2009 Nightlife Award Winners Announced: Stritch, Ebersole, Maye & More

This past year's most outstanding performances in cabaret, comedy, and jazz have been chosen by more than two-dozen critics and experts who concluded their voting over the holidays (see below). The winners are, as always, a richly eclectic mix of exceptional talents from across the length and breadth of New York nightlife - all of them are in the process of being invited to Town Hall to perform (instead of making acceptance speeches)!

The winners include some stunning repeats from past years, such as Marilyn Maye, Hank Jones, Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch, Freddie Cole, John Mulaney, and Allan Harris. Among first time winners are comic sensation Mike Birbiglia, long-time cabaret star Baby Jane Dexter, and legendary cabaret comedienne Helen Baldassare, and the popular After Party open mike host Brandon Cutrell. Among the duo or group winners, there is the critically acclaimed cabaret concert version of the soundtrack album of Robert Altman's Nashville, and two sets of ties provide a multitude of winners including the Hank Jones Quartet and the Steve Bernstein Millenial Territory, as well as Improvised Shakespeare and Kurt Braunhohler & Kristen Schall.

Many, if not most, of the winners will perform at Town Hall. They will be joined, as always, by a glittering array of celebrity performers and presenters, among them (so far) will be multiple Tony Award winner Tommy Tune, Broadway/Nightlife stars Stephanie J. Block and Euan Morton, country superstar Larry Gatlin, and many more, soon to be announced. The awards concert will be directed for the first time by Broadway singer/dancer/choreographer Noah Racey!

Scott Siegel, the creator/producer of The Nightlife Awards said, "Announcing these exceptional winners, just three weeks before the awards show, itself, makes me giddy with anticipation. I can't wait for January 26th when anyone who buys our sponsored-supported, reasonably priced tickets will get to enjoy what has gained a reputation as one of the year's most exciting, talent-packed concerts."

Tickets are $25, $50 & $75 and they are available at The Town Hall Box Office at 123 West 43rd Street (noon to 6 PM except Sunday) or by calling TicketMaster at 212-307-4100 or going to TicketMaster.com.

The Nightlife Awards is sponsored, in part, by ASCAP, TheaterMania.com, The Edythe Kenner Foundation, Trattoria Dopo Teatro, Peter & Barbara Leavy, Jill & Irwin Cohen, Edith & Ervin Drake, Thoroughbred Records, Fred Landau, Stuart E. Bloom & Robert L. Aaron: Lightstyles, LLC, Steven T. Ernst, and Ghostlight Records.

2009 NIGHTLIFE AWARD WINNERS & FINALISTS:

OUTSTANDING CABARET VOCALIST IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: Marilyn Maye
Finalists: Barb Jungr & Euan Morton

OUTSTANDING CABARET DUO OR GROUP IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch
Finalist: Bill Charlap & Sandi Stewart
John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey

OUTSTANDING CABARET VOCALIST:
WINNER: Baby Jane Dexter
Finalist: Barb Jungr, Julie Reyburn

OUTSTANDING CABARET COMEDY OR CHARACTERIZATION:
WINNER: Helen Baldassare
Finalists: Sharon McNight, Christine Pedi

OUTSTANDING CABARET DUO OR GROUP:
WINNER: NASHVILLE: DARYL GLENN & Jo Lynn Burks
Finalists: Alison Fraser & Mary Testa
Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano

OUTSTANDING PIANO BAR ENTERTAINER:
WINNER: Brandon Cutrell
Finalists: Ann Steele, Alysha Umphress

OUTSTANDING JAZZ VOCALIST IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: FREDDIE COLE
Finalists: Annie Ross, Marilyn Maye

OUTSTANDING JAZZ VOCALIST:
WINNER: Allan Harris
Finalists: Jay Clayton, Andy Bey

OUTSTANDING JAZZ SOLOIST:
WINNER: Hank Jones
Finalists: Bill Charlap, Harry Allen

OUTSTANDING JAZZ COMBO:
WINNER: TIE -
Hank Jones QUARTET
STEVE BERNSTEIN MILLENIAL TERRITORY ORCHESTRA
Finalists: Fred Hersch Trio, Lew Tabackin Quartet

OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: Mike Birbiglia
Finalists: Jim Gaffigan & Doug Stanhope

OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN:
WINNER: John Mulaney
Finalists: Sean Patton, Julian McCullough

OUTSTANDING COMIC DUO OR GROUP:
WINNER: TIE --
IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE
KURT BRAUNOHLER & KRISTEN SCHALL
Finalist: 4-Track

 

 

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