Cabaret keeps growing as Sandi Durell hosts Just Me and My Friends' Cabaret at the Garrick Bistro on West 49th Street in New York City, right next door to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. Beginning Sunday Eve. April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. and continuing on alternate Sunday Evenings, the Garrick Bistro will be the latest cabaret venue with guest artists from Broadway & Cabaret.

Sandi's guests on April 2nd include the newest Australian singing sensation to hit New York City, Kane Alexander. Also appearing are Helen Baldassare, Stephanie Pope, Brent Winborn, Joan Crowe, Aaron Lee Battle, Loli Marquez-Sterling, Holly Ann Kling and Shelly Cullin. All have made their mark on Broadway and/or in the Cabaret circuit.

The Cover Charge (cash only please!) is $10.00 with no minimums. There is food and beverage available and Chef David McKenty certainly has a way in the food department. It's all delicious!

The room is small and intimate with all of 45 seats ! So Reservations are a good idea if you don't want to miss some of the wonderful talent appearing here. Call (212) 489-8600 to reserve. For information call (212) 724.3566. Garrick Bistro, 242 W. 49th St. NYC

We'll update you periodically about the guest list at Just Me and My Friends' Cabaret. See you at the Garrick!

Tidbits:

• Mamie Duncan-Gibbs will star as Velma Kelly in Chicago for one week beginning April 4th. Broadway audiences know Mamie for her work in Jelly's Last Jam, Joseph & Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats and Liza Steppin' Out at Radio City. Last year Mamie played Velma in the Las Vegas production of Chicago where she got standing O's nightly. She then went back to the Broadway cast to star opposite Sandy Duncan. Mamie's Velma is simply sensational, sexy, and sassy. If you haven't seen her, it's time for another visit to Chicago. Her performance is not to be missed. And I hear Sandy Duncan wasn't so thrilled with her...couldn't take the competition, obviously!

• Tom Stoppard's West End hit revival, The Real Thing opened in previews last night at the Barrymore Theatre. Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle star. Across the pond it was a huge sell-out.

• Good friend, Wayman Wong, who is a big booster of cabaret in New York, sent me a tape of Alix Korey (MTC's The Wild Party). Wow! What a voice, reminds me of the Merm. I immediately asked Wayman to ask if she would take part in Talkin' Broadway's first cabaret produced show in New York on June 3rd. She's fabulous. Wouldn't it be a great bill to have Alix and Tom Andersen? Stay tuned.

• Direct from New York and Atlantic City in his west coast debut, Richard Skipper (2000 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret) Award Nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Impersonation) brings his award-winning Carol Channing to The Plush Room in
  An Evening With Carol Channing.

  Expect an intimate evening with one of Broadway's Greatest Treasures. Richard Skipper takes the audience back to a time of clean wholesome entertainment in a tribute to Carol Channing's life and career featuring highlights from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to Hello, Dolly! A veteran of the New York cabaret scene, Richard Skipper recreates Channing as no one can. How else could Carol herself exclaim "the first time EVER I have been shown with such love, respect, and polish!"

  An Evening With Carol Channing opens Monday April 3rd and continues through Sunday April 9, 8p.m. (dark Apr. 4th) Monday-Saturday; Sunday's performance is 5p.m., The Plush Room, 940 Sutter St., San Francisco, tickets $20 and $25. (415) 885-2800.

• Mel Brooks has a finished script for The Producers and Susan Stroman will direct a reading this spring. Nathan Lane will read the role of Max Bialystock, the role made famous by Zero Mostel in the movie. I hope they really pull this off because The Producers is one of the funniest films ever made, and I think it would make a great Broadway musical. Wouldn't it be great if they could get Martin Short for the role of Bloom, Max's partner in crime? That would be perfect casting. I, myself, would love to play the crazy nazi who raises pigeons on the roof. Hey, Mr. Producer...I'm talkin' to you sir!