MAC BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

MAC BOARD ELECTION RESULTS
 
The MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) Board welcomes new members:
ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT, THOMAS HONECK, SUE MATSUKI, JULIE REYBURN who join existing Board members Scott Barbarino, Hector Coris, Jenna Esposito, Ruth Kurtzman, Sidney Myer, Eric Pickering, Ricky Ritzel and Lennie Watts.

SIX GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS!

$30 WORTH OF MEMBER DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
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NYC: TWO AND A HALF WOMEN RETURNS "BY POPULAR DEMAND"
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $3 OFF THE COVER
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Two and a Half Women, a new cabaret show dedicated to the women who survived the noxious men that once captivated them and a caveat for those who can't seem to kick the habit, returns for one additional performance at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - ) on on Saturday, September 19th at 9:00 pm. Starring Haleigh Carabin, Alie Marie and Angela Sytko with musical direction & accompaniment by Jeff Cubeta and direction by Rob Grippa, the show features the songs of Harold Arlen, Ahrens & Flaherty, Jason Robert Brown, Jule Styne, Craig Carnelia, Jacques Brel, Irving Berlin, Andrew Lippa, Burt Bacharach, Peter Allen, and more. There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $12 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: MARCUS SIMEONE RETURNS WITH "EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE"
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $7 OFF THE COVER
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Bistro & MAC Award winner Marcus Simeone returns with his show "Everything Must Change" to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) on Sunday, September 20th at 9:45 pm. "Everything Must Change" is all about the beautiful songs that changed lives through the music and lyrics of Johnny Mercer, Jimmy Van Heusen, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Bobby Darin, Carol King and more. The songs are a unique and visionary mix of familiar and rarely heard songs celebrating the insistence of change as seen through the eyes of this acclaimed and exciting singer. As an artist and a person, Marcus Simeone has experienced exceptional life-alterting experiences over this past year, contributing to the development of this show. Marcus will be accompanied by a band led by musical director Barry Levitt. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $13 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
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NYC: SHANA FARR HAS "PURE IMAGINATION"
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Shana Farr brings her acclaimed debut cabaret show, Pure Imagination, back to THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909) for on more performance on Sunday, September 20th at 4:00 pm. Shana Farr is known for her classically trained, operetta voice and has been seen on several New York stages, including the New York City Center. In "Pure Imagination" she sets aside the classical music and brings her rich, expressive voice to songs from all different genres and songwriters, including Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen, Tim Di Pasqua, Francesca Blumenthal, Jeanine Tesori, Cyndi Lauper, Carly Simon and more. The show is directed by Lennie Watts, with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins. There is a $20 cover plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: CABARET DEBUT OF JENNIFER GREGSON AT MAMA'S
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER
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Jennifer Gregson explains "The Facts of Life" one scene at time at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - ), on Sunday, September 20th at 6:00 pm. By using music from the 1960's to today, she proposes to take you on a journey of self-discovery in her cabaret debut show. Direction is by Lennie Watts and musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins. There isa $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: SUE MATSUKI BRINGS NEW SHOW TO THE LAURIE BEECHMAN
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Sue Matsuki brings her first new show in 2 years to THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 - ) for two more performances, on Saturday, September 26th at 8:00 pm and Sunday, September 27th at 7:00 pm. Featured in the show are Sue's Musical Director of over 13 years, Gregory Toroian; her percussionist who has also worked with her for 13 years, Ron Tierno and the two new additions to Team Matsuki are: Steve Millhouse on bass and the multi-award winning singer/director Eric Michael Gillett as her Director. In this show, Sue will go back to her singing roots, which will mean getting her trio together and doing a jazzier set in a show arc that will mean whatever it will mean to the audience as heard through their own filters. There is a $20 cover plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: JARON VESELY RETURNS WITH SWINGERS & STANDARDS
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Jaron Vesely returns to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) with his acclaimed show, "Swingers & Standards!" with a performance scheduled for Sunday, September 27th at 4:00 pm. Swingers & Standards features an exciting assortment of music from songwriters and artists including: The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, Lerner & Loewe, Joni Mitchell, Thelonious Monk, Rodgers & Hart, Three Dog Night, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Steven Tyler and even Pink. Jaron Vesely is no stranger to the cabaret world. A member of the Award Winning Fabulous Pink Flamingos, Jaron has performed at Birdland, The Metropolitan Room, Don't Tell Mama and The Encore. He recently made his television and film debuts as a principal in an episode of "Gossip Girl" and a featured role in the independent film Jonathan, Just Because. Musical Director is Scott Bradlee with Jared Schonig on Percussion and Ike Sturm on Bass. Miles Phillips directs.There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

NYC: THE BEECHMAN FOLLIES WITH STELLAR CAST

FEATURED CABARET BENEFIT EVENT
FULL STORY: http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/
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The Laurie Beechman Theatre is proud to present THE BEECHMAN FOLLIES on Saturday, September 19th 7:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 - ). This thrilling one night only concert features some of the outstanding talents who have graced the stage of this midtown venue over the past three years. Among the cast are some of Broadway's brightest lights, as well as cabaret's most dynamic performers. The concert will benefit The Beechman's acclaimed Voices from the Great White Way series, which features one night only concerts from some of our favorite Broadway vocalists. The evening will be under the musical direction of The Barry Levitt Trio, and is produced and directed by MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award winner Phil Geoffrey Bond. There is a $25 cover plus a $15 food/beverage minimum.

NYC: AFTER PARTY TONIGHT WITH SPECIAL GUEST COLMAN DOMINGO

At THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 - ) on Fridays at 10:30 pm, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Brandon Cutrell & 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Alysha Umphress host AFTER PARTY, a free-wheeling open-mic with guest stars from Broadway and Cabaret, Ray Fellman at the piano and others serving up drinks and taking turns at the mic. Guest performers from Broadway, off-Broadway and cabaret drop by each week to sing, chat and join in the fun. This week's AFTER PARTY special guest is Coleman Domingo (PASSING STRANGE). No cover, no minimum.

ALGONQUIN SALON ON HIATUS

I just received word from the producer that the ALGONQUIN SALON is unfortunately on hiatus as they work to resolve some issues with the hotel, or failing that, find another venue.  Thus, there will be no Salon this Sunday, September 20th. Mark Janas' Algonquin Salon, which has been taking place weekly in the lobby of the ALGONQUIN HOTEL on Sunday nights, is a semi-open mic event and has been extremely popular, selling out week after week. This is indeed unfortunate - the producer assure me that an update will be coming shortly - stay tuned.

SUE MATSUKI - 'LIVE AT THE BEECHMAN' REVIEWED

On Sunday night, September 14th, I was at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER for Sue Matsuki's new show. With direction by Eric Michael Gillett, and musical direction my Gregory Toroian, this show marked yet another step in the constantly
growing Ms. Matsuki.

Each time I feel she is at her best, Sue changes direction slightly, chooses a new angle, and progresses even further. Starting off with two very familiar standards (Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive & The Tender Trap), she gave each a new spin - a new approach. But the song list was not simply rearrangements of old standards. New songs from songwriters like Zoe Lewis, Dan & Michele Page (with music by Ms. Matsuki & Mr. Toroian) gave sparkle to the set.

Vocally, Ms.Matsuki has been at the very top for nearly all the years I've been a fan - her first CD, "A New Take", remains one of the vocal/musical/production standards by which I measure all the CDs I review. I have been hard pressed to find a total recording to surpass that one.

If I would register one complaint, it was that the show was too short - not by my watch, but by my heart. I could have stayed for two or three more songs and not have noticed the passage of time, Sue's delivery and presence is that compelling!

RAY MARSILIO'S'TOUCHSTONES' SHOW REVIEWED

On Saturday, September 13th I was back at DON'T TELL MAMA at 5:00 pm for Ray Marsilio's TOUCHSTONES show, with Rick Jensen as musical director and direction by Lina Koutrakos. I have an apology to make - with "Fashion Week" causing uptown traffic delays on Sixth Avenue, a street fair closing Eighth Avenue from 14th Street to 23rd Street, and construction closing two of four lanes on 14th Street between Sixth & Seventh Avenue, it took me over 90 minutes to get to MAMA'S from home, rather than the usual 45 minutes (I always plan an hour so as not to be late). Thus I missed the first several songs in Ray's show, and of course "the setup."

So it would not be fair for me to review the event as a full show - so I will confine my comments to the very talented Mr. Marsilio. Hailing from the Trenton/Philadelphia area, I had never had the opportunity to see this performer before. So I never had a chance to hear his terrific velveteen vocals. Classically trained (he gave a sample of his opera chops in the show), Mr. Marsilio truly has one of the finest vocal instruments in cabaret today. And he doesn't always take the safe route when making his song choices - his performance of Jason Robert Browns' very difficult to interpret "I'm Not Afraid of Anything" was a new approach that gave a new slant on the lyrics - and it worked!

My big regret was that I wasn't there from the start of the show - hopefully Mr. Marsilio will return soon.

'GRACE NOTES - a singers soiree' REVIEWED

On Friday night September 11th, at 7:00 pm I was at DON'T TELL MAMA for the first edition of GRACE NOTES - a Singers' Soiree, the special showcase produced and hosted by Grace Cosgrove. Since the show is not quite a cabaret, not quite a revue, and not even really a showcase, it doesn't qualify for a review as much as a report - and the report is "fantastic."

Each of the "Soirees" features a half-dozen or more performers, many of whom have a cabaret show scheduled in the near future. GRACE NOTES gives them an opportunity to test new songs, new arrangements of old songs, as well as test medleys and song pairings. In addition to Grace, who always opens and sometimes closes each show, the cast this month covering the theme SONGS OF CHILDHOOD & GROWING UP, included veteran performers Dezur Kenna, Roosevelt Credit, Rosemary Loar and the comedy vocal trio THE CHALKS, as well as comparative newcomers Shana Farr, Angela Shultz and Kim Smith. All can share my praise for a job well done - a truly entertaining evening. Don Rebic is Musical Director, with Tom Hubbard on Bass. Lennie Watts serves as Director.

This was a special benefit show to honor SEPTEMBER IS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH (a percentage of the proceeds will go to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation - http://www.candlelighters.org/ ). If there is one complaint, it really goes to the cabaret community and even past performers in this series. Given the host of performers given an opportunity to be a part of past shows, and given the terrific and talented cast for this (and every show), I was again truly disappointed that the room was not filled beyond capacity.

PARK CABARET CONCERT DRAWS CROWD OF 350+

Raissa Katona Bennet reports that over 350 folks were in the audience at the last CONCERT AT TUDOR CITY GREENS in NYC on Wednesday, the 9th of September. Fantastic!

CABARET IS GIVING ME SO MUCH - THANK YOU ALL!

I want to say that my life right now - even in these tight financial times - is probably the best it has ever been in terms of joy and happiness in all my 70 years. Every day brings me another great experience, another new friend, another new discovery. Because my life sort of revolves around cabaret about 90 percent of the time, I have a chance to meet talented and giving people day after day, night after night. Via the internet I have a host of great friends I have never met - two folks in Adelaide (who have never met each other), a fellow in Cape Town, a performer in London, a singer in Phoenix, a fellow on a cruise ship sailing somewhere in the world - entertainers all. I estimate I listen to 10,000 different songs a year - on CDs, at shows, at festivals (and my iPod).

A lot of folks, when they write, add the comment "Thanks for all you do for cabaret." Well, I must protest because, to be quite honest, cabaret has done for me much more than I can do for it.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP - TRUE STORY

I have to share this with you all. Every once in a while I get an e-mail that "makes my day" and last week one came that was a winner. On Friday I made another plea to all the members of 2008-2009 who had not rejoined. One response went something like this (I am paraphrasing so as not to reveal the writer's identity). "I won't be joining this year because I am not getting any benefit from CABARET HOTLINE. Enclosed is a press release for my show in October. I hope you can make it." As "Judy" would say, you can't make this stuff up!

A number of folks (mostly performers) replied that they would like to rejoin, but their financial situation made it impossible right now. Performers, especially entertainers, are especially hit by economic downturns, since what they offer is not considered "essential." No one is "bailing them out." So I sent a note to subscribers on Sunday (you probably received one) offering to give a free membership to anyone who truly couldn't afford to join for every member who joined over the weekend. Over two dozen folks responded with memberships and donations!

And - almost as a counterpoint to the above comment - I received this note - with a PayPal membership donation: "I feel very blessed that I can make this donation. These are very difficult financial times and I am lucky that I can give back to the community through CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE's "special fund." During times of difficulty and transition I think the art of cabaret is extremely important - audiences need that connection to the performer.

I don't care what the economists say - live entertainment IS essential. And I am going to do my very best to promote the art - and the wonderful artists - of one essential part of live entertainment - which we call cabaret (and more on this below)

TOM DICKINS PRESENTED WITH "UNDER OUR WING AWARD"

Tom Dickins was recently announced as winner of the prestigious annual 'Under Our Wing Award', one of Australia's top awards given to emerging cabaret performers. David Read, of THE BUTTERFLY CLUB (204 Bank Street, South Melbourne, VIC - 03 96902000 - ) said "the Under Our Wing Award is given to outstanding emerging cabaret performers who in our opinion deserve much more recognition than they are currently receiving."

Tom returns to the stage as headline performer of THE BUTTERFLY CLUB for the 2009 Melbourne Fringe Festival. His exciting new show 'Where Was I' runs for the full three weeks of the Festival, Thursdays through Sundays, September 24th through October 11th at 9:00 pm (Sundays at 8:00 pm.

"Where Was I?" is the story of Dickins' running, tripping and tumbling journey around the world in a crazed search for identity, love, sex and purpose. The cabaret features "deliciously dark original songs that claw into the brain and refuse to let go" (David Allen, ArtsHub) along with some very familiar songs played in very unfamiliar ways such as an upbeat, cheerleader version of "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails.

ABOUT THE AWARD

Tom joins luminaries Tim Minchin (2003), Daniel Maloney (2004), Reuben Krum (2005), Sammy J (2006), Karin Muiznieks (2007), Joanne O'Callaghan (2008) and James Simpson (2008).

Like all of the previous Under Our Wing Award winners, Tom fits The Butterfly Club's preferred style of cabaret. While we welcome all forms of cabaret, we favor those of the European model that reflect the style of performance for which cabaret was originally created shows that satirize or reflect contemporary life and enlighten audiences, performed in an intimate setting.

Preview week ticket price: $15 - Season ticket price: $22