Mario Cantone, Jackie Hoffman, Karen Mason, Chita Rivera, and More Receive 2009 MAC Award Nominations

Nominations for the 2009 MAC Awards have been announced. They will be presented at a ceremony at BB Kings Blues Club on May 18 at 7:30pm. The ceremony will be directed by Lennie Watts, and co-hosted by Andrea Marcovicci and Nancy Witter.

There are competitive awards in nearly 30 categories. Among the highlights are “Celebrity Artist” nominees Karen Mason, Marilyn Maye, Chita Rivera, and KT Sullivan; “Major Artist” contenders Klea Blackhurst & Billy Stritch, Baby Jane Dexter, Eric Michael Gillett, and Christine Pedi; “Major Male Stand-Up” nominees Mario Cantone, Jim Gaffigan, Tom Papa, and Louis Ramey; and “Major Female Stand-Up” nominees Susie Essman, Jackie Hoffman, Jessica Kirson, and Lynne Koplitz.

Jenna Esposito, Terese Genecco, Raissa Katone Bennett, and Julie Reyburn are competing in the “Female Vocalist” category, while Marcus Simeone, Kim Smith, Jonathan Whitton, and Michael Winther are competing in the “Male Vocalist” category. Nominees for “Musical Director” include Daryl Kojak, Don Rebic, and Tracy Stark, while “Director” nominees include Phil Geoffrey Bond, Eric Michael Gillett, Miles Phillips, and Lennie Watts.

In addition, Polly Bergen will receive the award for Lifetime Achievement, while Board of Directors Awards will go to Joey Reynolds and Myra Chanin of the Joey Reynolds Show and Eva Swann and Vocal Ease for bringing Broadway and Cabaret talent to hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers.

Other notable nominees include Bobby Belfry, Jim Caruso, Jamie deRoy, Jack Donahue, Daryl Glenn, David Gurland, Carol Hall, Laurie Krauz, Hedda Lettuce, Shawn Ryan, Daryl Sherman, and Anne Steele.

For more information, visit www.macnyc.com.