"To my brothers and sisters in Cabaret
I was really stupid and insensitive the other night with my failed , offensive over reach for in this case tasteless humor, I so apologize to all for these remarks, the AIDS Holocaust is one of the most shameful times in our history, I too have lost loved ones, I again, am so very sorry.
Joey Reynolds"
Showing posts with label 2009 MAC AWARDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 MAC AWARDS. Show all posts
Saturday, May 23, 2009
NOTES FROM THE MAC AWARDS:
NOTES FROM THE MAC AWARDS:
- Nancy Witter in a gown looked quite glamorous - and made her patented smile even brighter than normal.
- Michelle Collier almost in a dress had even the gay men ogling.
- Hardest working guy on and off stage had to be Steven Ray Watkins, who must have spent weeks creating the Motown-style arrangements for all those numbers.
- Has anyone else noticed that B.B.Kings is in need of a little refurbishing?
- Performers who rocked: Tommy Femia - wow! (I'm at his show Saturday night at MAMA'S at 8:30 pm); Marcus Simeone - incredible! (Won both the award and best in show - hope to make it to his show at METROPOLITAN tonight at 9:45 pm).
- Couldn't have happened to a better guy: Daryl Glen - his NASHVILLE show did a trifecta: NIGHTLIFE - BISTRO - MAC! And a regular gig at the METROPOLITAN - First Sunday every month at 7:00 pm
- Big thank you to Lennie Watts for once more giving us a new angle on cabaret, while making the annual occasion a festive, exciting, entertaining and fascinating night.
(more comments in Tuesday's issue of the HOTLINE)
- Nancy Witter in a gown looked quite glamorous - and made her patented smile even brighter than normal.
- Michelle Collier almost in a dress had even the gay men ogling.
- Hardest working guy on and off stage had to be Steven Ray Watkins, who must have spent weeks creating the Motown-style arrangements for all those numbers.
- Has anyone else noticed that B.B.Kings is in need of a little refurbishing?
- Performers who rocked: Tommy Femia - wow! (I'm at his show Saturday night at MAMA'S at 8:30 pm); Marcus Simeone - incredible! (Won both the award and best in show - hope to make it to his show at METROPOLITAN tonight at 9:45 pm).
- Couldn't have happened to a better guy: Daryl Glen - his NASHVILLE show did a trifecta: NIGHTLIFE - BISTRO - MAC! And a regular gig at the METROPOLITAN - First Sunday every month at 7:00 pm
- Big thank you to Lennie Watts for once more giving us a new angle on cabaret, while making the annual occasion a festive, exciting, entertaining and fascinating night.
(more comments in Tuesday's issue of the HOTLINE)
MAC REPORT UPDATE
After receiving a note from a subscriber regarding the item in yesterday's newsletter regarding comments made at the MAC AWARDS show on Monday, I realize that I did not clearly hear the original remark in its entirety. The press table was located on the far right (facing the stage), the podium on the far left. And there was a general "chatter" going on around me. Apparently there was an additional phrase in the remark that I did not catch, one that many gays and friends of gays in the audience felt was particularly offensive. I find it offensive as well, now that I have been made aware of the exact words and their meaning (it was a pun - you had to hear it clearly to catch it).
That being said, and with no attempt to brush aside the incident, and hoping and trusting that an apology is forthcoming (or perhaps has already been made - I personally am not in the habit of listening to the radio late at night), one must take into consideration the fact that Mr. Reynolds has not just tirelessly promoted cabaret performers, he regularly (I think it is on Friday nights) has has his guest Mr. Sidney Myer and a group of openly gay comics to liven up his show. He regularly promotes, appears in and attends GMHC and BC/EFA events, and in no way could be considered anti-gay from what I know.
I truly believe the remark, as offensive as it was, was thought by him to be funny at the time. As I said immediately to by pal Daniel after the remark was made, there is no way to joke about AIDS. Hopefully Joey Reynolds is aware of that fact now. Talk of boycott, letter writing campaigns and the like are childish and usually counter productive (and for some, self-serving - self-promoting tactics).
(I will be repeating this in Tuesday's Newsletter)
That being said, and with no attempt to brush aside the incident, and hoping and trusting that an apology is forthcoming (or perhaps has already been made - I personally am not in the habit of listening to the radio late at night), one must take into consideration the fact that Mr. Reynolds has not just tirelessly promoted cabaret performers, he regularly (I think it is on Friday nights) has has his guest Mr. Sidney Myer and a group of openly gay comics to liven up his show. He regularly promotes, appears in and attends GMHC and BC/EFA events, and in no way could be considered anti-gay from what I know.
I truly believe the remark, as offensive as it was, was thought by him to be funny at the time. As I said immediately to by pal Daniel after the remark was made, there is no way to joke about AIDS. Hopefully Joey Reynolds is aware of that fact now. Talk of boycott, letter writing campaigns and the like are childish and usually counter productive (and for some, self-serving - self-promoting tactics).
(I will be repeating this in Tuesday's Newsletter)
Monday, May 18, 2009
2009 MAC AWARDS SHOW UPDATE & COMMENTS
Tonight's the night - the town is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. Its the night of the 23rd Annual MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) Awards and the show kicks off with a "Red Carpet" exercise at 6:30 pm, everyone's chance to be insulted on video. The show itself kicks off at 7:30 pm at BB KING'S BLUES CLUB (237 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-997-4144 - ). Before MAC made the wise move to return to the cabaret-style setting, one had to hurry up and dine before the show, or wait until after the show - usually around midnight, or so. Now you can drink and dine right at your seat. I suppose that's why this year again the show is nearly a sellout. (some tickets will be available at the door).
I ran into the show's director, MAC VP Lennie Watts, on Saturday, and asked him for his prediction for tonight, which he summed up in one word: "Long." No wonder. Look thaws on the bill: in addition to presenting a lifetime achievement award to Polly Bergen, MAC will bestow the Board of Directors Award to Joey Reynolds and Myra Chanin of the JOEY REYNOLDS SHOW and Eva Swan and Vocal Ease. The TimeOut New York Special Achievement Award will go to Poor Baby Bree.
Andrea Marcovicci and Nancy Witter will co-host the show, with cabaret luminaries like John McDaniel, Klea Blackhurst, Rex Reed, Tyne Daly, Steve Ross, Julie Wilson, Karen Mason, and Marilyn Maye presenting and/or performing and entertainment by the talents of John Bucchino, Brandon Cutrell, Jamie deRoy, Tony DeSare, Jenna Esposito, Tommy Femia, The Fabulous Pink Flamingos, Eric Michael Gillett, Tanya Holt, Lina Koutrakos, Angela LaGreca, Barry Levitt, Lorinda Lisitza, Sidney Myer, Georga Osborne, Christine Pedi, Ricky Ritzel, Spider Saloff, Marcus Simeone and Anne Steele. Should be quite a night!
I'm not going to race home afterwards to get the word out on the names of the winners - a silly sort of effort I have tried in the past. Instead I just might make the rounds of three parties after the show: Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY takes place every Monday night at BIRDLAND (315 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-581-3080), Brandon Cutrell & Alyssa Umphress will host a special edition of AFTER PARTY at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909), and DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) is hosting a party in their elegant new lounge, with free appetizers and $5 drink specials. They are all within 5 blocks or less of B.B.KINGS - let the evening continue until dawn's early night!
I ran into the show's director, MAC VP Lennie Watts, on Saturday, and asked him for his prediction for tonight, which he summed up in one word: "Long." No wonder. Look thaws on the bill: in addition to presenting a lifetime achievement award to Polly Bergen, MAC will bestow the Board of Directors Award to Joey Reynolds and Myra Chanin of the JOEY REYNOLDS SHOW and Eva Swan and Vocal Ease. The TimeOut New York Special Achievement Award will go to Poor Baby Bree.
Andrea Marcovicci and Nancy Witter will co-host the show, with cabaret luminaries like John McDaniel, Klea Blackhurst, Rex Reed, Tyne Daly, Steve Ross, Julie Wilson, Karen Mason, and Marilyn Maye presenting and/or performing and entertainment by the talents of John Bucchino, Brandon Cutrell, Jamie deRoy, Tony DeSare, Jenna Esposito, Tommy Femia, The Fabulous Pink Flamingos, Eric Michael Gillett, Tanya Holt, Lina Koutrakos, Angela LaGreca, Barry Levitt, Lorinda Lisitza, Sidney Myer, Georga Osborne, Christine Pedi, Ricky Ritzel, Spider Saloff, Marcus Simeone and Anne Steele. Should be quite a night!
I'm not going to race home afterwards to get the word out on the names of the winners - a silly sort of effort I have tried in the past. Instead I just might make the rounds of three parties after the show: Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY takes place every Monday night at BIRDLAND (315 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-581-3080), Brandon Cutrell & Alyssa Umphress will host a special edition of AFTER PARTY at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909), and DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) is hosting a party in their elegant new lounge, with free appetizers and $5 drink specials. They are all within 5 blocks or less of B.B.KINGS - let the evening continue until dawn's early night!
Friday, May 15, 2009
LOSING OR WINNING - ITS NOT ABOUT AWARDS
The countdown to the MAC AWARDS is in full force. The tension is mounting; the competition is at fever pitch. Just a word from someone who has seen this same scenario played out for almost 20 years: don't take it all too seriously. After all, the so-called "MAC community" is only a small portion of the cabaret community, and the actual award means far more out of town than it does here in NYC. You won't lose a single fan if you don't win the award. All the folks who love you now will continue to love you whether you win or lose. And wise booking agents - where ever they are located - know exactly how little winning an award has to do with talent and quality. Its an item for your resume.
And the original reason for the MAC awards - to promote cabaret awareness - has been lost in the oft-times destructive actions of "award winning." Very talented folks have actually ceased performing because they weren't "recognized by the MAC community". Losing an award or not getting on the ballot is not a sign of rejection. Most MAC voters only see a handful of cabaret shows a year - and usually only shows put on by their friends. Most MAC voters make their choices not according to the rules (one should only vote for performers you have actually seen in performance that year) and but instead vote at the urging of friends and acquaintances. If the MAC members who actually vote annually really went to all the performances they voted for on the preliminary ballot, there wouldn't be enough cabaret rooms to go around.
Each year I see terrific, fantastic, ground-breaking cabaret shows that never make the cut because they weren't seen by the right people. And each year I see sloppy, cookie-cutter, boring shows that do get on the ballot because they were seen by the right people. I will make an admission here. In those years I was a MAC member, I hardly ever sent in a ballot - preliminary or final. I knew who the real winners were - folks who were moving the art of cabaret forward. And they knew who they were, too, and an award was not important to their artistry.
And the original reason for the MAC awards - to promote cabaret awareness - has been lost in the oft-times destructive actions of "award winning." Very talented folks have actually ceased performing because they weren't "recognized by the MAC community". Losing an award or not getting on the ballot is not a sign of rejection. Most MAC voters only see a handful of cabaret shows a year - and usually only shows put on by their friends. Most MAC voters make their choices not according to the rules (one should only vote for performers you have actually seen in performance that year) and but instead vote at the urging of friends and acquaintances. If the MAC members who actually vote annually really went to all the performances they voted for on the preliminary ballot, there wouldn't be enough cabaret rooms to go around.
Each year I see terrific, fantastic, ground-breaking cabaret shows that never make the cut because they weren't seen by the right people. And each year I see sloppy, cookie-cutter, boring shows that do get on the ballot because they were seen by the right people. I will make an admission here. In those years I was a MAC member, I hardly ever sent in a ballot - preliminary or final. I knew who the real winners were - folks who were moving the art of cabaret forward. And they knew who they were, too, and an award was not important to their artistry.
Friday, May 1, 2009
NYC: 23RD ANNUAL MAC AWARDS AT B.B. KING BLUES CLUB
MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) will celebrate the 23rd Annual MAC Awards on Monday, May 18th at 7:30 pm at BB KING'S BLUES CLUB (237 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-997-4144 - ). Doors open at 6:00 pm. The show will be hosted by Andrea Marcovicci and Nancy Witter. This year's performers/presenters include Polly Bergen (Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award), Klea Blackhurst, Tyne Daly, Karen Mason, Marilyn Maye, John McDaniel, Rex Reed, Steve Ross and Julie Wilson among others. Featured performers include John Bucchino, Brandon Cutrell, Jamie deRoy, Tony DeSare, Jenna Esposito, Tommy Femia, The Fabulous Pink Flamingos, Eric Michael Gillett, Tanya Holt, Lina Koutrakos, Angela LaGreca, Barry Levitt, Lorinda Lisitza, Sidney Myer, Georga Osborne, Christine Pedi, Poor Baby Bree, Ricky Ritzel, Spider Saloff and Anne Steele.
Taking part in a special tribute in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Motown and its contribution to expanding the American Songbook will be the 2009 MAC AWARD nominees for Best Male/Female Vocalist: Raissa Katona Bennett, Jenna Esposito, Terese Genecco, Julie Reyburn, Marcus Simeone, Kim Smith, Jonathan Whitton, and Michael Winther.
The 2009 MAC Awards will bestow the Board of Directors Award to Joey Reynolds and Myra Chanin of the JOEY REYNOLDS SHOW, who consistently promote Cabaret, Comedy and Jazz artists on the long running WOR Radio program. Also receiving the honor will be Eva Swan and Vocal Ease for bringing Broadway and Cabaret talent to hospitals, nursing homes and senior center for over a decade. The TimeOut New York Special Achievement Award will go to Poor Baby Bree.
Tickets are priced at $45, $75 and $125.
Taking part in a special tribute in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Motown and its contribution to expanding the American Songbook will be the 2009 MAC AWARD nominees for Best Male/Female Vocalist: Raissa Katona Bennett, Jenna Esposito, Terese Genecco, Julie Reyburn, Marcus Simeone, Kim Smith, Jonathan Whitton, and Michael Winther.
The 2009 MAC Awards will bestow the Board of Directors Award to Joey Reynolds and Myra Chanin of the JOEY REYNOLDS SHOW, who consistently promote Cabaret, Comedy and Jazz artists on the long running WOR Radio program. Also receiving the honor will be Eva Swan and Vocal Ease for bringing Broadway and Cabaret talent to hospitals, nursing homes and senior center for over a decade. The TimeOut New York Special Achievement Award will go to Poor Baby Bree.
Tickets are priced at $45, $75 and $125.
Friday, April 17, 2009
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
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
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