By Andrew Gans
22 Oct 2004

DIVA TIDBITS

I knew I had a busy week, so I decided to pick just one night of this year's Cabaret Convention to attend. I chose "Family Night," which was presented at New York's Town Hall this past Tuesday evening. The nearly three-hour-long concert featured a host of cabaret/theatre favorites and their less-famous, but also musically inclined family members. The performer line-up comprised Ann Hampton, Liz and mom Shirley Callaway; Andrea and her mom Helen Marcovicci; singer Sandy Stewart and her piano accompanist son Bill Charlap; Heather, Sheila and Bruce MacRae; Ethel Merman aficionado Klea Blackhurst and her mom Winkie Horman; and KT Sullivan and six members of her family. Naturally, some families fared better than others, but if I had to choose one to spend more time with, I'd have to go with the Callaways. Liz and Ann kicked off the evening's proceedings with "Here Come the Callaways," Ann Hampton's witty song that pays homage to previous family acts. The sisters then welcomed their mom to the stage, who soloed on Show Boat's "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." The voices of the Callaways blended beautifully, and the threesome dazzled with harmonious versions of "Slow Boat to China," "You'll Never Walk Alone" and the great Rodgers and Hart toe-tapper "Sing for Your Supper." I was also impressed by the powerful belt of Helen Marcovicci, who received one of the evening's biggest receptions for her rafter-raising rendition of "Take Me in Your Arms." She and daughter Andrea also shared one of the sweeter, more comical moments. When they were about to launch into a face-to-face duet, Andrea said, "You can't remember the lyrics either? I've forgotten them, and you've forgotten them!" Other highlights: Sandy Stewart delivering a heartfelt "After You, Who?"; Klea Blackhurst forcefully belting out "I'm the Greatest Star" while her likeable mom countered with "[I] Taught Her Everything She Knows"; and an impromptu encore of "Amazing Grace" led by KT Sullivan's mom, Elizabeth.

Monday's (Oct. 25) benefit concert at Avery Fisher Hall for the Gay Men's Health Crisis promises to be a thrilling evening. Entitled Showstoppers: A Salute to the Best of Broadway, the 8 PM concert will feature theatre stars re-creating some of their greatest stage work and will include solos, duets and group numbers. I recently obtained a song list for the night, so I'll warn you there are spoilers ahead. Here are just a few of the expected highlights of the Wayne Cilento-directed performance: Ellen Greene performing Little Shop of Horrors' "Somewhere That's Green"; George Hearn reprising his Tony-winning performance of "I Am What I Am"; Jerry Orbach revisiting the Fantasticks classic "Try to Remember"; Robert Morse singing How to Succeed's "I Believe in You"; Randy Graff belting out her City of Angels showstopper, "You Can Always Count On Me"; original Chicago star, Tony winner Chita Rivera, singing that show's "Nowadays"; Colm Wilkinson letting his tenor soar on "Bring Him Home"; Andrea McArdle delivering her career-making version of "Tomorrow"; and Liz Callaway lending her creamy tones to Baby's "The Story Goes On." The concert will also feature performances by Pamela Myers, Debbie Gravitte, Melissa Errico, Carol Lawrence, Stephen Bogardus, Priscilla Lopez, Deborah Cox, Christine Pedi, Alice Playten, Brian Stokes Mitchell and cast members from The Full Monty. Tickets — priced $55-$200 — are available through Century Charge, (212) 721-6500. Benefit level tickets, which begin at $250, are available by calling (212) 367-1472 or by visiting www.gmhc.org. Avery Fisher Hall is located at the northern end of the Lincoln Center Plaza, at the corner of Columbus Avenue and 65th Street.

Hayley Mills and Brad Oscar will co-host the annual Only Make Believe concert to benefit the charitable organization of the same name, which brings theatre to hospital-bound children. The Nov. 1 benefit at SHOW will feature the talents of Judy Blazer, Harvey Fierstein, Dick Latessa, Euan Morton, Christiane Noll, Alix Korey, Chad Kimball, Kate Shindle, Julia Murney, Anne Runolfsson, Isabel Rose, Anika Larsen and Bon Jovi keyboard player David Bryan. Joe DiPietro will direct the evening with musical direction by Seth Rudetsky. Show time is 7 PM. SHOW is located in Manhattan at 135 West 41st Street. Tickets, priced $150 (show only) and $250 (show and post-performance celebration at Bryant Park Grill), are available by calling (646) 336-1500. Visit www.onlymakebelieve.org for more information.

Well, that's all for now. Happy diva-watching! E-mail questions or comments to agans@playbill.com.

(Look for a condensed version of "Diva Talk" in the theatre edition of Playbill Magazine.)