1999 BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARDS GALA REPORT

Each year BACK STAGE, the weekly magazine covering NYC theater, cabaret and other entertainment events presents the BISTRO AWARD to outstanding cabaret performers and performances of the previous year. The awards were begun by the late Bob Harrington, who was the cabaret reviewer for BACK STAGE for many years, and wrote the Bistro Bits column in the paper.

Currently the recipients are chosen by the 2 cabaret reviewers of the BACK STAGE namely John Hoglund and Roy Sander. One of the most important rules of the judging is that you can only win one BISTRO AWARD in a single venue in your lifetime.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony and show at The Supper Club on Monday, March 1st. Here is a report on that event.

BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD GALA
MONDAY MARCH 1 - SUPPER CLUB IN NYC

The 14th Annual BACK STAGE Bistro Awards gala took place on Monday, March 1 at THE SUPPER CLUB, 240 West 47th Street, starting with a reception at 5 pm with Jerry Scott at the piano, followed by the awards presentation and show at 6:30 pm. BACK STAGE Editor-in-Chief Sherry Eaker produced the show and hosted the event along with BACK STAGE cabaret critics John Hoglund and Roy Sander. Comedian Jim David was the guest emcee, and the show was under the direction of Sara Louise Lazarus.

Here is a brief report of the evening's events. (This is a rush-version, and I will for certain be making corrections and revisions before posting it on the website)

I met up with my friend, Kit Kineef from Philadelphia at DON'T TELL MAMA on West 46th Street, just downstairs from the spacious and well appointed offices of CABARET HOTLINE around 5:30 on Monday night, and we walked over to the SUPPER CLUB on West 47th Street for the show. I light rain was falling, but this did not dampen our spirits (but did dampen our suit jackets). Personally, the BACK STAGE Bistro Awards mark a high point in my personal cabaret year. Ever since I saw my first award gala at the old BALLROOM (it was 1991 or 1992) I have looked forward to these shows.

I remember that first year I was seated about as far up and back away from the stage as was possible - I sort of recall that my head almost touched the ceiling, and I was seated right next to the lighting person with a large spotlight almost at my shoulder.

The "press" seats at the SUPPER CLUB galas have always been in the balcony, at the rear of the room, but not crowded, with great sight-lines, and convenient to the upstairs bar. Because the SUPPER CLUB is so spacious, it is easy to move in or out of your place, and snag a diet-coke (or more) from the bar without disturbing folks.

Another treat is the reception in THE BLUE ROOM (the smaller cabaret room in the SUPPER CLUB complex) before the show. It is a chance to rub elbows with the great and the less great members of the cabaret community - and a friendly and chatty community it is indeed! Kit and I arrived near the end of the reception, but not too late to enjoy some moments of piano entertainment by the legendary Jerry Scott.

Everyone was guided into the large SUPPER CLUB main room, and Kit and I headed up to our seats. The show began almost immediately, with a great opening number by the first award winners of the evening, the "I Love New York Revue" which played for 9 weeks at the now closed RAINBOW & STARS. Members of the cast were Bryon Batt, James Hindman, Heather Mac Rae and Janet Matz. The show was written and conceived by James Hindman and Richard Roderick (who also directed the show).

BACK STAGE Editor-in-Chief Sherry Eaker presented the awards to Messrs. Hindman and Roderick, who in turn gave the usual award-winner thank you speeches. Then Ms. Eaker gave some introductory and welcoming remarks to the 600+ (by my estimate) folks who attended the event. (I base my estimate on the number of folks who were ahead of me in line at the buffet table after the show.)

Sherry next introduced the guest emcee for the evening, comic Jim David - himself a Bistro Award winner in 1998. Of course, as with every year's show, some of his opening repartee involved the correct pronunciation of the word BISTRO (I say beastro, you say bisstro - let's call the whole thing off!)

Mary Foster Conklin, who won an award this year for her outstanding jazz CD "Crazy Eyes" was next on the program (accompanied by her musical director Jeffrey Klitz, and Jeff Brillinger and Martin Wind). When you win a BOSTRO AWARD, you have to (if available) perform at the gala, and again the very lovely Mary Foster Conklin showed through her singing why folks win awards.

Seth Rudetsky has a many-faceted career - he has been a pit musician for many Broadway shows, he currently is a comedy writer on the Rosie O'Donnell TV show, and he also hosts comedy/variety shows at CAROLINES COMEDY CLUB and UPSTAIRS AT ROSE'S TURN. This award was for Outstanding Musical Comedy, and his 5-minute set was an hilarious sample of his brilliance. Seth is appearing a few Sunday nights this month at UPSTAIRS AT ROSE'S TURN.

The next winner/performer was Barbara Lea, who was helped on stage for her number, having suffered a very nasty fall back stage just before she was scheduled to perform, and gave her ankle a nasty sprain. Those who saw the tumble told me afterwards that they were amazed that show would go on after suffering such a painful sprain! Barbara won her award for Outstanding Theme Show, namely her "Mercer on Broadway" cabaret show. She was accompanied by Wes McAfee. Barbara hopes to bring her show back, perhaps as an expanded version in a larger venue.

Next to take the spotlight was songwriter Amanda Green, who won her award for Outstanding Special Material, namely her song "Everytime a Friend Succeeds." This award includes a cash endowment, donated by Eric Michael Gillett. Amanda is appearing at the WESTBANK/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER during March. Her accompanist was Tom Kitt.

I don't know who actually wrote the official Mayor's Proclamation naming March as CABARET MONTH, but I certainly would like a copy. It was a most thorough and complete explanation of what cabaret and live entertainment is all about, and why it is so vital for New York City. And Wally Rubin, from Mayor Guillani's office, was quite entertaining himself as he read it.

Tom Andersen won his award this year as Outstanding Songwriter, and chose one of his lighter and brighter numbers as a sample of his work, "Let Love Lead the Way." Many of Tom's original songs can be found on his fine new CD, "The Journey," and rumor has it that there is another cabaret show in the "dreaming" stage - Tom's show ran for several months last year at EIGHTY EIGHT'S. Ian Herman accompanied Tom, and then accepted his own award for Outstanding Musical Direction.

Outstanding Singer/Songwriter Bonnie Sanders was next on the program, with Joel Diamond at the piano. Bonnie will be appearing at the new JUDY'S CHELSEA Supper Club this month. I must say, her song choice for this appearance left me a bit confused.

Winning an award for Outstanding Recording ("The Girls of Summer") was the very lovely and very talented Barbara Fasano. Rick Jensen was at the piano. Rick and Barbara are doing a show together in March at EIGHTY EIGHT'S, with Barbara singing numbers from her new CD, and Rick doing selections from his new "Spring Harvest" CD.

I go to a lot of cabaret shows, and visit many cabaret rooms, but I had never heard the next performer, even though I was told this person has been performing in NYC for more than seven years. The award was for "Unique Entertainer" and the winner was Shequida, sort of a glam version of Varla Jean Merman, in that he sings with a full, classically trained (Juillard) soprano voice.

Winning a Bistro Award as Outstanding Comedy Performer was Gregg Rogell (does this portend next year's guest emcee?) who proceeded to break up the room with a series of clever lines and stories. He is a very funny man, indeed.

Next was a film/video/slide tribute to comedy reviewer Donna Coe, who covered comedy for BACK STAGE as well as the NY DAILY NEWS and the NY POST. Donna passed away last year, and a portion of the ticket price to the BISTRO GALA was donated to the Gilda's House organization in her memory.

Peter-Michael Marino was the next award recipient/performer, and he did a number from his recent cabaret show "Lance Jonathan: More About Me", which also wan for Outstanding Theme Show. He developed the show with his director, Sheila Head, who shared the award.

Teri Lynn Paul (Outstanding Vocalist) sang a song from her recent show with Ross Patterson at the piano. Teri will be bringing back this show for a few performances at EIGHTY EIGHT'S in March. This year has been a break-through year for this gal - I have never heard her in better voice, and this particular show brings out the best in her.

Another winner for Outstanding Theme Show was Heather Mac Rae, who won for her show last year at EIGHTY EIGHT'S, "Songs for My Father," dedicated to film and Broadway singer/actor Gordon Mac Rae. Mark Nadler was at the piano.

William Roy, who won a special award for "years of glorious music" was unable to attend the gala, and his award was accepted in his name by the legendary Julie Wilson, who performed with Mr. Roy for many years.

Another winner for Outstanding Musical Revue was Rick Crom's "Our Life & Times," which has been playing every week at UPSTAIRS AT ROSE'S TURN. The cast members, who performed the famous "Lesbian" number from the show were Hector Coris, Michael Macaione, Lizz Manners, Mark-Alan, Eadie Scott, Jonathan Tomaselli, Steve Wertz and of course comic/songwriter/actor Rick Crom at the piano. Terri White, who directed the original version of the show (it changes from month to month, as the headlines change) also won a Bistro Award for her work on this show. The revue continues on Saturday nights at ROSE'S TURN and I understand that the latest version includes songs about the impeachment hearings. Part of the show is called "Monica Lewinski, The Musical."

Winning for Outstanding Vocalist was cabaret newcomer Deidrie Henry (with a first name that drives my spell-checker to drink). This young singer did a series of sell-out shows at the DUPLEX last year, and she gave us a real taste of her talent with the song "Higher Ground." Darius Frowner was her musical director.

The final performance of the evening was Steven Brinberg, winning an award for Outstanding Impersonation with his "Simply Barbra" show, which continues to run at DON'T TELL MAMA - when Steve is not travelling all over the world performing. Seth Rudetsky, who does not normally play for Steven, filled in admirably as accompanist. Steven treated us to his version of Barbra's soon to be released album "Simply Barbra - The Pioneer Years."

Arthur Pomposello, who is the manager of the ALGONQUIN OAK ROOM was given a special Bistro Award on account of his introduction of the Cavalcade of Cabaret Series, giving many more artists a chance to perform at this elegant club.

Finally, the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Brent Barrett to the very ageless Liliane Montevecchi. Mr. Barrett sang his tribute to her career rather than simply reading it. It was a song in search of a piano.

To close the show, the quartet of performers from the opening number, Bryon Batt, James Hindman, Heather Mac Rae and Janet Matz returned to sing a closing number, drawing Sherry, John and Roy from the wings, as well as director for the evening Sara Louise Lazarus.

Even before the last beat of the song the lines were forming at the three buffet tables, and I must say that this year's buffet was ample, delicious and satisfying. All of this for a $40 ticket (and former Bistro Award winners received a discount)!

Kit and I partook of the festive feast and then spent some time wandering among the table, catching up with old friends, and meeting several new ones. We enjoyed the entire affair, meal included, and were able to leave the SUPPER CLUB, fully satisfied and feeling really good, around 10:15 pm!

While indeed it was a bit chillier outside than when we entered, the rain and the clouds were gone, and there was a full moon shining down on us as we headed back to DON'T TELL MAMA, and their fabulous and wild piano bar for some more celebrating. This was Kit's first BISTRO AWARDS gala, and as we walked down to Penn Station around 1:15 am so he could catch the train back to Philadelphia, and listened to him chat about the evening's events, I knew that this would not be his last.

used with the permission of BACK STAGE -

Bistro Awards 1999

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