Metrostar 2011 Challenege Begins Tonight at Metropolitan Room

50 solo singers have been chosen to compete in the fourth annual "MetroStar Talent Challenge," an eight-week, jury and audience-voted elimination-round competition that begins on Monday, July 11, at 7pm at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street.

This year's roster of guest judges will include a number of notable actors and singers, including Billy Stritch, Scott Coulter, Gregory Generet, Pamela Luss, Chuck Cooper, Doreen Montalvo, Raissa Katona Bennett, and Jason Danieley. Also among the rotating guest jurists are the media personalities Bill Boggs, David Kenney, David Noh, James Gavin, Frank Dain, Donald Smith and Stephanie Simon. The contest's three permanent judges are the critic Roy Sander (the chairman), the producer Sherry Eaker, and critic Rob Lester.

The grand prize-winner (named the night of the contest's finale on August 29) wins, among other career-boosting encouragements, a fully produced, prime-time booking at the Metropolitan Room and a professionally produced live recording of this upcoming show. The 2011 contest's schedule consists of the trials (July 11, 18, 25); Round 2 on August 1 (when the talent is whittled down to 15); the quarter-finals on August 8 (pitting the top 10); the semi-finals on August 15 (when the top 8 go head-to-head), and two rounds of finals featuring five finalists on August 22 and 29. For the semi-finals on August 15, the 8 remaining contestants will be asked to perform a song based on a theme chosen by the jury. On August 22, the five finalists tackle a common song.

Making special appearances on the final night will be last year's grand-prize winner T. Oliver Reid, and the Broadway actress Doreen Montalvo ("In the Heights"). The contest's music directors are Nate Buccieri, Barry Levitt, Jeff Cubeta, and Tracy Stark.

"The MetroStar Talent Challenge" 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.

To check out the talent roster for the 2011 "MetroStar Talent Challenge" visit www.metropolitanroom.com The shows, on eight consecutive Mondays, are all at 7pm. The cover charge for all shows is $20, with a two-drink minimum. Rated "Best of New York" by New York Magazine, the Nightlife and Bistro Award-winning Metropolitan Room is at 34 West 22nd Street. For reservations call 212/206-0440.