MARK NADLER Headlines Revived Four-Day CabaretFest in Provincetown (MA) Featuring Shows and Master Classes This Weekend

In 2015, the CabaretFest in Provincetown (MA), one of America's biggest Cabaret events, is returning to its roots.

After a one-year layoff, this weekend extravaganza of song that began in 1999 under the guidance of actor and cabaret performer John O'Neil, will be back this June (4-7) bigger and better than ever. Singer and Cape Cod resident Patricia Fitzpatrick and Ambassador Productions has recruited O'Neil to help re-launch the event in its original format-only longer. CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown weekend will be jammed-packed with activities and shows that Fitzpatrick says, "Promise to be educational, entertaining, and fun, and all will celebrate 'The Art of Cabaret!'"

Over four days and three nights, the CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown will feature shows and educational events held at various Bed & Breakfasts, hotels, nightclubs, and other venues through Provincetown. Highlights include a Thursday night VIP party (with complimentary cocktails provided by Berkshire Mountain Distillers), cabaret master classes and workshops (including insights on singing, staging shows, and songwriting), a series of revues at various Provincetown venues, a Friday night variety show featuring at least 20 professional and aspiring performers (from New York, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, and nearby Cape Cod), and a Saturday night show featuring New York-based cabaret star Mark Nadler as the headliner. The event ends with a Sunday Buffet Brunch at the Crown & Anchor Hotel, during which six chosen Master Class candidates and Cape Cod native Dawn Derow (now a successful New York cabaret artist) will perform before hundreds of cabaret fans, fellow performers, and cabaret reviewers. It was at a Master Class during the 2000 CabaretFest that a local performer, Mary Callanan, was spotted and ended up performing on Broadway and in Las Vegas.

"We think this will be the most exciting CabaretFest ever, with the most talented group of performers we've ever had," says Patricia Fitzpatrick (photo right), who was Provincetown's first Tourism Director in 1999 when John O'Neil launched the event. Fitzpatrick is also a professional singer who has produced a number of cabaret shows performed in New York, Chicago, Denver, London, and Antigua. In 2001, she was nominated along with Dana Lorge and Helena Grenot for the prestigious MAC Award (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) for the show Cougars on the Prowl. Fitzpatrick will be one of the featured performers during the shows presented on Saturday afternoon. "From Thursday night's VIP party until the Sunday brunch at the Crown & Anchor, there won't be an hour without an activity celebrating the art of Cabaret," Fitzpatrick says. "We're encouraging cabaret lovers from New York to Boston and everywhere in between and beyond to head to Provincetown for what we believe will be a fun early June weekend.

Anyone interested in attending almost all of the CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown events can save about $65 by ordering a special early-bird $100 VIP ticket at the CabaretFest website by March 15: http://www.cabaretfest2015.com/#!tickets/cqvg. The VIP ticket doesn't include participation in the workshops (for which tickets can be purchased individually or for $40 and which grants access to all Master Classes other than the Songwriting Workshop). Only a limited number of VIP passes are available so purchase one now and save. Check the CabaretFest 2015 website at http://www.cabaretfest2015.com/ for information on travel and lodgings.

Here's a complete lineup of the weekend's exciting events and shows:

Thursday, June 4

Opening Night Private VIP Party--''The Martini and Me"
Mark Nadler, Saturday night's headline performer, will entertain at this special event sponsored by Berkshire Mountain Distillers. Dress in your best flapper or dapper Roaring '20s costume and enjoy an open bar. A night to kick up your heels and socialize with the stars of CabaretFest 2015.
8:30-10 pm. Venue: TBA. Entry by VIP Pass, $20.00 ticket, or $25 cash at the door!

Friday, June 5

A Day With the Masters: Special Workshops On Cabaret Performance and Songwriting (90 minutes each)
Cabaret Master Class--NYC Style: Led by Maestro Barry Levitt (left) and Performer Dana Lorge (right). 9:30-11 am. Location TBA. $50.

Cabaret Master Class-Boston Style: Led by Brian Patton and John O'Neil.
1:30-3 pm. Location TBA. $50.

Note: Six candidates will be selected from these Master Classes to perform at the Sunday Brunch.

Songwriting Master Class: Led by Award-Winning songwriter and cabaret performer Amy Engelhardt. Secrets to making a song "sing." A 60-90 minute session in which participants bring in a song they've written, preferably a work-in-progress. The class reviews the music, lyric, effectiveness, message, rhyme, and timbre. The session emphasizes lyric over music, so lyrics, yet to be set to music are most welcome. Note: A lyric sheet needs to be sent beforehand so that copies can be made for all.
11:30-1 pm. Location TBA. $30

'iCabaret' Workshop: Led by John O'Neil (photo left). Learn from a pro the secrets to writing your own cabaret show.
4:30-6:00 pm. Location TBA. $30

"The Stars Come Out to Shine"
This will be a star-studded review at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown-a historic concert hall setting--featuring approximately 20 singers/performers from New York, Boston, Baltimore, and Chicago. Hosted by the Award-Winning New York cabaret performer Dana Lorge. With a finale by Saturday night's headliner, Mark Nadler.
8:30-10:30 pm. Entry by VIP Pass, ticket for $15 in advance or $20.00 cash at the door.

Saturday, June 6

Mastering The Art of Cabaret
Cabaret Master Class--NYC Style: Led by Maestro Barry Levitt and Performer Dana Lorge. 9:30-11 am. Location TBA. $50.

Cabaret Master Class-Boston Style: Led by Brian Patton and John O'Neil.
1:30-3 pm. Location TBA. $50.

Lunchtime Q & A on Anything Cabaret:
Panel Discussion on Cabaret Performing, Marketing, Reviewing, etc: Featuring Musical Director Barry Levitt, Performer Dana Lorge, BroadwayWorld.com Editor/Reviewer Stephen Hanks, Performer/Reviewer Billie Roe, Reviewer John Amodeo. Moderated by Patricia Fitzpatrick. Location: Crown & Anchor.
12-1 pm. Open to all.

Midday Cabaret Performances
Patricia Fitzpatrick Show at the White Wind Inn. Brian Patton at Piano. 1-2 pm
Brian De Lorenzo Show at the White Wind Inn. Brian Patton at Piano. 2-3 pm
Linda D'Amour and Bill Duffy. Location TBA. 3-4 pm
Adam Berry. Location TBA. 4-5 pm
Admission by VIP Pass ONLY

Featured Headliner Show
New York Cabaret Star Mark Nadler performs his hit cabaret show, "Runnin' Wild: Songs and Scandals of the Roaring '20s" at the Crown & Anchor. New York Times' critic Stephen Holden recently wrote: "Mr. Nadler, with his talent and boundless drive, has earned my vote for the title of Mr. Show Business."
Show time: 10-11:30 pm. Admission by VIP Pass or $50.00 cash at the door. Limited seating, early booking advised.

Sunday, June 7

Brunch Show at the Crown & Anchor Inn
Enjoy a delicious brunch then be entertained by the "Shooting Stars," featuring the six Master Class participants chosen to perform before an enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience and industry reviewers. Special guest performer will be Cape Cod/Provincetown native, now New York cabaret performer Dawn Derow. Hosted by John O'Neil and Patricia Fitzpatrick.
11 am. Admission by VIP Pass or $40.00 cash at the door.

CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown sponsors include area hotels, inns and B&B venues: Crown & Anchor Inn; The White Wind Inn; Crowne Pointe Inn; John Randall House B&B; Brass Key Guesthouse; Queen Vic Guest House; Prince Albert Guest House; Sage Inn & Lounge; Salt House Inn, Eben House, Hollyhock Housel; Romeo's Holidays and Spa. Other sponsors include: Provincetown Business Guild; Baystate Cruise Line, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Stephen Hanks' Cabaret Life Productions and Broadway Musical Fantasy Camp; and West End Salon, Provincetown.

For more information on the CabaretFest 2015 Provincetown, contact Stephen Hanks, Cabaret Life Productions at stephenhanks41@gmail.com or call 718-753-1323.

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