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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, October 9, 2009

TRUDI MANN'S FABULOUS OPEN MIC BRUNCH TO END OCTOBER 18th

We have a sad note - the end of a long run of open-mic events held just about every Sunday that I can remember - Trudi Mann's Fabulous Open Mic Brunch For Singers, most recently running at BUTTERFIELD EIGHT RESTAURANT (5 East 38th Street, NYC - 212-679-0646 - ) starting around 1:00 pm. You have just 2 more weeks to be a part of these truly "open-mic" shows - no pre-arranged guest stars, simply open-mic where anyone can perform (as long as time allows). Trudi and her husband Ray have been trucking the equipment for the events every week from their home in Long Island, faithfully supporting performers - known and unknown, young and old. The cabaret community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude for their tireless dedication, and generous gift of time and effort.

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TWELVE GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS!

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TWELVE GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS!
$60 WORTH OF MEMBER DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
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NYC: JIM SPEAKE SINGS THE SONGS OF HIS GENERATION
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER
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Jim Speake brings his new show My Generation to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) on Saturday, October 10th at 5:00 pm; Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 pm and Saturday, October 17th at 5:00 pm. He is joined by special guests Wendy A. Russell and Lennie Watts. The show includes songs recorded by James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Jim Croce, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, Neil Sedaka, Billy Joel, the 5th Dimension, Chicago, the Beatles and more. His director is Lennie Watts and the musical director is Steven Ray Watkins with the My Generation Band. There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: JENNA ESPOSITO SINGS CONNIE FRANCIS AT THE METROPOLITAN
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER
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Jenna Esposito will bring poodle skirts and puppy love back to the big city with a reprise performance of her acclaimed show, "Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis" at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) for one night only, on Saturday, October 10th at 11:45 pm. "Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis" is an engaging and endearing time capsule that revisits the musical world one of the most beloved and best-selling female vocalists of the 20th Century. Directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Fortune Esposito, the show features a five piece band and backup singers, complete with period vocal arrangements. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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M.W.AREA: THE RETURN OF "CHRISTY WHO?"
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER
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Full-time caregiver and part-time performer Christy Simmons was once a prominent name and face in the world of St. Louis entertainment. Now Christy jokes that she has become "Christy Who?" On Saturday, October 10th at 8:00 pm at the KRANZBERG ART CENTER (501 North Grand Street, St. Louis, MO - 314-795-8778) she is stepping back into the spotlight with her solo cabaret debut. She's managed to keep her skills honed, as her solo cabaret debut on October 10th will attest. The show is called: Christy Simmons: 'Cause I'm A Woman, and it features songs from the Great American Songbook, with nods to Musical Comedy, Jazz Standards, and even a few hits from the Big Band era. Her show a fundraiser for The National Stroke Association. Offering solid musical support are Christy's long-time accompanist, Don Kallembach on the piano, Clancy Newell on drums, and Dave Troncoso on bass. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com. $15 cover to members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE purchasing their tickets at the door (cash only
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NYC: LUCILLE CARR-KAFFASHAN FINDING HOME DON'T TELL MAMA
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER
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Lucille Carr-Kaffashan returns this fall to her cabaret home, NYC's legendary DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788). Along with musical director and accompanist, David Brunetti, Lucille will present three performances of her celebrated cabaret show, Finding Home. Performance dates are Saturday, October 10th at 7:30 pm, Friday, October 30th at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, November 8th at 5:00 pm. Finding Home, directed by Lina Koutrakos, brings the listener on a nostalgic journey that explores our various concepts of "home". There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: SARAH RICE'S "SCREEN GEMS: SONGS OF OLD HOLLYWOOD"
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER
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Sarah Rice (the original Johanna in Sweeney Todd) will appear on Saturdays, October 10th & 17th at 5:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909). For her show "Screen Gems: Songs of Old Hollywood", Ms. Rice sings songs chosen from film scores sung by or dedicated to stars and their movie roles in the films of old Hollywood, starting with the silents. The show features the music of Nacio Herb Brown, Michel Legrand, Simon & Garfunkle, Nino Rota, Jerome Kern, The Sherman Bros., Clanaad and many others. There is a $25 cover plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $20 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
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NYC: HECTOR CORIS REPRISES DEBUT SOLO SHOW
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $2 OFF THE COVER
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Award-winning NYC cabaret performer Hector Coris returns with two more performances of his debut solo show "Life is Wonderful" at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) on Sunday, October 11th at 6:30 pm. In his debut solo show, Hector explores the musicality of mortality through the words and music of Ben Folds, Kander and Ebb, Zoe Lewis, Susan Werner, My Chemical Romance, William Finn and other contemporary songwriters. Musical direction is by Ray Bailey, with Dale Henderson on cello, and direction by Angela Shultz. There is a $12 cover charge plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: ANGELA SHULTZ RETURNS WITH HER NEW SOLO SHOW
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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NYC cabaret performer Angela Shultz reprises her new solo show "Kiss Me Like You Mean It," at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - ) on Sunday, October 11th at 3:30 pm. Angela Shultz returns with a show about the kind of love that drives you to commit or be committed, featuring the songs of Derek Webb, Cy Coleman, Heart, Heisler and Goldrich, Harold Arlen and the Magnetic Fields. Musical direction is by Brett Kristofferson, with direction by Hector Coris. There is a $12 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $7 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: VICKIE PHILLIPS IS "MUSICALLY INCLINED"
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $8 OFF THE COVER
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Award-Winning Singer/Actress Vickie Phillips returns to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - / ) with her acclaimed show "MUSICALLY INCLINED" featuring Music Director Gerry Dieffenbach on Wednesday, October 14th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 24th at 7:00 pm. The show is a program of songs that include Lieber & Stoller, Rodgers & Hart, Dory Previn and includes an original song written for Vickie by Ost and Dieffenbach, A Song Is Like a Friend. There is an $18 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: "FROM HOLLYWOOD TO HAYMARKET" WITH PAUL & ROCHELLE
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Cabaret's favorite fun couple, Paul Chamlin & Rochelle Breyer, return to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) with their acclaimed show, "From Hollywood to Haymarket", celebrating the music of Ray Evans, Lew Spence and David Heneker. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday, October 14th at 7:00 pm; Sunday, October 18th at 3:30 pm; and Thursday, October 22nd at 8:30 pm. From Hollywood to Haymarket celebrates the music of three composers who had long and prolific careers, yet, strangely enough, did not receive any major retrospectives in the New York area. This is the third collaboration for Paul and Rochelle, who met 4 years ago while singing a professional choral gig and went on to chronicle their courtship and marriage in their shows Mutual Admiration Society and The Honeymoon is Over. There is a $10 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $5 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: JAMIE deROY & FRIENDS RETURNS TO METROPOLITAN ROOM
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy returns with her acclaimed show "Jamie deRoy & friends" on Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 pm at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440). The the show is titled "Not Good But GREAT ... BRITAIN" and evening will feature well known and rising stars from Broadway, comedy and cabaret from the UK. Performers scheduled so far are Paul Scott Goodman, Jon Peterson, Alexandra Silber and Lorna Dallas. More to be announced shortly. Barry Kleinbort is the director of Jamie deRoy & friends. There is a $30 cover plus a 2-beverage minimum.$25 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - USE CODE "BRIT".
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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 - ) on Thursday, October 15th at 9:30 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: CINDY MARCHIONDA: RETURNS - LIVE AT THE BEECHMAN
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 ) presents Jeff Award winner Cindy Marchionda in her acclaimed show "Cindy Marchionda: Live at the Beechman" on Saturday, October 17th, November 21st, all shows at 8:00 pm. Cindy's musical director, Ray Fellman, will be at the piano and Andy Gale directs. She is joined by Brandon Cutrell of "The After Party" and Michael Sheridan on backup and Joey Pier on lights and sound. The show explores the last two years of Cindy's life, going from the very funny experience of entering another career to expense some very high dental bills to a very sobering reality when her father is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The show includes songs by Jamie Cullum, Leiber and Stoller, Jackson Brown, The Indigo Girls, Johnny Mercer, Randy Newman and The Beatles. There is a $15 cover charge and a $15 food/drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

Tim Flannery Celebration of Life set for October 19th

A few weeks ago the cabaret community lost a true artist. Timmy Flannery was sound and light designer for the Algonquin's Oak Room for more than 10 years, and at Rainbow and Stars before that. His gifts will be missed by every performer that had the joy of working with him. There will be a celebration of his life and talents at NB LOUNGE at the LOMBARDY HOTEL (109 East 56th Street, NYC - 212-750-5656 - ) on Monday, October 19th at 5:00 pm.

AUS: DAVID CAMPBELL AND OTHERS JOIN LIGHT THE NIGHT

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AUS: DAVID CAMPBELL AND OTHERS JOIN LIGHT THE NIGHT
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The Light the Night charity concert will take place on Monday, October 19th at 7.30 pm at the CITY RECITAL HALL (Angel Place, Sydney, NSW, AUS - 02 8256 2222 - ). Now in its fifth year, Light the Night has become an extremely popular annual charity concert. To date, funds raised at this event have exceeded $200,000 and all proceeds go towards leukemia research.

Light the Night is inspired by Matthew Rennie, a brave young man who fought a three year battle against leukemia. Unfortunately Matthew passed away in October 2007, shortly before that year's concert. Light the Night was created by Matthew's two brothers, musical theatre performers Shaun Rennie and Adam Rennie, and friends Monica Smith and Greg Smith.

Performers already confirmed include Australia's king of swing David Campbell, pop sensation Andy Bull, extraordinary jazz vocalist Emma Pask, guitar sensation Nathan Cavaleri, breathtaking singer/actress Ursula Yovich, opera virtuoso and winner of Australia's Got Talent Mark Vincent, country singer-songwriter Amber Lawrence, stars of the musical WICKED Rob Mills and Lucy Durack, and cast members of the sensational Broadway musical Avenue Q, songstress Katie Noonan, charismatic singer/songwriter Lior, Australian Idol sensation Matt Corby, Australia's leading man of musical theatre David Harris, musical comedy act Tripod, contemporary a cappella group The Idea of North and musical theatre stars Christie Whelan and Monique Montez.

Tickets are $49.50/$62.50/$110.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Its a big week for cabaret in NYC (and Chicago, too).

Its a big week for cabaret in NYC (and Chicago, too). Monday was the first night of our TOWNHOUSE HAS TALENT contest - see info above and in the listings - and CCP (Chicago Cabaret Professionals - http://www.chicagocabaret.org/ ) will present its eleventh anniversary Gala Benefit 2009 "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" on Sunday, October 11th at 7:00 pm at THE PARK WEST in Chicago - see details in listings below.

Also, this week NYC plays host to the 20th Annual MABEL MERCER CABARET CONVENTION at JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER - Wednesday through Friday, with shows each night at 6:00 pm - ending in time for many folks to have a quick supper and see a cabaret show. These events used to be held over 5 nights and one afternoon, but several forces have affected the event. Economic forces for one - ticket prices were at one time kept low (in the $15-$25 range) in order to allow folks of all incomes to afford to see one or more of the shows. Most of the performers in the shows still appear for free (many hiring their own accompanists) and only a few from outside NYC are given travel/housing while in town. But other expenses (and inflation) have required increased prices, and while some $25 seats are available, most seats are at the $50/$100 levels. And other "cabaret festival" events in NYC during the year have also diminished the specialness of the cabaret convention. Finally, the cabaret audience of today has moved beyond "great American Songbook" that the convention emphasizes and on to many new styles and formats for cabaret show. In the early years, it was nearly impossible to get tickets to several of the nights just a few days after they went on sale - today, seats are still available for all shows.

But the aura of "convention week" still brings a bit of excitement and revitalization to the NYC cabaret community, and folks from out of town still make the trip to NYC (albiet a shorter stay). And, while the new JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER facilities do not afford the space for the camaraderie pre and post show as the former THE TOWN HALL location (including the chance to purchase CDs by the performers during intermission), it still is a time of celebration of the most exciting art form ever created.