Please note: No "song lists" distributed at the convention, so some of the song titles in these reports may not be accurate and/or misspelled.

SUNDAY'S SHOW was a tribute to "Four Great Ladies of Song." KT Sullivan saluted Gertrude Lawrence; Paula West, Ethel Waters; Julie Wilson, Lottie Lenya; Andrea Marcovicci, Mabel Mercer. I didn't have a ticket to this show - it was sold out almost immediately since nearly 1/2 the house is annually given over to the organization that operates TOWN HALL for use in fund-raising. Here is a synopsis of some of the comments I received from those who attended.

First off, everyone who I talked to who saw the show thought it was most enjoyable. Perhaps the first thing they was was how quickly time passed - a sure sign that the show was exciting.

Young Paula West, placed among reigning divas Sullivan, Wilson and Marcovicci, apparently held her own, and gave a stand-out performance. Singing songs made popular by Ethel Waters, Ms. West charmed and thrilled the audience. This is one performance I wish I could have seen, since Ethel Waters has been a favorite of mine since childhood, and was so happy to see her saluted at this show.

KT Sullivan never disappoints, and gave Ms. Lawrence a very proper tribute in her part of the show. KT lives in my neighborhood, and we run into each other quite often when she is in town. On stage or off, she is a joy to be with.

Of course, Julie Wilson stands in a place by herself. This lady knows all the tricks in the book, and once again the heartiness of her spirit and the wisdom of her years gave a very proper tribute to Lottie Lenya, who was the same type of moving performer. A perfect choice.

What can one say about Andrea Marcovicci that has not already been said? This most gifted woman is perfection on any size stage - small club to huge concert hall. I am told that her stunning tribute to Mabel Mercer was perhaps some of the most exciting moments of cabaret seen in years - this told me by folks who see cabaret often. One person even said that, until this show, she had never been a great Marcovicci fan, but now she was a true believer.

But I suppose the most exciting moment of the evening was made possible by a person not on the program - Andrea's mother, who was at one time also a performer. After a solo, mother and daughter joined in duet that had the entire audience touched - and they were rewarded with a sustained, standing ovation.

Now some thoughts on this years convention.....

Let's be perfectly candid: Mabel Mercer, for whom this convention is named, was a black woman. Yet, for this year's seven shows, I could count only 4 black performers on the schedule. Correct me please if I am wrong. I realize that there are not a large number of black performers doing cabaret, but since so many performers this year were from the jazz venues, where black performers abound, what could be the reason? There were more Australian performers than black performers! (There were nearly more Australian performers than male vocalists, this year!)

Next thought......

David Campbell, at age 23, captivated the Cabaret Convention two years ago. Yet, so few young performers were on the schedule this year. In fact, a few folks making their "cabaret convention debut" this year were well past their prime. And lets go back to the male vocalists. Why so few?

Finally, about those theme shows.....

I understand that one performer turned down a chance to appear at the convention because he was asked to perform at the Frank Sinatra tribute show. This performer does no Sinatra material, and found it unrealistic to have new arrangements written and new words to learn just for one night. I hear the same happened with another performer for the Noel Coward night. Why not make this a series of shows where we can see the best of cabaret performers doing their best material?

Lest you think that all I can do is complain and whine, let me add some other comments....

Tuesday night's Salute to New York show (yes, it was a theme show) was indeed the best presentation in my memory of convention shows. Michael Kerker's choice of performers was brilliant, and the show was nearly flawless. I regret that I missed the Margaret Whiting tribute night, as well as the final night, both reportedly having real moments where that legendary cabaret lightning struck the stage.

I love live performance. The cabaret convention offers one an opportunity to see from 12 to 15 live performances each evening, and for this chance alone I look forward to return each year. Even the occasional clunker is tolerated, because among the coal there can be found diamonds.

So once again, thank you Donald Smith and your fine staff for presenting these convention performances each year. Please accept my comments and thoughts as coming from a person who appreciates excellence, and wishes to contribute some suggestions to achieve that goal.

And thank you, Mary Foster Conklin and Karen Levine, who came through with tickets for me on opening night and the three other nights I attended for which I was unable to get "press" tickets.

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