'New Voices,' with Thoms and Simon, Set for June 18

The third season of the acclaimed Monday Nights, New Voices series continues June 18 at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher St.).

Tracie Thoms, who starred as Joanne in the film version of Rent, will host the evening, celebrating the talents of 'New Voices' Brooke Jacob, Rich Silverstein, Josh Lamon, Charl Brown and Nadia Wahhab.  Show time is 7 PM.

Tony Award-nominated composer, Lucy Simon, is the evening's guest composer.  In addition to telling the stories behind songs from her songbook, Simon will also accompany herself on a song from The Secret Garden. Barbara Anselmi is the musical director for the evening.

Composer Scott Alan launched the Monday Nights, New Voices series to "showcase some of today's brightest new talent in New York."

Thoms has appeared on Broadway in Drowning Crow, as well as Off-Broadway in The Exonerated and Up Against the Wind.  Regionally, she has been seen in Joe Turner's Come and Gone, A Raisin in the Sun, The Oedipus Plays and Hair (Helen Hayes nom.).  Film and TV credits include Rent (Joanne Jefferson; Director: Chris Columbus), The Devil Wears Prada (Lilly), Grindhouse (Kim), "Cold Case" (Kat Miller), "Law and Order," Brother to Brother, "As If," "Porn 'N Chicken," "The Shield," "Wonderfalls" and the upcoming theatrical release of Descent (Director: Talia Lugacy).

Simon is the composer of the new musical Zhivago, which recently had its premier at La Jolla Playhouse. She made her Broadway debut in 1991 as the composer of The Secret Garden, for which she received Tony and Drama Desk nominations, the DramaLogue Award and a Grammy nomination for the recording of the score. She received two Grammy Awards for her In Harmony albums, which she co-wrote and produced. Simon wrote songs for the film A Simple Wish and contributed songs for the long-running review A … My Name is Alice. She began her professional career at the age of 16 with her sister Carly as part of The Simon Sisters.

There is a $12 music charge and a two-drink minimum. For reservations call (212) 255-5438 or visit this link.  Visit www.theduplex.com for more information.

Photo of Tracie Thoms by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.