| . | 01/31/2008
THE 2008 NIGHTLIFE AWARDS CELEBRATED THE BEST OF CABARET, COMEDY AND JAZZ
By: Linda Amiel Burns
All Photos By Mark Rupp, Backstage at Nightlife Awards.
Scott Siegel, Julie Halston & Charles Busch, Town Hall, January 28, 2008
Scott Siegel presented a sparkling evening with performers who “illuminate New York’s nightlife with their incandescent talent.” Scott states that he conceived the Nightlife Awards as a means to have the performers who entertain in the clubs of NY “ be seen, heard, and raised to the light – specifically, a national spotlight.” What makes this show unique is that he “threw out the acceptance speeches and asked the winners to perform and show why they were chosen. They embraced that idea with enthusiasm.” What a night it was!
Hilary Kole, Barb Jungr, Marilyn Maye, Lari White & Lucie Arnaz. Photo by Mark Rupp
Bruce Vilanch was supposed to be the host for this “Awards Concert” but due to knee surgery, he was not allowed to fly from the West Coast. Scott read a very funny letter that Bruce sent to explain his absence. At the last minute, the fabulous duo of Julie Halston and Charles Busch came in to substitute and they couldn’t have done a better job of hosting.
The show opened with Phoebe Snow performing “Everything I Do, I Do For You” and it was one treat after another the entire evening. The list of performers and presenters were the who’s who of entertainers and everyone hit a home run. The judges are made up of critics, reviewers, journalists, and club owners.
Sandy Duncan and Lucie Arnaz. Photo by Mark Rupp
There were many honorees in the Cabaret category: Marilyn Maye won Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist in a Major Engagement and it was clear why she has gotten to legend status as she sang, “On a Wonderful Day Like Today” and “You’re Gonna Hear From Me” accompanied by Billy Stritch. John Pizzarelli & his wife, Jessica Molasky won for Outstanding Cabaret Duo in a Major Engagement and their arrangement of “Yes, Sir That’s My Baby” was thrilling. The jazz pianist Bill Charlap and his mother, Sandy Stewart were for finalists for the duo prize and he played “Stardust” followed by Sandy’s slow and tender “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” Barb Jungr from England was voted Oustanding Cabaret Vocalist and sang an unusual version of Charles DeForrest’s “When Will The Bells Ring For Me?” Christine Pedi, the winner for Outstanding Cabaret Comedy or Characterization, showed why she deserved this award with an hysterical rendition of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” sung by everyone from Joan Rivers, Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews and Bernadette Peters. Outstanding Cabaret Duo or Group was won by Modern Man, three humorous guys who write and sing clever material such as the one they performed entitled, “Channel Surfing” in the Beach Boys style. Outstanding Piano Bar Entertainer was won by Natalie Douglas who, by this time, should be in a Major Vocalist Category.
Marilyn Maye & Lari White Photo by Mark Rupp
The Jazz winners were equally exciting. Carol Sloane won for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist in a Major Engagement and strut her jazz chops. Singing L-O-V-E was the truly Outstanding Jazz Vocalist Alan Harris. A surprise of the evening was the talented Anat Cohen and the Anzic Orchestra, the winners for Outstanding Jazz Combo, a lovely young woman who made her clarinet sing, “Cry Me a River.” Outstanding Jazz Soloist, Hank Jones did not attend to receive his award.
Tedd Firth, marilyn Maye & Billy Stritch. Photo by Mark Rupp
In the Comedy Category only one winner was present, John Mulaney for Outstanding Comedian who has a big career ahead of him. He was introduced by the great comedian Jim David, who never fails to be win the crowd over. The other winners in this category were not present: Louis CK for Outstanding Comedian in a Major Engagement and Flight Of The Conchords for Outstanding Comic Duo or Group.
Sandy Duncan, Charles Busch, Julie Halston & Marilyn Maye. Photo by Mark Rupp
As if that wasn’t enough, there were guest performers and celebrity presenters: the always classy Lucie Arnaz, Bill Irwin, Sandy Duncan, John McDaniel and performances by the beautiful Hilary Kole who sang a lovely “Bewitched” and country singer Lari White, with a 21st Century “Sex and the City” type-song with lyrics in questionable taste – however, she can sing the phone book and get away with it.
Scott Siegel and his Production Team consisting of director Carl Andress and musical director Tedd Firth should be congratulated for putting on a first-class show and honoring those performers who work hard in keeping New York’s nightlife alive, thriving and exciting. Visit Scott’s new website to find out more about what he and Barbara Siegel are producing next and when their fabulous series at Town Hall “Broadway By The Year” begins. You can also sign up to get on the mailing list.
http://www.SiegelPresents.com
All Photos Courtesy of Mark Rupp
Billy Stritch, Marilyn Maye & Lucie Arnaz
Russ Titleman and Harvey Evans
Hilary Kole & Lari White
Hilary Kole & Billy Stritch
Hilary Kole, Tedd Firth and Billy Stritch
Lari White & BIlly Stritch
John McDaniel & Marilyn Maye
Marilyn Maye & Lucie Arnaz
Jim David and Marilyn Maye
Jessica Molaskey & John Pizzarelli
Phoebe Snow & Jim David
Mark Rupp & Lucie Arnaz
Randy Jones and Sandy Duncan
Linda Amiel Burns
Founder and Director of The Singing Experience, popular cabaret and musical theater performance workshops since 1977, have been featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood and, recently, the subject of a profile in BackStage by David Finkle. Linda is a sought after vocal coach & director and has written, booked and directed hundreds of cabaret acts, was a MAC nominee as “Best Director” of 2007. She produces and stars in The Singing Experience Cable TV Show on MNN and RCN and is President Of The New York Sheet Music Society producing monthly programs (http://www.NYSMS.org .) and a Trustee of Arts Horizons, which brings art programs to schools. ( http://www.artshorizons.org ).
Tel: 212 315-3500 E-mail: SingLAB@aol.com Website: http://www.SingingExperience.com
|
|