In 2008, Eda and I booked a themed cruise, “Sail with Cabaret Performers,” hosted by Donald F. Smith, founder of the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Since photography had long been a hobby of mine, I brought my camera along to capture the sights along the way, including Barcelona’s magnificent architecture. I also found myself taking plenty of candid shots of the performers as they relaxed and mingled during our days at sea.

When I showed the photographs to Donald, he said, “These are so great, you should come to the Cabaret Convention and do this backstage.”

Backstage! The very word had always held a special fascination for me. So, without hesitation, I happily traded my seat in the audience for a place behind the scenes. What began as a suggestion on a cruise in 2008 became a passion that has continued ever since, where Eda & I got to see many favorites and be introduced to new and exciting singers.

For me, it has always been to witness and capture “how the magic happens.” Backstage, rehearsals, sound checks, invited dress rehearsals, active hallways…all of it! Those are the real excitement for me. It probably began when my first piano teacher, Dave Roberts, who was a staff musician at CBS and NBC, invited this 13-year-old student to tag along and watch some TV musical show rehearsals in the ‘50s.

At 16, I landed a summer job at ABC delivering “teletype” messages to the executives. The job had its perks. It also gave me opportunities to sneak into rehearsals and watch the creation unfold.  The ‘60s found me one night at the Copacabana, backstage, with my musical hero Buddy Greco. During the summers and college vacations, I worked as a pianist in the Borscht Belt, located in the Catskills, where my living quarter was a small room tucked away backstage. Touring entertainers often asked to use my modest space as a place to change before their performances. After all, these hotels had nothing resembling the dressing rooms we associate with show business today.

For the young me, the excitement was dizzying. I found myself chatting with some of the biggest stars of the day as they dressed and prepared to take the stage. Those backstage encounters were unforgettable— Billy Eckstine once even borrowed my tie and Jackie Mason would ask me what jokes the comic who appeared the previous night had told!

Today, and many cameras later, I’m delighted, and proud, to share with you a glimpse of the magic unfolding behind the scenes at this year’s 37th New York Cabaret Convention.

MARILYN MAYE

MARILYN MAYE & TEDD FIRTH

TOVAH FELDSHUH

TOVAH FELDSHUH

MARILYN MAYE & CLINT HOLMES

MARILYN MAYE & CLINT HOLMES

PHILIP OFFICER

SIDNEY MYER

JEFF HARNAR

BARBARA BRUSSELL

AMANDA McBROOM

MOIPEI

AVERY SOMMERS

KAREN AKERS & STACY SULLIVAN

RITT HINN & JOHN WEBER

EDA SOROKOFF & KT SULLIVAN

JEFF HARNAR & ANDREA MARCOVICCI

ANDREA MARCOVICCI & JEFF HARNAR

TOVAH FELDSHUH

TOVAH FELDSHUH

PHILIP OFFICER

MARILYN MAYE

MARILYN MAYE

MARILYN MAYE & JASON MARTIN

STEPHEN SOROKOFF, TOVAH FELDSHUH, MARILYN MAYE, CHARLES BUSCH

TOVAH FELDSHUH, MARILYN MAYE, CHARLES BUSCH

STAGE RIGHT

AMANDA McBROOM & CLINT HOLMES

CHARLES BUSCH, MARILYN MAYE, TOVAH FELDSHUH

STEPHEN SOROKOFF & DONALD F. SMITH, CABARET CONVENTION 2008

STEPHEN SOROKOFF & BUDDY GRECO, BACKSTAGE COPACABANA 60’S

The performances weren’t mailed in and the candidates certainly didn’t disappoint, entertaining voters with a rousing selection of patriotic favorites that had everyone singing along at the regular Tuesday lunch of The Dutch Treat Club.  Tuesday October 13th also happened to be the first night of the Cabaret Convention and club President KT Sullivan wanted to prove that we still have something to sing about in her new show called “This Is My Country: A Celebration of America’s 250^th,” and prove it she did.

Entertainment Chair, Raissa Katona Bennett, introduced Ms. Sullivan, noting that in addition to the being the President of Dutch Treat, she is also the Artistic Director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation: and KT chose to present this program on the same day as the opening night of the 37^th Annual Cabaret Convention which was some “crazy” feat! But KT is no stranger to challenges, having starred on Broadway in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and at Irish Repertory Theatre in Love, Noël with Steve Ross. For more than two decades, she headlined at the Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room and now performs regularly at Birdland, Don’t Tell Mama, and 54 Below in New York, as well as Crazy Coqs in London.

Accompanying herself on the piano, Ms. Sullivan led the friendly crowd in many sing-a-longs including “This Land is Your Land”, “As Time Goes By” and “America the Beautiful” to name a few, delighting the crowd with her wit and her historical knowledge. She also accompanied her brother-in-law, Bob Downey, who possesses a rich, booming baritone and affable manner, on “This is My Country”. Other Sullivan family members were also in attendance, to cheer them on: KT’s brother Pat, sister-in-law Suzanne, and the ever luminous Elizabeth Sullivan, matriarch of the “Singing Sullivans”.

Then piano virtuoso, Mark Janas, who has conducted the Broadway tours of Les Miserables and who was a protégé of Leonard Bernstein, came to the piano to accompany several Dutch Treat members that KT had requested perform. First up, was Corinna Sowers Adler who sang a gorgeous and moving version of “Anthem” from the musical Chess, in her signature clarion soprano. Corinna is a 2026 Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Vocalist and Educator and a 2015–2025 nominee for the Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award. She has also received MAC and BroadwayWorld Award nominations for Best Vocalist. Corinna has headlined at venues such as: Feinstein’s/54 Below, The Green Room 42, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room. She is the founding Artistic Director of NiCori Studios & Productions, along with her husband, DT Board Member Nicholas Adler, who was in attendance today.

Next, award-winning singer-pianist, Eric Yves Garcia introduced his selection “The House I Live In”, with a very personal connection to it explaining how, as the descendant of several generations of Italian immigrants, the song held special meaning to him. Garcia, who performs regularly in London and Paris, is a recipient of the Margaret Whiting Award, a Bistro Award for Singer-Instrumentalist, and the Donald F. Smith Award, presented at Jazz at Lincoln Center. His New York appearances include Carnegie Hall, 54 Below, Birdland, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Café Carlyle.

KT chose Raissa Katona Bennett to perform “Take Care of This House” by Leonard Bernstein, from the short-lived Broadway show, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But first, KT shared that the inspiration for the song, came directly from a letter written by John Adams to his wife, which made the selection all the more significant. In her warm soprano, Katona Bennett, who appeared as Christine Daaé in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera, and in Chess in Concert, as well as the First National Tours of Cats and Parade, shared a moving arrangement created by Mark Janas and Miles Phillips, pairing the song with “Children Will Listen” from Into The Woods.  You could hear a pin drop during her impassioned performance and there were several tears shed as the lyrics resonated even more so today, probably than when the song was written – a few of those tears came from the singer herself. With Janas at the keys, KT took to the “stage” and delivered a hilarious version of Sheldon Harnick’s “Boston Beguine” from Broadway’s New Faces of ’52. As delightful as it is to have KT at the keys, it is always a special treat to see her in all her glory, commanding a stage like no one else can! BOB DOWNEY, MARK JANAS, RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, KT SULLIVAN, CORINA SOWERS ADLER, ERIC YVES GARCIA KT SULLIVAN RAISSA KATONA BENNETT CORINNA SOWERS ADLER ERIC YVES GARCIA BOB DOWNEY NANCY McGRAW MARK JANAS SING ALONG KT SULLIVAN, BOB DOWNEY, ELIZABETH SULLIVAN EDA SOROKOFF & ELIZABETH SULLIVAN NICOLAS ADLER & CORINNA SOWERS ADLER JERRY JOHNSON & BONNIE ROSEMAN

Last night, Broadway’s Andrea McArdle held court at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, downstairs of the West Bank Café, in the heart of New York City and Hell’s Kitchen.

This “jewel box” of a venue and this location are now iconic, as is the star that was on the stage last night. Making her entrance in a lovely red dress and a glorious head of red hair, I couldn’t help but think of Rita Hayworth.

At one point, Andrea shares with the sold-out house (and the livestream viewers) that she will be 63 in a matter of days, is a mother and twice a grandmother. It does take your breath away.

Having a “residency” at the theatre, along with other notable stars, was the brainchild of owners Tom D’Angora and Michael D’Angora and they participate throughout the evening, turning the engagement into family and showbiz fun. McArdle, her Musical Director, Steve Marzullo, and “the fellas” are all on hand to create a joyous atmosphere in which to play.

As for Andrea McArdle, I must say that the voice is in pristine condition. It is also one of those “iconic” voices that scream Broadway and bring back a flood of memories. Eda and I had seen her before, but never like this and never so game to entertain and interact with the audience. She doesn’t just read the room, she owns it.

Andrea sets a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, friendly feelings and shares plenty of her storied life, good and not so good, but always with lessons learned.

Apparently, every month, it’s different and, last night, Michael D’ worked the room with two buckets: STORIES & SONGS. An audience member could choose between the two and we’re off to the races.

Last night, along with many notables in the house, were Producer Michael Alden (lead producer of the upcoming 50^th Anniversary Production of ANNIE), her brother Michael McArdle, Felicia Finley,  Sasha Charnin Morrison (daughter of Martin Charnin) with her husband, William, and her longtime friend Director/Producer Richard Jay-Alexander who has worked with her on multiple occasions ,especially on Les Misérables where her daughter also played Young Cosette during the run. As luck would have it, someone pulled out “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Misérables and we could all see how moved Richard got. What I had never seen before, is that he threw his shoe to her at the end of the song, which I didn’t know was “high praise.” The two bantered a bit and it was so beautiful. He got his shoe back only to throw it back again after a medley of The Theme from ICE CASTLES paired with “The Way We Were” both by Marvin Hamlisch.

The evening was full of surprises, including being presented a framed piece of ANNIE history from Sasha Charnin Morrison and her husband. It hung in her Dad’s office forever. Also, a beautiful pairing with a girl named  Joanna Pacitti, who you might remember, was unceremoniously let go from the 20^th Anniversary Production of ANNIE when the search was a contest, conducted by MACY’S. She was only 12 and had played the role in a National Tour, where she did 106 performances. Andrea generously gave her the stage, where she performed a thrilling “Hold On” from THE SECRET GARDEN. The mother in Andrea shone brightly here and everyone was moved, especially when they divided up the song  “Maybe” together. It was the kind of night where you just had to be there. I can only strongly recommend you come to the residencies at the Laurie Beechman Theatre and have dinner before, either upstairs or downstairs. The food is excellent and everyone needs a night out.

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE & STEPHEN SOROKOFF

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE

MICHAEL D’ANGORA

MICHAEL D’ANGORA & MICHAEL McARDLE

MICHAEL ALDEN

ANDREA McARDLE & JOANNA PACITTI

ANDREA McARDLE & JOANNA PACITTI

ANDREA McARDLE & JOANNA PACITTI

TOM D’ANGORA

ANDREA McARDLE & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER’S shoe

ANDREA McARDLE & LIBERACE

ANDREA McARDLE & MICHAEL JACKSON

SASHA CHARNIN MORRISON & ANDREA McARDLE

SASHA CHARNIN MORRISON & ANDREA McARDLE

SASHA CHARNIN MORRISON

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE

ANDREA McARDLE

MICHAEL D’ANGORA, ANDREA McARDLE, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER, TOM D’ANGORA, JOANNA PACITTI

ANDREA McARDLE & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

ANDREA McARDLE, MICHAEL ALDEN, JOANNA PACITTI

DOUG MIDDLEBROOK, EDA SOROKOFF, TOM D’ANGORA, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

FELICIA FINLEY & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

WEST BANK CAFE, LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE

There are voices and there are voices and, then, there is a woman named Brandie Inez Sutton. She made her solo debut at 54 Below last night and it just couldn’t have been closer to perfection. Eda and I had never heard of her, but we sure know who she is now and from here on out, you can find us following to wherever she performs. Entering in a stunning red dress, she hits the stage and then proceeds to deliver thrill after thrill with a voice that just does not stop. The instrument is trained and powerful, but, also, exhibits all the subtlety and nuance you can only dream of in a rich musical program like the one she delivered. Arias, pop songs, religious staples, Broadway, film, just all of it. Masterful at every turn. Add her beauty, warm personality and unique stories leading us in and out of the music, and you have a beautiful 80 minutes of a soul satisfying evening. It would appear that when Director Richard Jay-Alexander sets his sights on talent, he dives right into the soul of who he is working with. The two had met when she performed her first Bess in PORGY AND BESS with the South Florida Symphony, and Richard helmed the production. Add Musical Director Joseph Joubert and these two creatives seem to have no boundaries as to what can be accomplished in a musical evening. They have worked together many times and continue to find new and original ways to illuminate the way for artists and the music they can make. It’s, actually, a special kind of magic. Add stellar musicians like Lonnie Christian on drums and Parker McAllister on acoustic and electronic bass and versatility of sounds are limitless. The arrangements, by Joubert, each and every one, are perfection. I usually don’t divulge content of the material performed, but I must mention her performance and spin on THE LITTLE MERMAID’s “Part of Your World.” The soprano and her director engaged Miami’s David Sexton to write a specialty lyric (which Sexton seems expert at) which turned the song into a real “I Want” number to the delight of the packed house. Inspired by what Miss Sutton wanted to say about her “Opera Life” it was, once again, perfect. A little research led me to Brandie’s accomplished career and singing around the world including, right here, in New York City, at the legendary Metropolitan Opera. But, on this particular evening, the songbird escaped from the cage and owned all of our hearts and souls. You must go see and hear her. She is truly remarkable and has a 2^nd show on Sunday night at 54 Below. Because I get the opportunity to roam and mingle before and after the show, last night , it was a joy to see and meet Miss Sutton’s mother and son.

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON & KEVIN JACKSON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

JOSEPH JOUBERT & BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

MOM

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON & STEPHEN SOROKOFF

JOSEPH JOUBERT & BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON & RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON & SON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON & DAVE QUINN

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON &  GWENDOLYN QUINN

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON & FRIENDS

JOSEPH JOUBERT & EDA SOROKOFF

EDWING D’ ANGELO & BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON

BRANDIE INEZ SUTTON,  MARK CORTALE, RICHARD JAY-ALEXANDER

54 BELOW

NORM LEWIS

54 BELOW

I’m usually reporting at “High Noon” for the Dutch Treat Club’s educational and entertaining Tuesday lunches, but this time the occasion called for evening attire. The club kicked off its 2026/27 season with its Opening Night Dinner, featuring Maria Cooper Janis, daughter of legendary actor Gary Cooper, and Tony-Nominated Broadway star Robert Cuccioli.

The Dutch Treat Club meets every Tuesday for lunch, with the first Tuesday of each month reserved for a special dinner event. The Opening Night Dinner set the stage for another season of fascinating guests, lively conversation, and the club’s long-standing tradition of bringing members together over good food and great company.

It a was a combination of Old Hollywood and Broadway Royalty evening.

After the traditional tuneful “Welcome back” from President KT Sullivan, Entertainment Chair Raissa Katona Bennett introduced Robert Cuccioli, best known for creating the dual roles of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the acclaimed musical Jekyll & Hyde, earning Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and FANY Awards for his performance. Cuccioli will be featured in the Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Convention on Oct. 15^th, and the upcoming off-Broadway production of Every Wednesday Night, in Spring of 2027. Accompanied by acclaimed Broadway Conductor and pianist, Joseph Baker, he thrilled the club with 4 songs including “It’s Now or Never/O Sole Mio” (paying homage to his Italian ancestry) and an incredibly moving rendition of “The Impossible Dream” which elicited tears and “bravo’s” from the crowd. Then, in a tribute to Gary Cooper, he sang Cooper’s favorite song, “Old Man River”. He did that, because Gary Cooper’s daughter, Maria Cooper Janis was the evenings speaker in conversation with acclaimed author and professor, Foster Hirsch.    

Mrs. Janis has written a book Gary Cooper off Camera: A Daughter Remembers which gives an inside look into the persona of one of the greatest movie stars of all time. In addition to her writing, she has enjoyed a successful career as an artist and was married to the world-renowned concert pianist, Byron Janis whose busy schedule led them all over the world. Mrs. Janis has collaborated on three television specials, one produced by TNT “Gary Cooper, American Life, American Legend,” another, part of TNT’s Biography Series entitled “The Life and Times of Gary Cooper” and she has worked with A&E to contribute to a special on her father for their Biography program titled, “Gary Cooper: The Face of a Hero” which was aired in March of 1998. She has collaborated abroad with a PBS/French production of “Frederick Chopin: A Voyage with Byron Janis.” Mr. Hirsch deftly led her through an interview which highlighted all these accomplishments, but what was most moving, was to hear that Gary Cooper valued his family and their time together, above all else.  Mrs. Janis shared many special memories of her life with parents, and shared that above all, her father was a man of principles, especially during the “Red Scare” that Hollywood faced.

Among the notables present for the opening of the 2026/27 season of the Dutch Treat Club were Cuccioli’s wife, Television and Theatre Star, Laila Robbins, who is starring in Richard Nelson’s “We’ll See” at the Public Theatre which opens Election night, Nov. 4^th, Cabaret producer/performer Mary Porter, acclaimed journalist, Magda Katz, who was the liaison to the speaker, and Broadway/Cabaret performer, Ann Kittredge, to name just a few.

On a personal note, Eda Sorokoff, a classical pianist who concertized in her youth and has always had a particular affection for the music of Chopin, had the thrilling opportunity a few years ago to “talk Chopin” with the legendary maestro Byron Janis at a dinner party. It is a moment she treasures. When Eda shared the photograph I’ve included in this article, Maria remarked that it perfectly captured Byron’s characteristic physicality— his fully engaged manner when immersed in conversation.

Whether the Dutch Treaters meet at “High Noon” or after the sun goes down, the formula is always the same: interesting people, good conversation, great entertainment and plenty to learn and laugh about.

THE DUTCH TREAT CLUB

KT SULLIVAN, President

KT SULLIVAN

RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, Entertainment Chair

ROBERT CUCCIOLI

ROBERT CUCCIOLI

ROBERT CUCCIOLI

MARIA COOPER JANIS & ROBERT CUCCIOLI

MARIA COOPER JANIS & FOSTER HIRSCH

MARIA COOPER JANIS & FOSTER HIRSCH

MARIA COOPER JANIS & FOSTER HIRSCH

MARIA COOPER JANIS & FOSTER HIRSCH

ANN KITTREDGE & RAISSA KATONA BENNETT

MAGDA KATZ & MARIA COOPER JANIS

MARIA COOPER JANIS & KT SULLIVAN

ANN KITTREDGE, RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, EDA SOROKOFF, KT SULLIVAN, LAILA ROBBINS

JOSEPH BAKER

MARIA COOPER JANIS, EDA SOROKOFF, STEPHEN SOROKOFF

KT SULLIVAN & MARIA COOPER JANIS

THE DUTCH TREAT CLUB

KT SULLIVAN

KT SULLIVAN & MARY PORTER

SHANNA FARR , ANN KITTREDGE, RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, EDA SOROKOFF, KT SULLIVAN, ROBERT CUCCIOLI

BYRON JANIS & EDA SOROKOFF