Raissa Katona Bennett News

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.

Eric Michael Gillett will host a benefit for the AEA Scholarship Fund for the Singers Forum on Monday, January 3, 2011, at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama. Joining him as special guests are Tony nominee & Broadway star, Karen Akers & Big Apple Circus Ringmaster Kevin Venardos. Musical Direction is by Don Rebic & Jeff Cubeta.

Eric Michael Gillett will host a benefit for the AEA Scholarship Fund for the Singers Forum on Monday, January 3, 2011, at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama. Joining him as special guests are Tony nominee & Broadway star, Karen Akers & Big Apple Circus Ringmaster Kevin Venardos. Musical Direction is by Don Rebic & Jeff Cubeta.

Feinstein's at Loew's Regency has announced it's winter/spring 2011 season, which includes appearances by Brooke Shields, Kate Baldwin, Jarod Spector and more!

The Best of Broadway and Cabaret came out to support the Actors Temple (est. 1923) on Sunday, November 21, 2010. Located at 339 West 47th Street, this theater district landmark has fallen on hard times in recent years and so member, producer Randie Levine-Miller spoke to Rabbi Jill Hausman and said, 'Let's put on a musical -- benefit!' The rabbi was delighted, so Randie reached out to some of her theater and cabaret friends, and voila! The concert took place at the temple at 7:30 PM with 18 extraordinary (many award winning) performers: (in alphabetical order) Raissa Katona Bennett, Christina Bianco, Len Cariou, Douglas J. Cohen, Eric Comstock, Jamie deRoy, Barbara Fasano, Beth Fowler, Anita Gillette, Jackie Hoffman, George S. Irving, Alice Levine, Kurt Peterson, Wade Preston, Steve Ross, Cheryl Stern, Sal Viviano, Martin Vidnovic. Dennis Buck was the musical director. Producer Levine-Miller was the host the event. Legendary members of the congregation included: Joey Adams, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, Al Jolson, Sandy Koufax, Jack E. Leonard, Danny Lewis (Jerry's father), Joe E. Lewis, Tony Martin, Ritz Brothers, Edward G. Robinson, Sophie Tucker,William B. Williams, Shelly Winters, Henny Youngman.

The Best of Broadway & Cabaret will come out to support the Actors Temple (est. 1923) on Sunday, November 21, 2010. Located at 339 West 47th Street, this theater district landmark has fallen on hard times in recent years & so member, producer Randie Levine-Miller spoke to Rabbi Jill Hausman and said, 'Let's put on a musical -- benefit!' The rabbi was delighted, so Randie reached out to some of her theater and cabaret friends, and voila.

The Best of Broadway & Cabaret will come out to support the Actors Temple (est. 1923) on Sunday, November 21, 2010. Located at 339 West 47th Street, this theater district landmark has fallen on hard times in recent years & so member, producer Randie Levine-Miller spoke to Rabbi Jill Hausman and said, 'Let's put on a musical -- benefit!' The rabbi was delighted, so Randie reached out to some of her theater and cabaret friends, and voila.

Bick Goss and Frank Evans, Producing Artistic Directors of Musical Mondays Theater Lab, Inc, have announced the first two previews of new musicals for their 2010-2011 season of Musical Mondays on Theatrical Thursdays productions.