Entertainment Galore - 2007 Nightlife Awards by Bill Wolf

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 4:14pm

"This was the kind of powerhouse show that could close the first act with Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch teaming to perform as winners of the Outstanding Cabaret Duo/Group in a Major Engagement.

It was a show that could close the evening with the inimitable Maureen McGovern singing two numbers in accepting her Nightlife Legend award.

It was an entertainment binge that could open the second act with a huge chorus of some 40 cabaret artists performing Irving Berlin’s “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.”

And when it was announced early on that the next presenter would be Liza Minnelli, it wasn’t a gag to introduce a Liza impersonator. Out stepped the real Liza to thunderous applause.

An applause meter also would have registered high with the appearance of Rita Moreno as a presenter, taking the time to contribute on her night off from her current show at the Café Carlyle. Among other presenters were Melissa Errico, Tom Wopat, Rupert Holmes, Judy Gold, Charles Busch, Terrence McNally, Mary Bond Davis and Susan H. Schulman.

The evening offered a battery of highlights. Paula West, who won for top Female Jazz Vocalist, showed why as she demonstrated her unique technique singing “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,” with a cool assist by her musicians. And speaking of cool, Male Jazz Vocalist winner Freddy Cole mesmerized the audience with an example of his intimate style, and Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet, Jazz Combo winner, defined the word smooth, with striking instrumental solos included.

The comedy singing coup of the evening came from Lorinda Lisitza, winner of the Cabaret Musical Comedy/ Characterization award, who delivered an utterly hilarious, crowd-pleasing “Yolanda at the Bottom of the Stairs,” a vengeful account of having done in an annoying rival.

Perhaps the classiest performance came from the duo Jessica Molaskey, winner in the category of Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist in a Major Engagement, and John Pizzarelli, who took male vocalist honors in a similar category.

Comedy Unique/Group winners TJ and Dave faced a difficult task of in a short time frame giving an inkling of their improvisation work. They managed to show their style, but they couldn’t be on long enough to truly reveal their stuff.

New Yorkers came in for some gentle ribbing by Larry Gatlin, country star who both presented and sang. Gatlin got the show off to a strong start with his performing and patter playfully noting that country folk were not the rubes city folk may take them to be.

Other winners included sophisticated singer Lisa Asher, for Cabaret Female Vocalist; golden-voiced Scott Coulter, Cabaret Male Vocalist; Tom Andersen, Coulter and Tim Di Pasqua, Cabaret Revue/Group/Variety; David Colbert, Piano Bar; Demetri Martin, Male Standup; Sarah Silverman, Female Standup and Cedar Walton, Jazz Soloist.

Two important special awards were given to Broadway at Birdland and The Metropolitan Room “for successfully bringing Broadway stars onto cabaret stages in quality shows at affordable prices.” This achievement is no small matter against a background in which elite night spots have become out of reach for many who appreciate cabaret but can’t afford the tabs."

ooo la la. An extremely enjoyable evening for me. Big kudos & thanks to Scott Siegel.

Milla
2007 Nightlife Awards