William Blake News

One of NYC's most colorful and unpredictable open-mic nights -- MOSTLY SONDHEIM -- celebrated its 10th anniversary at The Duplex on Christopher Street, January 23rd, 2015. Click below for highlights from the show!

Mostly Sondheim, the long-running musical theater open mic at The Duplex Cabaret, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Friday January 23rd at 11:30pm. Hosts Ben Cameron (Wicked, Aida) and Colleen Harris (Songs at the New World), along with musical director Brian Nash (Silence! the Musical), will welcome past hosts, talented regulars, and open mic volunteers to the stage to commemorate ten years of music and comedy.

Signature Theatre has announced casting is confirmed and tickets are now on sale for the New York Premiere of The Liquid Plain by Naomi Wallace, directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah. All tickets for the initial run of the production are $25 as part of the Signature Ticket Initiative: A Generation of Access. The production runs February 17 through March 29, 2015 with a March 8 opening night in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

The Theater at the 14th Street Y will present LABA: A Laboratory of Jewish Culture's LABAlive 2015 events. LABA is a program of the Y that invites select culture-makers to study ancient Jewish texts in a non-religious setting and seek inspiration for new work. This year the study is focused on the theme of 'time.'

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

With the end of the voting period for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards just eight days away (voting will close at Noon on December 31, 2014), BroadwayWorld.com is pleased to announce that the 3rd Annual BWW NY Cabaret Awards Show will take place for the second successive year at Joe's Pub (The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC) at 6:30 pm. Once again, this Award presenting extravaganza will feature performances by the Award winners (whose schedules make them available), and BWW's New York Cabaret Editor Stephen Hanks will once again host the festivities.

Distinguished Concerts International New York is proud to present its annual concert featuring the supremely beautiful and inspirational music of Karl Jenkins.

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, announced today that George R. Goldner, who has been the Drue Heinz Chairman of the Museum's Department of Drawings and Prints since 1993, will step down at the end of January 2015. He announced further that Nadine Orenstein, currently a Curator in the department who specializes in European prints and books through the 19th century, will become the Drue Heinz Curator in Charge of the Department of Drawings and Prints on February 1.

The day is finally here! After one month of voting on preliminary nominees in 17 categories, the results of more than 5,000 ballots were considered along with the selections of BroadwayWorld's cabaret section editors to determine the final nominees for the 2014 BroadwayWorld.com New York Cabaret Awards. Joining cabaret icon Marilyn Maye with four nominations is budding star Carole J. Bufford, who made the final ballot for two different shows during 2014 and as 'Best Female Vocalist' and 'Performer of the Year.' Among Maye's nominations were 'Performer of the Year,' two shows in the 'Best Celebrity Show' category, and a 'Best Director' nomination for her work with jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli (who received two nominations). In addition to her usual nod for 'Best Jazz Vocalist,' jazz star Jane Monheit received two other nominations as 'Performer of the Year,' and as 'Best Host' for her new variety show at Birdland, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party (Monheit also co-starred with Clint Holmes in another nominated show, Frank Wildhorn and Friends in the 'Best Revue' category.) Eric Michael Gillett also earned three nominations for 'Best Show, Male,' 'Best Male Vocalist,' and 'Best Director.'

The New York cabaret community had something really special to be thankful for yesterday as one of its own, singer William Blake, was a featured performer in the 2014 MACY's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cruising up to the parade's main staging area on a faux Mississippi River Boat at around the show's midpoint, Blake and three backup singers revved up the crowd with a uptempo gospel/blues song 'Give Thanks,' written by Matt Sklar and Bill Schermerhorn, with an arrangement by Blake's Musical Director Michael Thomas Murray (see video). For the 31-year-old Texas native, who came to New York just seven years ago, performing in the parade is now one of the high points of his career.

The 88th Annual Macy's THANKSGIVING Day Parade aired on Thanksgiving yesterday - and Broadway's best were represented! Performances by HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, THE LAST SHIP, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ON THE TOWN, SIDE SHOW, Idina Menzel and more highlighted the big day - check out photos below!

The 88th Annual Macy's THANKSGIVING Day Parade will air Thursday, Nov. 27 - and Broadway's best will be represented! Performances by HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, THE LAST SHIP, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ON THE TOWN, and SIDE SHOW are currently on tap for the big day. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at the second day of rehearsals!

The 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will air Thursday, Nov. 27 - and Broadway's best will be represented! Performances by HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, THE LAST SHIP, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ON THE TOWN, and SIDE SHOW are currently on tap for the big day. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at rehearsals, featuring Tony Danza, Rob McClure and more!

The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA), the oldest Native American service and advocacy organization in the country, has its roots in New York City. Started in 1922 and incorporated in New York, AAIA returns to the City each November for its Annual Meeting of the Members, Native Film Showcase and Honoring Reception. This year, we recognize three prominent Native American leaders at a cocktail reception tonight, November 20, 2014 at 6:00 PM.

Macy's today announced the final lineup of star performances for the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®. On Thursday, Nov. 27, Broadway's best shows will be joined by the new musical comedy Honeymoon in Vegas and the float line up of performers will see the addition of pop rockers American Authors and country duo Dan + Shay. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on NBC-TV, 9 a.m. - noon in all time zones.

Happiness was a huge hit at the Fall Fringe festival last year, and richly deserves this full revival; not only is Maher's ear for verse spot-on, you simply cannot ask for a better cast.

The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA), the oldest Native American service and advocacy organization in the country, has its roots in New York City. Started in 1922 and incorporated in New York, AAIA returns to the City each November for its Annual Meeting of the Members, Native Film Showcase and Honoring Reception. This year, we recognize three prominent Native American leaders at a cocktail reception on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 6:00 PM. Immediately following the reception, there will be an evening of entertainment featuring three short films, the screening of the inspiring documentary film, Playground of the Native Son, which tells the story of the Hominy Indian football team who played and defeated the World Champion New York Giants in the 1920's as well as performances by Martha Redbone and Shaun Taylor-Corbett, accompanied by Marisa Quinn. Documentary filmmaker Celia Xavier will introduce the feature film. Doors to the theater will open at 7:00 pm (start time 7:30). Performances and screenings are Free and Open to the Public. Seating is first come, first served.

Echoes of Etta, the award-winning Etta James Tribute, concludes their 2014 residency tonight, November 6th, 9:30pm at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street). Echoes of Etta was the winner of the 2014 MAC Award for Show of the Year.