Ray Watkins News

Susan Eichhorn-Young returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre stage with her one-woman show, 'WHY?' Thursday April 13th at 7 p.m.

MAC and Broadway World Award winning performer, Kim Sutton, brings a bold new show, "Live to Tell, " a theatrical event conceived and created by Kim Sutton, Steven Ray Watkins, and Lennie Watts, to the Laurie Beechman Theatre this March for three performances. The "mischievous blonde bombshell and rebellious rabble-rouser," as she was described by Broadway World, celebrates her life with an eclectic musical set that samples 48 tunes by Madonna. Sutton recounts her childhood, years as a sailor, three brain surgeries and her 'inevitable transformation into a woman of substance."  Now recovered and well, Sutton pulls out all the stops in a show that's part intimate cabaret, part spectacle and part theater.  

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) has announced the 2017 MAC Award nominees.

MAC and Broadway World Award winning performer, Kim Sutton, brings a bold new show, "Live to Tell, " a theatrical event conceived and created by Kim Sutton, Steven Ray Watkins, and Lennie Watts, to the Laurie Beechman Theatre this March for three performances. The "mischievous blonde bombshell and rebellious rabble-rouser," as she was described by Broadway World, celebrates her life with an eclectic musical set that samples 48 tunes by Madonna. Sutton recounts her childhood, years as a sailor, three brain surgeries and her 'inevitable transformation into a woman of substance."  Now recovered and well, Sutton pulls out all the stops in a show that's part intimate cabaret, part spectacle and part theater.  

Billie Roe's uniquely provocative musical show MONOPOLY: SINGING THE LIVES FROM BALTIC AVENUE TO BOARDWALK, combines biting political commentary, humanity, and humor with songs by composers as diverse as Kurt Weill, Alan Jay Lerner, Stephen Sondheim, Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones, Pink Floyd, and Bono from U2. Roe's pithy and poignant script brings the people who reside within one of the world's most popular board games to life. MONOPOLY has earned Roe a BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Award Nomination for 'Best Show, Female.' Directed by multiple Award-winning cabaret star Mark Nadler, with music direction by Steven Ray Watkins (the two combined on the show's musical arrangements), Billie Roe's MONOPOLY moves to Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th St, New York, NY) on February 12 and 19, 2017, both shows at 5:30 PM. For reservations, call: 212-757-0788

BroadwayWorld Cabaret is pleased to announce the nominees in 14 categories for the 2016 BWW New York Cabaret Awards.

Join Natasha Castillo in 'Feels Like Home'.

Join Natasha Castillo in 'Feels Like Home'.

For more than thirty years, Christopher Howatt could be seen on cabaret and theatrical stages behind the piano, serving as music director for the shows, "Dangerous Duets," the vocal group Boulevard East and for performers such as Tyne Daly, David Hyde Pierce, Rita Moreno, Al Tulane, John Tartaglia, Howard McGillin, Marlo Thomas and others. 

They say that home is where the heart is, and this show, with Musical Direction by Steven Ray Watkins and Direction by Lennie Watts proves just that. With a wide range of music, from Cyndi Lauper, to Jerry Herman, and The Muppets to The Spice Girls Castillo will make you feel right at home! Backup vocals by award winning vocalist Karen Mack and MAC award nominee Wendy Ann Russell. 

When singer Billie Roe returned to performing in 2012 after a nearly 30-year hiatus, she set the New York cabaret scene on fire, winning the annual MetroStar Talent Challenge at the Metropolitan Room and capturing a 2012 Bistro Award for "Outstanding Theme Show" for her compelling Dangerous Women: Life In Film Noir. Roe quickly followed that up with her critically acclaimed Tom Waits Tribute Show 1978 NYC Underground, which earned her another Bistro Award and also a 2014 MAC Award for "Best Female Vocalist." Now Billie is back again, this time with a uniquely provocative musical show, MONOPOLY: SINGING THE LIVES FROM BALTIC AVENUE TO BOARDWALK, that combines biting political commentary, humanity, and humor with songs by composers as diverse as Kurt Weill, Alan Jay Lerner, Stephen Sondheim, Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones, Pink Floyd, and Bono from U2. Roe continues her three-show run on October 15 and November 20, both shows at 7 pm.

Those Girls, the dynamic vocal harmony group that debuted in New York last spring, returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City for two shows in September.

On Sunday September 25th and Saturday October 8th, Jim Speake brings back his acclaimed show, "Sweet Life the Show" to Don't Tell Mama. Both shows are at 4pm.

MUSIC AND ART FOR CITY GREENS concludes their 9th Season of Concerts to benefit Tudor City Greens, on September 14th (rain date the very next day, 9/15) at Tudor City Greens at 6:30 pm.

Those Girls, the dynamic vocal harmony group that debuted in New York last spring, returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City for two shows in September.

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.

At a ceremony held last night 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.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs presents the 30th Annual MAC Awards tonight, March 29, 2016, at 7:30pm, at BB King Blues Club & Grill on 42nd Street in New York City.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs and The Bistro Awards join together in celebration of March is Cabaret Month to present a FREE event.

Theatre Arts Center New York (Robert Laconi, Executive Director), New York's premiere theatrical summer training program for young artists, celebrates a major milestone:  15 years of producing and training students in acting, musical theater, and dance in New York City.