Sidney Myer News

After more than two decades of exciting contribution to the New York musical scene, The Mabel Mercer Foundation hits a new high this autumn by producing its 25th annual New York Cabaret Convention for four evenings, October 20th-23rd. All performances begin at 6 o'clock at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Frederick P. Rose Hall at Broadway and 60th Street.

This August and September 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

In a rare immersive performance, with the audience seated on stage of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, new media artist Robin Fox and Speak Percussion will perform experimental music work Transducer where the microphone and loudspeaker take centre stage in a Melbourne premiere on at 7.30pm, 1-2 August, 2014 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Arts Centre Melbourne.

The Chair of La Boite Theatre Company, Professor Paul Makeham, announces that Chris Kohn will succeed David Berthold as the company's new Artistic Director and CEO.

COCA presents Terrapin Puppet Theatre's Love, this weekend, May 3-4, 2014, in COCA's Founders' Theatre. With a big storm brewing, Oslo's mum says he can only take a few things, or 'love luggage,' to safety. So, Oslo sets out to help his neighbors find their 'love luggage,' too! This heartfelt and entertaining story is brought to life by Australia's Terrapin Puppet Theatre, with traditional and digital puppets, live action and moving music. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Last night more than a dozen musical theater and cabaret stars celebrated the remarkable musical career of Ervin Drake in a special concert to benefit The Gold Coast Arts Center and Landmark on Main Street, two non-profit cultural gems located on the North Shore of Long Island.

This April, legendary songwriter Ervin Drake will turn 95. A Long Island Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Mr. Drake has written some of the American Songbook's most beloved classics, including: 'It Was a Very Good Year,' 'I Believe,' 'Tico Tico,' 'Quando Quando Quando,' 'Perdito' and 'Good Morning, Heartache.' 2014 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production of Drake's 'What Makes Sammy Run' (starring Steve Lawrence), which featured songs 'A Room Without Windows' and 'The Friendliest Thing.' On Today, April 25 at 8 pm, Producer Sandi Durell, Musical Director Jon Weber, and Host Charles Grodin will lead a tribute to Ervin's illustrious career that will feature a star-studded cast of musical theater and cabaret stars

Cabaret Cares/Help Is On The Way Today, a 501c non-profit organization founded by MAC Award winning producer, Joseph Macchia, will hold its annual fundraising gala (cocktails, auction, dinner, show) on May 18th at the Laurie Beechman Theater, featuring a live show with many of New York's favorite performers who donate their time and talent to this wonderful event.

COCA presents Terrapin Puppet Theatre's Love, May 3-4, 2014, in COCA's Founders' Theatre. With a big storm brewing, Oslo's mum says he can only take a few things, or 'love luggage,' to safety. So, Oslo sets out to help his neighbors find their 'love luggage,' too! This heartfelt and entertaining story is brought to life by Australia's Terrapin Puppet Theatre, with traditional and digital puppets, live action and moving music. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Award-winning theater and cabaret performers Eric Michael Gillett (Sweet Smell of Success, The Frogs, Kiss Me, Kate), Carolyn Montgomery-Forant (MAC/Bistro/Nightlife Awards), Sidney Myer (MAC/Bistro/Mabel Mercer Award-winner,Grandma Sylvia's Funeral) & Drama Desk nominee Jay Rogers (Whoop-Dee-Doo, When Pigs Fly) joined forces to present an evening of sly songs with titillating tunes & lascivious lyrics from the present to days of yore. Sondheim, Flanders & Swann, Coward & Porter mixed with just a dash of Tom Lehrer & even Pete Townshend, Dirty Little Songs was performed with a wink & a nudge by four of cabaret's funniest & most prolific performers. Check out photos from the special performance below!

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, held their 28th Annual MAC Awards celebration last evening at BB King's Blues club in Times Square. Winners in twenty-five categories were announced. The show was hosted by the vivacious singer, band leader, multiple MAC Award winner and 2014 Nominee, Terese Genecco. The gala was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, the current MAC President. Don Rebic served as Musical Director. Presenters included Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal and designer Bob Mackie. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners.

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), dedicated to advancing the art and business of live entertainment, held their 28th Annual MAC Awards celebration last evening at BB King's Blues club in Times Square. Winners in twenty-five categories were announced. The show was hosted by the vivacious singer, band leader, multiple MAC Award winner and 2014 Nominee, Terese Genecco. The gala was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts, the current MAC President. Don Rebic served as Musical Director. Presenters included Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal and designer Bob Mackie. CLICK HERE for a full list of winners.

Circa's Helpmann Award-winning ensemble creation S is a full-throttle ride to the limits of the human body and will tour metropolitan Melbourne from 13 - 29 May, including Frankston Arts Centre, Gasworks Arts Park and Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre from Tuesday 27 - Thursday 29 May, 2014.

This April, legendary songwriter Ervin Drake will turn 95. A Long Island Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Mr. Drake has written some of the American Songbook's most beloved classics, including: 'It Was a Very Good Year,' 'I Believe,' 'Tico Tico,' 'Quando Quando Quando,' 'Perdito' and 'Good Morning, Heartache.' 2014 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production of Drake's 'What Makes Sammy Run' (starring Steve Lawrence), which featured songs 'A Room Without Windows' and 'The Friendliest Thing.' On Friday, April 25 at 8 pm, Producer Sandi Durell, Musical Director Jon Weber, and Host Charles Grodin will lead a tribute to Ervin's illustrious career that will feature a star-studded cast of musical theater and cabaret stars

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Award-winning theater and cabaret performers Eric Michael Gillett (Sweet Smell of Success, The Frogs, Kiss Me, Kate), Carolyn Montgomery-Forant(MAC/Bistro/Nightlife Awards), Sidney Myer (MAC/Bistro/Mabel Mercer Award-winner,Grandma Sylvia's Funeral) & Drama Desk nominee Jay Rogers (Whoop-Dee-Doo, When Pigs Fly) join forces to present an evening of sly songs with titillating tunes & lascivious lyrics from the present to days of yore. Sondheim, Flanders & Swann, Coward & Porter mixed with just a dash of Tom Lehrer & even Pete Townshend, performed with a wink & a nudge by four of cabaret's funniest & most prolific performers.

On Sunday February 23 at Joe's Pub, BroadwayWorld.com celebrated the best New York cabaret performers, performances and shows during 2013 as voted on by more than 7,500 fans at the end of last year. With BroadwayWorld's lead New York cabaret columnist and reviewer Stephen Hanks as the host, many of the Award winners appeared to perform, and as you'll see in these videos they put on an amazingly entertaining show.

Just last night, February 23, BroadwayWorld celebrated the Best in Cabaret for 2013 at Joe's Pub. The star-studded event was hosted by BroadwayWorld.com's lead cabaret columnist and reviewer Stephen Hanks for the second successive year, with BroadwayWorld Award Best Musical Director nominee Bill Zeffiro as the show's Musical Director/Pianist and Jon Burr on bass. We are excited to bring you more photos from inside the big event below. Click here to check out Part One!

With just over a week to go before the star-studded BroadwayWorld Awards Show to celebrate the Best in Cabaret for 2013, reservations for this event at Joe's Pub on February 23 are going fast. Tickets for what should be an exciting night of cabaret will be $35 and $25 with a $12 food minimum or two-drink minimum per person. (Reservations are now made when tickets are purchased; it is no longer necessary to call Joe's Pub for reservations.) We recommend arriving no later than 30 minutes before show time. http://tickets.joespub.com/production/?perf=23792

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond: