Philadelphia's first-ever Cabaret Convention is scheduled to light up the Prince Music Theater from June 6 to June 9.
Presented by The Mabel Mercer Foundation, the Philadelphia Cabaret Convention will feature more than 40 performers singing tunes from the American popular songbook. Among the artists participating in the event are such Broadway names as Karen Mason, B.J. Crosby, Christine Andreas, Phillip Officer and Lee Roy Reams. In a statement, Donald Smith, executive director of the Mercer Foundation, said, "It is singularly appropriate that we join forces with the Prince Music Theater to present the first-ever Philadelphia Cabaret Convention. The Foundation works on a daily basis to develop and solidify a community of artists, producers and audience members devoted to the art of cabaret. Similarly, the Prince has taken a stand on the great art of musical theatre."
In addition to the live performances, Film at the Prince will also offer a screening of "Showbiz Is My Life," which celebrates the cabaret art form while focusing on three cabaret performers, Julie Wilson, Baby Jane Dexter and Natalie Gamsu. The screening will be followed by a buffet brunch and will include performances from both Gamsu and Dexter. Tickets are $30.
The line-up for the convention follows:
June 6:
Eddie Bruce, Chris Calloway, Barbara Carroll, Baby Jane Dexter, Natalie Gamsu, Mark Nadler, Craig Rubano, Karen Saunders, KT Sullivan, Lumiri Tubo, Paula West and Ronny Whyte June 7: "Cabaret Goes to the Movies," hosted by Robert Osborne
Christine Andreas, Mark Coffin, Mary Foster Conklin, Frank Dain, Courtenay Day, Tovah Feldshuh, Lynn Loosier, Karen Oberlin, Lee Roy Reams, Julie Reyburn and Larry Woodard
June 8:
Judy Barnett, Jim Caruso, Eric Comstock, B.J. Crosby, Natalie Douglas, Colleen McHugh, Sidney Myer, Phillip Officer and Libby Whittemore
June 9: "Cole Porter: A 111th Birthday Celebration"
Anna Bergman, Joyce Breach, Claiborne Cary, Taina Elg, Barbara Fasano, Paula Laurence, Andrea Marcovicci, Karen Mason, Steve Ross, David Staller, Wesla Whitfield and Mike Greensill
Performances are scheduled for June 6, 7 and 8 at 8 PM and June 9 at 3 PM. Tickets for each performance are priced at $45 are available by calling (215) 569-9700 or by going on-line to www.princemusictheater.org.
—By Andrew Gans
