Come to the Cabaret
On NJN’s State of the Arts
Friday, September 15, at 8:30 pm; and Wednesday, September 20 at 11:30 pm

STATEWIDE – State of the Arts presents a quartet of great cabaret performers, past, present, and future, including a tribute to the late Bobby Short — the standard bearer for them all — captured in a thoughtful and expansive 1989 interview. This encore presentation also highlights veteran songstress Barbara Cook, as well as legends of tomorrow, Audra McDonald and Peter Cincotti. Come to the Cabaret airs on September 15 at 8:30 pm, with a rebroadcast on Wednesday, September 20 at 11:30 pm.

• Bobby Short
State of the Arts producer Amber Edwards presents a tribute to the late Bobby Short. Throughout his career – which included a more than 35-year engagement at the Café Carlyle – Short remained devoted to the “great American songbook”: songs by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, the Gershwins, Billy Strayhorn, and Harold Arlen, among others. One of 10 children, Short began singing in church but quickly went on the road, reaching New York City when he was only 12. Known for his impeccable singing, elegant style and high-profile social life, Bobby Short died on March 21, 2005 at age 80.

• Barbara Cook
We see the forever-young Barbara Cook at work at Feinstein's at the Regency — in a segment taped before the death of Wally Harper, her musical partner for more than 35 years. Cook’s many fans say she’s the greatest singer alive today — and quite a few critics agree. In the 1950s and ‘60s, she was Broadway's favorite ingénue, in such classic musicals as "Candide," "The Music Man," and "She Loves Me." Now in her late 70s, Cook has added warmth and wisdom to the sweetness and light. Her career has spanned stage, film and concert hall, as well as intimate cabaret settings such as Feinstein’s, where Amber Edwards met up with Cook to learn more about her career and some of her favorite songs.

• Audra McDonald
Soprano Audra McDonald made history as Broadway's first three-time Tony Award winner under the age of 30 for her performances in “Carousel” (1994), “Master Class” (1996), and “Ragtime” (1998). McDonald won her fourth Tony in 2004 for her portrayal of Ruth Younger in a revival of "A Raisin in the Sun." Born in Berlin, Germany in 1970, McDonald grew up in California where she began her life in theatre at a young age. After attending Juilliard, McDonald quickly rose to stardom, with acting, musical theatre, and singing credits to her name. Join Amber Edwards as we visit the singer/actress in rehearsal for a one-woman show.

• Peter Cincotti
A new kid on the block, Peter Cincotti, is a headliner while still in his early 20s. State of the Arts producer Eric Schultz talked to the jazz pianist and singer when he was a 20-year-old sophomore at Columbia University prior to a Jazz Room concert at William Paterson University. Since then, his career has moved forward with Cincotti’s second release, “On the Moon,” which debuted at number two on Billboard’s jazz charts. Cincotti has appeared in films, television, and is now the “face” of Zegna’s Sartorial & Couture collection. He picks music he feels in his heart, songs with lyrics that touch him personally.

State of the Arts, the award-winning, half-hour arts magazine airs every Friday at 8:30 pm, followed by an encore presentation each Wednesday at 11:30 pm.

The current episode of State of the Arts can be viewed online at www.njn.net. Individual stories will be available to view online following their broadcast by visiting the program online at State of the Arts.

Funding for State of the Arts is provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. The series producer is Susan Wallner and the executive producer is Nila Aronow.