DIVAS AT THE ALGONQUIN and FEINSTEIN'S

The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel recently announced its Centenary Cabaret schedule, which features a host of talented cabaret favorites.

Andrea Marcovicci, who is currently delving into the Cole Porter songbook through Jan. 24, will return to her home-away-from-home next fall. From Nov. 16, 2004-Jan. 1, 2005, the witty chanteuse will focus her attention on the songs made famous by the late dance legend Fred Astaire. Marcovicci is calling her latest act "Andrea Sings Fred Astaire," and cabaretgoers can expect to hear well-known Astaire tunes, several little-heard gems and a healthy dose of Astaire trivia.

Before that, however, Oak Room patrons can experience the vocals of two-time Grammy Award winner Sylvia McNair, Feb. 3-14. Melissa Errico, the actress/singer who brought her golden tones to last season's Amour, will make her Oak Room debut March 16 with an all-new program. Errico will reside at the Algonquin through April 3 before she headlines The Irish Repertory Theatre's concert version of Finian's Rainbow.

A jazz favorite, Jane Monheit, will sing for her supper, June 15-16, and she will precede a Stephen Sondheim salute that begins June 29. KT Sullivan, who starred in the short-lived revival of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, will join five-time MAC Award winner Mark Nadler for Sondheim on a Summer Night, which will play through July 17.

Autumn at the Algonquin will also feature the teaming of Sandy Stewart and Bill Charlap (Oct. 5-16) and a Cavalcade of Cabaret (Oct. 26-Nov. 13). For more information about the Algonquin, visit www.thealgonquin.net.

The upcoming season at Feinstein's at the Regency is equally stellar and offers some of the musical theatre's finest leading ladies.

Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole will perform her new show, In Your Dreams, Feb. 17-March 6. Ebersole, who boasts one of the more versatile voices around, will be joined on stage by her former 42nd Street co-star, jazz pianist-singer Billy Stritch.

Tony, Oscar, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Rita Moreno will bring her mix of sass, wit and charm to Feinstein's March 9-20. Moreno, of course, won the Academy Award for her role as Anita in the film version of West Side Story. She earned a Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony for her work in Broadway's The Ritz and nabbed two Emmys: one for a guest appearance on "The Muppet Show" and another for a stint on "The Rockford Files." She was awarded the Grammy for her performance on "The Electric Company" album for children.

With Ruth and Eileen Sherwood on Broadway in Wonderful Town, how appropriate that two Broadway siblings, Ann Hampton and Liz (Callaway, that is) will bring their latest sister act to Feinstein's March 23-April 3. The Callaways had a great success with their first show, Sibling Revelry (which was eventually recorded live on DRG), and they are calling their newest Relative Harmony.

And, as reported last week, Tony and Olivier Award winner Patti LuPone will head to Feinstein's this spring after she appears in the Encores! mounting of Can-Can. LuPone will perform "The Lady with the Torch" April 6-24. Although La LuPone has performed in concerts on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center within the past decade, this marks her first extended cabaret engagement since her Evita days. It will certainly be a show not to be missed!

The Feinstein's season will also include James Naughton (Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night), April 27-May 9; Paul Williams with special guest Carol Welsman (Nice To Be Around), May 11-15; Keely Smith (Las Vegas '58), May 18-June 5; and The Pizzarelli Family, June 8-June 20.

Feinstein's at the Regency is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in Manhattan. For ticket reservations and club information all (212) 339-4095, or log on to www.ticketweb.com.

FOR THE RECORD Marti Webb's "Limelight"
Now that Marti Webb has replaced Denise van Outen in the revised version of "Tell Me On a Sunday" at London's Gielgud Theatre, I thought it would be a good time to examine her newest solo recording, "Limelight." Webb, of course, created the role for the original recording, BBC television production and eventual West End staging of the one-woman "Tell Me On a Sunday" song cycle. Her new 12-track recording — perhaps her finest vocal recording since that original "Tell Me On a Sunday" LP — features a mix of tunes from Webb's stage and recording career.

Her U.K. chart toppers — "Take That Look Off Your Face," "Ben" and "Always There" — all featured lyrics by Don Black, and Webb, years later, continues to do them justice. Though she still possesses a rangy belt, there is a sweeter, more gentle quality about Webb's voice that is very engaging and makes for pleasant listening.

Webb also offers several theatre tunes, from shows in which she has starred (Oliver!, Good Companions, The King and I) and from those in which she has not (Aida, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Sunset Boulevard). It's on the theatre tunes where the singing actress is most effective. She delivers a lovely rendition of The King and I's "Hello Young Lovers" and brings a full-throated urgency to Oliver!'s "As Long As He Needs Me." Webb's softer tones are a perfect match for Chitty's "Hush-a-Bye Mountain," and she is joined by Robert Meadmore for a terrific rendition of Elton John and Tim Rice's "Elaborate Lives" from Aida.

I was actually most excited to hear Webb's version of Sunset Boulevard's "With One Look" — I can't seem to pass on any recording that features the Norma arias "With One Look" or "As If We Never Said Goodbye" — and I'm happy to report that she delivers a dazzling take of the Lloyd Webber/Black ballad. Webb begins with the little-heard verse ("They don't want me anymore/They all say I'm through/Well, it's time they knew") and builds the song to a belty finale, claiming, "This time I'm staying/I'm staying for good/I'll be back where I was born to be/With one look/I'll beeeee meeeeeee!"

"Limelight" is available at import record stores or on-line at Dress Circle, www.dresscircle.co.uk. Continued...