Leslie Uggams was honored with a Nightlife Awards Legend Award at The Town Hall in New York City on Monday, January 14 at 7 p.m. Instead of giving an acceptance speech Leslie showed her appreciation by singing “Love.” It is the custom at this annual awards program for performers to perform, showing exactly why they were chosen as honorees.
Now in its 11th year, the Nightlife Awards celebrate the best of the city’s jazz, comedy and cabaret artists. Also honored this year were Catherine Russell, Outstanding Jazz Performer, and 54 Below, New York’s newest nightclub. As one of the many megawatt stars who performed at 54 Below in its 2012 inaugural year, Leslie opened Act II of the awards ceremony on behalf of the club with “Anywhere I Hang My Hat Is Home.”
The evening was hosted for the fourth time by Emmy Award-winning television personality and writer Bruce Vilanch. Additional performers include former Nightlife Legend Marilyn Maye plus stars Faith Prince, Jason Graae, James Barbour, Emily Bergl, Rupert Holmes, Bill Charlap, Jane Monheit, Carole J. Bufford, Kate McGarry, Julie Halston, Jim Caruso, Jessica Kirson, Mark Nadler, and Lauren Fox.
The Nightlife Awards was created by Scott Siegel and is produced by Max Weintraub and Scott Siegel. Sponsors include ASCAP, Theatermania.com, Edythe Kenner Foundation, Jill & Irwin Cohen, The Berkshire Theatre Group, Thoroughbred Records, Steven Ernst, Ken Geist, Stuart Bloom & Robert Aaron: Lightstyles, LLC.
Photos can be seen online at Playbill.com.
Read a review in the NY Times.