He doesn't want to say 'Bye, bye' to Miss American Pie just yet. In the summer of 2013 and early 2014, BroadwayWorld New York cabaret editor/reviewer and Cabaret Scenes Magazine feature writer Stephen Hanks fulfilled his long-held fantasy to perform a cabaret show based on the songbook of 1970s pop singer/songwriter Don McLean, who wrote the classic song, 'American Pie.' Hanks' show BEYOND AMERICAN PIE: THE DON McLEAN SONGBOOK was staged four times at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room and once at Stage 72 (The Triad), and Hanks says the reaction from reviewers and audience members was surprisingly positive. Now Hanks is bringing back his Don McLean 'tribute show,' only this time as DON McLEAN: STORYTELLER, and he'll be performing it at the World Famous Don't Tell Mama 'Brick Room' on Saturday, June 20 and Monday, June 29, both shows at 7 pm.
As the days dwindled down to a precious few in 2014, a few cabaret goers and performers in what is affectionately but also self-mockingly called the “cabaret community” would sidle up and ask if I was planning my annual end-of-the year “Best Of” column, similar to the “Top 20 Bests and Favorites” piece over the first half of the year I posted back in early July. I would respond in the negative with very reasonable and believable excuses, but the truth is I didn't want to reveal my “Bests” of the year until the voting for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards had ended. There's enough baggage and backstage whispering that comes with administering the BWW Awards, so I wasn't about to publish any opinions that might influence the vote while it was in process. I may be crazy but I'm not masochistic. But now all bets are off. You want lists? I'll give you lists.
Mama Drama will play The Duplex on January 23 at 6:30 and February 9 at 6:30. The Duplex is located at 61 Christopher St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.purplepass.com.
Elton John. Carole King. Joni Mitchell. Carly Simon. Paul Simon. Stevie Wonder. They were six superstar singer/songwriters in a constellation of such stars during the early 1970s, who could be considered the composers of the 'New Great American Songbook. Tonight, December 13 at 7 pm, as part of its annual 12-day 'Winter Rhythms' Festival, Urban Stages will present a star-studded variety show celebrating these great talents of the Golden Age of the Pop Singer/Songwriter.
Elton John. Carole King. Joni Mitchell. Carly Simon. Paul Simon. Stevie Wonder. They were six superstar singer/songwriters in a constellation of such stars during the early 1970s, who could be considered the composers of the 'New Great American Songbook. On Saturday, December 13 at 7 pm, as part of its annual 12-day 'Winter Rhythms' Festival, Urban Stages will present a star-studded variety show celebrating these great talents of the Golden Age of the Pop Singer/Songwriter.
Natalie Arneson and her husband, without securing jobs before landing in the city that never sleeps, packed their bags in the middle of the Great Recession and embarked on the Texas to Empire State journey. The duo came with the soul purpose of allowing Natalie Arneson to chase her dreams and audition for Broadway musicals. Now, in her charming one-woman, solo cabaret, MAMA DRAMA, Natalie Arneson shares her story, her struggles, and her talent.
Mama Drama will play the Metropolitan Room today, October 25 at 1:00pm. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22 St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchase by phone at 212-206-0440, or online at www.metropolitanroom.com.
Mama Drama will play the Metropolitan Room on Saturday, October 25 at 1:00pm. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22 St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchase by phone at 212-206-0440, or online at www.metropolitanroom.com.
One of the most influential banjo players in the roots music world and America's foremost visionary of the five-string banjo, Tony Trischka will be performing at The Tent on Barter Square tonight, September 26th at 8:00pm. Before the performance, he will also be hosting a special banjo workshop at 4:00pm.
One of the most influential banjo players in the roots music world and America's foremost visionary of the five-string banjo, Tony Trischka will be performing at The Tent on Barter Square Thursday, September 26th at 8:00pm. Before the performance, he will also be hosting a special banjo workshop at 4:00pm.
On Monday, April 14, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated songwriter Amanda Green and her Broadway friends in 'Amanda Green's Spring Trunk Show'. Scroll down for photos from the concert!
Our intrepid cabaret columnist/reviewer Stephen Hanks catches up on some reviews of fall 2013 shows, including Mary Foster Conklin's BroadwayWorld.com Award nominated tribute to Fran Landesman, solo shows from Bernard Dotson, Gary Crawford, and Lauren Glazer, and a duo show from Alison Nusbaum and Jackie Kristel.
If you're wondering whether or not 2013 was a fantastic year for the cabaret art form in New York, all you have to do is scan the amazing list of nominees for this year's BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards and you'll know it was one of the best ever. So now it's time for all you cabaret performers and fans to vote for the best singers, musicians, songs, and shows of the year. Voting will continue until Sunday night January 5 and the winners will be announced later that week. We hope that all the winners will be able to perform in the Award show on Sunday night February 23 at Joe's Pub.
Amanda Green returned to the stage at The Broadway at Birdland concert series for a one-night-only special event on September 29. Green is an award winning performer and Tony-nominated Broadway composer-lyricist. For this event, she was joined by members of the Broadway cast of Hands On A Hardbody. Together they performed an evening of her hilarious and moving songs, and celebrated the release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording. The singers were backed by members of the original Broadway 'Pit Crew' for Hardbody, including Musical Director Matt Gallagher on piano, Skip Krevens on Pedal Steel, Shannon Ford on drums and Skip Ward on bass.
Ghostlight Records will celebrate their Original Broadway Cast Recording of the new musical HANDS ON A HARDBODY another special event this month. Green will host the concert Amanda Green and Friends at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street) tonight, September 29 at 6:00 PM to celebrate the album's release. Her special guests will include Keith Carradine, Allison Case, Jenn Colella, Van Hughes, Janet Krupin, Kathleen Monteleone, Jim Newman, Jacob Ming-Trent, Jon Rua and William Youmans. The singers will be backed by members of the original Broadway 'Pit Crew' for Hardbody, including Musical Director Matt Gallagher on piano, Skip Krevens on pedal steel, Shannon Ford on drums and Skip Ward on bass.
Birdland Jazz Club has announced their superb line-up of exciting talent for tonight, September 23- 29, 2013. Birdland will kick-off their entrancing week of programming with the following acts:
Birdland Jazz Club has announced their superb line-up of exciting talent for September 23- 29, 2013. Birdland will kick-off their entrancing week of programming with the following acts.
Ghostlight Records will celebrate their Original Broadway Cast Recording of the new musical HANDS ON A HARDBODYwith two special events in September. Amanda Green, the show's co-composer and lyricist and book writer Doug Wright, as well as several stars of the show, will appear at an in-store performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side (150 East 86th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenues). The event will feature original Broadway cast members Keith Carradine, Keala Settle, Janet Krupin, Corey March, Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone, Jim Newman, Connie Ray, Jon Rua and Dale Soules. The exclusive event will take place tonight, September 4 at 7:00 PM. Call (212) 369-2180 for details.
Ghostlight Records will celebrate their Original Broadway Cast Recording of the new musical HANDS ON A HARDBODYwith two special events in September. Amanda Green, the show's co-composer and lyricist and book writer Doug Wright, as well as several stars of the show, will appear at an in-store performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side (150 East 86th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenues). The event will feature original Broadway cast members Keith Carradine, Keala Settle, Janet Krupin, Corey March, Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone, Jim Newman, Connie Ray, Jon Rua and Dale Soules.
