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EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CABARET SHOWCASE…
but were afraid to ask…

What follows is a cohesive, detailed description and analysis of everything involved in doing a Seth’s Talent Showcase. You will be quizzed afterwards. (Just kidding. This isn’t a classroom.)

WHAT IS A CABARET SHOWCASE?

A cabaret showcase is an evening where you perform a 10 minute cabaret set. Usually 6 or 7 people are performing in an evening; each bringing part of the audience, so there usually is a full house. It is great for getting your feet wet in the cabaret world! It is also great for people who never get to perform in the city for their friends here. Or people who haven’t performed in a while to get a reminder of WHY they’re in this crazy business we call show. It is also good for workshopping a full-length cabaret in pieces. Finally, above all, it is essential for a performer to be comfortable in their skin on stage; cabaret is the best forum for garnering experience while getting to pick songs one has a distinct connection to, regardless of context.

WHAT IS A CABARET?

There are a lot of people throwing the word “cabaret” around these days, and while definitions and language are fluid: in essence, a cabaret is an evening of stories and songs with a live pianist. The stories infuse the songs and by learning more about the singer personally, the songs take on added meaning. The more interesting and personal the stories are, the more interesting and personal the performance of the songs becomes. Evenings of just songs without stories are not technically “cabaret”. Even if they are in a cabaret venue, these are really song cycles or concerts. Also, some people conflate “cabaret” with “burlesque” or think everyone is going to be doing a Liza Minnelli impersonation. While burlesque shows may be cabarets if they have stories and songs, most cabarets are not burlesque. Cabaret is the most personal form of theatre, and when done well, there is nothing to compare it to.

WHAT MAKES SETH’s CABARET SHOWCASE SPECIAL?

Unlike many showcases, you only have to bring SIX people. That’s right — only SIX people. When I started the series, most similar series were asking people to bring 10-12, and standup shows still ask for that. Additionally, in many other showcase series you have to PAY the PIANIST, too. However, since I am the producer and the pianist, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THE PIANIST. And you only have to bring SIX PEOPLE. That’s it. Also unlike many, I DO NOT make you pay up front. You get the chance to perform, 20 minutes the day of at the tech to rehearse with the live pianist (AKA me), plus the 4K video delivered the night of the show, for ZERO DOLLARS if you get SIX PEOPLE to come.

Another special thing about the showcase is that I EMCEE the show. I ask everyone for a quirky intro, and open and close the show with my comedy songs to relieve the pressure of warming up the crowd and leaving them on a bang! I’ve been doing these for almost 2 decades now, and I’d like to think I’m pretty amusing.

HOW DOES THE BRINGING SIX PEOPLE WORK EXACTLY?

The audience should reserve via Don’t Tell Mama, like any normal show there – make sure they know to reserve for Seth’s Talent Show and that that is the name of the show they are seeing so they don’t go into the wrong room. It is very important your audience reserves so that DTM knows how many waiters to staff for the show, but it has nothing to do with me knowing you have 6 people coming. Instead, when the audience arrives, my house manager will give them a program, and check them off on the list by your name. At the end of the show, the list is given to me. If you don’t have 6 people, you pay the difference ($18 per person) — so if you get 1 person, you owe $90; 2 people, you owe $72; 3, you owe $54; 4, you owe $36; 5, you owe $18. If you have 6 or more, you pay NOTHING! If you bring zero people, you only owe $100 because I cap the amount people owe at $100 because I know how hard it is to be a starving artist, though if the room minimum isn’t hit, it might be a bit more. (Please note: if you file a Schedule C, the money you pay me is tax deductible!)

ISN’T THAT PAY TO PLAY?

An awful lot of people respond that they don’t want to “pay to perform”, and I completely get that. I do NOT consider this you paying to perform. I consider this me helping you to produce your own mini-cabaret set. I keep my showcases as cheap as possible, but the audience coming (or you paying the difference) pays for the following: the midtown venue, the lighting/sound person, the servers, the pianist (me), the producer (also me), the emcee (me, too), the director (me again), the stage manager (sadly me), the house manager/videographer (not me) and video editor (surprise: it’s me). For all of these services at the highest of quality, you are getting a bargain. So don’t think of it as “pay to play” think of it as investing in yourself. This is a contract between you and me, with the deal clearly spelled out. But you don’t have to take my word for the experience, as there are over 5,000 singers who have participated, and you probably know one!

WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR THE AUDIENCE?

$21 cover + $20 minimum (which must include 2 drinks), which is the same for many cabaret venues and any shows at Don’t Tell Mama. The cover/drinks are CASH ONLY. I regret that the drinks are pricy, but there is nothing I can do about it as it is the cost of doing a show seconds from Broadway. Please make your audience aware that not paying the full check and not leaving a tip is UNACCEPTABLE. For your convenience, here’s a price list: sodas/juices $7, Poland spring/Pelingrino bottled water $7; beers $10; wines $13; scotch $11-$15; vodka $11-$15; gin $11-$15; tequila $11-$15; cocktails $12-$17. Pro tip: you can ask for the non-alcoholic drinks to be $10 each to fulfill the $20 minimum without getting food. Thus, if you stick to 1 wine + 1 non-alcoholic drink, or get 2 beers or non-alcoholic drinks, you can keep your drink tab to exactly $20. With savvy ordering: $21 cover + $20 drinks + tax/tip on the drinks = $46. Broadway rush tickets are now often $49, so this is cheaper than Broadway, plus you get 2 drinks! Try to sell it that way!

CLUB MINIMUM

I care about my singers, so I cap what people owe at $100. However, Don’t Tell Mama has a 15 person minimum per performance. If we do not get at least 15 people to attend, there will be an extra fee split between those who don’t have 6 people. The easiest way to avoid this fee is to bring audience! Another thing we can do is have the cast drink to lessen how much we owe. If you’re going to pay extra anyway, might as well get a drink, right? Again, the best way to avoid this happening is to have audience come to the show.

CAN PEOPLE UNDER 21 COME?

Yes. They just cannot drink alcohol, but there is no age restriction.

WHEN DO I HAVE TO CONFIRM BY?

ONE MONTH before. If you cancel after the ONE MONTH, NO MATTER THE REASON (illness, family emergency, etc), you have to either: 1. Find someone to take your place who will be accountable for the audience members OR 2. Pay me an $80 cancellation fee.

Please take the contract seriously, as Don’t Tell Mama takes its contract with me seriously. I’m incredibly upfront to avoid miscommunications. Please do not commit if you cannot commit to the terms.

RESERVATIONS

It is important your friends make reservations with the club so they know how many people to expect. The club likes them to be doubly aware that it’s cash only and the room opens at 6:15 so not everyone shows up at 7:05 with only credit cards. They do NOT have to tell the club they are there to see you. That is separate. My house manager will check in your audience the night of. (I know I reiterated this twice, but someone asks every week, so it’s justified redundancy!)

WHAT SHOULD I SING?

I am happy to create the set for you in a private session, or recommend songs in a repertoire coaching session. However, if you are self-sufficient, that is also cool. I HIGHLY suggest that people do story sets. The two songs should contrast and complement each other, while coming together to form some sort of theme or story. I recommend songs that tell a story, which most theatre songs do. Folk and country are also story based, but rock & pop songs sometimes are very redundant in a cabaret setting. I also recommend doing a comedy song (or 2) or at least one uptempo; one ballad is fine, but I would say don’t do two. However, it is your show, and if you are dead set on your set, that’s fine.

Some previous story sets: “Isn’t This Better” into “Bring on the Men” –> Soft, sad ballad about breaking up into a fun, fierce uptempo about sleeping around as a consequence.

“Times Like This” into “A Trip to the Library” –> Contemplative, comic ballad about being alone and loving one’s dog into uptempo about finding true love at the library.

Here’s a hilarious and beautifully sung set by Brett Hammes: Brett Part 1 & Brett Part 2. And here’s Nadia Hudson. And here’s Josh Meredith in a full set to add a guy’s perspective: here.

IS THERE A THEME?

The regular cabaret showcases do not have a theme. Individual sets should have a theme, but the evenings over all do not have one because I do not want to impose an agenda on the performers who might need a certain song for their reels. I do often co-produce theme evenings with showcase alumni, and I regularly produce composer tribute cabarets, but those are separate from the regular cabaret showcases. I provide singers with a platform to do whatever they want to do.

WHAT IS PATTER?

Patter ties the songs together. I ask that everyone come up with some patter b/c this makes the set more like a story, and the more you personally reveal, the more the audience feels connected to you and your performance. You only patter between the songs. FYI, if you talk too much about the song itself, it becomes more of a recital. Coming up with a way to bridge the gap and make it seem seamless brings the audience in and helps them to connect and emote!

Good patter is succinct, but cute and funny and also un-googlable. Do not give a history lesson on the song – the program will tell the audience where it’s from, and they can google it later if they have interest. Also, it is not a strong choice to mention that you are singing or mention the words “song” or “cabaret.” Don’t say “that last song makes me…” just start after the ellipse. It is great to not summarize the song, either before or after; let the song speak for itself. Most importantly, be YOURSELF: show your personality! I am happy to coach patter, as well as songs.

Thus, the patter connects the songs, shows the theme without overtly saying it, and might include a funny anecdote or two. Playing to the audience is key because it’s an intimate space. Treating the audience like your best friends is great, b/c then they’ll feel connected and moved. Often people tell hilarious stories in the dressing room; that is the vibe we are going for on stage!

QUIRKY INTRO

One week before the show, I’ll email out to collect songs and intros. Examples of a quirky introduction, which I will read to introduce you, are as follows:

Our next performer has an odd fear of letting go of helium balloons, loves to watch Spongebob Squarepants, AND no one has ever seen her real hair color since she was 9. Please welcome…

The fun facts make for a very casual, relaxing ambiance. It also gives the audience more chances to laugh and feel connected to you before you’ve even sung a note!

TECH REHEARSAL

The tech rehearsal is the day of the show, 4-6ish. Everyone gets a 20 minute slot where they can rehearse their songs twice and do a quick coaching on the patter. (If you have a work conflict, please specify you need a late rehearsal when I ask for song choices 2 weeks before the show.) It is important to use levels for your set — it’s better to not do the same position for songs twice in a row — there’s a stool, there’s a piano — there are different areas of the stage — it is fine to move around during an uptempo, but remember you’re going to have to watch out for the mic cord, all of these issues will be addressed at tech.

By the way, we do a bow at the end of the show, after I sing my final song. I will say “please welcome our cast back to the stage” and then read the names. Everyone comes on stage, we grab hands, group bow twice… and OFF! It is imperative that you LEAVE THE ROOM after the show and not stay talking to your guests, so they’ll pay and leave faster. PLEASE DO NOT STAY IN THE ROOM AFTER THE SHOW.

WHAT TO WEAR

You can really wear whatever you want. I would say dress nicely, but no need to be ridiculously dressed up, though that’s fine, too, if you prefer. Overall be comfortable!

AGENTS?

Please invite everyone you know, but also feel free to invite agents and casting directors. INDUSTRY people do NOT have to pay cover OR have drinks. If they DO have drinks, they have to pay for them, but there is no minimum for industry folk. (You can make the choice to pay for your own industry person’s drinks, as well.) Just put their names on the industry list at the tech. (Industry people include legit agents, casting directors and producers who, due to some past issues will need to prove their status.)

SHEET MUSIC IN ADVANCE

Please email me PDFs of sheet music in the right key by the Friday before the show. Please double check this and that you didn’t send a cut with a page missing. I can transpose at rehearsal if there are chord symbols, but it will mean you probably can only run the song once. I will print everything out and have a binder with all the songs ready to go.

PRIVATE COACHINGS

If you feel like having only 20 minutes the day of the show is frazzled and harried, I am always available for private coachings at my normal rate ($100/hour, $50/half hour). I am happy to coach the songs, coach the patter, find material, record the accompaniment for rehearsal purposes, and of course run through the songs as many times as you like.

GREAT RESPONSES

Like I’ve mentioned, the showcases have gotten great responses from participants and audience. The booking director at Don’t Tell Mama frequently comes to them, and says they are quite enjoyable. He’s also remarked on the incredible talent level. So, in conclusion, I think that Seth’s Cabaret Showcases are a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.

AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE

Speaking of audience: please make sure your audience understands it is improper to talk or text during the show. Also, please make sure your audience brings enough cash to cover the cover and the drinks and the tip. Please make sure your audience is aware they are expected to tip. You would think these things should go without saying, but I have found that audiences not accustomed to attending cabaret do not realize them, and it is really unconscionably rude and disrespectful to everyone involved when they misbehave. LSO, it is important that your audience comes ON TIME, preferably early. Feel free to tell your audience the show starts at 6:30 or 6:45. Late comers force the show to start late, and also disrupt the performances and sometimes the video taping.

EXTENDED/CO-PRODUCED SHOWS

For those of you who have done a regular set, I offer extended sets – that is you sing 4 songs and bring 12 people (and owe at most $200). The extended sets are a great way to workshop a full show, as well as a great evening for serious industry invitation. I also offer different levels of co-producing contracts for those who are ready to do a full show, or to do a full show with their friends! Many people who have started in my cabarets have gone to produce their own series, and I take great pride in that fact.

VIDEOING YOUR SET

In addition included in the price, I provide a video of your set, edited and ready to upload on the YouTube on Instagram! The videos are recorded in 4K, as of 2026. Please note that since the video is included and inexpensive, sometimes it is not perfect. Servers may get in the way, the audience may talk during your set (even though I’ve asked the performers to remind them they shouldn’t) and the camera might get fuzzy if the view gets disrupted. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing I can do about these situations, as that is what happens when you try to film a cabaret. A few hours after the show, you will receive an MP4 file via WeTransfer.com. Please note the files are rather large, and you ideally should download them on a computer and then back them up to a separate hard drive. I only save them for about a month.

PREPARATION

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Please pick your songs before the week of. Please learn your lyrics well enough that you don’t go up on them. If you need more rehearsal, please hire me for a private session. If you do go up on lyrics, just start from wherever you want, and I will jump to that point. (You can always just post the highlights of the song, so always keep going!)

Finally, to avoid owing me money, you should make sure you have 6 people coming — that means you should try to confirm 12 since 50% flake! And if more than 6 come, then you get on the gold star list, which is what I use to fill last minute, pre-paid for slots. Start marketing the show NOW. Do not wait to the week before. If you think there’s any chance you won’t have 6 people, please bring cash or be prepared to Venmo or Zelle before you leave the building.

QUESTIONS?

Please don’t hesitate to ask. Email me at: seth@sethbh.com