Marissa Mulder Plays the Metropolitan Room, 3/4-7
By: BWW
News Desk Mar. 07, 2012
Marissa Mulder, winner of the 2011 MetroStar Talent Challenge, headlines the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, in a special prime time engagement beginning March 7. The world premiere of "Illusions" plays a total of four consecutive nights, Wednesday through Saturday, March 4, 5, 6, 7, all at 7pm. Opening for Mulder will be her MetroStar co-finalists Fran Leonardis and Stacie Perlman on alternating nights.
Directed by the multi-award-winning vocalist Karen Oberlin, "Illusions" explores fantasy, imagination, dreams, and reality through song. From high expectations and hopes to the realities of faded love, and loss, Mulder makes vocal paintings glittering with the beauty, humor and disillusionment she sees around her. Joining her are music director Bill Zeffiro on piano, John Loehrke on bass and Pete Anderson (of the famed Anderson Twins) on saxophone and clarinet.
Mulder, who made her cabaret debut in 2010 at Don't Tell Mama, followed with her critically acclaimed tribute to songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen last year. Both shows were directed by Mulder's mentor, singer Karen Oberlin. She's appeared at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret on Mondays at the National Arts Club at the invitation of Donald Smith, and she was also recently featured in an all-star tribute to Mickey Leonard at the Metropolitan Room.
"Illusions" looks into the eyes of such songwriters as Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Marvin Hamlisch, Leslie Bricusse, and Mickey Leonard, among others. Voted a top ten performer of 2011 by Times Square Chronicles, Mulder "possesses an extraordinary vocal instrument and a talent for phrasing," according to Joe Regan Jr. Rob Lester, writing in Nightlife Exchange, said, "her joie de vivre is infectious… and when she closes she seems to be flying high. So was I."
Produced by The Metropolitan Room, "MetroStar" encourages singers across a spectrum of styles and from any age bracket to present well-rounded stage performances in which creativity, innovation and authenticity are prized over vocal pyrotechnics. The fourth MetroStar culminated on August 29.
Mulder's music charge is $20. For reservations call 212/206-0440. For more information or to order online visit www.metropolitanroom.com The Nightlife and Bistro Award-winning Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, celebrates its sixth anniversary in May.
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