EDITOR’S NOTE: The 37th Annual Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention has wrapped. Over three glorious nights (Oct. 13-15), a feast of talent performed in one of the best convocations yet. And Team Nightlife Exchange was there: Bart Greenberg, Marilyn Lester, Beth Naji and Maryann Lopinto. We’ve compiled and crafted the documentation of these memorable shows for your enjoyment here in our mega-review. Enjoy!
By Beth Naji***The New York
spirit took center stage on the final night of the 37th New York Cabaret Convention—With a Song in My Heart: A Cornucopia of Entertainment—presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, as the incomparable KT Sullivan, cabaret’s beloved grand dame, top hat and all, got the show on the road with her signature whimsical charm, and theatrical flair. Seated at the piano, Sullivan accompanied herself in a delightful medley of New York favorites: George M. Cohan’s “Give My Regards to Broadway,” followed by Cole Porter’s “Take Me Back to Manhattan” and “I Happen to Like New York.” With her unmistakable panache and a perfectly-placed high note, she set the stage for a cornucopia of talent.
Musical Director and pianist Jon Weber, bassist Steve Doyle, and drummer Ray Marchica accompanied the performers throughout the evening (except where 
noted). Here are some highlights, in order of appearance….
Making her New York Cabaret Convention debut, Susan Mack immediately set the room alight with “I’m Going to Live Till I Die” (Al Hoffman, Mann Curtis, Walter Kent), seamlessly segueing into “Let the Good Times Roll” (Sam Theard, Fleecie Moore). Her voice sparkled with strength and irresistible spirit. Adding a personal touch, she even crafted special lyrics that playfully spotlighted the swinging band, which made for a joyous opening. The Magnificent Mack! Now that’s how you get the good times rolling! Robert Cuccioli brought his distinctive style and beautiful tenor to “How Little We Know” (Philip Springer, Carolyn Leigh), then swung into “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” (Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn), with pianist Joe Baker. The gorgeous classical soprano Dawn Padmore breathed new life into Stephen Sondheim’s “Losing My Mind,” offering a fresh perspective on this poignant portrait of longing. with pianist Brian Holman.
Tim Connell captured the emotional honesty of Matt Alber’s “End of the World” with a heartfelt performance, with pianist: James Followell and violinist Seoyeon Im. Madeline Joy Travis explored the tender vulnerability of “Will He Like Me?” (Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick), her sweet, expressive voice perfectly-suited to theatrical storytelling. The IMs —vocalist Tim Cahill and vocalist-pianist Jim Harder—offered a beautiful interpretation of “You’re Nearer” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart), conveying a romantic yearning that lingered in every note. Mafalda Minnozzi, joined by her longtime musical partner, maestro guitarist Paul Ricci, brought a refreshing, authentic flavor (in Portuguese) to Antônio Carlos Jobim’s “Garota de Ipanema” aka “The Girl from Ipanema.” Minnozzi was magical, her remarkable voice ignited luminous color into every phrase. Ricci’s exquisite arrangement and 
virtuosity complemented her expressive vocals, allowing the music to unfold like a painting in motion. Minnozzi is herself, quite simply, a vocal work of art.
Eric Yves Garcia, debonair and sophisticated, was a delight as he accompanied himself on “C’était Moi” (“It Was Me”) (Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner) sung in French and English. His elegant delivery captured the melancholy ache of lost love and regret. With effortless flair and a gift for inhabiting a song, Garcia made every emotion resonate. Magnifique! Melodie Wolford delivered a moving interpretation of “Smile” (Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons), showcasing her beautiful bel canto style. with pianist Stephen Purdy and cellist Alden Terry. Can M. Yasar shared a moving story of immigration and aspiration
. Having come from Turkey and worked as an event waiter at Lincoln Center, Yasar had long dreamed of standing onstage himself. Now, in the gorgeous Rose Theater, that dream became reality with Neil Diamond’sinspirational “Coming to America,” celebrating perseverance and the power of dreams, with pianist: Tracy Stark. Bringing Act I to a glorious close, Shana Farr and Craig Rubano lent their stunning voices to the convention’s namesake, “With a Song in My Heart,” the timeless Rodgers and Hart masterpiece. Accompanied by cabaret royalty Steve Ross on piano, they offered a fitting tribute to the enduring magic of song.
Opening Act II, Carole J. Bufford, honoring Dolly Parton, brought her trademark fire and charisma to “Little Bitty Pissant Country Place” (Carol Hall), from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, with pianist: Ian Herman. The golden voices of Raissa Katona Bennett and Arbender Robinson illuminated Irving Berlin’s “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” celebrating Lady Liberty and the 
promise of the American dream, with pianist Mark Janas. One of cabaret’s brightest stars, Marieann Meringolo touched the audience with “Pieces of Dreams” (Michel Legrand, Alan and Marilyn Bergman), featured in her Streisand tribute show. Her tender, emotionally-rich performance made this beautiful ballad especially poignant, with pianist Doyle Newmyer.
Honored with this year’s prestigious Julie Wilson Award, Sam Jewison offered “The Heather on the Hill” (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe), from Brigadoon, bridging his British roots and the Great American Songbook. Accompanying himself on piano, Jewison captured the song’s intimate romantic spirit. Ann Kittredge captivated the room with a sultry, slowed-down interpretation of Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move.” Her magnetic vocals and nuanced approach offered a fresh perspective on this familiar favorite., with pianist Christopher Denny and guitarist Sean Harkness.
Brian De Lorenzo paired Bart Howard’s “In Other Words” with Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green’s “Just in Time.” A consummate interpreter of the Great American Songbook, De Lorenzo brought natural swing and a welcome appreciation for the traditional introductory verse. With her warm, cello-like contralto, Celia Berk brought wit and playfulness to “Laughing Matters,” from When Pigs Fly (Dick Gallagher, Mark Waldrop) with pianist Alex Rybeck. Ben Jones offered a bittersweet reimagining of ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers” (Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson), revealing the tenderness beneath the familiar melody. Marta Sanders swept the audience away with a passionate, dramatic performance of “Velerò” (Lucecita Benítez), sung in Spanish. Her commanding delivery brought the audience to its feet in a well-deserved standing ovation, with pianist Mark Nadler.
It was Nadler who brought the evening to a breathtaking close, delivering a triumphant rendition of Stephen Flaherty’s “Ragtime.” Alone at the piano, he 
wove in the passionate true-love story of his Polish immigrant grandfather, who waited seven years to reunite with his beloved. Building to an extraordinary, symphonic crescendo, Nadler seemed to summon the power of a full orchestra, transforming the song into a masterpiece of raw emotion and brilliant storytelling. It was a finale that brought the house down.
As the final ovations echoed through Rose Theater, the evening’s extraordinary performances and deeply personal stories affirmed a timeless truth: music is a universal language that brings us together, even in our most divided moments. It comforts, connects and reminds us that to live deeply, love completely and move forward with grace and truth is to journey through life with a song in our hearts.
Photos top to bottom: Susan Mack, Robert Cuccioli, Mafalda Minnozzi, Carole J. Bufford, Can Yasar, Marieann Meringolo, Marta Sanders, KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler
Photos by Maryann Lopinto
