Mason, Callaway, Etc. Set for Cabaret Convention in Oct.

Some of the most acclaimed talents in the cabaret and musical theatre worlds--including Andrea Marcovicci, Karen Mason, Ann Hampton Callaway and Julie Wilson--will gather for 17th Annual New York Cabaret Convention, which will take place at the Frederick P. Rose Hall's Rose Theater of Lincoln Center from October 16th through 20th.  All shows will begin at 6 PM.

Klea Blackhurst, Judy Blazer, Barbara Carroll, Bill Charlap, Karen Mason, Steve Ross, Craig Rubano, Sandy Stewart, KT Sullivan and Lumiri Tubo will appear in the festival's first event "Say It with Music," a tribute to Irving Berlin.  The evening, which will take place on October 16th, will feature cabaret veteran Steve Ross being presented with the Mabel Award.  "Say it with Music" will also include a guest appearance by Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes.

Dedicated to the memory of the late Tony Award-winning theatre star Dorothy Loudon (Noises Off, Ballroom, Annie), "Classic Cabaret Cross-Country" will feature performances by Tony Andriacchi, Karen Benjamin, Stephanie Browning, Allan Chapman, Banu Gibson, Marilyn Maye, Amanda McBroom, Sidney Myer, Jan Peters, Billy Stritch and Ronny Whyte, who will receive the Dick Gallagher Award.  The show will take place on October 17th.

Judy Barnett, Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, Greta, Jeff Harnar, Justin Hayford, Karen Kohler, Andrea Marcovicci, Georga Osborne, Marlene Verplanck and Ann Hampton Callaway will headline "Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup" on October 18th.  The stars will perform classic love songs, with a second act dedicated to the memory of late cabaret legend Hildegarde.  Hampton Callaway, a longtime cabaret star who also received a Tony nomination for her performance in Swing!, will receive the Bart Howard Encouragement Award.

"It's Today," featuring standards of the Great American Songbook, will boast the talents of Brandon Cutrell, Natalie Douglas, Stevie Holland, Rosalyn McClore, Suzanne Petri, Karen Saunders, Marcus Simeone and Robert Whorton and Klea Blackhurst (who will receive the Paula Laurence Award) on October 19th.

The Cabaret Convention will wrap up with "The Glory of the Gershwins" on October 20th.  The line-up will include Nancy Anderson, Christine Andreas, Capathia Jenkins, Sylvia McNair, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Phillip Officer, Jennifer Sheehan, Wesla Whitfield and Julie Wilson.  Sheehan will be presented with the Julie Wilson Award.

The Rose Theater is located at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Broadway and 60th Street (inside Jazz at Lincoln Center).  Tickets are $25, $40 (or $50) and $100.  Visit www.mabelmercer.org for more information.