PHILADELPHIA CABARET CONVENTION AT THE PRINCE MUSIC THEATER

Performances Mark Return of Cabaret to City of Brotherly Love - June 6th through 9th, 2002

More than forty of the best and brightest performers of the American popular songbook come to Philadelphia June 6th through 9th for the first-ever Philadelphia Cabaret Convention, at the PRINCE MUSIC THEATER (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA - 215-569-9700). The Cabaret Convention is presented by the Prince Music Theater in association with The Mabel Mercer Foundation and Executive Director Donald Smith.

For four nights, forty-eight cabaret singers will perform in four different shows, each featuring twelve artists, from well-known stars to emerging talent. Performances are scheduled Thursday, June 6th, Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th at 8:00 pm and on Sunday, June 9th at 3:00 pm. Following each main stage performance, the Prince's Independence Foundation Black Box Theater will be open for drinks and informal entertainment. Tickets to each of the four performances are $45 and are available by calling UpStages at 215-569-9700 or online at www.princemusictheater.org.

The Cabaret Convention will mark the Prince's return as an ongoing showcase for the great American art form of Cabaret. The Prince made Philadelphia a home for cabaret with its memorable "AMTF Cabaret at the Hotel Atop the Bellevue." Details will be announced soon for The Prince's ongoing cabaret series "UpStairs at the Prince."

The Cabaret Convention includes performances by emerging artists and cabaret legends such as Christine Andreas, Karen Mason, Andrea Marcovicci, Phillip Officer, Lee Roy Reams, David Staller, KT Sullivan, and Wesla Whitfield, to name a few. The program highlights include an all-Cole Porter concert on the songwriter's birthday anniversary, and an evening hosted by Robert Osborne of Turner Classics Movies and Donald Smith, "Cabaret Goes To The Movies!"

Complementing the live performances during the Convention, "Film at the Prince" is offering screenings of films celebrating the art form and the people that keep the tradition alive including "Showbiz is My Life," a documentary providing an unsentimental portrait of three indefatigable performers: Julie Wilson, Baby Jane Dexter and Natalie Gamsu. A special Brunch and Ballads event is planned for Sunday, June 9 at noon. The film screening will be followed by a buffet brunch topped off with a live performance by Gamsu and Dexter. Tickets for this event are $30 and must be purchased in advance by calling UpStages.

The Cabaret Convention Show Line-up is below. Lists are subject to change.

Thursday, June 6th at 8:00 pm.

Eddie Bruce, Chris Calloway, Barbara Carroll, Baby Jane Dexter, Natalie Gamsu, Mark Nadler, Craig Rubano, Karen Saunders, KT Sullivan, Lumiri Tubo, Paula West and Ronny Whyte.

Friday, June 7th at 8:00 pm - "Cabaret Goes To The Movies" Hosted by Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies fame.

Christine Andreas, Mark Coffin, Mary Foster Conklin, Frank Dain, Courtenay Day, Tovah Feldshuh, Lynn Loosier, Karen Oberlin, Lee Roy Reams, Julie Reyburn and Larry Woodard.

Saturday, June 8th at 8:00 pm.

Judy Barnett, Jim Caruso, Eric Comstock, B.J. Crosby, Natalie Douglas, Colleen McHugh, Sidney Myer, Phillip Officer, and Libby Whittemore.

Sunday, June 9th at 3:00 pm - "Cole Porter: A 111th Birthday Celebration!"

Anna Bergman, Joyce Breach, Claiborne Cary, Taina Elg, Barbara Fasano, Paula Laurence, Andrea Marcovicci, Karen Mason, Steve Ross, David Staller and Wesla Whitfield with Mike Greensill.

The Mabel Mercer Foundation was created in 1985 as a not-for-profit arts organization which perpetuates the memory of the legendary Mabel Mercer by stimulating and promoting public interest in American song and the art of cabaret. They also sponsor performances and broadcasts by new and established cabaret artists. The New York Cabaret Convention is one such forum and, since its inception thirteen years ago, it has played host to more than one thousand singers and musicians from around the world.

For information on the Mabel Mercer Foundation, call Donald Smith at 212-980-3026.

 

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