Five-time MAC Award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Andersen kicks off his first run at The FireBird Cafe beginning Friday August 6th at 9 PM. Better hurry though, I hear opening night is pretty much sold out. The dates are: Fridays, August 6 & 13 at 9 PM and Saturdays August 7 & 14 at 9 and 11 PM. This will mark Andersen's first return there since he helped celebrate the opening month of The FireBird with a special one-night gig in January 1998.

This also will be Tom's first show since he won his latest two MAC Awards in April at Town Hall (Outstanding Male Vocalist and Recording of the Year, "The Journey"). Andersen is the winningest male singer-songwriter in the history of the Manhattan Asssociation of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC). His other MAC Awards were for New York Debut (1993), Outstanding Male Vocalist (1996) and Song of the Year (1998, for "Yard Sale.") Also, his 1999 MAC Award for Recording marks the first time a male vocalist has received that honor since Harry Connick, Jr. in 1990.

As a singer of classic and contemporary pop, Andersen has been compared to Johnny Mathis ("dreamy, hyper-romantic crooning") by Stephen Holden of The New York Times. And his musical selections have run the gamut from Jule Styne to Julie Gold. As a songwriter, he has been signed to a contract by Warner Chappell, and his tunes have been performed by many recording artists.

Andersen has played Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall and Town Hall, and he has headlined at Tavern on the Green, Maxim's, The Algonquin, Eighty-Eight's and The Russian Tea Room.

Ian Herman, the 1999 Bistro Award-winner for Musical Director, will accompany Andersen at The FireBird Cafe. He also has played for Jane Olivor and Donna McKechnie, and he is working on the upcoming Broadway musical Swing with Ann Hampton Callaway.

You can head on over to our Cabaret section and read an interview with Tom and even listen to his awesome rendition of "Storybook" from The Scarlet Pimpernel in Real Audio. Then head on over to our Restaurant Revue and read about the great food at The FireBird.

There will be a $15 cover charge and a $15 food/drink minimum for Tom Andersen at The FireBird Cafe, 365 West 46th Street. Call 212-586-0244 for reservations. Now, what are you waiting for? Tom is not to be missed!

Tidbits: Last column we bid adieu to Marcia Lewis and welcomed Mamie Duncan-Gibbs to Las Vegas. Marcia, with a whirlwind schedule, returned to the Broadway company of Chicago and no sooner is she back in town her schedule is filling up. Watch for Marcia to perform in concert at Town Hall in October and Carnegie Hall in December! And Mamie, as Velma in the Las Vegas production of Chicago, is getting a nice reception nightly as the crowds are standing and cheering this very talented lady. Mamie is also the current feature in our Spotlight On section.

And speaking of Broadway West (Las Vegas)...with the success of Chicago and Tommy Tune in EFX other shows will be making their way to the city of glitz and glitter. Rent and Cats, both touring companies, will be heading their way for limited runs and Notre Dame de Paris will bypass Broadway and open the new Paris Hotel/Casino showroom next spring. David Cassidy's new show The Rat Pack is Back opened at the Desert Inn to good reviews. David just does a cameo here; he's writing and starring in a new production show for the Rio Hotel showroom which will open in January. And, last but not least, Jerry Herman is writing a new musical, Miss Spectacular, which will open next year for the new theater at the Mirage Hotel. Who says Las Vegas ain't got no class?

Word on the road is that Sandy Duncan is phenominal as Roxie in Chicago. She joins the Broadway company next Wednesday, August 12th.

Last chance to see ART which stars Buck Henry, Wayne Knight and George Segal. The Tony winning play ends Sunday, August 8. Royale Theatre.

Judith Light joins the cast of W;t (Wit) on August 10. Kathleen Chalfant continues to give her amazing performance until then. Union Square Theatre, 100 E. 17th Street.

The word of mouth on Summer '69 is that it's a must-see. Last 8 performances, downtown, that is, and then it heads uptown to a new theater. It's currently at Theatre 80 down on St. Mark's Place.

Tickets are now on sale for Kiss Me Kate starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie. Previews begin October 25th at the Martin Beck Theatre. For tickets, call Telecharge, 212-239-6200.

London's Olivier Winner for Best Musical, Kat And The Kings, begins previews this Friday, Aug. 6th at the Cort Theater. For tickets, call Telecharge, 212-239-6200.

Judith Ivey stars in the new thriller, Voices In The Dark. Previews begin today at 3. Longacre Theatre. Telecharge, 212-239-6200.

Union problems for SP3 (that's The Scarlet Pimpernel). When they return to the Neil Simon Theatre on September 10th, the orchestra may consist of just 20 musicians, instead of the current contract with the musicians union for 24. The Simon is a 20 player house, so either they re-negotiate, or pay 4 musicians to have a poker game! The cast has been cut to 29 actors, down from 41 which caused another Union stink not so long ago. Negotiations are under way with the musicians union and everyone's playing hardball, naturally.

Last week we added a new board to Talkin' Broadway. It's called Shoppin' Broadway and it's a place where you can buy, sell or trade theater memorabilia. Check it out.

We've had requests from advertisers to purchase Banner Advertising on this Website and we've come up with a program which we feel is appropriate. For a very reasonable rate we're offering banners on our All That Chat message board which is accessed 24 hours a day by many. Only entertainment related banners will be accepted. (i.e. Broadway and Off Broadway shows, restaurants, Cabaret Performers, travel related banners etc.) E-mail us at: advertise@talkinbroadway.com, and we'll send you our low rates. See you Thursday!

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