2000 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 category in your lifetime.
The awards
were presented at a special ceremony and show at The Supper Club
on Monday, February 28th. Here is a report on that event.
BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD GALA
MONDAY FEBRUARY 28 - SUPPER CLUB IN NYC
The BACK STAGE
2000 BISTRO AWARDS GALA, held Monday night, February 28th, at THE
SUPPER CLUB (240 West 47th Street, NYC - 212-921-1940), was sponsored
in part by DATA INTO ACTION (the folks who provide you with www.cabaret.org
& CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE) with additional sponsorship by BMI (the
"other" songwriters' organization).
The show was
produced and hosted by BACK STAGE Editor in Chief, Sherry Eaker, with
co-hosts John Hoglund and Roy Sander. Guest Emcee for the evening
was comic Jim David and the gala show was directed by Thomas Mills.
First off,
THE SUPPER CLUB facilities are among the most beautiful entertainment
rooms in the city, and the reception that proceeded the show took
place in the elegant BLUE ROOM - which at times serves as an intimate
cabaret room. CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE 2000 AWARD WINNER Jerry Scott
entertained the crowded room at the piano, but the real entertainment
was the fun of trying to recognize all the faces of all the cabaret
personalities that filled the space. The Three Redheads (Dottie Burman,
Gerta Grunen & Diana Templeton) were there in all their blazing glory,
since what cabaret event would be complete without their presence?
BROADWAY BEAT's
video crew was there, with host Sidney Myer interviewing various cabaret
folks, and WRTN-FM (93.5) radio host Lynn DiMenna was recording interviews
to be aired soon on "Welcome to the Club," heard live locally on Fridays
from 6 to 7 pm. A BACK STAGE staff photographer was roaming the room
as well, taking both candid and posed shots.
As the time
for the show approached, the reception room seemed to get more crowded
than ever, so I squirmed my way towards the entrance to the main SUPPER
CLUB ballroom doors. Promptly at 6:00 pm the doors were opened, and
I gathered my table mates and we worked our way across the huge space
towards our table. Since Doug Simao and Kate Peters, and other staff
members from DATA INTO ACTION were stuck in Fullerton, CA working
on a computer project, I had to scurry over the weekend to find some
folks to fill their seats. So, in addition to Victor and I, and my
pal from Philadelphia, Kit Kineef, cabaret performers Stephanie Zagoren,
John Flynn and Tony Staub joined us, and we all eagerly awaited a
late arrival of "should be cabaret performer" Randy Lester (who had
to work as bartender for a 7:00 pm cabaret show at DON'T TELL MAMA).
Others seated
at our table were Lorna Dallas, [who opens at THE FIREBIRD CAFE (363
West 46th Street, NYC - 212-586-0244) tonight, on March 1st,] with
her husband, as well as Eric Michael Gillett [who will bring his fantastic
"Hook, Line & Singer" show to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street,
NYC - 212-757-0788) in April] and the very lovely Caroline Durham,
who recently performed at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (346 West 46th Street,
NYC - 212-265-8133).
A rather pompous
announcement that the show would be starting in two minutes, followed
by a slightly more urgent announcement that the show would be starting
in one minute, soon had all the 600+ attendees scurrying for their
proper seating assignments.
OPENING
NUMBER FEATURING SALLY MAYES
The opening
number was a rather strained parody of "Adelaide's Lament" called
"The Bistros Have Begun," sung by Sally Mayes, and featuring a "cavalcade
of BISTRO AWARD Winners from 1985 to 1999," which included Todd Stockman,
Karen Mason, Jerry Scott, Lina Koutrakos, Phyllis Pastore, Erv Raible,
Mary Foster Conklin, Sidney Myer, Natalie Gamsu, Steve Ross, Charles
Cermele, Daryl Sherman, Carol Hall and Teri Lynn Paul. Each wore a
sash proclaiming the year of their receiving the BISTRO AWARD (produced
by master costumer Jeffrey Wallach). The combination of a bad sound
setup, and rather complicated and garbled lyrics made for a bad start
to the evening. Even the stage-filling members of the cavalcade seemed
a little embarrassed by it all.
BACK STAGE
EDITOR IN CHIEF SHERRY EAKER
AWARD RECIPIENT
FAITH PRINCE
Welcoming
remarks by Sherry Eaker were followed by a performance of a medley
of "Some People" and "On The Other Side of the Tracks" by BISTRO AWARD
recipient Faith Prince (Outstanding Major Engagement), whose show,
"Leap of Faith" played both at JOE'S PUB (425 Lafayette Street, NYC)
and THE FIREBIRD CAFô (363 West 46th Street, NYC) and was made into
a live-performance CD.
CARLOS
MARTIN AND BAND
Faith was
followed by recipient Carlos Martin (Outstanding Vocalist) who sang
the title song of his fantastic "El Amor" show - in Spanish. This
was a special treat for my friend Victor, attending his first BISTRO
AWARD Gala. It was also the first of a number of songs in the evening
sung in a foreign language. With great support from his band, with
Rex Benincasa on drums and Jered Egan on bass, and Rick Jensen at
the piano providing back up vocals, also in Spanish, Carlos gave us
a fine taste of the exciting and passionate show he presented at DON'T
TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC) in 1999. (After the show Carlos
told me that the show would be returning to DON'T TELL MAMA in a few
weeks - watch for it!)
ALEXANDRA
HAAS PERFORMS
Sherry Eaker
next introduced Emcee Jim David, returning for a second year in that
role. Jim entertained with a few minutes of stand-up before presenting
the next performer/recipient, Alexandra Haas (Outstanding Vocalist),
who sang "Anyone Who Had a Heart," with some of the verses sung in
Portuguese. Alex will be returning to THE FIREBIRD CAFE (363 West
46th Street, NYC - 212-586-0244) in March with shows on Sundays, the
5th & 12th at 9 pm, and Thursday, the 16th, 23rd and 30th at 11 pm.
RUBY RIMS
ACCEPTING SPECIAL BISTRO AWARD
Ruby Rims,
founder of TEDDY CARE, was awarded a Special Award for the wonderful
work he has done over the past 9 years raising funds and gathering
teddy bears and distributing same to AIDS and Children's related organizations
and hospitals. He and his TEDDY CARE benefit shows raised over $60,000.00
and collected over 4,000 bears in this effort.
Next up was
The Howard Fishman Quartet (Outstanding Musical Group), made up of
Howard Fishman, Peter Ecklund, Russell Farhang and Andrew Hall. I
have never heard this group perform, and if their performance at the
show is representative of their style, I probably will skip seeing
them in the future. Last year they performed at THE ALGONQUIN OAK
ROOM (59 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-840-6800) and also at DANNY'S
SKYLIGHT ROOM (346 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-265-8133). They are
currently appearing at SARDI'S (234 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-221-8440)
on Friday nights.
HEATHER
GILCHRIEST PERFORMS
One of the
most beautiful and most talented people in cabaret, Heather Gilchriest,
was next to perform, singing the title song of her show "Looking Around
Corners for You" (Outstanding Theme Show), which she conceived, researched
and starred in, and was written, directed and staged by Gary Lyons.
It was performed at DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (346 West 46th Street, NYC
- 212-265-8133) last year, and will be returning for another run starting
on Friday, March 3rd, at 9:00 pm. Ms. Gilchriest accepted her award,
as well as the award given to Mr. Lyons, who was delayed on a flight
from London, and thus unable to attend the show.
HEATHER
MAC RAE, NANCY MCCALL AND TRACI REYNOLDS
Never-to-be-upstaged
award winner Mark Nadler, dressed from head to toe in a leather cowboy
outfit, was next, along with three fabulous ladies of cabaret, Heather
Mac Rae, Nancy McCall and Traci Reynolds, doing a number called "Good
Bye Texas," written by Carol Hall from their show "Hard Candy: The
Songs of Carol Hall" (Outstanding Musical Revue). The show was conceived,
directed and musical directed by Mr. Nadler and played at DANNY'S
SKYLIGHT ROOM (346 West 46th Street, NYC) last year. Again, the sound
setup was poorly adjusted, and the already blaring arrangement seemed
even more shrill then when it was performed at DANNY'S.
DAVID GURLAND
A rather scruffy
David Gurland, who has been slowly moving his musical (and wardrobe)
style into the Pop/R&B genre, was next in the show, singing "At Last,"
from his award winning CD (Outstanding Recording) called "David Gurland."
He was accompanied by his musical director Jonathan Smith, and it
would have been even better if his full band were able to provide
backup. David performed last year in NYC at both THE FIREBIRD CAFE
(363 West 46th Street, NYC) and THE LOUNGE at the TRIAD (158 West
72nd Street, NYC).
SIGRID
SINSTEDT PERFORMS
Perhaps the
most controversial BISTRO AWARD of the evening was presented next
to Sigrid Sunstedt, who sang "Beware of Blond Women," from her show
"Toujours Cabaret: Songs from Berlin to New York," (Outstanding Theme
Show). The show was written and conceived by Ms. Sunstedt, and those
who saw the show mostly agreed with me that it was one of the best
researched and most lovingly presented offerings covering this topic
seen in NYC cabaret. Unfortunately, the show, which played last year
at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788), was
ignored by many cabaret folks who don't catch Ms. Sunstedt's unique
style. The presentation of a selection from the show by this towering,
blond Germanic chanteuse was made even more interesting by the recent
article in the NEW YORK TIMES on the very topic covered by her show.
Sigrid was eloquently accompanied by a great continental-sounding
band made up of David Maiocco on piano, Peter Campo on Violin and
John Loehrke on bass.
DAVID MAIOCCO
David Maiocco,
who actually was filling in for Paul Greenwood for Sigrid's number
(which performance was another example of this marvelous musician's
versatility) received the award for Outstanding Musical Director.
David, who appeared quite unexpectedly on the New York cabaret scene
(originally just filling in for a very busy Christopher Denny to accompany
Tommy Femia) has certainly made his mark in the Big Apple - currently
serving as musical director for Mr. Femia's "Judy Garland LIVE" shows
at DON'T TELL MAMA, James Beaman's "Black Market Marlene" and "Bacall,
By Myself" shows at both DON'T TELL MAMA and JUDY'S CHELSEA, as well
as serving as musical director for Sidney Myer in his appearances
as guest performer in various outings at cabarets and clubs everywhere.
MICHAEL
GARIN AT PIANO
Michael Garin
is the house pianist most nights at THE MONKEY BAR (60 East 54th Street,
NYC - 212-838-2600), and recently did an extended gig at THE DUPLEX
(61 Christopher Street, NYC). He received a BISTRO AWARD for Outstanding
Singer/Instrumentalist and performed a number from his DUPLEX show
sung in Arabic, further adding to the international flavor of the
evening. Unfortunately, this song choice did not give the audience
a chance to hear Mr. Garin at what he does best: song parodies and
very clever original compositions.
ROCHELLE
SELDIN, ERV RAIBLE AND KAREN MILLER
A Special
Award was presented for EIGHTY EIGHT'S, which was forced to close
its doors in 1999, and was accepted by Erv Raible, Karen Miller and
Rochelle Seldin, reuniting this fantastic trio of former owners of
this very-missed Village club. It was a poignant and emotional moment
for all, as each of the former partners gave brief acceptance speeches,
and recalled their own personal feelings about the dozen year saga
that touched the hearts and lives of so many in cabaret. I don't believe
that there will ever be another cabaret room quite like EIGHTY EIGHT'S!
A delightfully
entertaining Wally Rubin, from Mayor Giuliani's office read the official
proclamation naming the month of March as CABARET MONTH in New York
City. Whatever your politics, I firmly believe the muffled hissing
heard when the mayor's name was announced was totally unnecessary
and ill conceived, especially since I remember the days before this
mayor's tenure, when going to or from a cabaret show late at night
was fraught with fear and trepidation. Making NYC safe has cost us
some of the sleaze and decadence that added flavor to this town, but
it has also brought millions of visitors to this city, folks who go
to theater and cabaret, and through their spending give jobs to thousands
in the live entertainment industry.
COMIC RICH
VOS
Rich Vos (Outstanding
Comedy Performer) was next to perform and receive an award. His very
humorous 7 minute set was well received.
SCOTT COULTER
SONGWRITERS
MARCY HEISLER AND ZINA GOLDRICH
Marcy Heisler
and Zina Goldrich were awarded as Outstanding Songwriters, and their
song, "The Morning After," was deliciously performed by Scott Coulter,
with Zina at the piano. Then the two super-talented songwriters accepted
their trophies. Marcy and Zina regularly performed samples of their
works at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC) in 1999. I personally
don't believe that this song is one of their best creations - but
it was on the preliminary MAC Award list, and I always enjoy a performance
by Scott Coulter.
LYNN LOBBAN
WITH JOHN WALLOWITCH
Lynn Lobban
(Outstanding Vocalist) was next on the program, singing John Wallowitch's
"Runaway," accompanied by Mr. Wallowitch. Ms. Lobban has marvelous
vocals, but always seems to choose a slow ballad - her shows at DON'T
TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC) and DANNY'S SKYLIGHT ROOM (346
West 46th Street, NYC) were heavy with ballads, and it would be great
to hear this voice doing a few "up" tunes.
JOHN WALLOWITCH
SINGS "THIS MOMENT"
John Wallowitch
accepted the Special Award for many years of delightful entertainment,
given to him and his long-time partner Bertram Ross. Bertram has been
ill for some months, requiring round-the-clock nursing care, and was
unable to attend. John played and sang a poignant rendition of his
song "This Moment," leaving nary a dry eye in the room.
BABY JANE
DEXTER SINGS SONG BY TOM ANDERSEN
The incomparable
Baby Jane Dexter was the next performer in the show, singing Tom Andersen's
"Play Your Song for Me Blues" (Outstanding Special Material). Tom
is in Italy, and could not be present to accept the award. Baby Jane's
room-shaking rendition was accompanied by the equally incomparable
Ross Patterson at the piano. By the way, this award comes with a special
cash endowment donated by Eric Michael Gillett, in his hope of supporting
the art of writing special material.
Lea DeLaria,
who received a BISTRO AWARD for Outstanding Musical Comedy for her
shows at JOE'S PUB (425 Lafayette Street, NYC) was also unable to
attend, since she was in Los Angeles negotiating a possible television
series.
Boston jazz
vocalist Dane Vannatter was next to receive an award (Outstanding
Recording) and he performed a number from his excellent CD "Flight"
called "Suddenly Last Summer." Again, this song choice was not the
best sampling from the CD, and Mr. Vannatter's unfortunate remark
when accepting the award, taken by the audience of a "put down" of
NYC did not serve him well.
PAULA WEST
Paula West
flew in from San Francisco between shows in her long extended run
at THE PLUSH ROOM (940 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA) which will
continue through the 4th of March, to accept her award for Outstanding
Recording. She chose a number from her awarded CD, "Restless" called
"Get Along Little Doggie" and her wonderful performance was reminiscent
of the show-stopping performance of Jeanne MacDonald at last year's
BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD Gala.
CHITA RIVERA
MAKING PRESENTATION
BOBBY SHORT
ACCEPTING AWARD
Each year
the BISTRO AWARD Committee (Sherry Eaker, John Hoglund and through
1999, Roy Sanders) have chosen a special person to receive the Bob
Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the late columnist
who originated the "Bistro Bits" section of BACK STAGE Magazine and
also was the sole presenter of the first BISTRO AWARDS. This year,
Broadway, stage, film and cabaret star Chita Rivera was asked to present
this prestigious honor on Bobby Short, perhaps the King of New York
City Cabaret (he refers to himself as a Saloon Singer). It is interesting
to note that the standing ovation given to Ms. Rivera as she walked
on stage was nearly as great - actually about equal - to the standing
ovation given to Mr. Short as he accepted the award! Both are truly
loved by the cabaret community, and not just here in New York City.
LENNIE
WATTS ACCEPTING AWARD
For all the
previous awards, the recipient performed before the actual presentation,
but since everyone was by this time (about 9:45 pm) getting a bit
hungry, and the buffet tables were already groaning from the weight
of the food, Lennie Watts, who was the final recipient at the gala,
was given his trophy (Outstanding Vocalist) before his performance.
He then set about to both end the performance part of the show wit
a blasting, heart-stopping rendition of "Loves Me Like a Rock," from
his 1999 show, performed at both DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street,
NYC) and JUDY'S CHELSEA (169 Eighth Avenue, NYC). As always, Lennie
surrounds himself with talented performers, and he was ably assisted
in this grand finale by Karen Mack, Deb Roscoe and Joe Ricci as back-up
singers, and a bouncing band made up of Nikki Parrot on bass and Moe
Roberts on percussion, and the amazingly talented C. Lynne Shankel
at the piano.
LENNIE
WATTS AND COMPANY
Then, it was
time for the buffet supper, and it seems that each year the meal at
the BISTRO AWARDS gets better than the year before! Of course, naturally,
the lines to get to the buffet table seemed longer than ever before
as well. Of course, standing in line gives one an opportunity to chat
with other cabaret folks in the line, so it isn't as though it is
time wasted. And it was all worth the wait, and it seemed like nearly
everyone who attended the show stayed around to schmooze and chat.
Around 11:00
folks started drifting out, and the new line was now formed at the
coat check, and a new opportunity to meet old and new friends. Kit,
Victor and I bid farewell to the others at our table and we headed
over to catch some late night piano bar at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West
46th Street, NYC), just a short block or so away. Many other BISTRO
AWARD GALA attendees were here already, including several of the award
recipients including Ruby Rims, David Maiocco and Lennie Watts.
With the arrival
of a rather frightful piano bar regular named Leona, Victor, Kit and
I decided to move to another venue before she got to the open mike,
but we soon discovered that DANNY'S, across the street was closed.
On West 46th street we met another awesome threesome made up of Craig
Rubano, Charles Cermele and Roy Sanders, all headed to their own celebration.
After warning them that Leona was ensconced at MAMA'S, we parted ways,
and Victor, Kit an I ended up walking down Eighth Avenue from 46th
Street to 19th Street, for some more piano bar fun at JUDY'S CHELSEA
(169 Eighth Avenue, NYC), only to discover that the inimitable Ruby
Rims was already seated at the bar!
Kit had to
catch a train at 1:45 am back to Philadelphia, so around 1:20 am the
three of us tumbled out of JUDY'S and grabbed a cab to Penn Station,
where the sleek silver AMTRAK special awaited. Then it was off to
the "A" train, me going North to 42nd Street, Victor headed South
to Brooklyn.
Overall impressions
of the Gala? Director Tom Mills gets my special thanks for a job well
done - he kept the show moving, while giving all plenty of time to
perform and make their speeches - there was no silly and embarrassing
band on stage to make noise when a speech got a little lengthy. High
points of the evening? Of course the trio of Erv Raible, Karen Miller
and Rochelle Seldin briefly describing what EIGHTY EIGHT'S was all
about and how it is sorely missed by all was a heartwarming way to
finally close that delightful chapter in cabaret history. Also, John
Wallowitch singing "This Moment" was at once a lovely rendition and
a loving tribute to his partner, Bertram Ross. Shining performances
by Paula West, Lennie Watts, Faith Prince, Baby Jane Dexter and Carlos
Martin gave the show really class. And Jim David's professionalism
and familiarity with the cabaret community made his contribution to
the show all the more delightful.
BACK STAGE
COLUMNISTS DAVID FINKLE & JOHN HOGLUND
Personally,
I would have liked to hear something from "the new kid," David Finkle,
who is now the co-columnist of "Bistro Bits" in BACK STAGE Magazine
along with John Hoglund. This eloquent writer and reviewer is also
a former cabaret performer, and a few words from him as to what we
can expect in his columns in the months to come would have been most
appropriate, and would give the entire audience an opportunity to
welcome him officially.
Once again,
a big thank you to BACK STAGE Magazine and Sherry Eaker for giving
us all this gem of an event each year!
Bistro
Awards Announcement 2000
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