Backstage Bistro Awards honor Broadways Euan Morton,Mary Testa, Alison Fraser,Liz McCartney,Cabaret Cares and Liza Minelli

[cabaretman24]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 1:53am

It is nice to see so many Broadway performers honored this year



NEW YORK March 2, 2009 -More than 30 of cabaret's brightest stars will be honored at the 24th annual Bistro Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, April 28 at Gotham Comedy Club. International singer-songwriter-actor Charles Aznavour will be honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Liza Minnelli, Tony-, Oscar-, and Emmy-winning performer, will be recognized in the category of Enduring Artistry. Each of these stars will present the Award to the other-a Bistro first.

There are shows that pay tribute to songwriters and singers. Alison Fraser and Mary Testa salute songwriter Rusty McGee (Outstanding Duo). Laurie Krauz and Daryl Kojak reimagine the songs of Carole King (Outstanding Theme Show), while Liz McCartney pays homage to Rosemary Clooney (Outstanding Tribute Show).

Songwriters Julie Gold and Carol Hall are being recognized, respectively, with the BMI Outstanding Songwriter/Entertainer Award, and the ASCAP Award for Outstanding CD. Singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom is the recipient of a Bistro for Outstanding Major Engagement.

Special awards are being given to Robert Kimball for preserving, documenting, and celebrating the Great American Songbook, and Joseph Macchia for his Cabaret Cares benefit series that raises money for children living with AIDS.

The Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award, given to an outstanding performer on the rise and named after Back Stage's co-founder, co-publisher and first cabaret critic, goes to Kim Smith.

The Awards reflect the wide diversity to be found on our cabaret stages, from art songs about sex and death, to the worlds of country music and burlesque.

The evening will feature performances from most of the Bistro-winning artists and shows.

The gala event will be held on Tuesday, April 28 at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. A champagne and wine reception for the Bistro recipients and Premium ticket holders begins at 5 pm; followed by the awards presentation and show starting promptly at 6:30 pm. Producer Sherry Eaker will be hosting the annual event, along with members of the Bistro Award Committee and guest emcees.

The Bistro Award Committee comprises Elizabeth Ahlfors (Cabaret Scenes), David Finkle (Back Stage), Rob Lester (Cabaret Scenes, talkinbroadway.com, cabaretexchange.com), Erv Raible (executive/artistic director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University), Roy Sander (former Back Stage columnist), and Back Stage Editor at Large, Sherry Eaker.

The Bistro Awards are sponsored by BMI, ASCAP, and Back Stage, with additional sponsorship from Branson B. Champagne and Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars.

Online ticket purchasing will be available shortly as will the brand new Bistro Awards website, bistroawards.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call 646-654-5725; for more information, email .

A complete list of the 2009 recipients follows:

Euan Morton