HERE'S WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT ....

Cabaret Hotline Online is an independent website with more than 7,400 pages of news, information and stories on cabaret, owned and maintained by Stu Hamstra. CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE is not affiliated with any club or organization. It is totally supported through advertising and membership donations. This blog is an extension of the website and newsletter.

NOW IN OUR 26th YEAR OF PROMOTING THE ART & ARTISTS OF CABARET!

"His eye is on the sparrow...."

Friday, April 17, 2009

GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS

===============
GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS
===============
JUST AN IMPORTANT COMMENT HERE: I highly recommend all the performers and shows on this list. I am proud to have them offering discounts to our members!
---------------
NYC: ROB LANGEDER IN NEW SHOW AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM
MEMBER DISCOUNT $5 OFF THE COVER
---------------
MAC Award-winning vocalist Rob Langeder presents "Any Place I Hang My Hat..." at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - ) on Saturdays, April 18th & 25th at 5:00 pm and Wednesday, May 20th at 9:45 pm. "Any Place I Hang My Hat..." is a raucous romp through all-time song favorites - as well as a few lesser-known gems. This terrific tune-fest includes songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole and Elvis Costello among others! The show features The Fortune 5 with Musical Director Fortune Esposito on guitar and Rob's special guest 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Jenna Esposito. Rob was featured in the National Tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, was a cast member of cabaret hits The Question W Revue, Words Words Words & Music, Private Events In Public Places and has guest starred in the shows of such notables as 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Miles Phillips, Annie Hughes and 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Jason Wynn. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
---------------
NYC: CHRISTINA BIONCO RETURNS WITH SMALL WONDERS
MEMBER DISCOUNT $5 OFF THE COVER
---------------
Forbidden Broadway star and 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Christina Bianco is back at the THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909) for one more encore performances of her hit debut show, "Small Wonders" on Saturday, April 18th at 7:00 pm. Music Director is Elizabeth Nantais and 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Miles Phillips directs. In the show Christina will be reminding us that good things come in small packages. Take a breath to appreciate the "little things!" The song list features an exciting assortment of music from Broadway, pop and contemporary songwriters including: William Finn, John Bucchino, Christine Lavin, Maltby & Shire, Marvin Fisher and Christina Aguilera. She relates that some of the greatest things in life are often so small, we barely take notice. In Small Wonders she takes us in search of those special moments, when the ordinary becomes remarkable. There is a $15 cover cover plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
---------------
NYC: TOMMY FEMIA IS JUDY ONE NIGHT ONLY AT MAMA'S
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
---------------
Award-winning impersonator Tommy Femia's returns for one night only on Saturday, April 18th at 8:30 pm at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788). He is joined by his long-time musical Christopher Denny. Tommy performs live, not lip-synch, and in this new show he'll be belting Garland's best-loved classics. Also on the bill are songs that the legendary singer never got a chance to perform. Tommy always has a guest star, with this show's guest TBA. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
---------------
NYC: KINETIC DANCE THEATER PRESENTS YARDBIRD SUITE
MEMBER DISCOUNT $5 OFF THE COVER
---------------
Kinetic Dance Theater (Joanna and Ryan Greer, Artistic Directors) announce the return of dancer/ choreographer/ vocalist Ryan Greer to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - ) to premiere "Yardbird Suite", a jam session inspired by the original American avant-garde, bop. Performances are Monday, April 20th, Sunday, April 26th, Thursday, April 30th and Sunday, May 3rd, all shows at 7:15 p.m. Yardbird Suite explores the indelible movement in music that reinvented jazz and gave birth to counter culture. Directed and Choreographed by Joanna and Ryan Greer, featuring Ryan Greer, with Musical Director and Recording Artist Jody Shelton on piano (Baby Wants Candy, Colleen McHugh's Calendar Girl), Mark Verdino on bass and dancers Meghan Burns and Caren Chianese. There is a $10 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $8 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
---------------
NYC: WHAT'S THE POINT?! RETURNS TO THE REPRISE ROOM
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $10 OFF THE COVER
---------------
Award-winning songwriter and performer Hector Coris brings his original musical comedy revue and 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE What's The Point?! - with original music by Alan Cancelino - back to NYC at THE REPRISE ROOM AT DILLON'S (245 West 54th Street, NYC - 347-678-8054) on Thursday, April 23rd at 7:00 pm. The show will be performed by Hector Coris, Patrick Garrigan and Eadie Scott. The show's musical director is also the show's composer, Alan Cancelino. What's The Point?! is a loving throwback to the irreverent West Village revues of the late 1950s and 1960s, which took pointed shots at the conditions of society and commented on popular trends. Like its predecessor, What's Your Problem?!, this revue was crafted from a slightly gay perspective, but the truths are all universal. The show pokes fun at cell phone junkies, Upper West Side parenting, prescription pharmaceuticals, Disney's The Little Mermaid, on-line dating, homosexuality in the animal kingdom, California legislation among a myriad of other random but relevant topics. Tickets are $15 plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $5 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

2009 MAC AWARD SONG/SPECIAL MATERIAL NOMINEE SHOWCASE!

2009 MAC AWARD SONG/SPECIAL MATERIAL NOMINEE SHOWCASE!

MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) will hold a special SONG/SPECIAL MATERIAL NOMINEE SHOWCASE on Saturday, April 18th at 3:30 pm at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC [RESERVATION NUMBER BELOW]). The 2009 Nominees for Outstanding Song and Special Musical Material will be performed. Nominees are:

SONG
"Running" (Adam Gwon)
"Change In Me" (Carol Hall)
"Come Home" (Mark Janas & Peter Napolitano)
"Right Here, Right Now" (Paul Rolnick & Jim Papoulis)
"Living Without Love" (Jason Wynn)

SPECIAL MUSICAL MATERIAL
"This is MY Birthday" (Carol Hall)
"Leaky Ceiling" (Sharon Kenny)
"The Olives of Regret" (Nicholas Levin)
"The Mess" (Ryan Scott Oliver)
"You May Have a Problem" (Dan Page, John Domurad, Michele Page)

FREE FOR MAC MEMBERS ($10, guests and non-members)
NO MINIMUMS! Cash bar available!
RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED - SEATING IS LIMITED!!!

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: 212-465-2662 ext. 1 or email RSVP@MACNYC.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

CABARET IN THE PARK CHANGES TO THURSDAY THE 16th

Hi Friends:

Due to impending, nasty weather, we are officially using the rain date, April 16th, for the first Concert At Tudor City Greens. 6 pm, in the North Park. Please spread the word and come out and enjoy the first real day of spring feeling weather we'll have!

Love and Light,
Raissa

CLICK THIS LINE FOR AN AMAZING VIDEO

Monday, April 13, 2009

NYC: THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS RETURN

2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Raissa Katona Bennett hosts an amazing array of Broadway and cabaret artists as THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS has its 2009 Spring Launch at Tudor City Greens Park (enter at Tudor City Place between East 42nd and East 43rd Streets) on Wednesday, April 15th starting at 6:00 pm. Scheduled to appear are Candy Benge, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Hector Coris, Scott Coulter, Richard Cramer, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Jenna Esposito, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Eric Michael Gillett, Rob Langeder, Rosemary Loar, Roger Mapes, Tanya Moberly, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Karen Oberlin, Sarah Rice, Maureen Taylor, Tom Vaughn, and 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Lennie Watts. Musical directors are David Caldwell, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Mark Janas, Steven Ray Watkins, and Bill Zeffiro. The show is free and open to the public, with an opportunity given to support the park conservancy with a donation. The show will be followed by a post-concert gathering at 925 CAFE & COCKTAIL LOUNGE (800 Second Avenue, NYC) where you can mix and mingle with the performers and help support Tudor City Green Park (925 Lounge will donate a percentage of bar sales to the park conservancy).

CABARET VIDEOS ADDED TO THE CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE

As a benefit of membership, each year CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members are MAC AWARD NOMINEES and who have upcoming performances are listed on a special page on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE. Now those who have videos on YouTube can now also have their video posted on another special page on the website - especially helpful for those who do not have shows in the near future and/or live out of town. Links to both pages are on the opening (home) page in the BREAKING NEWS section. A link to the list of ALL nominees for 2009 MAC AWARD can also be found in that section, with notations for which performers have videos available.

ONLINE RESERVATIONS? WORK STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE

I am a firm believer in the power of the internet, but I have yet to be convinced of the advisability of "online" reservations, rather than dealing with a "live" person. One performer reported recently that the online system at a club where their show was presented last month was reporting the show as "sold out" when apparently only a dozen or so reservations had been made. There have also been rumors, but no hard evidence, that reservations are being made as a joke or a prank using the online systems - with legit reservations turned away. I always advise everyone to make a reservation to a show - but now I might caution you that the online systems are not 100% reliable. Try the old fashioned method, where available, of calling the venue directly when they are open for business when making your reservation.

Computers - and the people who run them - can make mistakes. I found this out the other day when looking up a neighborhood restaurant in one of those usually quite reliable online restaurant guides, and it was listed as OUT OF BUSINESS. Well the place is just around the block from me, and has been open for at least the two-plus years I have been living here.