Wilson, Nixon, Etc. to Honor Karen Akers, May 7

International Broadway, concert and cabaret artist Karen Akers will be among the honorees at the Singers Forum Foundation's 11th annual Andy Anselmo Achievement Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 7, 2007 in The Theatre of the Lighthouse International (111 East 59th Street) in New York.   Akers, star of Broadway's Grand Hotel and Nine, is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, previously awarded to Carol Channing, Tovah Feldshuh, and Mandy Patinkin, among others.

Fittingly, this award comes right on the heels of Akers' celebrated return to the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel with her acclaimed new show, "Simply Styne."

Presented at the Singers Forum's annual benefit gala, the Awards honor excellence in the performing arts.  The show is directed by Eric Michael Gillett with music direction by Singers Forum Artistic Director, Don Rebic, and will feature performances by The Phillip A. Campanella Youth Scholarship Chorus, 2007 Achievement Award winners Stephanie Baldwin and Alexia Tate, as well as Andy Anselmo himself.  Singers Forum is honored to have Broadway and cabaret performer KT Sullivan, Back Stage Editor-at-Large Sherry Eaker, and Stephen Holden presenting at the event.  Confirmed guests include cabaret legend Julie Wilson, Broadway's Terri Klausner, and the famous voice of movie musicals, Marni Nixon.

Singers Forum was founded in 1978 by Andy Anselmo and John Albert Harris as a training center for the vocal arts.   The Forum  recently moved from the historic Flatiron District to its new home at 49 West 24th Street in Manhattan.  Singers Forum has been a classroom to professional performers including Liza Minnelli, John Leguizamo, Brooke Shields, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Stritch and Amanda Green. 

Tickets for the benefit range from $250-$1,000.  For tickets and more information about the event, please contact Alexia Tate at (212) 366-0541 ext. 211.  Visit www.singersforum.org for more information.