Ray Watkins News

2012 was indeed a very good year for the art of Cabaret in New York City. Here, BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer and Columnist Stephen Hanks offers up his exclusive 'Best New York Cabaret Performers of the Year' for 2012, plus some surprising honorable mentions. Let the debates begin!

Shana Farr, who last month won The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2012 Julie Wilson Award as "a cabaret singer who is a rising star," has just completed her debut CD, titled Shana Farr: Out Of The Shadows , which will be introduced at a CD release party and performance at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, in New York City tonight, November 30, at 9 PM. Ms. Farr is backed by a trio comprised of Music Director Jon Weber (piano), Adam Fisher (cello) and Dan Levinson (clarinet).

After receiving more than 3,000 nominations once BroadwayWorld.com announced it's first-ever New York Cabaret Awards in early October, BWW is now pleased to announce it's final nominations ballot in 20 categories. Now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians and shows of the year. Voting will continue until December 31 and winners will be announced in early January.

Shana Farr, who last month won The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2012 Julie Wilson Award as "a cabaret singer who is a rising star," has just completed her debut CD, titled Shana Farr: Out Of The Shadows , which will be introduced at a CD release party and performance at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South, in New York City on Friday, November 30, at 9 PM. Ms. Farr is backed by a trio comprised of Music Director Jon Weber (piano), Adam Fisher (cello) and Dan Levinson (clarinet).

Tritone Productions presents Steven Blanchard and Veanne Cox in a staged presentation of the new musical comedy, Jonathan Brielle's 40 Naked Women, A Monkey and Me directed by Michael Bush with book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Brielle; musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins and choreography by Kelli Barclay. The cast also includes Leanne Borghesi, Deidre Goodwin Brittney Lee Hamilton, John Herrera and Marcy McGuigan. The presentations take place today, October 18 at 3 pm and Friday, October 19 at 2pm at S.I.R. Studios, 520 West 25th Street.

Tritone Productions presents Steven Blanchard and Veanne Cox in a staged presentation of the new musical comedy, Jonathan Brielle's 40 Naked Women, A Monkey and Me directed by Michael Bush with book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Brielle; musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins and choreography by Kelli Barclay. The cast also includes Leanne Borghesi, Deidre Goodwin Brittney Lee Hamilton, John Herrera and Marcy McGuigan. The presentations take place Thursday, October 18 at 3 pm and Friday, October 19 at 2pm at S.I.R. Studios, 520 West 25th Street.

The Development Wing dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters held an intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from four new musicals and several tunes by great American songwriters like Johnny Mercer and Fats Waller. The event 'Broadway Under the Stars' took place at a sprawling, historic estate in the bucolic countryside of Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing.

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold an exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from three new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing.

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold an exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from three new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing.

So many cabaret shows, so little time . . . to write reviews that is. During his almost two years as a cabaret reviewer, BroadwayWorld.com critic Stephen Hanks managed to do a pretty good job of writing critiques during a show's run or soon after the run ended. But this summer he just couldn't keep up. Finally, here are observations on 10 performances over the past two months.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs presented the 26th Annual MAC Awards Show on March 29th. The awards ceremony was held at B.B. King Blues Club, and the show was directed by Lennie Watts and produced by Julie Miller. BWW was there to cover the event. Check out the photos below!

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs today announced that Lucie Arnaz and Phil Ramone have been added to the list of presenters at the upcoming 26th Annual MAC Awards Show on Thursday, March 29th.

Lampkin Music Group presents an encore performance of 'Charles West…Feeling Good!' starring Charles West at the Metropolitan Room. Street, NY. Monday, March 12th at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 with a two drink minimum. There is a $5.00 discount for MAC members. RSVP at (212)206-0440.

Lampkin Music Group presents an encore performance of 'Charles West…Feeling Good!' starring Charles West at the Metropolitan Room. Street, NY. Monday, March 12th at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 with a two drink minimum. There is a $5.00 discount for MAC members. RSVP at (212)206-0440.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) has announced the nominees for the 26th Annual MAC Awards. The winners will be announced live at the MAC Awards Show on Thursday, March 29th, at the world-famous B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) is pleased to announce the 26th Annual MAC Awards Show. The event will be held on Thursday, March 29th, at the world-famous B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in NYC. The evening will feature many live performances as well as the live announcement of the winners of the 2012 MAC Awards. In addition, as MAC celebrates The Year of the Songwriter, five exceptional songwriters will receive special honors.

The Metropolitan Room announces March performances.

KIM SMITH, the acclaimed international performer called 'all decadence and sly appeal' by Back Stage, will bring his critically-acclaimed concert 'Misfit' back to New York for one night only. 'Misfit' premiered in March 2011 at New York's Laurie Beechman Theatre, and performed at Café Sabarsky and Duane Park Supper Club throughout the year. The next performance of 'Misfit' will take place at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street at 9th Avenue) on Sunday, February 12 at 9:30 PM. Tickets are $15, with an additional $15 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 695-6909 or visit www.beechmantheatre.com.

KIM SMITH, the acclaimed international performer called 'all decadence and sly appeal' by Back Stage, will bring his critically-acclaimed concert 'Misfit' back to New York for one night only. 'Misfit' premiered in March 2011 at New York's Laurie Beechman Theatre, and performed at Café Sabarsky and Duane Park Supper Club throughout the year. The next performance of 'Misfit' will take place at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street at 9th Avenue) on Sunday, February 12 at 9:30 PM. Tickets are $15, with an additional $15 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 695-6909 or visit www.beechmantheatre.com.

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) will present a workshop of THE PIPER, a new musical featuring music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning composer Marcus Hummon ('Bless the Broken Road') and book by Michael Aman and Hummon.