Anne Steele To Headline At The Metropolitain Room 2/18-2/22

The singer Anne Steele, who won last summer's first "MetroStar Talent Challenge" at the Metropolitan Room, will headline at the club from February 18 to 22 in "Strings Attached," a new show. Steele, a two-time MAC nominee, two-time Nightlife Award finalist, and Bistro Award winner, prevailed over an initial pool of 70 contestants in the 7-week jury and audience-voted elimination-round competition. Opening for Steele during the run will be her co-finalists Nesha Ward and Stearns Matthews, who will perform short sets on alternating nights.

"Strings Attached," with music direction by Kenny Davidsen and stage direction by Lennie Watts, daringly re-imagines an array of pop songs, using lush string orchestrations to coax out latent meanings. In "Strings Attached" Steele -- backed by piano, violin, cello, bass and guitar -- also threads in a number of standards that she freshens with her own contemporary vocal sound. The resulting intersection of pop and traditional sensibilities features songs by Britney Spears, Pink, Queen, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan and Stephen Sondheim among others.

In addition to her fully produced, prime-time engagement, Steele's MetroStar prize package includes a multi-track "Live at The Metropolitan Room" recording of her new show, which will be available in the spring. Among the professionals and artists who have collaborated with Steele are the former E! Entertainment host Leon hall (Fashion Emergency), the hair and make-up artist Colin Lively and the photographer Brian Friedman.

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 first MetroStar began on July 7, and climaxed seven weeks later on August 18.

"Strings Attached" performs Wednesday through Saturday February 18, 19, 20, 21 at 7:30pm and Sunday February 22 at 7pm. Steele's music charge is $25. For
reservations call 212/206-0440. Rated "Best of New York" by New York Magazine, the Nightlife and Bistro Award-winning Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, celebrates its third anniversary in May. www.metropolitanroom.com.