The 1999 Back Stage Bistro Awards for excellence in New York cabaret will be presented Monday, Mar. 1, at 5 PM at NYC's The Supper Club. The 22 winners were announced Jan. 27 by Sherry Eaker, editor-in-chief of Back Stage newspaper, which sponsors the awards.
Eaker, and critics Roy Sander and John Hoglund made the choices and will host the event, which is directed (as it was for the past two years) by Sara Louise Lazarus.
Comedian Jim David will host the award, with celebs Barbara Cook, Margaret Whiting and Portia Nelson expected to attend.
Eaker writes, "The object is not to choose the "best" anything of the year, but to recognize artistic achievement and originality... An award cannot be given to an artist more than once in the same category," keeping the field open for new names.
Only one Bistro winner hasn't yet been announced -- that of the recipient of the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award, to be named at the ceremony. A list of the recipients follows: VOCALIST:
Deidrie Henry & Teri Lynn Paul.
SINGER/SONGWRITER:
Bonnie Lee Sanders
SONGWRITER
Tom Andersen
MUSICAL REVUE:
"I Love New York" (James Hindman & Ray Roderick)
"Our Life & Times" (Rick Crom)
DIRECTION:
Terri White for "Our Life & Times"
MUSICAL COMEDY PERFORMER
Seth Rudetsky
OUTSTANDING COMEDY PERFORMER
Gregg Rogell
IMPERSONATION
Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand
UNIQUE ENTERTAINER
Shequida
OUTSTANDING THEME SHOW
"Lance Jonathan: More About Me!" (written by & starring Peter-Michael Marino; developed & directed by Sheila Head)
"Mercer On Broadway" (Barbara Lea)
"Songs For My Father" (Heather Mac Rae)
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL MATERIAL
"Every Time a Friend Succeeds..." (by Amanda Green)
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
Ian Herman.
OUTSTANDING RECORDINGS
Mary Foster Conklin ("Crazy Eyes")
Barbara Fasano ("The Girls of Summer")
SPECIAL AWARDS
William Roy for his years as musical director, arranger, performer, songwriter & accompanist.
Arthur Pomposello for the Cavalcade of Cabaret series at the Oak Room.
A limited number of $40 tickets to the March 1 event are available to the public. Call (212) 536-1413 for information, and remember: March is Cabaret Month!
-- By David Lefkowitz
