The 1999 MAC AWARDS Show


This year's MAC AWARDS show was held at TOWN HALL in New York City on April 5th. The following is a report of that show.

The 1999 MAC AWARDS Show Report - Stu Hamstra

For those unfamiliar with the MAC AWARDS, presented each year by the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets, performers and producers place their 1998 performances, CDs, songs, etc. up for nomination, and after an initial screening by a MAC committee, the list is sent to the MAC membership (currently about 1000 members) and each voter chooses up to three names in each category (there were 32 categories this year).

These preliminary votes are tallied, and the top three names in each category (or 4 names, if there is a tie) are place on the final ballot, and again voted on by the membership. The winners of this second ballot are declared the winners of the MAC AWARDS. There are a few other awards handed out each year, but we will get to that later.

Around 7:15 I strolled over to TOWN HALL (about 4 blocks from DON'T TELL MAMA) where a huge crowd had gathered - and even some paparazzi - awaiting the arrival of the "stars," especially Liza Minnelli, would would be both performing and receiving a MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD at the show. I skirted around the crowd and I retrieved my tickets at the "Press" table.

Everyone headed into the auditorium and found their seats. The Barry Levitt Trio took the stage, and filled the hall with music. In a few moments the entire room was seated - it was a sold out show, and the lights dimmed. A spot hit the stage and there stood Barbara Cook and her accompanist Wally Harper. There was an instant standing ovation for this beloved cabaret pair, who have worked together for more than 25 years. They treated us to two songs, "Sing a Song" and "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy" and then took the podium to present the first awards of the evening.

It was very special to see two of the most experienced cabaret performers in NYC present the awards to the male and female debut winners, Karen Mack and Sammy Goldstein.

Barbara and Wally next introduced Jim Lowe, radio personality and friend of cabaret, who would serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. After a few short remarks, Mr. Lowe introduced the next presenter, Bobbie Short. He presented the awards for Jazz Instrumentalist (Steve Wilson), Jazz Performer (Mary Foster Conklin) and Major Jazz Performer (John Pizzarelli). John Pizzarelli, who was born and raised in New Jersey, feigned a thick Italian accent while accepting his award, stumbling over his words, gesturing wildly. Mr. Wilson was not present to accept his award.

KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler were next out to present the awards for Singer/Instrumentalist (Rick Jensen), Piano Bar Entertainer (Bobby Peaco) and Impersonation/Characterization (Tommy Femia). With Liza seated in the audience, Tommy thanked her for being so supportive of his Judy Garland impersonation work, and proceeded to bring the house to laughter with a few comments about Judy's other daughter, Lorna (Who knew she could write? Who knew she could read?)

Mary Cleere Haran was introduced to present the awards to the "behind the scenes" folks in cabaret, Technical Director (Shawn Moninger), Musical Director (Christopher Denny) and Director (Barry Kleinbort).

A musical number was next on the program, featuring Australia's David Campbell, with Christopher Denny at the piano. Interestingly, David chose to sing "Storybook" from the Broadway musical THE SCARLET PIMPERNELL.

Jazz vocalist Natalie Douglas and comedienne Julie Halston were the next presenters, giving the awards for Vocal/Musical Comedy Group (Scott Barbarino & the Bev Naps), Major Female Stand-Up Comedy (Judy Gold) and Major Male Stand-Up Comedy (Jim David).

In a glorious match, cabaret icon Margaret Whiting and last year's male vocal debut winner Scott Coulter were introduced to present the next awards. Scott's one-line was a winner: "The only person backstage I never heard of was me!" They delivered awards for Special Musical Material (Amanda Green's "Everytime a Friend Succeeds"), Special Production (Julie Gold and Julie Halston's "Julie Julie" show), Variety Production (Jamie deRoy & Friends), and Revue of the Year (Rick Crom's "Our Life & Times Revue").

The next musical number was presented by Kathy Lee Gifford, with Christopher Marlowe at the piano and John Redecker on drums. Kathy sang a song she wrote herself - with a little help from David Friedman - that was about herself, in a way. It was a bit of Kathy Lee tweaking the media (especially the tabloids). Much fun, and I have already received comments from several people who were at the show who suddenly have a new and fonder view of this terrific lady.

Marin Mazzie was called out to present the next award, a special surprise Board of Directors Award to Sidney Myer. Ms. Mazzie, who recently starred on Broadway, was especially thrilled to present the award, since Sidney Myer was the booking manager of the club (Panache) where she did her first cabaret show, many years ago.

Kim Cermack and Art Garfunkel (Kim is Mrs. Garfunkel, but also is a cabaret performer) presented the awards for Jazz/Swing Recording of the Year (Susannah McCorkle's "Someone To Watch Over Me"), Recording of the Year (Tom Andersen's "The Journey") Major Recording of the Year (Rosemary Clooney's "At Long Last") and Song of the Year ("Good Night New York" by Julie Gold). Rosemary was not present to accept her award.

To close the first part of the evening, the cast of Keith Thompson's Kooky Tunes with Bobby Peaco at the piano took the stage to perform the heartwarming song "What If."

There was a 15 minute intermission - just enough time to stretch our legs and get some fresh air on West 43rd Street.

The Barry Levitt Trio "played" us all back to our seats to open the second part of the show/ceremony.

The John Pizzarelli Trio took the stage for a musical number, followed by the presentation of the Hanson Awards by MAC President Michael Estwanik. The Hanson Awards are presented by the MAC Board of Directors each year to recognize a performer who has shown great progress on the field of cabaret in the previous year. This year's Hanson recipients were Lumiri Tubo and Jack Donahue.

Comics Joy Behar and Lewis Black were next out, to present the awards for Musical Comedy Performer (Amanda Green), Major Musical Comedy Performer (Mark Nadler), Female Stand-Up Comic (Angela LaGreca) and Male Stand-Up Comic (Ron Poole).

This was followed by another musical number, this time by jazz singer/instrumentalist Billy Stritch.

New York City Icon, and strong supporter of the arts, Kitty Carlisle Hart took center stage to present the MAC Board of Directors Award to Liza Minnelli.

After a thunderous standing ovation, the audience hushed quickly, as Liza took the microphone and sang "Stormy Weather." As the song built to its climax, one could feel that, indeed, Liza was back! By the end of the song, the entire 1500 in the room rose to its feet, and applause and cheers filled the hall. They would not stop until Liza was called back for an extra bow.

Who can follow Liza? Only one person I could think of, and there she was, Betty Buckley, a previous MAC Award winner, to sing for us, with Bill Mayes at the piano. After her song, Betty presented the awards for Pop/R&B Performer (Bobby Belfry) and Major Pop/R&B Performer (Baby Jane Dexter). As usual, it was a little difficult to get Baby Jane to finish her thank-you remarks.

Two of the most fabulous people in cabaret, Julie Wilson and Steve Ross, were called out to present the final four awards, for Major Male Vocalist (James Naughton), Major Female Vocalist (Barbara Cook), Male Vocalist (Tom Andersen) and Female Vocalist (Heather Mac Rae).

To close the show, Sheldon Harnick, himself a recipient of a MAC Lifetime Achievement Award (1998), presented this year's award to Barbara Cook and Wally Harper. They, in turn, treated us to another song to close the show.

Having seen all the MAC AWARD shows for the past 9 years, I must say this this was was the finest of them all. Director Thommie Walsh, and producers Nancy McGraw and Eileen Solomon have every reason to be proud of this year's show, as does the MAC Board of Directors and all who took part in the celebration. The entire show played seamlessly, and starting at 7:30, the show was wrapped up well before 11 pm! There was energy, excitement, suspense, and Liza, too!

1999 MAC AWARD WINNERS

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