Oh What a Night

March 5, 2015

Jason Graae sang an original song, “Nothing Rhymes With Bistro Blues,” written specifically for the occasion of the 30th annual Bistro Awards, at the outset of the gala that included performances by such past Bistro Award winners and legendary cabaret artists as Marilyn Maye (who sang a medley of rainbow songs), Karen Mason (“Almost Like Being in Love”) and Dee Dee Bridgewater (“If You Believe”), as well as the 11 winners of the 2015 award, including Carol Fredette singing “No Regrets,” and Lillias White closing the show with “The Oldest Profession.”

“When Sherry invited me to appear at the Bistro Awards again,” quipped 1996 winner John Fugelsang, “my first reaction was: How did you get this number?” By the end of his sharp, funny routine, it was clear that the audience was delighted that she’d phoned him, and by the end of this glorious evening at the Gotham Comedy Club, it was clear that everyone—both on stage and in the audience—had had a marvelous time.

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About the Author

Sherry Eaker has been the producer of the annual Bistro Awards since the awards’ inception in 1985. She is the former editor of "Back Stage" and, during her 30-year run, produced panel discussions and workshop events on an ongoing basis, including the programming for Back Stage’s annual Actorfest. She compiled and edited four editions of the "Back Stage Handbook for Performing Artists," and compiled and edited "The Cabaret Artists Handbook." She is a member of the National Theatre Conference and the American Theatre Critics Association (and produced eight of ATCA’s New York weekend conferences). She is an advisor to the boards of both the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and the Women in the Arts & Media Coalition.