While Mark Nadler and K.T. Sullivan are the first big opening of the cabaret season, the remaining months of 2005 should be saturated with big shows and big stars, the next being Elaine Stritch, who begins a two-month run at the Cafe Carlyle on Saturday.

Feinstein’s gets under way with two other other grand dames of the American theatre, Kitty Carlisle Hart (celebrating her 95th birthday from September 20-24) and Carol Channing (proclaiming that “Life Begins at 80” from October 11-22). Other essential acts to catch at Feinstein’s are John Pizzarelli and family (September 27 to October 8) and Mary Cleere Haran, who puts on perhaps the most entertaining songbook-driven show of all and will be celebrating Harry Warren from October 26 to November 5. Then from November 15-26 we’ll be treated to Michele Lee, the marvelous singer actress whom I have wanted to experience in cabaret ever since I saw “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

At the Algonquin, the season is most dominated by worthy mainstays such as the witty and sultry Paula West (October 11 to November 5), and a talented young discovery of Michael Feinstein’s, Maude Maggert (September 27 to October 8.) But the season’s highlight looks to be the sublime mother-and-son team of vocalist Sandy Stewart and pianist Bill Charlap.

The other big news this year is that the Cabaret Convention is leaving Town Hall in favor of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall (October 17-23). And come the holiday season, the cabaret world will bring out its big guns: Andrea Marcovicci will play the Oak Room and Michael Feinstein will command the room at the Regency Hotel that bears his name – a double whammy of a treat that’s well worth waiting for.