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A nightclub act is a production, usually of nightclub music or comedy, designed for performance at a nightclub, a type of drinking establishment, by a nightclub performer such as a nightclub singer or nightclub dancer, whose performance may also be referred to as a nightclub act. A scheduled performance, such as a wedding gig, is a club date. [1]
Acts may resemble revues and, "a good part of the music heard in nightclubs is standard popular song (jazz standards and the so-called Great American Songbook) and theater music repertoire...comedy songs, novelty songs, and the occasional torch song." [1] "Cabaret, literally, is a subset of nightclub performance...In actual modern usage the terms 'nightclub' and 'cabaret' are virtually interchangeable." [1] [lower-alpha 1]
What distinguishes stage performance in a nightclub or club date setting is the breaking down of the "fourth wall," the invisible barrier between audience and performer that separates their realities. The audience's disbelief doesn't have to be suspended for more than the length of a song. [1]
The role of the female nightclub singer occurs frequently in fiction: books, movies, television, and even songs; she may serve as temptress, kidnapping or abuse victim, femme fatale, gangster moll, or as a prostitute. Due to censorship, a nightclub singer was often used to replace a prostitute character in film adaptations of books.
Nightclub acts were more common in the past, as modern nightclubs have moved towards dance music, DJs, and rave like environments.[ citation needed ] However, musicians such as David Bowie and Madonna have played nightclub singers in music videos and live performances.[ citation needed ] In New York City, since 1985, successful, enduring, or innovative cabaret acts have been honored by the annual Bistro Awards. [3]
Notable nightclub performers include:
Performers at the 500 Club, one of the most popular nightclubs on the East Coast, included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Martin and Lewis, the Will Mastin Trio, Jimmy Durante, Eartha Kitt, Sophie Tucker, the Jackie Paris Trio, Milton Berle, Nat King Cole, and Liberace, among many others. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is one of the very few performers awarded a non-competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). Minnelli is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.
Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, a casino, a hotel, a restaurant, or a nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or drinking, does not typically dance but usually sits at tables. Performances are usually introduced by a master of ceremonies (M.C.). The entertainment, as performed by an ensemble of actors and according to its European origins, is often oriented towards adult audiences and of a clearly underground nature. In the United States, striptease, burlesque, drag shows, or a solo vocalist with a pianist, as well as the venues which offer this entertainment, are often advertised as cabarets.
Robert Louis Fosse was an American actor, choreographer, dancer, and film and stage director. He directed and choreographed musical works on stage and screen, including the stage musicals The Pajama Game (1954), Damn Yankees (1955), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961), Sweet Charity (1966), Pippin (1972), and Chicago (1975). He directed the films Sweet Charity (1969), Cabaret (1972), Lenny (1974), All That Jazz (1979), and Star 80 (1983).
Dean Martin was an American singer, actor, comedian and television host. One of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, he was nicknamed "The King of Cool". Martin gained his career breakthrough together with comedian Jerry Lewis, billed as Martin and Lewis, in 1946. They performed in nightclubs and later had numerous appearances on radio and television and in films.
Fred Ebb was an American musical theatre lyricist who had many successful collaborations with composer John Kander. The Kander and Ebb team frequently wrote for such performers as Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera.
The Copacabana is a New York City nightclub that has existed in several locations. In earlier locations, many entertainers, such as Danny Thomas, Pat Cooper, and the comedy team of Martin and Lewis, made their New York debuts at the Copacabana. The Barry Manilow song "Copacabana" (1978) is named after, and set in, the club. The nightclub was used as a setting in the films Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Tootsie, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Carlito's Way, The French Connection, Martin and Lewis, Green Book, Beyond the Sea, The Irishman, and One Night in Miami. It was also used in several plays, including Barry Manilow's Copacabana. Also, the musical film Copacabana (1947), starring Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda, takes place in the Copacabana, as does the made-for-television film based on the Manilow hit song, in which Manilow himself starred.
The Act is a musical with a book by George Furth, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander.
James William Bailey was an American singer, film, television and stage actor, and female impersonator.
Liza's at the Palace.... was a concert presented by Liza Minnelli at the Palace Theatre on Broadway from December 3, 2008 through January 4, 2009. It was produced by John Scher and Metropolitan Talent Presents.
Liza with a "Z" is a 1972 concert film made for television, starring Liza Minnelli, produced by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Fosse also directed and choreographed the concert, and Ebb wrote and arranged the music with his song-writing partner John Kander. All four had recently completed the successful film adaptation of Cabaret. According to Minnelli, Liza with a "Z" was "the first filmed concert on television". Singer sponsored the production, even though producers did their best to prevent the sponsors from seeing rehearsals, fearing they would back out due to Minnelli's short skirts.
Liza Minnelli is a self-titled studio album by Liza Minnelli. Released on February 26, 1968, by A&M Records in the United States, it contains her interpretations of pop/rock and singer/songwriters' songs.
Live at the Olympia in Paris is the second live album by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli, released in 1972. It marks her fourth and final release of original material for the A&M Records label and her second live album in her discography, following the release of Live at the London Palladium in 1965.
Liza! Liza! is the debut studio album by American singer Liza Minnelli. It was released on October 12, 1964, by Capitol Records. The album contains her interpretations of twelve pop standards. It was recorded in June 1964 at Capitol Records' New York studio at 151 West 46th Street.
Live at the Winter Garden is the second live album by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli, released in 1974. It is her second release under the Columbia Records label.
American singer Liza Minnelli has released eleven studio albums—Liza! Liza! (1964), It Amazes Me (1965), There Is a Time (1966), Liza Minnelli (1968), Come Saturday Morning (1969), New Feelin' (1970), The Singer (1973), Tropical Nights (1977), Results (1989), Gently (1996), and Confessions (2010). Simultaneously, she contributed to five original cast recordings and eight soundtrack albums, respectively—Best Foot Forward (1963), Flora the Red Menace (1965), The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood (1965), Cabaret (1972), Liza with a "Z": A Concert for Television (1972), Lucky Lady (1975), A Matter of Time (1976), New York, New York (1977), The Act (1978), The Rink (1984), Stepping Out (1991), Music from The Life: A New Musical (1995) and Sex and the City 2 (2010). Ten live sets were issued as well, such as entitled "Live" at the London Palladium (1965) recorded with Judy Garland, Live at the Olympia in Paris (1972), Live at the Winter Garden (1974), Live at Carnegie Hall (1981), At Carnegie Hall (1987), Live from Radio City Music Hall (1992), Paris — Palais des Congrès: Intégrale du spectacle (1995) along with Charles Aznavour, Minnelli on Minnelli: Live at the Palace (1999), Liza's Back (2002) and Liza's at The Palace.... (2008). Her discography also features eighteen greatest hits compilations, thirty-three singles, five video albums, five music videos and thirteen other appearances.
Tropical Nights is the eighth studio album by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli, released by Columbia Records in 1977.
Live at Carnegie Hall is the fourth live album by American singer Liza Minnelli. Released by the Altel Sound Systems record company in 1981, it was her first and only release under that label.
"Live" at the London Palladium is a live album by American singers and actresses Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, released in 1965 by Capitol Records.
Live from Radio City Music Hall is a live album by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli, released in 1992. The release was under the Columbia Records label, both in audio and as a video album.
Billy Stritch is an American composer, arranger, vocalist, and jazz pianist. For many years, he was best known as a confidant, music director, and piano player for Liza Minnelli.