Only in New York would the introduction of surprise guest, Liza Minnelli, be greeted with the murmer of - "Which Liza?" Almost every female impersonator in town has featured some take on Liza, but the 2007 Nightlife Awards had the real deal, Liza herself. Looking trim and fit, she presented a special award to Jim Caruso, host of Birdland's Monday night Cast Party.

New York cabaret, comedy and jazz received its annual salute at Scott Siegel's fifth awards evening at Town Hall. Appearing was an eclectic mix of artists, including Rupert Holmes, Terrance McNally, and Ben Riley's Monk Legacy Septet. This popular show eschews speeches and celebrates performances. Larry Gatlin opened the show with All the Gold in Calfornia, and the evening proved there is also plenty of glitter in Gotham.

Christine Ebersole was an audience favorite. With Billy Stritch, she jazzed up "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top," followed by "Will You," the winsome ballad from her acclaimed Broadway show, Grey Gardens. Other theatre notables included one of the Jersey Boys, Daniel Reichard, who turned to the classic standards, "Bewitched" and "Moon River." Melissa Errico delivering a touching "Not While I'm Around," and Tom Wopat, smooth and cool, rendered West Side Story's "Cool Boy."

Freddy Cole, winner of male jazz vocalist, demonstrated how to deliver a song of coy seduction without half trying: "What Are You Afraid Of?" Stylist Paula West, backed by a jazz combo, won top female jazz honors over Carol Sloane and Annie Ross. Lorinda Lisitza, Cabaret Musical Comedy winner, was witty and bitter with her rendition of "Yolanda at the Bottom of the Stairs."

The Pizzarelli couple, John Pizzarelli and wife, Jessica Molaskey, proved deserving winners of outstanding Male and Female Vocalists. They paired a breakneck, tongue-twisting "Cloudburst" (by John) with "I'm Not Getting Married Today" (by Jessica) and made the vocalese/theatre melt into perfect sense.

Maureen McGovern accepted Nightlife Legend honors with a luscious "With a Song in My Heart" and took "My Favorite Things" down a jazz road.

Directed by Dan Foster, other talented performers included Tom Anderson, Lisa Asher, Todd Barkan, Charles Busch, David Colbert, Scott Coulter, and Tim Di Pasqua.

The Nightlife Awards were conceived, produced and hosted by Scott Siegel, who proves to be a smooth emcee-entertainer himself.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
January 29, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org