These are some of the questions that might be raised on Sunday, April 27 at the 92nd Street Y’s presentation, Comparing Notes on A Life in Cabaret. Hosted by WNYC’s Leonard Lopate, the 7:30 PM evening will feature chats with three of cabaret’s leading performers: Bobby Short, Barbara Carroll and former Swing! Tony nominee Ann Hampton Callaway. (Although originally announced for the evening, Barbara Cook has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict.) One of the cabaret world’s most legendary performers, Bobby Short — who specializes in the works of Cole Porter and Noel Coward — has performed 35 seasons at New York’s Café Carlyle. He will bring his latest act to that venerable institution May 6. A jazz pianist, Barbara Carroll will soon receive the Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Award. Ann Hampton Callaway — a recipient of ASCAP's Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award — received a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in Swing! as well as a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. A vocalist and songwriter ("The Nanny" theme), Callaway has penned songs for Barbra Streisand and has written music for a posthumously discovered Cole Porter lyric.

The 92nd Street Y is located in Manhattan at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Tickets for the discussion are priced at $22 and may be purchased by calling (212) 415-5500. Go to www.92Y.org for more information.