The Duplex News

In anticipation of his own upcoming solo concert debut, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with three respected artists in the cabaret world to ask them about the impetus for getting into cabaret, what they've learned, and what inspires them.

BAD WITH MONEY, Ben Rimalower's new play about spending beyond his means - performed in rep with his first piece PATTI ISSUES - will be extended at The Duplex (61 Christopher Street at Seventh Avenue) through June 21. Ben was featured in today's New York Times and a recent interview on WNYC / New York Public Radio, available to listen here. In a recent four star review from Time Out New York, BAD WITH MONEY was hailed as "light, funny" and "vividly personal," as well as "courageously honest, keenly specific and emotionally naked" by The Advocate. PATTI ISSUES, which ran for a year at the same venue and subsequently toured the country and abroad, explores his obsession with Broadway diva Patti LuPone and his relationship with his troubled gay father. The pieces will be performed on alternating Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM through April 29 and then various days and times through June 21. Both shows are written and performed by Ben Rimalower and directed by Aaron Mark.

?54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents John C. Hume and Mila Henry in An Evening With John Hume & Mila Henry tonight, April 10, 2015 at 11:30pm.

While the frat boys parked their boozy asses in the bar car (aka the couch) for the long road to the NCAA's Final Four over the past few weeks, NYC's village cabaret club The Duplex offered an alternative "March Madness": Cabaret shows about being crazy. As a devotee of time on a different sort of couch, I was drawn in to three separate performances--from Michael Shea, Stacie Koby, and Amber Petty--seeking some music therapy to get me through the tail end of a long winter.

Ars Nova has announced the lineup for Bridget Everett Gets F*cked by Ars Nova, a one-night-only blow-out concert celebrating everyone's favorite badass b*tch, alt-cabaret priestess and Ars Nova All Star, Bridget Everett. In addition to Everett herself, the benefit concert, directed by Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Rock Bottom), will feature tributes, roasts and send-up performances from Grammy and Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone and actor, comedian and Emmy-nominee Billy Eichner. Comedians, drag queens and entertainers aplenty round out the lineup, including Jim Andralis, DJ Jonjon Battles, Justin Vivian Bond, John Early, Cole Escola, Dan Finnerty, Murray Hill, Champagne Jerry, DJ Sammy Jo, Larry Krone, Erin Markey, Molly Pope, Marc Shaiman, Sweetie, The Tender Moments (Matt Ray, Mike Jackson, Carmine Covelli and Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz), Chris Tyler, Varsity Interpretive Dance Squad (VIDS); plus a few fun surprises.

Charlotte Patton has been married and not. She's had serious relationships, flings, and romances with men of all ages (but mostly younger). She's experienced all the charms, foibles, and idiosyncrasies of the opposite sex--and loves them anyway. Now the actress and comedian will bring all of that worldly wisdom to her sensual, provocative, and playful new cabaret show . . . 'Celebrating Men (Bless Their Hearts),' opening at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) on May 28 at 9:30 pm. Patton's show is Directed by Award-winning cabaret performer Karen Oberlin with Musical Direction by MAC Award winner Barry Levitt. Recent MAC Award winner Tom Hubbard is on bass. Peter Napolitano contributes as Creative Consultant.

To celebrate Ben Rimalower's final night at Oasis in San Francisco tonight performing 'Bad with Money' and 'Patti Issues', take a look back at all the celebrities who came to see him in New York over the last year. After tonight, he continues both shows at The Duplex through April 29. Scroll down for photos!

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

New Perspectives Theatre Company and VH Theatrical Development Foundation are delighted to announce a new collaboration on a limited-run production of She Calls Me Firefly by Teresa Lotz, opening April 15, 2015 and running through May 3, 2015 with a varied performance schedule. The production takes advantage of the New Perspectives Studio storefront at 458 West 37th Street to bring the phrase 'drinks and a show' to a whole new level.

Acting Up Series is producing a unique cabaret concert of hilariously vulgar songs performed by some of NYC's top music theatre talent, BAD WORDS FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Half of all proceeds will go to Live Through Love, a Non-Profit Organization set up to bring awareness and educate on the battles against discrimination and reward open LGBT High School Seniors with scholarships.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event:

Artistic Director James Morgan, The York Theatre Company, and producers Amy Engelhardt and Heather Shields, will be presenting another edition of the quirky and popular musical theater game show Tune in Time, on Monday, April at 7:30 pm with a new cast of contestants and celebrity judges. Joining the composing fray for this round will be composers Lisa deSpain, Mark Sonnenblick, and Rick Bassett, while the lyricists they will team up with could come from a group consisting of Sarah Ziegler, Gordon Leary and cabaret performer, Broadway actress, and musical theater composer/book writer Rosemary Loar. Among the celebrity judges for the next show will be Matt Britten, Executive Producer for Blank! The Musical and marketing director for the New York Musical Theatre Festival; Remy Zaken, from the original Broadway company of Spring Awakening; and Thomas Honeck, the general manager for the Duplex and recent MAC Award winner for his cabaret show, Dancing With Dealth.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), and producers Amy Engelhardt and Heather Shields, will present the April installment of the new game show for musical theater lovers called Tune in Time, hosted by Emily McNamara, with music direction by Zak Sandler, and Peter Michael Marino as the annoyingly insistent timekeeper, on Monday, April 6, 2015 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peters (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

ASD Media & Entertainment is proud to announce the production of the one-man show, Dear Henry, written and directed by Arthur Wooten and starring Luke Doyle. The show will run at The Duplex on Monday April 27, Sunday May 3, and Saturday, May 9.

Acting Up Series is producing a unique cabaret concert of hilariously vulgar songs performed by some of NYC's top music theatre talent, BAD WORDS FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Half of all proceeds will go to Live Through Love, a Non-Profit Organization set up to bring awareness and educate on the battles against discrimination and reward open LGBT High School Seniors with scholarships.

This April and May, 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.

This April and May, 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.

MOLLY POPE - brassy belter/whiskey guzzler/benevolent lunatic - will continue the new concert series fresh off her acclaimed Off Broadway performances in Found at the Atlantic Theater Company and Horseplay, or the Fickle Mistress at La MaMa ETC / Theatre Askew.

From the Oscars to the Tonys, the Grammys to Emmys, awards ceremonies are always a hit-or-miss situation. Either the event is absolutely excellent or ends with spectators saying, 'Well, they'll do a better job with it next year.' The 2015 MAC Awards, presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, and held once again this year at BB King's on West 42nd Street, absolutely fell into the former category. It was a splendid affair (albeit it's usual 3-plus hours) that was expertly directed by MAC President Lennie Watts.

At a ceremony held last night in New York, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs announced the winners of the 2015 MAC Awards. The show was hosted by Karen Mason, with musical direction by Barry Levitt, and was produced by Julie Miller and directed by Lennie Watts.