The 1998 MAC AWARDS Show

This year's MAC AWARDS show was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan Center, with a gala party held following the show. The following is a report of that show.

The 1998 MAC AWARDS Show Report - Stu Hamstra

For me, the 12th Annual MAC Awards event started just downstairs of my apartment in the piano bar at DON'T TELL MAMA. It was "happy hour" and I was waiting for my "date" for the evening, Dennis, who has just been introduced to the world of cabaret. I instructed him not to wear a tux, since I would be wearing my now well worn grey sports jacket and light brown slacks.

While waiting, assorted employees of MAMA'S began to arrive along with Minh Pham, manager of MAMA'S and his brother Henry Pham, manager of ROSE'S TURN down in the village. They were all decked out to the nines - the guys in tuxedos and the gals in really fancy dresses. Minh and Henry had rented two limos for the night, and since they had room in the cars, they invited Dennis (who had arrived in a charcoal grey suit) and I to ride along. In our car were also Mark-Alan, Lennie Watts, Randy Lester, George Sanders, Lynn Shenkel, and MAC nominee Jennifer Kruskamp.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the Manhattan Center on West 34th Street (exactly 12 blocks south of MAMA'S) there were only a few folks outside to see us disembark from the land-liner. Thus my moment of glory was quashed for lack of witnesses.

The HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM is on the 7th Floor of the MANHATTAN CENTER, and since we were a bit early we were obliged to wait on the 6th Floor for about 20 minutes, enough time to introduce Dennis to MAC nominee and songwriter Julie Gold, who was checking her coat.

The official opening of the room was announced and we chose to climb the one flight of stairs to the ballroom rather than squeeze in the elevator. At the top of the staircase we were delayed again, apparently by a door person who was not told of the announcement downstairs. So much for the walkie-talkies that all the staff members seemed to be carrying.

The great fun of any cabaret event is the schmoozing that goes on before and after such occasions. At Town Hall for the Cabaret Convention it takes place (weather permitting) on the sidewalk of 43rd Street in front of the building. Here folks were wandering all over the hall, exchanging air and real kisses and hugs, as well as the latest gossip and news and the usual speculation on the winning entries. Having covered cabaret for nearly 8 years, I must admit that many more people remember my name than I their's, so Dennis and I had made an agreement that if perchance I didn't introduce him to a particular person who I chatted with, it was because their name had slipped my mind, not because I was attempting to be rude. The two drinks I had at happy hour at MAMA'S while waiting for the limo made my mind just a little more slippery than usual.

Apparently in the HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM they don't dim the lights to announce the pending start of a show, they brighten them. So for a few minutes all of us had the experience that a baby deer must have when caught in the headlights of an approaching 18-wheeler. I call it "road kill" lighting, and I find it most uncomfortable. We discovered that throughout the evening we would be subjected to this glare several times, apparently as a cue for a standing ovation or something.

A rather garbled and muffled announcement introduced the opening act, THE MANHATTAN RHYTHM KINGS playing "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Throughout the evening, these "announcements from the sky" proved to be more confusing than informative. The performance by the RHYTHM KINGS just a bit overdone, including a rather ragged tap-dance routine. But cabaret audiences are rather easy to please, since they realize that every act needs encouragement and support. The first two awards for the evening were presented by the RHYTHM KINGS, to Steven Lutvak (Singer/Instrumentalist) and Bill Charlap (Jazz Instrumentalist or Singer/Instrumentalist. Mr. Charlap was not in attendance, but Mr. Lutvak accepted his award with several or the pithy and succinct comments that songwriters are known for.

Since there was already a lengthy welcome from MAC President Jamie deRoy in the program booklet, Jamie's opening remarks were brief and to the point. She then proceeded to introduce someone by the name of Stephen Scott to read the "Proclamation" from the office of the Mayor of the City of New York, Rudolph W. Giuliani. In years past, someone actually from city government read the rather lengthy tome proclaiming April as "Cabaret Month" (it really is March), not a rather lame Giuliani impersonator. After the first 3 sentences, the bit got boring and everyone began to squirm in their seats as the sibilant "s's" were pronounced throughout the reading.

President Jamie deRoy next announced the name of the new MAC Board member-at-large, elected on the same ballot as the MAC Award winners. Named was Susan Baum, who actually had her cabaret debut just last year.

Multi-jazz vocalist award winner Judy Barnett presented the awards to Natalie Douglas (Female Jazz Vocalist) and Thos Shipley (Male Jazz Vocalist). Both honorees were there to accept their awards. The "Major" jazz vocalist awards were presented by Susannah McCorkle to Barbara Carroll and John Pizzarelli, neither of whom were on hand to accept their awards.

The next "performance" on the program was Sally Mayes, who's rendition of Sheldon Harnick's "Library Song" from atop the piano could probably have been delivered with more enthusiasm by Mr. Harnick himself. Sally proceeded to present Mr. Harnick with the first of the evening's Board of Director's Awards. Cued by the glare of the lights, the audience stood to give him a standing ovation.

The four comedy awards were presented by Linda Smith to Cory Kahaney (Female Comedy), Jim David (Male Comedy), Judy Gold (Major Female Comedy) and Mario Cantone (Major Male Comedy - Mario's 8th MAC Award). These presentations and acceptances were a comic relief, and it is unfortunate that the comedy awards were all bunched into one segment. We could have used a little of the hijinks later in the evening.

Mark-Alan and Judy Gold took the podium to present Lisa Asher (Piano Bar/Restaurant Entertainer) and Eric Comstock (Piano Bar/Restaurant Pianist) with their awards. Lisa's comments were particularly moving, explaining that when her nomination was developing, she had been asked by the MAC Board if she would prefer not to be listed in this category (Lisa is a Cabaret performer and a Cabaret Director, as well as a piano bar entertainer), and her reply was that she would be proud to be nominated for an award, no matter which category she would have the honor to be chosen for.

Another rather tepid performance, this time by Nancy Dussault, who was having her cabaret debut at the FIREBIRD during April. She then was given the task of presenting awards to Julie Gold (Recording of the Year - "Dream Loud") and Ann Hampton Callaway (Major Recording of the Year - "After Ours"). Ann's delightful impromptu song, thanking MAC and her supporters and friends for the award, was actually one of the best performances of the evening!

Comics Susie Essman and Mario Cantone presented the next three awards to Barry Kleinbort (Director), Dick Gallagher (Musical Director) and Shawn Moninger (Technical Director). Shawn had been nominated 11 times, and this was his first win. Kleinbort's remarks about the excitement of working in cabaret were touching. Mr. Gallagher was performing out of town and his award was accepted by Lina Koutrakos.

Tovah Feldshuh's introductory remarks about cabaret and theater gave us all a good chuckle, and she presented awards to Mark Nadler (Musical Comedy Performer) and Marcia Lewis (Major Musical Comedy Performance). Mr. Nadler was his usual ultra-clownish self. His remarks, while quite clever and funny, seemed to go on about 20 sentences more than necessary, however, causing this observer to nod off just a bit (by this time my happy-hour drinks had worn off, and I was getting hungry).

Mercedes Ellington was given the task of presenting awards to Tom Andersen (Song of the Year - "Yard Sale") and Steven Lutvak (Special Musical Material - "The Dinner Party").

The next performer was Marcia Lewis, currently appearing in CHICAGO on Broadway, and she proceeded to sing a selection from the show. Alix Korey and Jay Rogers came to the stage to present awards to Carol Hall (Revue/Musical Production of the Year - "An Evening With Carol Hall") and Varla Jean Merman (Impersonation/Characterization). Carol Hall, another songwriter, again proved that wordsmiths give the best speeches. Varla Jean was in Toronto with the road company of CHICAGO, and his award was accepted by Erv Raible. One sentence in the note written by Varla Jean expressed the sentiments of nearly all the female impersonators in the business. There are many in the cabaret community who do not recognize "drag" as legitimate cabaret, and Varla saluted MAC for honoring "drag" not as a "pimple" on the face of cabaret, but rather a "beauty mark." Bravo!

A highlight of the MAC Awards for the past several years is the presentation of the MAC/HANSON Award, given to a promising performer who was not among the regular nominees. This year the award went to a very deserving singer, and one of my favorite people, Jeanne MacDonald. The award was presented by cabaret reviewer Scott Siegel, who chose to sing his remarks. So far, only Wayman Wong of the DAILY NEWS has been able to hold an audience with his singing. Wayman's record is intact.

Vickie Sue Robinson and Felipe Rose made the next presentation. I hasten to explain that Mr. Rose played the Native American in the original Village People act. Exactly why he was chosen to present a MAC award escapes me (but then again, in years past even soap-opera performers gave out MAC awards). Their presentations went to Naomi Kukoff (Pop/Rhythm & Blues) and Baby Jane Dexter (Major Pop/Rhythm & Blues). Baby Jane seemed particularly stunned by her award, being pitted in the nominations against Ruth Brown and Darlene Love.

The acappella vocal group THE ACCIDENTALS also chose to sing their presentation (lets hope this does not become a trend) and presented the debut awards to Jenifer Kruskamp (Female New York Debut) and Scott Coulter (Male New York Debut).

John Epperson, in the persona of Lipsinka, presented the next two awards, to The Lounge-O-Leers (Musical Comedy/Vocal Group) and Monteith & Rand (Comedy/Improv Group). Neither were on hand to accept their awards.

A second Lifetime Achievement Award was presented, this time by Rex Reed. Mr. Reed's speech was most informative, and most drawn out. It took at least 10 minutes to read, and while the duo of Jackie & Roy, who have been performing for at least 50 years, probably is due every accolade he gave, one would have hoped that this far into the program that Mr. Reed could have been a bit less verbose. Perhaps he should have allowed one of the songwriters at the affair to write his speech. Jackie and Roy gave us a performance of several of their selections.

Thank heavens for ventriloquists! Todd Stockman was at the podium with one of his cute puppets, and in an instant he had won our hearts and full attention. He presented an award to Angela LaGreca (Variety Production - Monday Night Madness), and Angela accepted the award in her own very particular style. The repartee was delightful.

By now the evening was regaining some of the excitement of earlier, as the final awards were next on the program. Linda Lavin presented awards to Julie Wilson (Major Female Vocalist) and Phillip Officer (Major Male Vocalist). The standing ovation for Julie caught the lighting technician by surprise and he was a bit late with the road-kill lighting. And the deafening applause continued for several minutes. Again, after Julie's very humble acceptance, the audience rose to its feet to honor this premier lady of cabaret.

Finally, KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar took the stage and presented the last two awards to Anne Runolfsson (Female Vocalist) and Charles Cermele (Male Vocalist). Mr. Cermele was performing in Chicago, and his award was accepted by Julie Halston.

In all, in spite of a few dull spots, the show was another wonderful tribute to the cabaret community. It seems that the reported "rift" within MAC of a few years ago has healed, and everyone at the show was in a joyful, loving mood. All the recipients were most gracious and thankful in their remarks, and time and again reminded us of the tremendous support that all in cabaret give to each other.

The show was followed by dancing to the music of the Barry Levitt Orchestra, and the chairs were removed from the ballroom dance floor, and waiters began appearing carrying trays of snacks and three bar areas opened up. The program was shorter than years past, perhaps because of the fact that so many award winners were not present to make acceptance speeches.

My friend and I stayed for the party afterwards and had a chance to meet most of the award winners, as well as many of those who were nominated but did not receive an award. The atmosphere was celebrative and festive. Unfortunately, on leaving the hall we had two problems: The limos had alread left for the night and it was pouring down buckets of rain. After waiting under the marquee for a while, we made a mad dash for the 8th Avenue train subway station, about a half a block away and headed back home, soaking wet.

Just a few comments:

One could almost have called this year's show a tribute to Julie Wilson, as presenters and award winners alike seemed to point to this lady as an inspiration and a cheerleader for the cause of cabaret.

Personally, I still prefer cabaret seating for an event like this. The first awards show I went to in 1961 was at Symphony Space, with theater seating. The first MAC Award shows were held at the old Village Gate, with cabaret seating. A few years later when the show moved to the Copacabana, I was amazed at how much more comfortable cabaret-style rooms can be.

I missed Bradshaw Smith's video clips - apparently the management of the Hammerstein Ballroom could not facilitate video projection. For those who are interested, on late Monday night (actually 1 am Tuesday morning) April 27th, Bradshaw will be presenting video clips of the Awards show on BROADWAY BEAT (channel 16 here in Manhattan).

I don't know what others thought of the food at the show - there was a cash bar and tray after tray of snacks. But having arrived at the ballroom at 6:30 pm, and not having time for dinner before the event, the food served simply was not sufficient. I am in no position to really complain, since I was "comped" for the show. However I heard not a few complaints from those who had paid $65 for the show/party tickets.

It would have been just a bit more appropriate, I feel, to select celebrity presenters who are truly connected with cabaret. I complained about the soap-opera personalities who could not pronounce the names of popular cabaret performers at earlier Awards shows. While it was not quite as bad this year, I still think it is a good goal to strive for.

Would it be possible to provide envelopes to the presenters that are easier to open (perhaps with just a simple wax seal)? Having worked for a printing firm, I was particularly pained watching the helpless presenters wrestle with the envelopes this year, especially when (reportedly) one could see the winner's name actually through the envelope!

Jamie deRoy will be stepping down as President of MAC later this year. I would have liked to see someone from the Board step up to the mike near the end of the show to pay tribute to this lady who has worked so hard to build MAC (now over 65 clubs and 1200 individual members). So, Jamie, if you are reading this, congratulations on a job well done. There are very few people in the cabaret community who would have accepted this assignment, and even fewer who could have achieved the great work you performed.

1998 MAC AWARD WINNERS

1998 MAC AWARD NOMINEES

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