Karen Mason, who was most recently on Broadway in the original New York company of Mamma Mia!, was named the Major Vocalist of the year. Dick Gallagher, who recently accompanied Tony winner Patti LuPone during her Feinstein's at the Regency debut, was voted Musical Director of the year. Others taking home MACs included KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler for their Irving Berlin revue, Jamie DeRoy for her "Animal Tracks" recording, and Maria Gentile and Caren Cole for their Song of the Year, "Kindness Makes Me Cry."
This year's awards, directed by Gerry Gedes, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. The annual ceremony featured the presentation of three special awards: Peter Howard received the Board of Directors Award, the famed jazz group The Manhattan Transfer were honored with the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Teri Lynn Paul was the recipient of the 2004 Hanson Award.
The complete list of 2004 MAC winners follows: (Winners names are in bold and are preceded by an asterisk.)
Female Vocalist
Audrey Lavine
*Jeanne Macdonald
Carolyn Montgomery
Male Vocalist
Brandon Cutrell
David Gurland
*Marcus Simeone Jazz Vocalist
Mychelle Colleary
Mary Foster Conklin
*Natalie Douglas
Major Vocalist
*Karen Mason
Mark Nadler
KT Sullivan
Female New York Debut
Robyn McCorquodale
Carol Savvas
*Amy Wolk
Male New York Debut
Michael Conley
Shaun Rennie
*Steven Ray Watkins
Singer/Songwriter
Judy Barnett
*John Bucchino
Rick Jensen
Vocal Duo/Group
Scott Coulter & Audrey Lavine, Goin' Home: Songs of the South
*Karen Mack & Michael Holland, Gashole
Sue Matsuki & Marcus Simeone, Somewhere Along the Way
Musical Comedy
Sharon McNight, Ladies, Compose Yourselves!
Christine Pedi, Wonderful Songs: An Evening of Comden & Green
*Eric Pickering, Ode to Attention Seekers
Musical Comedy Duo/Group
*Tommy Femia And Steven Brinberg, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand Live!
Lorinda Lisitza & Michael Vaccaro, Too Many Johnsons
Modern Man
Characterization/Impersonation
Steven Brinberg, Simply Barbra: Second Hand Rose on Second Avenue
Tommy Femia, Judy Garland Live
*Chuck Sweeney, Miss Peggy Lee In Concert
Stand-Up Comedy
Rock Albers
Poppi Kramer
*Nancy Witter
Revue
Boobs! The Musical: The World According to Ruth Wallis
*Come On And Hear: The Love Story of Irving Berlin with KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler
Not Quite What You Expected: The Songs of Bob Ost
Special Production, Variety Production Or Series
New Mondays, Phil Geoffrey Bond, producer
*Poole Party, Ron Poole, producer
Timeless Divas, Sandi Durell and Shari Upbin, producers
Piano Bar/Restaurant Entertainer
Leslie Anderson
Ricky Ritzel, Johnny Mercer A-Z
*Jerry Scott
Tracy Stark
Musical Director
*Dick Gallagher
Rick Jensen
Alex Rybeck
Steven Ray Watkins
Director
Phil Geoffrey Bond
*Lina Koutrakos
Erv Raible
Technical Director
Michael Barbieri
*Thomas Honeck
Shawn Moninger
Recording: Solo Artist
Judy Barnett, "The Road to My Heart"
*Marieann Meringolo, "Imagine...If We Only Have Love"
Stacy Sullivan, "West On 40"
Recording: Group or Compilation, Various Artists
*Jamie DeRoy & Friends, "Volume 5: Animal Tracks"
Bob Ost, "Everybody's Getting Into The Act: A Musical Vaudeville"
Chip Deffaa, "The Johnny Mercer Jamboree"
Song Of The Year
Judy Barnett, "Elena Was Lonesome"
*Maria Gentile & Caren Cole, Kindness Makes Me Cry"
Andrew Lippa, "I'm Not Waiting"
Paul Rolnick & Paul Guzzone, "South of the Coconut Line"
Bonnie Lee Sanders & Ken Hatfield, "Positive Influences"
Special Material Of The Year
Rob Carlson & David Buskin, " Bumper Huntin'"
Hector Coris & Paul L. Johnson, "In Heaven (They Sing Nothing But Showtunes)"
Rick Jensen, "I Got To Sing!"
Andrew Lippa & Tom Greenwald, "Cindy"
*Mary Liz McNamara, "Bacon"