The 29th Annual New York Cabaret Convention: A Preview
July 7, 2018
By Alix Cohen for Cabaret Scenes
It’s that time again! The hall is booked, performers committed, buzz beginning. Continuing tradition, I spoke with KT Sullivan, Artistic Director of The Mabel Mercer Foundation and the host of this year’s gala Cabaret Convention in anticipation of the October 9-12 event at the Rose Theater in Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Cabaret Today!
Host: KT Sullivan
Photo: Eric Stephen Jacobs
“I like this title,” says KT. “It seems to me people are thinking it’s all modern…but it stands for everything going on today… new and veteran performers singing contemporary or songbook numbers….” Sullivan’s approach is open armed. Her plan is to present a cross section. As she muses on what each artist will offer, I note she describes selections as being meaningful to them. “That’s why it relates to Mabel. The ones that were stunning are the ones that tied in to her.”
Included opening night will be 17-year-old Joie Bianco performing in her third Convention. This talented young woman is already a proud winner of The Julie Wilson Award. Also offering a song will be 17-year-old Gustavo Palma, winner of The Sullivan Foundation for the Arts Legacy Award in Durango, Colorado. The first night also sees the presentation of the Mabel Mercer Award to Carol Woods.
Wednesday October 10, 2018
The Night and the Music—Celebrating Rosemary Clooney,
Barbara Cook, and Julie Wilson
Host: Deborah Grace Winer, based on her book of the same name.
“Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook, and Julie Wilson were both three of the greatest singers and interpreters of the American Songbook and three of the most extraordinary women I ever knew,” states Deborah. “They all shot to early stardom, reaching the pinnacle of success, had their lives and careers interrupted by personal battles that derailed them, and reemerged as vastly changed people. It was in their second chapters that each did her greatest artistic work and became a legend. I’ll be featuring songs they sang and telling about adventures with these great ladies.”
Thursday October 11, 2018
The Best of Jerry Herman
Host: Klea Blackhurst
The Mabel Mercer Foundation hasn’t saluted Jerry Herman since 2005. Sullivan feels in light of the terrific reception to Hello, Dolly! they should take another look at the eminent artist who also gave us Mack and Mabel, La Cage aux Folles, and Mame. Not to mention Herman has just moved back to our fair city.
That night will also see the presentation of the Adela and Larry Elow American Songbook High School Competition Award to Christina Jimenez.
Friday October 12, 2018
The Night They Invented Champagne: The Lyrics of Alan Jay Lerner
Hosts: Jeff Harnar and Andrea Marcovicci
Andrea: “Alan Jay Lerner has the wit and wisdom of Cole Porter and Noël Coward, yet also the romanticism and lyricism of Oscar Hammerstein! Lyrics are so diverse there will be more than enough variety for the wonderful talent we’ve gathered for our evening. Lerner wrote with some of the greatest composers in musical theater history, everyone from Kurt Weill to Frederick Loewe. The Night They Invented Champagne is going to be a bubbly delight!”
Photo: Daniel Reichert
Jeff: “Alan Jay Lerner’s lyrics can be fervent, vulnerable, wise, clever, heartfelt, and funny—sometimes all in one song. His lyrics are among my favorites. They can embrace a romanticized era of popular song and also transcend into the contemporary. Because we want to give as many singers an opportunity to be part of the Convention, we will have over 20 artists on the roster, each singing one song, with the occasional twosome returning for a duet. Diversity of talent, standards, and surprises should make for a beautiful celebration.”
Photo: Stacy Sullivan
The Donald F. Smith Award (underwritten by Adela and Larry Elow) and the The Julie Wilson Award (underwritten by Linda and Peter Hanson) will be presented.
Tickets
As it did last year, the Foundation offers same-day rush tickets from 10 am at the box office for Rose Theater, located in the Time Warner Center. Tickets must be purchased in person, with a limit of two per valid Student ID or MAC Member Card. The offer is good for any remaining seats in the $100, $50, and $25 tiers of the theater, each ticket priced at $13.50: $10 for the ticket, plus a $3.50 JALC facility fee. KT says that “the total number available for each performance will depend on the remaining tickets for that date.”
Schools including but not limited to Juilliard, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and The Manhattan School of Music have been invited to send students.
Mark your calendars! Convention Tickets available at www.mabelmercer.org/the-mabel-mercer-foundation-events
Heads Up!
Sidney Myer’s performance DVD benefiting the Foundation will at last be on sale during this year’s Cabaret Convention and undoubtedly go as fast as they can be unpacked. Immortality is secured!
Looking Ahead
How is next year shaping up?, I ask Sullivan. “Crossover plans are interesting…” On June 14, renowned opera singer and recitalist, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, debuted her new show at a one-night-only event benefiting the Foundation. It was not only a great success, but such fun that Ms. Blythe has volunteered to do it again. “The way she talks about the American Songbook, she really knows and appreciates it.”
Following 2018’s celebratory All The Way: The Music of Jimmy Van Heusen & Friends, a 2019 event, also at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, will salute the inimitable Jerome Kern May 21, 2019.
