by Linda Amiel Burns . . .
On April 1, the 39th Bistro Awards was held once again to a sold out house at The Gotham Comedy Club honoring 14 artists who have done exceptional work in 2024. The late Bob Harrington wrote the column “Bistro Bits” in Back Stage Newspaper, and created the Awards in 1985. Editor, Sherry Eaker, began producing the show in 1990, and since 2008 has been producing it under the banner of her own company SEE Theatrical Productions. As she says in her program notes, there have been a lot of changes over past four decades in the art form of cabaret, and the industry itself has evolved over the years. However, the one thing has remained steadfast is her allegiance to Bob’s original vision, of recognizing, encouraging, nurturing and educating cabaret, jazz, and comedy artists through “insightful reviews, feature stories, and our annual awards.”
This years Awards show was a gala and moving evening with top notch entertainment headed up by The Producing Team of Producer Sherry Eaker, Associate Producer: Mark Dundas Wood, Assistant Producer: Mary Lahti, Sound Designer/Engineer: Jean-Pierre Perreaux, Production Stage Manager/Lights: Jonny Mercado, Announcer: Sidney Myer, Director: Gerry Geddes, and host comic Steve Hayes. The band was led by Musical Director/Pianist Daryl Kojak, Rex Benincasa on drums and Ritt Henn on Bass.
When announced each of the talented 2024 Bistros winners came to the stage and performed a song from their show, demonstrating why they were so honored including an appreciative acceptance speech. Awardees in a variety of categories included Tony Yazbek, Karen Mack, Wendy Scherl, Jason Henderson, Linda Kahn, Maud Hixon, Elvira Tortora, Margaret Curry, Roberto Araujo, Amber Gray, Lisa Vroman, David Dean Bottrell, Julie Gold and the final Award going to comedian/actor Robert Klein who received “the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award.: Film clips of his many performances were shown, and he had the audience in stitches doing some of his schtick, showing that at age 82, he still has it!
Kudos to Sherry Eaker and the Bistro Team for keeping this valuable award going for all these years. Looking forward to what is in store for 2025!
About the Bistro Awards: https://bistroaward.com/about-us/
For more information: BistroAwards.com
Photos: Danny Bristoll except Amber Gray, by Laura Fieber
