AIP Hosts 12th Annual Cabaret Festival, Now thru 5/18

Artists in Partnership (AIP), a non-profit cultural arts organization, will host its 12th Annual Cabaret Festival today, May 15-18 at the Long Beach Public Library, 111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY. All performances are FREE to the public. The festival will be a celebration of the cabaret genre honoring the Great American Songbook with performances by renowned local and New York City-based artists.

Featured events include:

• THURSDAY, MAY 15, 7:30 pm, "Songs and Singers In The Making" Aspiring singers Emily Crean, Alex Greif, Alexandra Kapilian, Jonathan Kapilian, Max Tunney perform in a master class workshop with Tedd Firth, musical director and Rob Lester, Cabaret Critic

• FRIDAY, MAY 16, 7:30 pm, "...Reappearing In My Mind" MILES PHILLIPS with musical director Jason Wynn at the piano

• SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2 pm- "Cabaret Conversations: Inside the American Songbook " Established artists demonstrate and comment on the cabaret genre as they honor the songs and the songwriters. Susan James will facilitate the discussion while artists Bobby Belfry 2014 MAC Award winner for restaurant singing entertainer, David Gaines pianist/musical director, Penny Fuller actress/singer/Broadway and film star, Barry Kleinbort, composer/director, and Miles Phillips, actor/singer/director perform original songs and classics of the genre.

• SATURDAY, MAY 17, 8 pm -"Friends In Deed" PENNY FULLER with musical director David Gaines at the piano.

• SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2 pm "Does This Song Make Me Look Fat?" JEFF HARNAR with musical director David Gaines at the piano.

Schedule is subject to change . Q & A sessions follow performances.

This event is made possible with public funds from the Long Beach Public Library.

The library is handicapped accessible, located two blocks from the LIRR station in Long Beach, a 50-minute train ride from New York City's Penn Station.

For further information, visit website www.aip-arts.org. To arrange performer interviews, call 516-322-1138.

About Artists in Partnership

Artists in Partnership, Inc. is a 501c3 cultural arts organization located in Long Beach, NY. The mission of AIP, "empowering artists and engaging the community," is a unique collaboration supporting literary, visual and performing artists by showcasing their talents, creating new avenues of expression, developing multi-generational and cross-cultural projects, providing fiscal sponsorships, and allying with local organizations, businesses and city government to attain these goals. Upcoming 2014 projects include the Barrier Beach Blues and Arts Festival on June 6, 7, 8, Summer Arts in the Plaza on Saturdays, "Kickin' Country" Festival on Nov. 7-9.. For details, visit web site at www.aip-arts.org.

PERFORMERS:

PENNY FULLER began her Broadway career starring in BARFEOOT IN THE PARK, three Shakespeare-in-the-Park productions, and the musicals CABARET, REX, and APPLAUSE (for which she received a Tony nomination for the role of "Eve Harrington"). Her television work garnered her six Emmy nominations and the Emmy Award for ABC's THE ELEPHANT MAN.

Her more recent Broadway appearances include Horton Foote's DIVIDING THE ESTATE and Neil Simon's THE DINNER PARTY (Tony nomination). Off-Broadway, she has been seen in LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, at the Vineyard in BEAUTIFUL CHILD, at Primary Stages in SOUTHERN COMFORTS, and at the Manhattan Theater Clubin THREE VIEWINGS and NEW ENGLAND. She has played a variety of roles in regional theater including "Amanda" in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, "Arkadina" in THE SEAGULL, and the just completed "Claire" in A DELICATE BALANCE at the McCarter Theater in Princeton. With William Finn's A NEW BRAIN at Lincoln Center she returned to musical theater, and has since starred in productions of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, DO I HEAR A WALTZ, and in London in SAIL AWAY.

In 2001 she was introduced to composer, lyricist, cabaret director Barry Kleinbort and, with his encouragement embarked on a new career phase as cabaret artist in New York clubs and theaters. Their most recent collaboration, THIRTEEN THINGS ABOUT ED CARPOLOTTI, a solo musical commissioned by Ms. Fuller, with book, music and lyrics by Mr. Kleinbort, had an auspicious run in December at 59E59 Street Theaters, New York City.

DAVID GAINES is currently a coach/accompanist in the Drama Division at Juilliard. At Juilliard his credits include musical direction for productions of Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Hostage, As You Like It as well as the annual cabaret performed by the third year acting class. His cabaret credits include working as musical director for such artists as Penny Fuller, Jeff Harnar, Andrea Marcovicci, Karen Mason and many others. As a pianist/musical director, he has performed at Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music and many other venues. He recently composed the score for 'The Poets' a short film, currently in post-production.

JEFF HARNAR, whom Michael Feinstein has called, "One of the premiere interpreters of the Great American Songbook," will return to The Long Beach Cabaret Festival with his show "Does This Song Make Me Look Fat? (Lighter Fare for a Spring Afternoon)". This new show will highlight the wit of Noël Coward, Cole Porter, Sammy Cahn, Comden & Green, Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman, Stan Freberg, Rick Crom and more. The show comes directly from a sold-out run at London's The Crazy Coqs following a critically acclaimed run at The Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City. Musical Director and Pianist David Gaines will accompany.

JEFF HARNAR is the winner of the 2012 Noel Coward Foundation Cabaret Award. New York engagements include The Algonquin Hotel, Feinstein's at The Regency, Birdland, The Metropolitan Room, and Off-Broadway at 59e59 Theaters. Carnegie Hall appearances include both the Cole Porter and Noel Coward Centennial Galas. Jeff was artistic director and host of the three seasons of "The American Songbook in London" at The Jermyn Street Theatre and Pizza on The Park. Television credits include "The 1959 Broadway Songbook" (PBS). Jeff tours nationally withShauna Hicks in their symphony "Pops" concert "I Got Rhythm: Mickey & Judy's Hollywood." Jeff has released four solo CD's and is the winner of 3 MAC Awards and 3 Back Stage Bistro Awards. Look for Jeff as the nightclub singer in "A Portrait of James Dean" (Iconoclast Films 2013). www.jeffharnar.com

MILES PHILLIPS is a multiple award-winning actor, director, vocalist and recording artist with appearances in theaters, clubs and concert halls from Honolulu to London. His leading man charm, glorious voice and passionate artistry have established him as one of New York's most celebrated male vocalists. Phillips has been honored with MAC Awards for four of his acclaimed nightclub acts and twice honored in the category of Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist at the New York Nightlife Awards. His latest solo show "...Reappearing In My Mind" recently enjoyed a triumphant engagement at Feinstein's and has been playing to standing ovations around the country. He has countless leading roles in New York and Regional theatre and is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Hollywood Drama-Logue Award (Camelot) and Chicago's Jeff Award (Noises Off), for his work as an actor. Favorite recent appearances include Arthur in Camelot, Banco in the New York premiere of Ionesco's Macbett, Higgins in My Fair Lady, Jameson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Bassanio in both The Merchant Of Venice and the world premiere of its award winning new sequel The Doctor Of Rome, Cliff in Cabaret, Captain von Trapp in The Sound Of Music and The Broadway Musicals of 1930 at Town Hall. Miles has over two dozen recordings to his credit, including his popular solo album "might as well be..." as well as a score of original and studio cast albums. His recent performance as Tevye on a beautiful new recording of Fiddler On The Roof has been widely acclaimed. Phillips' acclaimed directorial ventures range from film to regional companies to New York theatre and cabaret, including serving as Artistic Director for Musical Theatre Renegades and The Hot Spot Theatre Company. He recently directed his first film, has 3 produced screenplays and is currently working on his first novel. For more information and upcoming performance updates, visit www.MilesPhillips.com.

JASON WYNN: Jason has worked both as a singer/actor and a musical director all along the east coast and his work as both can be found on many Stage Star CDs, including: Legally Blonde(Emmett), Mamma Mia (Sky) The Little Mermaid (Jetsam), and West Side Story(Action) and more. His work as a composer and music director has earned him an OOBR Award, and Innovative Theatre Award and a MAC Award. Some recent music direction includes Ruddigore(Theatre Ten Ten), Follies (St. Bart's Players) and Mother Courage (Jean Cocteau Repertory). Jason has had over 25 years of performance experience as a pianist. He is also a singer and songwriter. He has worked with and played for many Broadway and off-Broadway stars, such as Alison Fraser, Sharon McNight and Christina Bianco. He has played on various albums all over the world. His own compositions have been performed in theatres across the country and has garnered him rave reviews and accolades. For more information, visit www.jasonwynn.net.

BOBBY BELFRY is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose latest album, entitled "One Lucky Day", is a collection of pop classics set to the thrilling jazz virtuosity of The David Budway Trio. Born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, Bobby can also be heard (and seen) on his first two albums, LIVE:In The Heart of The Universe (a CD/DVD) and "Imperfect Rhymes" which have both received great critical notice: He also appears on Broadway:Unplugged 2 and Chip Deffaa's "The Johnny Mercer Jamboree". A mainstay at Feinstein's, The Metropolitan Club, and Brandy's, Bobby has also performed at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, The Russian Tea Room, The Rainbow Room, Bitter End,China Club, CBGB's, Smoke, The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Kennedy Center, and The Cinegrill in Hollywood. Bobby appeared on national television on "The Morning Blend", a news/talk show on MSNBC (interviewed by Soledad O'Brian), and was a frequent guest on WOR Radio's The Joey ReynoldsShow, whose theme song, penned by Bobby, was played for an audience of 5 million listeners, nightly. Bobby is the recipient of the 2014 MAC Award for restaurant singing entertainer, Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist.. He has also received the MAC Award for outstanding Pop/R&B Vocalist and several Critics Choice Vocalist Awards.

Filmmaker, Victor Mignatti (R Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet", The Real World) has included Bobby in his documentary "This Time", which follows the careers of diverse artists in the music industry (including the legendary Sweet Inspirations & Cissy Houston) by weaving their music-filled stories, exploring the relationship between faith and persistence to longevity and the process of making music against all odds. The film is currently available on DVD and iTunes.

For over twenty-five years, BARRY KLEINBORT has worked as a director, composer, lyricist, and librettist earning him the prestigious Edward Kleban Foundation Award for Lyric Writing, a 2002 and 2003 Gilman-Gonzalez Musical Theatre Commendation Award, the 2007 ASCAP Foundation Jamie deRoy award, two Back Stage Bistro awards, ten Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) awards, and two Cable "Telly" awards. Throughout the United States and in Europe, Mr. Kleinbort has directed and/or written material for such show biz luminaries as Kaye Ballard, Regis Philbin, Marcia Lewis, Mary Cleere Haran, John Barrowman, Penny Fuller, Karen Mason, Rita Gardner, Brent Barrett,Jeff Harnar, Heather MacRae, Jerry Hadley and many others. He has written and directed countless cabaret shows, and has conceived and directed topical revues and intimate theater productions in this country and abroad, includingRita Gardner's "Try to Remember-A Look at Off-Broadway" at the Sullivan Street theater, as well as lavish special event evenings including the all-star Kurt Weill Gala at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with Donna Murphy and the late Jerry Orbach. He recently adapted and directed the New York premiere of Bob Merrill's musical "The Prince of Grand Street" starring Mike Burstyn for the Jewish Rep and John Epperson's well received autobiographical evening SHOW TRASH at the Studio Theater in Washington, DC.

His new musical, WAS, (based on Geoff Ryman's cult classic with music by Joseph Thalken) was the inaugural production of the American Music Theater Project in Chicago. Incidental music and songs include: the off-Broadway production of SECOND AVENUE by Allan Knee and the book, music and lyrics for ANGELINA, librettist for David Levy's PERFECT HARMONY, a musical play about the lives of the Barry Sisters and written continuity for "A Washington Opera Celebration" and the 2003 presentation of DIE FLEDERMAUS for PBS. Over the past two seasons, he has written for six PBS broadcasts of Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops and, currently, Erich Kunzeland the Cincinnati Pops.

For the past three seasons, he has taught song performance at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Conference in Connecticut and also at Perry Mansfield in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A highly acclaimed revue of his theater songs, BIG CITY RHYTHM, which played the Triad Theater in New York City, is available on Harbinger Records.

TEDD FIRTH is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist and arranger. As an accompanist he has worked with Tom Wopat, Lee Ann Womack, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Maureen McGovern, Faith Prince, Linda Lavin, Jane Olivor, Darius DeHaas, Marilyn Maye, Karen Akers, Rob Evan, Mary Cleere Haran, Margaret Whiting, Carol Sloane,Bob Stewart, Marlene VerPlanck, Nancy Marano, Barbara Brussell, K.T. Sullivan, Claiborne Cary, Craig Rubano and many others.

Among the jazz musicians he has performed or recorded with are John Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Frank Wess, Mark Whitfield, Red Holloway, Benny Golson and Joe Morello. New York appearances include Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note, Birdland, the Iridium, the Algonquin, the Cafe Carlyle, Feinstein's at the Regency, the Rainbow Room, Town Hall, the Russian Tea Room and Gracie Mansion. Numerous national appearances include a performance at the White House.

As an arranger/orchestrator, Tedd's work has been performed by Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Ocean City (NJ) Pops, the Stamford (CT) Symphony and the Spokane Jazz Orchestra. Television appearances include "The Today Show", "All My Children" and "The Caroline Rhea Show".

ROB LESTER is in his tenth year as a cabaret journalist. He writes reviews and articles on cabaret live performances and CDs for Cabaret Scenes Magazine (on the web as cabaretscenes.org), NiteLifeExchange.com, and TalkinBroadway.com and has been a voter helping to choose the recipients of the city's cabaret awards. He's a judge-commentator in the annual summer-long singing contest at NYC's Metropolitan Room and their MetroMinor contest for kids and teens and has also worked with teens as a theatre director/instructor. He has been part of AIP's cabaret weekends for several years and has loved the Great American Songbook since he was a kid being raised on Long Island with music-loving parents.

ASPIRING SINGERS (on Thursday, May 15 program)

Emily Crean

Alex Greif is a musical theater graduate of Long Island High School for the Arts and recent Theater & Media graduate of Hunter College. His most recent lead role includes Alan Strang in theWoodstock Playhouse's production of Equus. He is currently training with Travis Rivera at New York Vocal Coach and at the Anthony Grasso Acting Studio. Lately Alex has been auditioning in NY and focusing on building his youtube channel by posting cover songs. He also enjoys performing in open mic and karaoke nights wherever they're offered. In addition to his performance abilities he is a talented videographer specializing in music videos, commercials, events, etc. To view some of his work visit https://www.youtube.com/user/alexanderthegreif

Alexandra "Lexie" Kapilian is a sophomore at Long Beach High School and is delighted to appear in the Artists in Partnership Cabaret Festival! She is an accomplished vocalist, bassoonist and actress. Lexie is a four-time All-County participant and a member of Tri-M Honor Society. During the summer, has studied acting, bassoon, chorus and vocal jazz in a by-audition only Vocal Jazz group at Usdan Center for the Performing Arts. Lexie was honored to sing in the Long Beach Memorial Day Parade. At school, Lexie participates in Wind Ensemble, Jazz and Show Choir, Pit Orchestra, Marching Band, the Morning Show and has been featured on the stage in The Odd Couple (Gwendolyn Pigeon). Thanks to Mom, Dad, Grandma Suzy, Jonathan, and Joshua for all their love and support!

Jonathan Kapilian is thrilled to be appearing in the Artists in Partnership Cabaret Festival! In addition to being a jazz vocalist, Jonathan is also an accomplished cellist and actor. In the summer, he studies at the Usdan Center for the Performing Arts. He is a member of the Tri-M Honor Society, a five time All-County musician and a two-time Long Island String Festival musician. He recently represented Long Beach at the 2014 All-County Festival in vocal jazz. At Long Beach High School, Jonathan is a member of the Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Choir, Jazz and Show Choir, Men's Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Lab Jazz Ensemble and has performed on the LBHS stage in Almost Maine (Dave) and Hairspray (Wilbur). Jonathan is happy to share his love for performing with others and hopes that you enjoy the performance tonight. Thanks and love to Mom, Dad, Lexie, Joshua, and Grandma Suzy for their encouragement and support.

Max Tunney is a sophomore at Long Beach High School has been performing since the age of five. Over the years, he has appeared in nearly 30 stage productions with both children's and adult theatre groups. Most recently, Max appeared as Edna Turnblad in LBHS's production of Hairspray, and as Willard Hewitt in LBHS's production of Footloose. Max is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and participates in LBHS's Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz and Show Choir and Symphonic Choir. Additionally, Max has performed with the All County Chorus, the All County Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Theatre Orchestra Society. When Max is not performing, he is pursuing his other passion, visual art. His work has appeared at various art shows, on t-shirts, posters, and in Newsday. Max has been a Kidsday staff artist for Newsday for the past seven years.

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