CABARET LIFE NYC: BroadwayWorld Announces Categories for 2014 New York Cabaret Awards and New Nomination Process; Preliminary Voting Period Just Four Months Away

Cabaret Reviews and Commentary by Stephen Hanks

As I often conveyed to many friends, having an acute sense of time is a blessing and a curse, especially when you've passed the mid-century mark of life. It's nice that you can instinctively be on time for almost anything, but not so much fun feeling like the months go by in an eye-blink. Hence, it's hard to believe that 2014 is already half over and that the 2013 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards Show at Joe's Pub happened just about four months ago. This also means that the nomination period for the 2014 Awards is only four months away (end of October, with the final voting period beginning after Thanksgiving).

It is with all that in mind that it seemed time for this column, which announces the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards categories and changes in the nomination process so that all you cabaret fans can start making mental notes of the year's potential nominees. (To help you in that process, in a few days I'll be posting my "Mid-Year Report Card on the 20 Best Performances and Shows" so far in 2014 (going back to November 2013).

As for the 2014 nomination process, rather than conducting an online free-for-all, where BroadwayWorld readers suggest five nominees in all the categories, a panel of New York Cabaret experts and aficionados-led by moi-will pre-select a maximum of 13 preliminary nominees in each category. It will be sort of like the online ballot for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. When the preliminary voting period begins around November 1, cabaret fans can select up to three final nominees in each category. But unlike during the final voting period, the nomination votes will NOT be calculated by percentages in real time on BroadwayWorld for all to see. After Thanksgiving weekend, we'll announce the final ballot nominees in each category and voters will be able to select one potential award winner. As in the last two years, those voting percentages will be calculated online in real time.

The award categories are changing slightly for this year, the biggest additions being separate designations for "Best Vocalist" and "Best Show" in the Female and Male Celebrity and Non-Celebrity Vocalist Categories. To be nominated for "Best Show" the performer will have had to stage at least three performances of the same show. To be nominated for "Best Vocalist," the three-show run rule won't apply, but the performer will have made a significant number of appearances in various shows throughout the year, including variety shows. This year, BroadwayWorld will again designate awards for "Vocalist of the Year" and for "Dedication and Devotion to the Art of Cabaret," but cabaret fans will be able to nominate candidates for "Cabaret Performer of the Year," as well as for "Best Non-Piano Instrumentalist."

By the way, regarding the category for "Best Original Song for a Cabaret Show," we urge songwriters and performers who introduced a new song through a show this year (from November 1 to October 31) to send samples to stephenhanks41@gmail.com. Please include the name of the performer and the dates of the show when the song was performed.

Here is the list of the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards categories. Remember, only shows that were staged between November 1, 2013 and October 31, 2014 will be eligible for nomination. The 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards Show will be presented again this year at Joe's Pub in late February--with yours truly as host.

Start making your mental notes for your future votes!

2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards Categories

Best Director

Best Revue Show

Best CD Release (Solo, Duo or Group)

Best Duo or Group Show

Best Celebrity Vocalist, Female

Best Cabaret Show, Celebrity Female (3 or more shows)

Best Vocalist, Female

Best Cabaret Show, Female (3 or more shows; includes "Debut" performers)

Best Host/Producer for Variety Show/Recurring Series/Open Mic

Best Variety Show or Recurring Series

Best Jazz Vocalist (Male or Female)

Best Celebrity Vocalist, Male

Best Cabaret Show, Celebrity Male (3 or more shows)

Best Vocalist, Male

Best Cabaret Show, Male (3 or more shows; includes "Debut" performers)

Best Musical Director

Best One-Show Special Event (Performer or Group)

Best Original Song for a Cabaret Show

Best Non-Piano Instrumentalist

Cabaret Performer of the Year (Male or Female)

Cabaret Show of the Year (Male or Female)

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