The best (and worst) cabaret of 2012

Ragingly original and bracingly radical, Mac took audiences on wild trips to previously unimagined destinations.

Broadway’s reigning diva, gutsy and glorious, christened the fabulous new 54 Below with a smashing set.

Scott sliced her midtown star power with downtown edge in a witty and insightful metacabaret triumph.

Heir to and investor in the Weimar and Warhol traditions, NYC’s great trans shaman commanded fascination.

A blond grenade of alt cabaret, Everett exploded in blasts of rock and raunch, clearing new paths wherever she went.

The ethereal chanteuse explored the American Songbook to cultivate blooms that were all her own.

Cabaret Ebersole popped and bubbled like a dry champagne in the chameleonic entertainer’s latest Carlyle bash.

One of musical theater’s most magnetic stars cast bluesy, puckish magic in his expert nightclub debut.

The boyish spark plug’s unique mix of irony, tragedy, pluck and pizzazz made him the best gamin in town.

Pope belted her heart out, then had the guts to wear it on the patterned sleeves of her delightfully retro getups.