Photo Coverage: Klea Blackhurst Hosts The Cabaret Convention Finale

Klea Blackhurst the host of the concluding night of The 28th New York Cabaret Convention likes to remind folks that "all roads lead to Ethel Merman". Last night's talent filled finale offered up some of the best vocalists in cabaret and all roads started and ended with Klea & Billy Stritch recreating some of their classic interpretations of the music of Hoagy Carmichael & Richard Whiting.

Too Marvelous for Words/Stardust: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael & Richard Whiting was the theme and the audience at Rose Theater at JALC were treated to some traditional and unique renditions of this section of The Great American Songbook. The Julie Wilson Award was presented to sixteen year old Joie Bianco and Debbi Bush Whiting the daughter of Margaret presented The Margaret Whiting Award to Josephine Sanges. Hoagy Carmichael Jr. was also in the audience and Klea pointed to the box he was sitting in and asked the songwriter's descendant to take a bow. Unfortunately Klea mistakingly pointed to me and after many cheers I decided not to disappoint the audience and acknowledged their applause with a wave. Klea corrected the situation during the second act but I must admit it was fun during intermission as fans of Hoagy Carmichael kept coming over to me to chat. One even reminded me that he had played a round of golf with me "Back Home In Indiana" (I don't golf).

Performing at this grand finale of the Cabaret Convention were, in order of appearance: Klea Blackhurst & Billy Stritch, Amra-Faye Wright, Carol Woods & Amra-Faye Wright, Stacy Sullivan, Matt Baker, Valerie Lemon, Kristoffer Lowe, Joie Bianco, Gregory Generet, Todd Murray, Tammy McCann, Klea Blackhurst, Josephine Sanges, Eric Yves Garcia, Shana Farr, Billy Stritch, Carol Woods and the full cast and audience ending with "Till We Meet Again"

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

KLea Blackhurst, Host

Billy Stritch & KLea Blackhurst

KT Sullivan, Artistic Director Mabel Mercer Foundation

Amra-Faye Wright

Amra Faye Wright

Carol Woods & Amra-Faye Wright

Carol Woods & Amra Faye Wright

Stacy Sullivan

Matt Baker

Valerie Lemon

KristoffeR Lowe

Joie Bianco

Joie Bianco, The Julie Wilson Award

Gregory Generet

Todd Murray

Tammy McCann

Billy Stritch & KLea Blackhurst

Eda Sorokoff, Marilyn Maye, Stephen Sorokoff

Hoagy Carmichael Jr.

Billy Stritch

Joan Ryan Sondra Lee, Eda Sorokoff

Gregory Generet

Corinna Sowers Adler

Josephine Sanges

Josephine Sanges, Debbi Bush Whiting, The Margaret Whiting Award

Eric Yves Garcia

Shana Farr

Billy Stritch

Stacy Sullivan

The 28th New York Cabaret Convention

"Til We Meet Again"