Pedi, Vidnovic, Brinberg, Etc. to Play Metropolitan Room
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 25, 2007
The Metropolitan Room, the popular cabaret located at 34 W. 22nd St., has announced a partial July line-up of performers, which is as follows:
7/1 7:00- Christine Pedi "Great Dames"
"The long time Forbidden Broadway diva (currently in Talk Radio on B'way) conjures up the spirits of the great ladies of the stage, screen and beyond."
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7/2 7:00- Christine Pedi "Great Dames"
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9:30- Rosemary Loar "The Quando Swing"
"Everyone knows that jazz is a cool, intellectual and rarified art form that can only be appreciated by true devotees. Or not... For Rosemary Loar, jazz is a smorgasbord, a feast of incredible tastes and textures. In 'The Quando Swing,' Rosemary makes it her business to give her audience the opportunity to sample each and every one of those exotic flavors. There is laughter and fun, poignancy and reflection, and an evening of wonderful music."
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7/3 TBA
7/4 TBA
7/5 TBA
7/6 6:00- Private Party
10:00- Metrojam Hosted by Joe Bachana
"The Metropolitan Room's 'open mic' night moves to Friday. Come join some of New York's finest musicians and singers. Just listen, or join in!"10.00
7/7 8:00- Miles Phillips "Specific Overtures"
"'Specific Overtures' captured the hearts of New York audiences and critics alike. The show is an exploration of life's "stepping off points" – moments of trust and reaching out that are integral to the human experiences of friendship, love and faith. The song list features an impressive range of material – from show tunes and standards to pop and rock. Surprise vocalists have been known to pop up for a show-stopping barbershop quartet and 2007 MAC Male Debut winner Rob Langeder joins Miles for a soaring duet!"
20.00
7/8 7:00- Jenna Esposito "A Hint Of Rosemary: The Songs Of Rosemary Clooney"
"From 'Come On-a My House' and 'White Christmas' in the 50's, to jazzier, more nuanced work in her later career, Rosemary Clooney made an idelible impression on the popular music of America. Her interpretations of the Great American Songbook have inspired generations of singers, and in this show, Jenna Esposito pays tribute to the wonderful music to which Rosemary brought her incomparable voice and heartfelt interpretations."
20.00
7/9 7:00- Clark Warren "Better Than Anything"
In 'Better Than Anything,' Clark's accessible pop-jazz baritone will serve up diverse treats from the likes of Richard Rogers and James Taylor to Claude Thornhill and Gerry Mulligan. Frank Underwood, musical director, and Jennifer Vincent, bass/cello play arrangements and solos which make this mix of both requested and seldom heard tunes qualify as 'new' to the ear."
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7/9 9:30- Rosemary Loar "The Quando Swing"
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7/10 7:00- Annie Ross
"Annie Ross is one of the pioneers of vocalese and the composer of 'Twisted,' one of the most well known examples of that art, as well as 'Farmers Market,' 'Jackie' and many others. A founding member of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, considered the greatest jazz vocal ensemble of all time, her influence is present in all subsequent practitioners of vocalese. 'Twisted' has been recorded by a host of vocalists, including some not normally associated with jazz, including Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler."
25.00
9:30- Cary Hoffman "My Sinatra: The Songs and the Stories"
"Cary Hoffman, an extraordinary crooner, sings the great songs of Frank Sinatra and relates how an obsession with his idol helped shaped Cary's life and probably also negated any chance of developing an original voice."
25.00
7/11 7:00- Greg Purnhagen "Babalu-cy! - The Art Of Desi Arnaz"
"Backed by some of the best Latin players in New York under the direction of his long time musical director David Cook, Greg will shine a spotlight on the great Latin icon Desi Arnaz, who was much more than just Ricky Ricardo. Greg's special guest 'Lucy' will be the Bistro Award and two- time MAC Award-winning musical comedy performer Georga Osborne. 'Babalu-cy' will take a look at Arnaz's career, from his tremendous early success as a bandleader to his relationship with America's Favorite Redhead. The show also features highlights of the many numbers he performed on 'I Love Lucy.' Of course, the conga will be played!"
25.00
7/12 8:00- Julie Wilson - Back by Popular Demand!
"The Metropolitan Room welcomes the Queen of New York Cabaret!! Julie Wilson vamps it up in a new show singing songs she has never sung before along with new tunes by contemporary composers. Of course, there will be old favorites too. Feathers will be flying at the Metropolitan Room!"
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7/13 8:00- Julie Wilson
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7/14 5:00- Work 'O The Weavers
"When The Weavers very first recording, the 2-sided 'Tzena Tzena/Goodnight Irene' topped the charts in 1950, no one was more surprised than The Weavers themselves. In the following two years, they revolutionized the nature of American popular music, introducing songs that would become part of our collective musical consciousness, such as 'If I Had a Hammer', 'On Top of Old Smoky,' 'This Land is Your Land,' 'Wimoweh,' 'Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,' 'Michael Row the Boat Ashore,' and 'So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh.' With an authenticity and exuberance never before heard, The Weavers gave heart to a generation beset with the Cold War and the Blacklist, kindling the 'folk boom' of the '50s and '60s, and providing the foundation upon which virtually every subsequent folk performer would build.
In 2003, James Durst, David Bernz, Martha Sandefer & Mark Murphy formed Work o' the Weavers to honor The Weavers and their invaluable contribution to America's--and the world's--musical landscape. Adhering faithfully to The Weavers' original arrangements, WotW not only sings the beloved familiar songs, but also have begun to add to the repertoire songs The Weavers might be singing today--this at the behest of founding Weaver Pete Seeger, who has encouraged this newer foursome to pick up the torch and carry on."
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7/14 8:00- Julie Wilson
25.00
10:30- Miles Phillips "The Unrest Inside Me"
"'The Unrest Inside Me' grew from Miles' reflections on his 'Life Upon The Wicked Stage' and the result is a joyous celebration of the journeys of the actor and the formidable challenges of balancing Art, Travel, Showbiz and Love – all presented in his immensely warm, moving and intelligent style. The song list is eclectic, as fans expect from Miles, and includes his critically acclaimed original song 'Art and Love.'
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7/15 7:00- Lennie Watts "Manilow '73-'83"
"MAC, Bistro, and Nightlife Award winning vocalist, and long time 'Fanilow,' Lennie Watts pays tribute to one of the most successful pop performers of all time, Barry Manilow. Focusing on 10 chart topping years, 1973-1983, Watts and his band breathe new life into old hits."
20.00
9:30- "Town Without Pity: The Very Best Of Gene Pitney"
"Il Divo meets Forever Plaid! Four of the smoothest guys from Hollywood bring sexy back like it's 1963! Conceived and staged by Richard Hochberg, 'Town Without Pity' is an homage to one of the most under-recognized pop starts of the 1960's. Within a period of 5 years, Gene Pitney wrote hits for the Crystals and Ricky Nelson, worked with Phil Spector and the Rolling Stones, sang an Oscar nominated song, and was voted Italy's #1 recording artist. Featuring: PJ Griffith, Joe Settineri, Jonathan Redford, Alistart Tober with Robert Chioffi at the piano."
20.00
7/16 7:00- "Martin Vidnovic: What Matters To Me Broadway"
Veteran makes his cabaret debut at the Metropolitan Room! Martin Vidnovic is currently playing Bellomy in the revival of The Fantasticks at The Snapple Theatre Center. Prior to that he toured nationally as The King in The King and I with Sandy Duncan, and then went on to appear in the world premier of Tony Kushner's play But the Giraffe, which accompanied his translation of the opera Brundibar at The New Victory Theatre. His Broadway credits include a Tony nomination as Tommy in Brigadoon, an L.A. Drama Critics Award for Jud in Oklahoma! during it's pre-Broadway tour, and a Drama Desk Award as Nick in Maltby and Shire's Baby, among numerous others."
25.00
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7/17 7:00- Annie Ross
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9:30- Suzanne Carrico "The Art of the Cahn: Music from the Sammy Cahn Songbook"
"Up and coming New York City singer Suzanne Carrico with Tedd Firth, piano & Steve Doyle, bass put their own mark on the much loved songs of Sammy Cahn with their show 'The Art of the Cahn: Music from the Sammy Cahn Songbook.' Cahn's lyrics are an important part of the Great American Songbook, including work with composers like Saul Chaplin, Jule Styne, Nicholas Brodsky, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Vernon Duke and James Van Huesen among many others. These songs have graced the silver screen, stage and concert halls sung by our greatest voices including Mario Lanza, Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Bing Crosby and most prolifically the great Frank Sinatra."
20.00
25.00
9:30- Connie James "Raising The Bar"
In April of this year, snger-actress Connie James starred in the independent short film "Brothers", by Italian Director Fernando Scarpa. James has also beennominated for a Pixie Award for Best Song/Soundtrack in a Motion Picture forthe song 'Three Words,' which she co-wrote and recorded with Composer/Pianist Onaje Allen Gumbs, for the short subject film 'Whoa.' The film received the Angel Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003. The film was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival last year. A classically trained singer with a degree in music from the University of South Carolina, several years ago she decided to add acting to her repertoire of talents, landing roles on NBC's 'Law & Order;' 'Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit' and 'Homicide: Life on the Street.'"
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7/19 8:00- Julie Wilson
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7/20 8:00- Julie Wilson
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7/21 8:00- Julie Wilson
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7/22 7:00- Lennie Watts "Manilow '73-'83" 2
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9:30- Keyth Lawrence "The Dairy Farm Follies"(II)
"Keyth Lawrence returns to the Metropolitan Room with the second installment of 'The Dairy Farm Follies.' Featuring more brand new material that was composed during hunting season on a dairy farm in Upstate, NY this evening will support the I Said! Records release of his new single, 'Mint' as he gears up for the release of his second record.
15.00
7/23 7:00- Martin Vidnovic "What Matters To Me"
25.00
9:30- Steven Brinberg is "Simply Barbra"
"Steven Brinberg wows audiences around the World with his award winning impersonation of the Diva with the perfect manicure!" 25.00
7/24 7:00- Annie Ross
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9:30- Cary Hoffman "My Sinatra: The Songs And The Stories"
25.00
7/25 7:00- Greg Purnhagen "Babalu-cy! - The Art Of Desi Arnaz"
25.00
7/26 7:00- Clark Warren "Better Than Anything"
20.00
7/27 7:30- Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter, and Tim DiPasqua "Southern Comfort" A Down-Home Country Music Jamboree."
"This toe-tapping evening of sweet harmony was awarded both the 2007 Nightlife and Bistro Awards for Outstanding Vocal Duo/Group and features music from a wide variety of singer-songwriters including The Eagles, Dolly Parton, George Jones and Willie Nelson."
25.00
7/28 8:00- Ricky Ritzel and Leslie Anderson "Johnny Mercer A to Z!"
"Johnny Mercer A-Z celebrates one of America's most prolific songwriters, in alphabetical order! Every month Ricky Ritzel and Leslie Anderson will present a different program of Johnny Mercer songs ranging from the standard to the obscure to Broadway and Hollywood. Ricky Ritzel has been a fixture on the nightclub and cabaret scene in NYC for over 25 years and has received most Cabaret awards including13 Manhattan Association of Clubs Awards in 8 different categories. Leslie Anderson has been a piano bar/cabaret performer for several years and her work has favored her with various awards and opportunities. She has been asked to perform several times at the Iridium Jazz Club and always enjoys the opportunity to work with jazz aficionados. She recently received the 2007 Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC)Award for Outstanding Piano Bar Performer."
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7/29 7:00- Lennie Watts "Manilow '73-'83"
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7/30 7:00- Martin Vidnovic "What Matters To Me"
25.00
9:30- "Friends With Benefits 2" A benefit for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids.
"The second in a series of benefits hosted by Award winning vocalist Amy Wolk, and Mamma Mia!'s Gerard Salvador, featuring performers from Broadway and cabaret."
15.00
7/31 7:00- Annie Ross
25.00
9:30- Suzanne Carrico "The Art of the Cahn: Music from the Sammy Cahn Songbook"
20.00
Others who will soon play the Metropolitan Room include Kim Nalley, Bill McKinley, Mychelle Colleary, Penny Fuller, Anne Steele, Jodi Stevens, Marcus Goldhaber, Amanda McBroom, Marianne Challis, Anna Bergman, Barbara Brussel, Mary Foster Conklin, Tammy Grimes, JeAnne McDonald, Luba Mason and Liz Callaway.
Call (212) 206-0440 or visit www.metropolitanroom.com for reservations. There is a 2 beverage minimum per person for each show in addition to the cover charge.
Photo of Christine Pedi by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
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