The Cabaret at The Columbia Club Announces 2011 Season

The Cabaret at the Columbia Club announces its third season, featuring the finest of cabaret performers from across the United States and around the world. The Cabaret will expand its programming in 2011 with two new series offerings. In addition to the core "Signature" and "Club" Series, the Cabaret will also present a "Jazz at The Cabaret" and an "Indiana Women in Music" series.

The season grand opening takes place on February 25th and 26th with Andrea Marcovicci‘s show, Marcovicci Sings Movies, presented by Indianapolis Power & Light Company. Marcovicci, hailed as "The Queen of Cabaret," holds the record for the most seasons ever played at New York's legendary Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel.

Other season highlights include Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, cabaret legend Karen Akers, Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown, and Broadway star of Wicked and 9 to 5: The Musical, Stephanie Block.

Back by popular demand is French chanteuse, Jil Aigrot, as she returns to America for her second limited world tour, and one of Broadway's finest voices, Liz Callaway.

New this year, patrons having dinner at The Cabaret prior to the show will enjoy free parking in the Chase Tower parking garage next to the Columbia Club.

The Cabaret is now settled into its long-term home at The Columbia Club after recently signing a five-year renewable partnership agreement. Performances are open to the general public and patrons do not have to be a member of The Columbia Club in order to attend shows.

Location: The Cabaret at the Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204, $10 valet Parking is available for cabaret patrons
For tickets call 317.275.1169, or order online at www.TheCabaret.org

*The Signature Series, features the finest national and international cabaret performers, normally only seen in major metropolitan cities such as New York City and Los Angeles.
**Club Series showcases the wealth of Central Indiana's seasoned local performers.
***New! Indiana Women in Music, in partnership with ISIS of Indiana, spotlights Indiana's talented female performers and musicians. ISIS, founded by local musicians Monica Herzig and Heather Ramsey, is dedicated to mentoring new generations of women musicians, promoting female involvement in music creation, and celebrating the achievement of women in all genres of music through musical events staged by women for women.
****New! Jazz at The Cabaret, presented in partnership with Owl Studios, features local jazz artists performing jazz standards, including music from the Great American Songbook, and celebrates an art form considered as one of America's greatest legacies. Like cabaret, jazz melds history, tradition, and experimentation in order to express the most fundamental conditions of the human experience.

*Marcovicci Sings Movies, presented by Indianapolis Power & Light Company
February 25 & 26, 8:00 PM
The Cabaret rolls out the red carpet on Oscar weekend with the "Queen of Cabaret," Andrea Marcovicci. Featuring a dazzling array of movie songs from the 1930s through the 1990s-with such classics as The Way We Were, Thanks for the Memory, and As Time Goes By, Andrea illuminates how movie music has scored our lives and loves. *Champagne reception to follow each performance. Black Tie Optional.

Price: $45, $55, $65

**The Legends of Doo Wop
March 11 & 12, 7:30 PM
Relive the rhythm and blues era of the 50's, 60's, and 70's as the very legends that made Doo Wop music popular come together for a once-in-a-lifetime, high-energy show. Take a trip down memory lane as Jimmy Guilford ("King of Northland Soul" and member of the Ink Spots, Lamplighters, Dominoes), Bobby Bernard (member of The Monograms), Herman Lewis (The Monograms), and Phil Armstrong perform such favorites as Shake your Tail Feather, Peace Train, and Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby.
Price: $25, $35, $45

*Paris Canaille

March 22, 7:30 PM

Direct from Cannes, France, international chanteuse Jil Aigrot captivates audiences as she transports them to Paris with musical favorites from Piaf, Brel, Barbara and Ferré. The critically acclaimed voice behind the role of Edith Piaf in the Academy Award/Golden Globe winning film La Vie En Rose, Jil's artistry is unparalled and is destined to become as treasured as the icons who inspire her.

Price: $55, $65, $75

*An Intimate Evening with Melissa Manchester
Brought to you by the generous support of Jane Fortune & Bob Hesse
April 2, 8:00 PM
Join us for the rare opportunity to see Grammy award winning singer/songwriter and pop music icon, Melissa Manchester, as she makes her debut at The Cabaret. Presenting an evening of new pieces and some of her classic hits Midnight Blue, Don't Cry Out Loud, Through The Eyes of Love, and more, Melissa is sure to delight audiences in our unique and intimate setting.
Price: $55, $65, $75

****The History of Jazz with the Indy Jazz Fest Band, featuring Cynthia Lane

April 22, 8:00 PM

In celebration of jazz appreciation month, the Indy Jazz Fest Band, comprised of the area's finest jazz musicians, along with acclaimed jazz vocalist Cynthia Lane, will take the audience through a multi-media, musical history of this truly American art form. Featuring live music alongside video footage of famous jazz legends, the performance will showcase jazz from its early beginnings to modern jazz.

Price: $35, $45, $55

*Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormé
May 13 & 14, 8:00 PM
Singer/songwriter, regular at Birdland, and musical director/pianist to such stars as Liza Minnelli, Billy Stritch pays tribute to legendary jazz singer Mel Tormé. The show features songs from key moments in the classic vocalist's remarkable career, ranging from early moments to all-time classics like Lulu's Back in Town and Mountain Greenery.
Price: $35, $45, $55

***Divine Divas of Jazz

June 2, 8:00 PM

ISIS of Indiana celebrates the great women of jazz. Featuring jazz standards and originals from a variety of genres, the evening will showcase critically acclaimed women performers from Indiana; backed by an all-female band, and led by international recording artist Monika Herzig.

Price: $15, $25, $35

**Brenda Williams: This Is It!

June 17, 8:00 PM

Local diva, Brenda Williams explores the idea that while everyone gets older, you can still be young at heart. Using favorites from American popular music, the sassy and sexy Ms. Williams shows that anyone, at any age can, and should, embrace life.

Price: $25, $35, $45

*The Cooke Book: The Music of Sam Cooke
July 8 & 9, 8:00 PM
Remember the music and relive the magic in this dynamite tribute to "The Man Who Invented Soul," Sam Cooke. Capturing the charisma and infectious high spirits of the celebrated soul music pioneer, Broadway star, Darrian Ford (State Fair, The Who's Tommy, Smokey Joe's Café) sings soul favorites including: Wonderful World, A Change is Gonna Come, Chain Gang, (Let the) Good Times (Roll), The Best Things in Life are Free, Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, Frankie and Johnny, and more!
Price: $35, $45, $55

***Bella Latina

July 29, 8:00 PM

Featuring Latinas from the Midwest, ISIS of Indiana presents a performance that celebrates the many flavors of Latin music and culture. An all female salsa group, combined with the talented voices of Stacie Sandoval and Elizabeth Souza, will deliver an incredible evening of music to spice up your night and have you dancing for days to come!

Price: $15, $25, $35

**Still Got the Blues for You

August 12 & 13, 8:00 PM

Featuring songs from the Delta to Broadway and Bessie Smith to Cassandra Wilson, Deb Mullins presents an evening of unique and soulful blues. Backed by Indiana's finest musicians, Mullins' delivery underlines the influence of the blues on decades of American jazz and other popular music styles.

Price: $25, $35, $45

*Liz Callaway Sings Broadway...and More!, presented by Indianapolis Power & Light Company

August 26 & 27, 8:00 PM

Back by popular demand, the Tony nominated and Emmy award winning Liz Callaway brings her soaring vocals to The Cabaret for an evening of Broadway, standards and contemporary fare. With a musical background that includes starring on Broadway (Baby, Miss Saigon, Cats and Merrily We Roll Along), concerts all over the world, and lead singing roles in Disney films, Liz reveals herself as one of Broadway's timeless voices.

Price: $35, $45, $55

*Fall in Love with Tony DeSare

September 16 & 17, 8:00 PM

With a singing style that ranges from dreamy pop standards to boogie-woogie and R&B, Tony DeSare's

interpretations of classic standards and sophisticated original compositions have earned him a reputation as one of the country's hottest young performers. Put in a class with Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, and Harry Connick Jr., DeSare's versatility enables him to headline at major jazz rooms like Birdland and the Blue Note, posh nightclubs like the Café Carlyle and in major concert halls around the world.

Price: $35, $45, $55

***Femme Blu Festival

September 30, 8:00 PM

Featuring an all-women blues band and powerhouse blues vocalists, ISIS of Indiana presents an evening of internationally acclaimed female artists performing songs in the many shades of "Blu."

Price: $15, $25, $35

*Jason Robert Brown Sings the Jason Robert Brown Songbook
October 14 & 15, 8:00 PM
Hailed as "one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim,"
singer/songwriter Jason Robert Brown shares selections from his vast musical theater songbook. Fans
can expect to hear an array of songs from his award-winning musicals, including The Last Five Years, Parade, and Songs for a New World. Learn about Jason's inspiration and creative process in a "meet the composer" question and answer session led by Indianapolis Business Journal Arts and Entertainment Editor, Lou Harry, following each performance.
Price: $35, $45, $55

*A Cabaret Fundraiser with Wicked's Stephanie Block

October 28, 8:00 PM

Have a wicked good time Halloween weekend as one of Broadway's most relevant and versatile leading ladies, Stephanie Block, brings here one woman show to Indianapolis to benefit The Cabaret. Known for her leading roles on Broadway as Elphaba in Wicked, Judy Benly in 9 to 5: The Musical, Grace O'Malley in The Pirate Queen, and Liza Minnelli in The Boy from Oz opposite Hugh Jackman. The evening will include pre-show performances with some surprise guests and a post-show champagne reception.

Price: $100 (Performance only), $150 (dinner and performance)

*Akers Sings Porter: Anything Goes!,

Brought to you by the generous support of Jane Fortune & Bob Hesse and William Fortune, Jr. & Joe Blakley

November 11, 8:00 PM

One of cabaret's most arresting and successful stars, Karen Akers brings her "note-perfect musicality, intelligence, and depth" to the Porter songbook. With her characteristic class and charm, Ms. Akers pays homage to the witty lyricist in songs like Let's Do It, Anything Goes, I Get a Kick Out of You, and more!

Price: $35, $45, $55

*Christine Pedi: There's No Bizness Like Snow Bizness

December 15, 7:30 PM, December 16, 7:30 PM, December 17, 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM

All your favorite divas - Barbra Streisand, Joan Rivers, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, and Patti LuPone - are stuffed into one big holiday package. With a voice as big as the sea (and a tale as big as a kite), long time Forbidden Broadway diva and Sirius/XM Radio talk show host Christine Pedi ushers in the holiday season with her award winning comedic flair, spot-on impressions and songs of good cheer.

Price: $35, $45, $55