Among the winners of the 2009 awards are such Broadway favorites as Liza Minnelli, Alison Fraser, Mary Testa, Liz McCartney and Euan Morton. A gala evening celebrating this year's winners will be held April 28 at the Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan.
Famed singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour will be presented with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award, which was named after the late Back Stage cabaret critic. Minnelli will be honored with the award for Enduring Artistry. Aznavour will present Minnelli with her award, and Minnelli will present Aznavour with his.
Winners were chosen by Elizabeth Ahlfors (Cabaret Scenes), David Finkle (Back Stage), Rob Lester (Cabaret Scenes, talkinbroadway.com), Erv Raible (executive/artistic director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University), Roy Sander (former Back Stage columnist), and Back Stage Editor at Large, Sherry Eaker.
Winners of the 24th Annual Back Stage Bistro Awards follow:
Euan Morton/Outstanding Vocalist/Metropolitan Room
Susan Winter/Outstanding Vocalist/Metropolitan Room
Laurel Massé/Outstanding Jazz Vocalist/Birdland and Metropolitan Room
Deb Berman/Outstanding Debut/Metropolitan Room
Kim Smith/Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award/Don't Tell Mama, Joe’s Pub, Duo Theatre
Amanda McBroom/Outstanding Major Engagement/Metropolitan Room
Julie Gold/BMI Award for Outstanding Songwriter/Entertainer/The Duplex
Carol Hall/ASCAP Award for Outstanding CD/"Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall"
Uptown Express/Outstanding Vocal Group/Metropolitan Room
Alison Fraser & Mary Testa/"Together Again: The Songs of Rusty Magee"/Outstanding Duo/Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe
Tapestry Rewoven – A Jazz Re-imagining of the Carole King Classic/Outstanding Theme Show, performed by Laurie Krauz, musical direction and arrangements by Daryl Kojak/Metropolitan Room and the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe
Little Death: Songs of Coming and Going/Outstanding Theme Show, conceived and performed by Karen Kohler, directed by John- Richard Thompson, musical direction by Doug Oberhamer/ arrangements by Tom Nazziola, Oberhamer, and Kohler/Zipper Factory Theatre
Liz McCartney/"Rosemary & Time: A Musical Tribute to the Life of Rosemary Clooney"/Outstanding Tribute Show/Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe
Nashville /Outstanding Revue, co-starring Daryl Glenn and musical director/arranger Jo Lynn Burks, directed and choreographed by Vince DeGeorge/Metropolitan Room
Brian Nash / Outstanding Lounge Entertainer / The Duplex
Narcissister/Outstanding Burlesque/Vaudeville Act/Joe’s Pub
Opening Doors Theatre Company: Closing Notice Series / Outstanding Series/The Duplex
Lennie Watts/Outstanding Director
Don Rebic/Outstanding Musical Director
Lisa Moss/Outstanding Technical Director/The Duplex
Robert Kimball/Special Award for preserving, documenting and celebrating the Great American Songbook
Joseph Macchia/Special Award for his Cabaret Cares benefit series
Liza Minnelli/Enduring Artistry
Charles Aznavour/Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award The 24th Annual Back Stage Bistro Awards Gala will be held April 28 at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street. Most of the Bistro winners will perform. A champagne and wine reception for the Bistro recipients and premium ticket holders will begin at 5 PM with the awards presentation scheduled for 6:30 PM. Sherry Eaker will host. To purchase tickets call (646) 654-5725; for more information email [email protected].
