LIZA MINNELLI, CAST PARTY, SUE MATSUKI...AND MORE!

Liza Minnelli to Receive 2010 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement

By: Andy Propst


Stage and screen legend Liza Minnelli will receive the 2010 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 14th annual Pell Awards Gala to be held on June 19 at the Sharpe Building at the Foundry Complex.

The event raises funds for Trinity Repertory Company's ongoing work.

In addition to the honor for Minnelli, the evening will feature the presentation of the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts to jazz impresario George Wein and artist Umberto "Bert" Crenca will receive the 2010 Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Minnelli's most recent Broadway show, Liza's at the Palace, won a 2009 Tony for Best Special Theatrical Event, and Minnelli has also won Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for Flora the Red Menace and The Act. She also won a special Tony Award in 1974 "for adding lustre to the Broadway season." She was Tony- nominated for The Rink and additional Broadway credits include Victor/Victoria and Chicago. She won the Academy Award for Cabaret and the Emmy Award for Liza With a "Z".

For further information, visit: www.trinityrep.com.


Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch's Cast Party has officially proven to be a bi-coastally
success with its West Coast premiere on Thursday, April 1st at the world famous
Magic Castle's highly popular Cabaret at the Castle. The Extreme Open Mic that has
become a Broadway mainstay was as equally well packed with Hollywood elite, some of
which took their turn at the mic. The witty and charming Caruso took charge of the
stage, while the musical genius of Billy Stritch brought brilliant music to the ears
of patrons and performers alike.

Just some of the many talents that took center stage were Erich Bergen singing "I'm
Not A Girl" and "Hero" in "Funny Thing Happened...Forum;" Joely Fisher sang "You Can
Always Count On Me" by Coleman/Zippel (with David Zippel in the house!); Shelly
Goldstein (Who appears at the Castle in her own show on the 18th of April) offered a
parody she wrote called “Just Call My agent in the Morning;” Jimmy James with "I Got
It Bad And That Ain't Good" as 8 divas (Bette Davis, Eartha Kit, etc); JoAnne Worley
sang a parody of her own called "If I Had A Rich Man;" as well as Melissa Manchester
singing “From This Moment On” from Cole Porters 1948 classic “Kiss Me Kate;” and
Cybill Shephard who also gave a rousing rendition of "I Got It Bad And That Ain't
Good;" while Julie Garnye sang from "Heathers" with composer Larry O'Keefe (who also
wrote "Legally Blonde") and closed the evening with "Gimme Gimme."
Some of those who
opted to remain in the audience and simply enjoy being entertained included, Eve
Plumb, Kate Linder, Teresa Ganzel, Michael Orland, Roslyn Kind and her nephew Jason
Gould.

Cabaret at the Castle is proud to announce the return of Cast Party on May 26th and
announced that ticket sales are already climbing.


Support THE ARTS! LIVE THEATRE! Go see a show this week!




TONIGHT: (April 5th, 2010) Please join us for Sue Matsuki(Eric Michael Gillet, Sue Matsuki, and Paulette Attie)


Sue Matsuki at the Beechman
Special One Night Only MAC Nominee Encore Performance
(Female Vocalist)

Tonight, April 5th at 9:30 pm (doors open for dinner at 9:00 pm)
The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café
407 West 42nd Street (off of 9th Ave.)
RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: 212-695-6909
SPECIAL $5.00 COVER PRICE! - $15 Food/Drink Minimum

Featuring Sue's Musical Director for the past 13 years,
GREGORY TOROIAN

Directed by MAC Nominated: ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT
(Come see his work on this show as well!)

"Matsuki's new show not only represents her best work to date, it is also one of the
finest shows I've seen anyone deliver this year. The most striking element of the
evening is the remarkable quality of her interpretations – each based on a chosen
point of view, devoid of extraneous frills or gestures. There are times when I
absolutely love what I do. This is one of them."
Roy Sander, Bistroawards.com

"If I would register one complaint, it was that the show was too short – not by my
watch, but by my heart. Sue's delivery and presence is that compelling!"
Stu Hamstra, CabaretHotlineOnline.com

NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT: THE 25th Annual Bistro Awards!


At Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St., NYC – Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 pm


Evening Honors Mitzi Gaynor and Elaine Stritch



Bistro Silver Anniversary Awards to Tovah Feldshuh,

Paul Trueblood, and Ronny Whyte



Michael Feinstein and Peter Napolitano Receive ASCAP and BMI Awards




NEW YORK, MARCH 9, 2010 – More than 20 of cabaret’s brightest stars will be honored at the 25th Annual Bistro Awards which will take place on Tuesday, April 13 at Gotham Comedy Club. Legendary singer-dancer-actress Mitzi Gaynor, star of such films as South Pacific, Les Girls, Anything Goes, and a longtime headliner in Las Vegas and the nightclub circuit, making her first NY night club appearance in years in May at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, will be honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Elaine Stritch, the uniquely sensational actress and singer and star of stage, film, and TV, will be recognized in the category of Extraordinary Cabaret Artist, noting her recent conquests of the cabaret stage.



The evening, under the direction of Eric Michael Gillett, will feature performances from most of the Bistro-winning artists and shows and will feature guest presenters singer-actress Klea Blackhurst, comic Jim David, and actress-comedienne Marilyn Sokol.



Celebrating its Silver Anniversary of awards presentations to the cabaret community, and the first-ever award in the industry, the Bistro Awards will this year honor three individuals for their 25-plus years of artistic accomplishments: multiple-award-winning actress-singer Tovah Feldshuh, musical director-arranger and conductor Paul Trueblood, and singer-pianist-songwriter Ronny Whyte.



The ASCAP Great American Songbook Award for Outstanding Duos goes to Michael Feinstein and co-stars Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Ebersole, and David Hyde Pierce, with whom he appeared in separate shows at the cabaret venue that bears his name, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. For Outstanding Director, the BMI Award will go to Peter Napolitano, a BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop participant.

Some of the shows honored pay tribute to musical styles. Sarah Rice reflects on songs from old Hollywood (Outstanding Theme Show), the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players puts a twist on operettas (Special Award), Loli Marquez-Sterling puts the accent on the Latin Big Band sound (Outstanding Entertainer), while Lee Summers delivers standards and classic R&B (Outstanding Entertainer). Singers such as Liz Callaway (Outstanding Major Engagement), Nicole Henry (Outstanding Jazz Vocalist), and Anne Steele (Outstanding Vocalist) croon various musical styles in their shows.



The Bistro Awards Committee has named two recipients in the Outstanding Recording category: Alan Cumming for his “I Bought a Blue Car Today” CD, and Julie Reyburn for her “Live at Feinstein’s” recording. The Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award, given to an outstanding performer on the rise, and named after Back Stage’s co-founder, co-publisher and first cabaret critic, goes to Danielle Grabianowski.



The gala event will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd Street. A champagne reception for the Bistro recipients and Premium ticket holders begins at 5 pm, followed by the awards presentation and show starting promptly at 6:30 pm. Producer Sherry Eaker will be hosting the annual event, along with members of the Bistro Awards Committee.



The Bistro Awards Committee comprises Elizabeth Ahlfors (Cabaret Scenes, CurtainUp.com, and BistroAwards.com), David Finkle (Village Voice, HuffingtonPost.com, and BistroAwards.com), Rob Lester (Cabaret Scenes, NiteLifeExchange.com), Erv Raible, executive/artistic director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University, Roy Sander (BistroAwards.com), and Sherry Eaker, formerly the Editor in Chief of Back Stage.



The Bistro Awards are sponsored by ASCAP and BMI, with additional sponsorship from Branson B. Champagne and StageBuddy.com, and media sponsorship from Back Stage.



Ticket prices are: General Admission at $45.00; $75.00 for a Premium seat, which includes a pre-show Champagne reception and preferred seating. There is a two-drink minimum. A food menu is also available. Details and ticket information about the After Bistros party will be posted on Bistro Awards website. To purchase show tickets, go to www.bistroawards.com, or for more information, call: 917-239-5467.



A complete list of the winners follows:



THE BISTRO SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARDS FOR ONGOING ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT/ Tovah Feldshuh; Paul Trueblood; Ronny Whyte (Ronny White, pictured)



ANNE STEELE/ Vocalist/ The Metropolitan Room



NICOLE HENRY/ Jazz Vocalist/ The Metropolitan Room



DANIELLE GRABIANOWSKI/ Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award/ The Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama



LOLI MARQUEZ-STERLING/ Entertainer/ The Triad, The Metropolitan Room



LEE SUMMERS/ Entertainer/ The Triad



LIZ CALLAWAY/ Major Engagement/ The Metropolitan Room



GRETCHEN REINHAGEN, “Special Kaye: A Tribute to the Incomparable Kaye Ballard”/ Tribute Show/ The Metropolitan Room



SARAH RICE, “Screen Gems – Songs of Old Hollywood”/ Theme Show/ Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café



MICHAEL FEINSTEIN and…CHEYENNE JACKSON; CHRISTINE EBERSOLE; DAVID HYDE PIERCE/ ASCAP Great American Songbook Award for Duo Shows/ Feinstein’s at Loews Regency



CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY: In Their Own Words, created by Eugene Pack/ Comedy Series/ The Triad



I’VE GOT A LITTLE TWIST, conceived, written, and directed by David Auxier, musical direction and arrangements by Mark York, produced by Albert Bergeret/ Special Award/ The Triad, Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café



THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS/ Special Award/Created and produced by Raissa Katona Bennett



PETER NAPOLITANO/BMI Award for Director



THE SALON/ Special Award/Created and hosted by Mark Janas / The Algonquin Hotel, Etcetera Etcetera



ALAN CUMMING/Recording, “I Bought a Blue Car Today”



JULIE REYBURN/ Recording, “Live at Feinstein’s”



BRETT KRISTOFFERSON/ Songwriter



RICHARD EISENBERG/ “Two Again”/Special Material


ELAINE STRITCH/ Extraordinary Cabaret Artist



MITZI GAYNOR/ Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award



Send me your reviews and suggestions and I will put them in my next blog coming out next Saturday! Here's to an ARTS-filled week! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm

With grateful XOXOXs for your support!

Richard Skipper

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper

HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK:
I really enjoyed LAST NIGHT'S CABARET, the FOOD WAS GREAT, THE HOSTS WERE FABOULOUS, AND THE PERFORMANCES WERE VERY INTERESTING! I will pass the word, and my cast were happy to be there.........Nickolas LONG, III






Thanks so much for a terrific show last night! All of us girls had a wonderful time. Wish there were a night of just Richard and Dana!!
LORNA DRAKE





What a great night! I have been to events where singers get up and share their music before. But I have never, ever experienced such a supportive, organized, professional experience doing so.(In front of a packed house of happy patrons!) Wednesday Nights at The Iguana is top notch. Dana and Richard host this event with such humor, warmth and expertise. They bring out the very best in each singer so that the singer when he or she gets up there does their very best to entertain this packed room. I was honored to take part. This is the real deal. What music making in NYC, "back in the day" must have been like. Dana and Richard have brought a bit of that magic back and I for one, am very thankful.
MEG FLANDERS, : http://www.megflather.com





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NYC Now a night out in NY to see a show at a VERY AFFORDABLE price!
Dana Lorge and I have put our OWN spin on the variety show format and are now hosting every Wednesday night in NYC at The Iguana VIP Lounge (http://www.iguananyc.com) in the heart of NYC (240 West 54th Street 8-11PM/with an intermission).



Cover: $12 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great!
NOMINATED FOR TWO 2010 MANHATTAN ASSOCIATION OF CABARETS AND CLUBS AWARDS (MAC) FOR OUTSTANDING VARIETY SHOW AND OUTSTANDING HOSTS!

For more info, please call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_
RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!!
212-765-5454.
No one admitted before
7:30.



















April 7th: Wear BLACK & RED as we celebrate Helena Grenot's Birthday!Esther Beckman Group, Sina Lewis, Cindy Marchionda, The Iguan's very own MARIA GOMEZ making her Iguana SINGING debut, Susan Winter


April 14th: Naomi Miller, Karen Oberlinjoins us!

April 21st: Anaiza, Henry Dee, Rita Ellis Hammer, Jim Speake, Susan Eichhorn Young

April 28th: Bryan Anthony, Hector Coris, Kecia Craig, Sandra Davis, Rosemary Loar, Gretchen Reinhagen, and Frank Stern!

May 5th: Anton Van Der Merwe and Julie Reyburn

May 19th: Adrienne Haan, Barbara Gurskey, Bobbie Horowitz returns.


May 26th: Michelle Collier

June 2nd: D'Yan Forest and Tod Hall, Pam Palmieri




June 16th: 2010 Julie Reyburn, Lisa Raze returns!



TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL WEEK!