Julie Wilson, Dream star John Pizzarelli, The Life star Sam Harris, Alix Korey and the satirical revue Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back were among winners of the 11th annual "MAC" Awards, given March 31 by The Manhattan Associations Of Cabaret & Clubs (MAC).
The ceremony at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall capped "Cabaret Month" in New York, which featured cabaret engagements by such luminaries as Barbara Cook.
Here are the MAC winners:
MAC Board Of Directors Awards: Columnist Wayman Wong, performers Frank Military and Andrea Marcovicci, composer Burton Lane.
Hanson Award: Elena Bennett. Major Female Vocalist: Julie Wilson.
Female Vocalist: Natalie Gamsu.
Male Vocalist: Christian Nova.
Female Jazz/r&b vocalist: Judy Barnett.
Male Jazz/r&b vocalist: Curtis Stigers.
Major Female Jazz/r&b vocalist: Diane Schurr.
Major Male Jazz/r&b vocalist: John Pizzarelli.
Female NY Debut: Paula West. Male NY Debut: Gary Lyons.
Revue Of The Year: Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back (by Gerard Alessandrini).
Song Of The Year: "As I Remember Him" (Portia Nelson).
Special Musical Material: "The Alto's Lament" (Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich).
Recording Of The Year: Alix Korey's "Gifts Of Love."
Major Recording Of The Year: Betty Buckley, An Evening At Carnegie Hall.
Variety Production: Monday Nite Madness, hosted by Angela LaGreca.
Female Stand-Up Comic: Linda Smith.
Male Stand-Up Comic: Jeff Ross.
Major Female Comedy: Julie Halston.
Jazz Instrumentalist/Singer: Jay Leonhart.
Vocal Group: The Accidentals.
Cabaret Comedy/Monology: John Fugelsang.
Impersonations/Characterizations: Steven Brinberg (as "Simply Barbra").
Comedy Group/Improv Group: "Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!"
Musical Comedy Performance: Jay Rogers, Sucker.
Special Production: Laurie Beechman & Sam Harris.
Director: Barry Kleinbort.
Musical Director: Christopher Denny.
Technical Director: Jaye Lee.
Piano Bar/Restaurant Pianist: Bobby Peaco.
Piano Bar/Restaurant Entertainer: Terri White.
Most of the winners are still known primarily for cabaret, but a few have crossed over to theatre and other media, such as Alix Korey, who appeared this season in No Way To Treat A Lady at Off-Broadway's York Theatre, or Jay Rogers, who's featured in Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly.
-- By David Lefkowitz
