TOP TEN CABARET ACTS OF 2005

(In alphabetical order)

Tom Andersen “Songs Along the Way” (The Encore)
Returning to cabaret after a hiatus and still looking like the boy next door, multi-award winner Andersen’s sold out shows scored because of his lilting tenor on haunting interpretations of beautiful songs non pareil. He is in his own league.

Charles Busch/Julie Halston - Birdland
With special guest Marion Seldes, this riotous duo presented an unrelentingly funny look at “MI-CRAC” a spoof on the MAC awards and other absurdities in life. The SRO crowd was convulsed by their collective minds and madness.

Jim Caruso - “Cast Party” - Birdland
An Elsa Maxwell-Sherman Billingsley of the 21st century. Bringing together mega-stars and wannabes and creating the ultimate nightclub event every Monday with “stars” from Broadway, cabaret and Peoria. Not since Studio 54 (or The Stork Club) has there been such a celebrity hang. You name them and they’ve likely been to the best ongoing party in town where Jim Caruso makes everyone from household names to “wannabes” feel the same - with multi-award winner Billy Stritch on piano, it's an uber-treat.

Barbara Cook - “Tribute” - Café Carlyle
The most definitive cabaret show of the year paying homage to longtime partner the late Wally Harper (with a special nod to Bobbby Short,) her arranger and pianist for over 27 years. More than ever before, Cook’s show was filled with bliss and pastiche that no other living singer can provide. Each show is a master class in how to get it right by one of the last remaining great from the “Golden Age” who, at 76, remains the definitive singer and story teller in song.

Brandon Cutrell - “No Reservations” - The Duplex
His breakthrough show, “No Reservations” places this baby faced crooner in a league with the best of the rising stars in cabaret. Oozing charisma and a beautiful tenor, Cutrell is facing a lot of breakthroughs as his career builds and - the best is yet to come.

“The Leading Men” Concert - Joe’s Pub
It so rained men when NY Daily News Entertainment Editor, playwright and producer Wayman Wong put together this remarkable evening to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Hosted by the unstoppably talented John Tartaglia, the stellar Broadway and cabaret showstoppers included: Cheyenne Jackson, Barrett Foa, Matthew Morrison, Christopher Sieber, Chad Kimball and Jai Rodriguez and Max von Essen as well as some of cabaret’s finest males including Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter, and Tim Di Pasqua.

Karen Mason - “The Sweetest of Nights” - The Encore
If it’s possible, the sweetest sounds by this powerhouse Broadway/cabaret belter were better than ever and left the SRO crowds at her shows on their feet every night. Celebrating the release of her best album to date (“The Sweetest of Nights,”) she has few peers when it comes to ripping the roof off with her amazing voice that knows no bounds. As always, any Mason appearance is an event; and, she keeps topping herself.

Brian Stokes Mitchell - “Love/Life” - Feinstein’s at The Regency
This rare nightclub appearance by one of today’s true leading Broadway stars was an event that should be released on DVD and CD. “Stokes” received unanimous critical acclaim in a bravura, upbeat, show filled with one highlight after another as he showed his jazzier side - to perfection.

Chita Rivera - “A Dancer’s Life” - Feinstein’s at The Regency
Now on Broadway and sure to receive a Tony award for her spectacular show, Chita’s come a long way since her club days at the long defunct Grand Finale in the 70's. Seeing her up close and personal was a treat from a lady who’s (If you want, I can give you an opening paragraph that sets it up. I know I'm a little late so I'm just sending this as is.)

“All That Jazz” made for one of the year’s most memorable nights.