Magic unite to celebrate the start-up of Art of Warr Productions.

Following ten sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for an eleventh installment, Monday, February 28 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Kristy Cates (Wicked), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Tony nominee, Avenue Q), Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray), Christine Pedi (Talk Radio) and Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan). We're also pleased to welcome back our special guest, Sarah Rice, who created the role of Johanna in the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd

Following ten sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for an eleventh installment, Monday, February 28 at 7pm. Included in the cast are an array of Broadway and cabaret alums, including Kristy Cates (Wicked), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Tony nominee, Avenue Q), Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray), Christine Pedi (Talk Radio) and Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan). We're also pleased to welcome back our special guest, Sarah Rice, who created the role of Johanna in the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd

2010 MAC Award Nominee Joshua Warr is launching his new production company this year and is celebrating with a star-studded concert fundraising event with more than a few tricks in the bag. A dazzling assortment of the best and brightest talent from Broadway, Cabaret, Dance and Magic unite to celebrate the start-up of Art of Warr Productions.

RAISSA KATONA BENNETT BREATHING LIFE INTO KERN" AT FEINSTEIN'S THROUGH SATURDAY The singer-actress Raissa Katona Bennett shows how "actable" the music of Jerome Kern is in her delightful new show, "Can't Help Singing - The Music of Jerome Kern." Each song is a little play, and she's ready to feel every emotion as they occur, bringing us right up the emotional edge with her. At Thursday's premiere at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, men melted and women swooned when she sang "Long Ago and Far Away," and "Why Do I Love You." An older gent exclaimed "hot dog!" several times at the end of several classics. The singers Lucy Arnaz, Karen Oberlin, Valerie Lemon and Christine Reisner were among the singers there to enjoy this show that plays through Saturday. "Can't Help Singing - The Music of Jerome Kern" is ably backed by music director Don Rebic on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass. The multi-threat actor/director/singer Eric Michael Gillett directs. After the show Bennett who was Christine on Broadway in "Phantom of the Opera," and was in the first national tours of "Cats" and "Parade," told us "Oh, I feel like I performed a two hour play in one hour!" Bennett also produces and is the 2010 Bistro Award-winning host of "The Concerts at Tudor City Greens," an outdoor series that features many of New York's most noted singers.