Patina Miller, Emily Skinner & More Set for Bay Area Cabaret's 2015-16 Season

Bay Area Cabaret, now in its 12th season of presenting world-renowned popular musical performers announces the 2015-2016 season of shows at San Francisco's most elegant and historic showroom, the Fairmont Venetian Room. This marks the fifth consecutive season at the legendary "grand dame" Fairmont Hotel and the sparkling lineup of performers features some making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of several favorites. The season kicks off on Sunday, October 4, 2015 with opera star Stephanie Blythe, in her critically acclaimed show showcasing the songs of Kate Smith. The season continues November 8 with Grammy nominated jazz singer Jane Monheit singing songs made famous by the iconic Ella Fitzgerald, who appeared at The Venetian Room in its heyday and, for those eager to experience the Fairmont's special holiday spirit, the December 13 show features "Broadway's golden couple," Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, singing popular standards as well as songs they introduced in roles they originated on Broadway.

Bay Area Cabaret's series resumes in 2016 with another husband/wife team: Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli and Broadway star Jessica Molaskey (Sunday In the Park With George, Tommy, NBC's Sound Of Music) on January 10, 2016 in their critically-acclaimed new show, Grownup Songs. On Sunday, March 6, Tony nominated Broadway star Emily Skinner makes her Bay Area concert debut, on the heels of her critically acclaimed performance in A.C.T's A Little Night Music. Tony Award winner, TV and film star Patina Miller (Sister Act: The Musical, Pippin, CBS's Madam Secretary, Hunger Games: Mockingjay ll) will make her Bay Area concert debut on April 17. The season closes with Tony nominees, the popular cabaret duo Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway performing their new show, From West Side Story to Wicked: Broadway by the Callaways, on May 22. (More details on each show below)

All shows are presented in the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel (950 Mason Street in San Francisco). Tickets to most shows are $55 general ($50 subscribers), with no food or drink minimum required. Subscribers enjoy substantial discounts and reserved seating. Information and tickets are available at www.bayareacabaret.org. Subscriptions can also be purchased at (415) 927-4636.

Having presented cabaret seasons in a variety of elegant showrooms, Bay Area Cabaret found a permanent home five years ago when it was invited to reopen the Fairmont Hotel's historic Venetian Room, which had been dark as an entertainment venue for over 21 years. Following a gala opening (featuring Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch), the company went on to present such musical legends as Chita Rivera, Judy Collins, Elaine Paige, Tommy Tune, and the Bay Area Teen Idol competition, with judges from American Idol and Wicked. Having been awarded exclusive music booking rights to the Venetian Room, Bay Area Cabaret has continued to provide top caliber lineups, and now begins its sixth year in residence, to present Bay Area Cabaret's twelfth season of music.

>From 1947 to 1989, the Venetian Room reigned supreme as the city's premier showroom. It was there that Tony Bennett introduced his signature song, 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco' and show business legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Marlene Dietrich, Tina Turner, Peggy Lee, Nat 'King' Cole, and many others held forth for more than four decades. "An evening at a Bay Area Cabaret performance at the Venetian Room is a magical and distinctive San Francisco experience," said Marilyn Levinson, Founding Executive Producer of Bay Area Cabaret. "Both audiences and performers have said that they can sense the venue's rich musical history the minute they set foot in the room. Patrons are delighted to enjoy a buffet supper at the beautifully renovated Laurel Court restaurant - which also includes free parking at the hotel - and attend a performance in our City's most glamorous venue for a very reasonable price."

Subscribers who purchase six or seven shows receive both substantial ticket discounts and reserved seats, and are allowed to exchange tickets among shows. For patrons of Bay Area Cabaret, the Fairmont Hotel offers a lavish buffet supper in the Laurel Court for $45 (plus tax and tip), plus free parking, for all who dine in the Laurel Court on the evening of a Bay Area Cabaret performance.

Bay Area Cabaret (BAC) is a not-for profit organization founded by Marilyn Levinson, a fifth generation San Francisco native. Through its concert series and wide-ranging outreach activities, BAC aims to expand the definition of cabaret and broaden the audience for intimate entertainment, featuring Great American Songbook offerings from George and Ira Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joni Mitchell. Past seasons have featured Chita Rivera, Elaine Paige, Norm Lewis, Sutton Foster, Barbara Cook, Christine Ebersole, Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Gallagher, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Annaleigh Ashford, and the high school vocal competition Bay Area Teen Idol.

Tickets for individual concerts are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400. Subscriptions, and discounts for groups of 8 or more, are available directly from Bay Area Cabaret at (415) 927-4636. For Bay Area Cabaret 2015-2016 season subscriptions, information and video clips of performers visit www.bayareacabaret.org.

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