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, August 19, 2011

NE: BRUCE VILANCH & SHARON McNIGHT DEFYING SANITY IN PROVINCETOWN

NE: VILANCH & MCNIGHT DEFYING SANITY IN PROVINCETOWN

Bruce Vilanch and Sharon McNight meet for what might be dubbed as the cage boxing comedy event of 2011 on Friday & Saturday, August 19th & 20th at the VIXEN NIGHTCLUB (336 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA - 508-487-6424). Showtimes are 7:30 for the early birds and 9:00 for the serious revelers. In the words of Sharon and Bruce: "In our show "Defying Sanity", we cure cancer and cause world peace, so it's a lot like a beauty pageant. In addition, it's a comedy cavalcade: side-splitting songs, raucous observations, partial nudity -- ok, we go sleeveless -- working together and apart and somewhere in between. If you're old enough to remember Betty Comden and Adolph Green, you're too old to go out. If you're old enough to remember Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson, you're just what we're looking for (to date). Either way, come and see the show and you'll have a real good time, yes sir!" Call for cover/minimum information.

copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NY STATE: BROADWAY'S JIM RAPOSA IN CHIP DEFFAA'S GROEGE M. COHAN TONIGHT!

NY STATE: BROADWAY'S JIM RAPOSA IN GROEGE M. COHAN TONIGHT!

Washington County's Theater Home for Music, Musicals, and Cabaret, TheMAINSTAGE AT FORT SALEM THEATER (11 East Broadway, Salem, NY - 518-854-9200), announces its final presentation for the summer season, Broadway song and dance man Jim Raposa starring as Broadway song-and-dance man George M. Cohan in Chip Deffaa's musical biography entitled "George M. Cohan Tonight!". Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm, August 12th through 21st. George M. Cohan was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer who began his career performing with his parents and sister in vaudeville. Maturing to pen songs and sketches and then shows, he went on to write some 500 songs during his lifetime. Beginning with Little Johnny Jones in 1904, he created and appeared in more than three dozen shows that were produced on Broadway. Cohan's many popular songs include "Over There", "Give My Regards to Broadway", "The Yankee Doodle Boy", and "You're a Grand Old Flag". Known in the decade before World War I as "the man who owned Broadway," he is considered the father of American musical comedy. His life and music were depicted in the Academy Award-winning film, Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), and the 1968 musical, George M! Portraying the theatrical giant is Arlington, Vermont, resident Jim Raposa, whose own illustrious career includes the role of Donatello in the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as a stint in Cats on Broadway, where he met his wife Claudia Shell, with whom he currently teaches in the Performing Arts Department at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester (VT). A veteran of the Los Angeles companies of The Lion King and Ragtime, Raposa had not performed professionally for five years when Fort Salem's artistic director, Jay Kerr, coaxed him out of retirement to appear in last season's StarCrossed, in which Raposa played a Gene Kelly-type singer-dancer. Call for cover/minimum information.

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NYC: WITCHES IN BIKINIS & ALIEN SURFER BABES AT CONEY ISLAND

NYC: WITCHES IN BIKINIS & ALIEN SURFER BABES

End Times Productions, an independent theater company, has re-invented the novelty dance/vocal group Witches in Bikinis, together with Alien Surfer Babes, with new gals, new costumes, a new band (Bill Rozar on guitar), and a new production - bringing the group to its theatrical destiny. The group will perform on Friday, August 19th at CHA CHAS ON THE BOARDWALK (1229 Boardwalk West, Coney Island, NY - 718-946-1305 - ). The 4-band show starts at 8:00 pm with Alien Surfer Babes; Felony BeBop Club at 8:45 pm; break for the fireworks display at 9:30 pm; Witches In Bikinis at 10:00 pm; and at 11:00 pm, The New Arrows, featuring Alan Merrill (Original lead singer/ band member and writer of the Hit song " I Love Rock n Roll"). Tickets are $20.

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NYC: METROJAM WEEKLY OPEN MIC: HOSTED BY JENNA ESPOSITO TONIGHT


NYC: METROJAM WEEKLY OPEN MIC: HOSTED BY JENNA ESPOSITO
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $5 OFF THE COVER

METROJAM, the monthly cabaret/jazz open mic event held at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440), will have its next show on Friday, August 19th at 10:00 pm, featuring host Jenna Esposito. Accompaniment is provided by the MetroJam house band: John DiPinto on piano, Ritt Henn on bass, and Bobby Sher on drums. Each week, Jenna welcomes a special guest. Open-mic performers have a chance to perform with a full jazz band. If you're planning to perform, please arrive by 9:30 pm to sign up and be sure to bring two copies of your music (uptempo is recommended!). There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE

copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

Thursday, August 18, 2011

L.A.: SPIDER SALOFF in THE ROAR OF THE BUTTERFLY THROUGH SATURDAY

L.A.: SPIDER SALOFF in THE ROAR OF THE BUTTERFLY

CELEBRATION THEATRE (7051B Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, CA - 323-957-1884) is thrilled to announce the Los Angeles premiere of THE ROAR OF THE BUTTERFLY, with book, music and lyrics by Spider Saloff. This limited-run production will take place Wednesday through Saturday, August 17th through 20th at 8:00 pm. An award-winning artist, Ms. Saloff also stars in this one-woman play which is produced by Matthew Oltman of Chanticleer. Based on a true story, this musical comedy is a tour de force with characters everyone will fall in love with. In the tradition of Lilly Tomlin and Tracey Ullman, Ms. Saloff portrays eight different gender bending characters in this hysterical and moving new show. The theme of the show revolves around a memorial service for Butterfly, an Asian drag queen who has been a colorful and inspirational character in the lives of the attendees - an unlikely and diverse group, all of whom are portrayed by Ms. Saloff. THE ROAR OF THE BUTTERFLY is a comedy with a message and contains poignant moments touching on subjects of diversity, human loss and dysfunctional relationships. This show is not suggested for children under 13 years old without an adult. Tickets are $35 ($30 on Thursday).
copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NYC: 11 O'CLOCK NUMBERS AT 11 O'CLOCK AT FEINSTEIN'S

NYC: 11 O'CLOCK NUMBERS AT 11 O'CLOCK AT FEINSTEIN'S

FEINSTEIN'S at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue, NYC - 212-339-4095), in association with producer Scott Siegel, will continue its "11 O'Clock Numbers at 11 O'Clock!" revue on Thursday nights at 11:00 pm. The show highlights the music that has galvanized Broadway audiences from the 1930s right through to the present and it stars Carole J. Bufford ("Broadway by the Year"), Scott Coulter ("The Stephen Schwartz Show") and Christina Bianco (Newsical the Musical). The show is directed by Scott Coulter, with John Fischer serving as Musical Director. There is a $15-$25 cover plus a 1-drink minimum.

copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NYC: BROADWAY SESSIONS THURSDAYS AT MIDTOWN THEATER AT HA!

NYC: BROADWAY SESSIONS THURSDAYS AT MIDTOWN THEATER AT HA!
FEATURED CABARET BENEFIT EVENT

"Broadway Sessions" is an evening of musical performances, games, comedy and open mic featuring new Broadway guests each week. The show takes place every Thursday evening at 11:00 pm at THE MIDTOWN THEATER AT HA! COMEDY CLUB (163 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-977-3884). It is hosted by Ben Cameron (Wicked, Aida, Footloose) and features composer/musical director Will Van Dyke on piano. This week, August 18th, Broadway Sessions is thrilled to welcome the Catch Me if You Can cast and more. Cast members slated to perform include Broadway vets Rachelle Rak (Fosse, Every Little Step), Bob Gaynor (Sweet Charity, Aida) and Brandon Wardell (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Evil Dead, the musical). The evening will also feature a performance from NYMF show 'The Bobbed Hair Bandit' and vocalist Vikcy Modica. The performances are followed by open mic that goes until 2:00 am. There is no cover charge for this event. Donations will be collected for BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS
.copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NYC: COLLEEN MCHUGH REPRISES "MY STUPID MOUTH"

NYC: COLLEEN MCHUGH REPRISES "MY STUPID MOUTH"

Colleen McHugh continues her monthly CALENDAR GIRL series at THE DUPLEX CABARET THEATRE (61 Christopher Street, NYC - 1-212-255-5438) with the return on one of her most popular shows: "MY STUPID MOUTH" on Thursday, August 18th at 7:00 pm. The show promises to be a great evening of music and comedy celebrating all things mouthy: smiling, laughing, crying ... with songs by Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mercer, Stephen Sondheim, Dave Frishberg, John Mayer, and so many more. Plus the ever popular improv song, and lots of unintentional hilarity. With the one and only Tedd Firth, musical director. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum.
copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NYC: RICKY RITZEL / INGENUE AT DON'T TELL MAMA TONIGHT


NYC: RICKY RITZEL / INGENUE AT DON'T TELL MAMA
MEMBER DISCOUNT - $10 OFF THE COVER

Cabaret veteran and multi-award winner Ricky Ritzel puts his spin on songs written for and introduced by women in his new show RICKY RITZEL / INGENUE at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) on Thursday, August 18th and Tuesday, August 23rd, both shows at 7:00 pm. The show is directed by Jim Luzar. Ricky Ritzel has received 14 Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs Awards in 9 different catagories. He has performed all over the United States as well as London and Paris. An accomplished solo performer, Ricky has also accompanied such greats as Vivian Blaine, Ruth Warrick, Arthur Prysock, Varla Jean Merman, Julie Wilson, Lenora Nemetz and Miss Coco. Ricky was featured musician/sidekick on MTV's '15 Minutes with Andy Warhol', Sandra Bernhard's Radio Show on SIRIUS Satellite network and was musical director for the Sally Rand Tribute at Town Hall featuring Bebe Neuwirth, Donna McKechnie, Marge Champion, Karen Mason and directed by Tony Stevens. With famed Chicago jazz vocalist Spider Saloff, Ricky created several award winning revuessuch as "1938", which was recorded on the Kopathetics label, "Porgy & Bess: a Cabaret Concert" and "Ira and Others".His performance as Jimmy Durante in "Schnozzola!" earned him critical raves and numerous awards. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

L.A.: DOUBLE CD RELEASE PARTY FOR MARK WINKLER & PHIL SWANN

L.A.: DOUBLE CD RELEASE PARTY FOR MARK WINKLER & PHIL SWANN

Mark Winkler elli hold a CD release party for his new recording SWEET SPOT on Wednesday, August 17th at 8:00 pm at CATALINA BAR & GRILL (6725 West Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA - 323-466-2210). Lots of crowd favorites like Somewhere in Brazil and Sweet Spot are on the new disc, as well as Mark's renditions of such standards as But Not For Me and On Broadway. He will be joined by a very special guest, Phil Swann (his co writer on Play It Cool) who will be having a CD release party for his new album, STALE SCOTCH AND CHEAP CIGARS. Phil's CD is a master class in songwriting and late night saloon singing, featuring the cream of musicians and 10 Swann songs that sound like extra pages from the Great American Songbook. This night is also a celebration for their jazz film noir musical Play It Cool which opens in New York City on 42nd Street on September 14th. Both Mark and Phillip have recorded songs from Play It Cool on their new CDs - so a special evening should be had by all. They will be joined by the Eli Brueggemann quartet-and some surprise guests. There is a $15 cover.
copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NYC: WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA WITH SPECIAL GUESTS FROM CABARET

NYC: WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Dana Lorge hosts "Wednesday Night at the Iguana" every week at 8:00 pm at IGUANA'S VIP LOUNGE (240 West 54th Street, NYC - 212-765-5454 - ). Each week this comedy and musical variety show will feature special guest stars. This week's event, on Wednesday, August 17th, guests are Gretchen Reinhagen, Judy Mark, Bill Magaliff, Susan Mitchell, Loli Marquez-Sterling, Joan Jaffe, Bobbie Horowitz, Craig Pomerantz, Dorothy Bishop, Greggie, Tom DiMenna, Frank Basile, Sunny Leigh, and Lynn DiMenna with Barry Levitt on piano, Saadi Zain on bass and Howie Gordon on drums. As with all live entertainment events, performers are subject to change without notice. There is a $12 cover, no minimum.


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NYC: KAT GANG AT THE PLAZA'S ROSE ROOM WEDNESDAYS - NO COVER CABARET

NYC: KAT GANG AT THE PLAZA'S ROSE ROOM WEDNESDAYS

Kat Gang brings her unique vocal style to the ROSE ROOM OF THE PLAZA HOTEL (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, NYC - 212-759-3000) every Wednesday at 9:00 pm, for an open-ended engagement. She will be singing Traditional Jazz Standards, Cole Porter, Gershwin and others from the Great American Songbook. Kat has a soul steeped in jazz. Born in Boston she began her music theory training as a teenager at Berklee and then fell in love with the energy of New York City and went on to gain her BFA from NYU. After that she continued studying music at the Royal Academy in London. Kat lived and worked singing jazz all over England for seven years. She has performed twice at the GRAMMY Awards with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, has acted in various feature-length independent films, and currently is back in New York performing frequently and exploring the depth of jazz fusion and improvisation with her versatile, extraordinary ear and voice. The Rose Room has a policy of no cover or minimum for its music, fabulous cocktails, wine and champagne.
copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

NYC: SHANA FARR IN "WHISTLING AWAY THE DARK" - MUST SEE CABARET


NYC: SHANA FARR IN "WHISTLING AWAY THE DARK"

Shana Farr brings her show "Whistling Away The Dark" to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) on Wednesday, August 17th at 7:00 pm. In Whistling Away The Dark, Shana Farr weaves an intelligent story full of inspiration and humor using songs made popular by Julie Andrews. Ms. Andrews had the opportunity of working with the legendary composers and lyricists of Broadway and Hollywood such as Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Mancini & Mercer, Noel Coward and others. Shana Brings fresh interpretations to some of the famous as well as lesser known songs including Star!, Whistling Away The Dark, Feed the Birds, The Boy Friend, I Could Have Danced All Night, and Crazy World . Guided by director, Eric Michael Gillett and Musical Director Fred Barton, Shana cleverly brings attention to the lyrics and melodies of the songs by pulling them out of the contexts of their shows combining them in ways to tell a new story. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum.
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"CABARET REVIEWS - FACT OR FICTION?" GET THE ANSWER FROM CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE

Are you receiving CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE's MEMBERS ONLY NEWSLETTER? It is sent exclusively to our 2011-12 members every Saturday. In addition to our regular listing of shows with member discounts for the 10 days ahead, plus announcements of special interest to members and advance announcements, the MEMBERS ONLY NEWSLETTER now contains an essay each week on some aspect of cabaret - and not just of interest to performers.

On Saturday, August 6th, the essay topic was "HAS THE NYC CABARET CONVENTION LOST IT'S WAY?". On the 13th it was "IS JOINING A LOCAL CABARET ORGANIZATION REALLY WORTHWHILE?". And this coming Saturday, August 20th, our topic will be "CABARET REVIEWS - FACT OR FICTION?". If you join before Friday, I will make sure you get this important issue. (Back issues are available to members for 2 weeks following issue date).

You can join as a SUSTAINING member for just $10 today, and if you feel like it, donate an additional amount later to move a higher membership level. All the membership levels and their corresponding benefits can be found on the website - CLICK HERE

If you're a member of PayPal, you can renew today and "get it out of the way" if you like - just CLICK HERE  and enter your PayPal e-mail address account name and password - then click on the SEND MONEY tab. Just enter stuhamstra@svhamstra.com as the payee, then enter any amount you wish $10 or over and click CONTINUE. Then proofread your entries and hit send. It takes just a few minutes (the hardest part is remembering your password).

Don't like to use PayPal? Just mail your check - made out simply to STU HAMSTRA to our NEW address: Stu Hamstra - CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - 75-22 37th Avenue #35 - Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (please be sure to include your e-mail address so your donation can be acknowledged quickly).

Already sent your check? Let me know right away - mail has been a little slow in getting here, now that I switched the mailing address to Jackson Heights (I think USPS and NYC Snow Removal Department have merged.

Hugs & Stuff

STU


ON JULY 6, 2010 WE STARTED OUR 21st YEAR OF PROMOTING THE ART & ARTISTS OF CABARET

Stu Hamstra
CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
75-22 37th Avenue #35
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
=====================
"His eye is on the sparrow...."

copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

NEW VIEWS, REVIEWS, NEWS COLUMN BY SUE MATSUKI POSTED ON THE WEBSITE MINUTES AGO

We posted a new "Sue's Views, Reviews & News" column by Sue Matsuki on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE yesterday (Monday, August 15th) - you can view it right now. In this week's column, Sue has some new "Pet Peeves", she follows up on the essay by Stu Hamstra in Saturday's MEMBERS ONLY newsletter about local cabaret organizations, reviews one of the singers at a variety show she was at last week, and makes some picks for the weeks to come. Meantime, our Summer Reviewer Mona Finston reviews the SIMPLY STREISAND REVUE at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN.. Sue Matsuki's "Sue's Views, News & Reviews" are usually posted weekly, exclusively on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE.

We also posted yesterday's issue of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE NEWSLETTER - sent free twice a week to over 3400 subscribers - with news, listings, comments and reminders of cabaret events from all over the world. If you would like a free subscription, just send me an e-mail at stuhamstra@svhamstra.com with the single word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you would like to have your cabaret event listed in the newsletter and on the website, just send a press release to the same address - remember: a flier or a simple website link, is not a press release.

CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE is now offering a full 2011-2012 membership, good through July 5, 2012 beginning immediately! Sustaining memberships including a discount card) are just $10 per year! Regular memberships, with full benefits, including discounts/rebates on advertising, discounts on select cabaret events (including our BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS and MARCH IS CABARET MONTH shows), plus a CD SALE PAGE, YOU-TUBE link, BLOG link, etc. start at $20 (SILVER) / Over $1500 in cabaret event discounts were available to members last year! For information on membership: CLICK HERE:

STU

SPECIAL NOTE: OUR MAILING ADDRESS HAS CHANGED! send mail to: CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - 75-22 37th Avenue #35 - Jackson Heights, NY 11372

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copyright 2011 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - YOU ARE WELCOME TO POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW