Showcase heats begin tonight

The Annual Cabaret Showcase continues to build a strong presence in Sydney.

The Annual Cabaret Showcase continues to build a strong presence in Sydney.

The 2010 event has already proven to be a success with entrants over double in numbers from last year and strong advance sales. Heats commence at Sydney’s El Rocco Room (formerly Bar Me) tonight with the grand final on Monday, December 20 at The Basement. 

The showcase has built a reputation for the high standard of its performers and as a springboard onto Australia’s professional theatrical stages. All past winners are now well established in the professional world of theatre and cabaret.

This year the stakes are raised again with two new sponsors signing on as major partners. Both The Melbourne Cabaret Festival and the Brisbane Cabaret Festival will provide further opportunities for the showcase winner to perform their show, making The Cabaret Showcase the biggest cabaret prize of its kind in Australia. 

Prizes at this years Annual event will include the opportunity for the winner to perform their show at the 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, The Noosa Long Weekend Festival and for the first time, The Brisbane Cabaret and Melbourne Cabaret Festivals, with all accommodation and flights included. Winners also receive a photographic and design packages courtesy of Blueprint Studios, platinum listings with online casting directory AT2 and tickets to master classes being taught by acclaimed Broadway Composers Jason Robert Brown, John Bucchino and Georgia Stitt. .

Hosted by one of the brightest young stars of Australian and international stages, Hayden Tee, guest judges include legendary Australian performer and Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director David Campbell, Noosa Long Weekend Festival Artistic Director Ian Mackellar, Brisbane Cabaret Festival Head of Programming Alison St Ledger, David Reed, Co-Artistic Director of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and acclaimed industry guests including Chloe Dallimore, Queenie Van De Zandt, Margi De Ferranti, Les Solomon, Phil Scott, Avigail Herman and Michael Huxley.

Producer, Jeremy Youett said: “The number re’s been a significant increase in of entrants and interest in the 2010 showcase thanks to a burgeoning show that Sydney has a genuine demand for professional Cabaret in Sydney, in addition to an incredible prize package for this years winner who will be presented with an invaluable opportunity to kick-start their career!”

The finalists will perform two songs each at The Basement on December 20 and will share the spotlight throughout the series, with performances by Shaun Rennie, Lena Cruz, Andy Conaghan, Marika Aubrey, Hayden Tee, Nick Christo, Sheridan Harbridge, Tom Sharah and more.