As it bids farewell to its home of 11 years, the Metropolitan Room will present 24 continuous hours of free-wheeling entertainment -- from Sunday September 24 at 9pm, to Monday September 25 at 9pm. Featuring a mind-boggling 144 individual acts, with over a dozen emcees, and a battalion of musicians, technicians and hangers-on, the Metropolitan Room's 3rd annual "Cabaret Marathon Extravaganza... It's a Tradition" was spawned by the Metropolitan Room's first record-setting (60-hour) entertainment marathon in January 2015. That massive undertaking shattered the Guinness World Record for longest variety show ever.
This month's round-the-clocker will feature a stampede of talent in tight, 10-minute sets, including singers, musicians, spoken word artists and variety acts of just about every persuasion and style. The club's last performances at
34 West 22nd Street will be on Saturday September 30. Plans are underway for a new Metropolitan Room to open in early 2018.
Last month managing partner
Bernie Furshpan announced he is developing a brand new location near Penn Station on West 29th Street, complete with two showrooms (that can be combined into one larger performance space), a restaurant and an adjoining piano bar. Until this new 3,000 sq. ft. space is ready, the Metropolitan Room is partnering with The Triad on West 72nd Street to be able to continue to present many of its artists and shows.
"This marathon is a celebration of New York nightlife -- not just the talent which comes from all corners of the globe and every age and walk of life -- but also the amazing audiences," says Furshpan. "Believe me the audiences are what keep live entertainment alive. And in this day and age they're a life-line to keep our city vibrant and civilized."
Not to be outdone by the performers, the audience member who attends the big event for the most hours will be offered a free no-cover pass to all Met Room shows for one year. The 1st and 2nd runner-ups will receive VIP Passes (for two) to any show of their choice at the Metropolitan Room's new midtown location!
Webcast for a worldwide audience on
www.concertwindow.com this year's "Cabaret Marathon Extravaganza... It's a Tradition" will feature special appearances by such Broadway, jazz, comedy, burlesque and cabaret headliners as
Bill Boggs,
Dorothy Bishop,
Julie Budd,
Doreen Montalvo,
Billy Stritch,
Jon Weber,
Marissa Mulder,
Jeff Harnar,
KT Sullivan,
Baby Jane Dexter,
Harrison Greenbaum,
Celia Berk, Billy Roe,
Adam Shapiro,
Jim Brochu,
Rosemary Loar,
Doris Dear, 2017 MetroStar
Emily Ellet, renowned whistler Steve Herbst,
Devin Bing,
Christine Pedi,
Sheryl Lee Ralph,
Charlie Romo,
Richard Holbrook,
Corinna Sowers Adler,
Eddie Brill,
Lennie Watts,
Lina Koutrakos,
Ricky Ritzel,
Warren Schein, Naked Cowgirl Sandy Kane,
Stearns Matthews,
Pamela Lewis, Too Blondes,
Vivian Reed, and
Randie Levine-Miller.
For the entire line-up and schedule, visit
www.metropolitanroom.com
A beyond-reasonable $15 one-time admission fee is good for the entire 24-hour marathon. (The first drink is free with purchase, no minimums. For reservations call
212/206-0440 or to order online visit
www.metropolitanroom.com
Since its May 2006 opening, the Nightlife and Bistro Award-winning Metropolitan Room has been known as a prime launchpad for emerging talents in jazz and cabaret, as well as a showplace for a range of established artists in the theatre, film or television. The club's recently been home to Ed Asner,
Leslie Jordan,
Tom Wopat and regular headliner
Baby Jane Dexter, and is proud to host jazz legend
Annie Ross every Tuesday. Other Broadway actors who have had major engagements include
Liz Callaway,
Vivian Reed,
Linda Lavin, and
Euan Morton. The Metropolitan Room is also celebrated for re-introducing nightclub legend
Marilyn Maye to New York audiences after a 15-year hiatus, and was the first to bring wide attention to British singing sensation
Barb Jungr.
Before retiring earlier this year,
Stephen Holden of The New York Times called it "the best of New York's smaller clubs."
