The 36th Annual MAC Awards—a Smashing Success in a New Location

Chita-for-SymSp — MAC Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Chita Rivera

All the moving parts of this years 36th Annual MAC Awards added up to plenty of many happy moments, as well as bittersweet memories of those we’ve lost. But there was music, plus many jokes and quips about the length of the evening (it was a four-hour event), and perhaps most of all, jubilation at being together live after a two-year halt on that (and we all know why)—also much noted throughout the evening. Eschewing the dinner-service style presentation, the theater in Symphony Space allowed for mingling and a relaxed atmosphere to celebrate MAC and all who are part of the cabaret community (a word much-referenced as the night went on).

Aside from the big-screen images of those who’ve departed from the community, sung memorials dotted the evening, such as Nicolas King and Tedd Firth’s tribute to Mike Renzi and Julie Gold honoring Nanci Griffin. More song was heard by Those Girls, Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Wendy Russell and Karen Mack; Lorinda Lisitza; Lina Koutrakos; Marymount Manhattan College student Charlie Kiernan; piano bar doyens, Liz Lark Brown, Anna Anderson, Tara Martinez, TRex and Maria Gentile; and the one-and-only Sidney Meyer, who was in top form with his unique and comedic style.

As previously announced, Chita Rivera and Marta Sanders received Lifetime Achievement Awards, Lennie Watts and The Mabel Mercer Foundation received Board Of Directors Awards, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party/Pajama Cast Party received Show Of The Year, Cabaret On The Couch received The Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series Award, and Aaron Lee Battle received The Hanson Award.

The 36th Annual MAC Awards show was produced by Michael Kirk Lane and directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Yasuhiko Fukuoka (providing piano, with bassist Sean Murphy and drummer Joshua Roberts). MAC president, Amy Wolk stage directed.

Photos by Maryann Lopinto

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Here are the 36th Annual MAC Award winners (for a full list of nominees, click here):

Female Vocalist
Amy Beth Williams

Male Vocalist
Sean Patrick Murtagh

Major Artist – Female
Gabrielle Stravelli

Major Artist – Male
David Sabella

New York Debut
Roderick Ferguson

Celebrity Artist
Natalie Douglas

Impersonation/Characterization/Drag Artist
Cissy Walken

Musical Comedy Performer
Leanne Borghesi

Duo/Group
Michael Garin and Mardie Millit