Big Night Out Presents 1930's Idol 8/12, 8/20 At Don't Tell Mama's

The critically acclaimed open mic series, Big Night Out is bigger and better than ever! Billed as a delicious gathering for the musical community, Big Night Out is a unique and supportive environment for performers and composers of all backgrounds to come together and perform the music that they love. Hosted by The Fabulous Jennifer Wren, who made her cabaret debut in 2006 with her revue Love, Rainbows and All at Don't Tell Mama, and resident Musical Director William "Bill" Zeffiro, singers are encouraged to try out new material, sing the roles that they aspire to play, sing the roles they will never play, or just show off for the joy of it.

On August 12th and August 20th, in conjunction with New York's Dorothy Parker Society, Big Night Out will once again host its annual singer's competition, Big Night Out Presents 1930's Idol honoring the 116th birthday of writer Dorothy Parker and celebrating the music of the Jazz Age. The contest will take place at Restaurant Row's legendary cabaret landmark, Don't Tell Mama and will be divided into two thrilling events on August 12th (The 1930's Idol Preliminaries and August 20th (The 1930's Idol Grand Finals). The contest will feature 30 talented contestants from the cabaret and musical theatre stage competing for prizes and the titles of "Audience Favorite," "1st Runner Up" and the "1930's Idol Champion." Participants and audience members will be encouraged to dress in period style and "party like its 1929."

Last year, Big Night Out Presents1930's Idol was an overwhelming success with an attendance of over 100. This year, the contest is going to even bigger and better than with ever special performances by the Legendary K.T. Sullivan, The First Lady of New York Jazz, Daryl Sherman, radiant Feinstein's regular Julie Reyburn, Jazz Age Duo Gelber and Manning, The cast of Off-Broadway's current hit Danny and Sylvia and the star of Off-Broadway's Talk of the Town, Kristin Maloney. The amazing line-up of Idol Prize Sponsors includes The Algonquin Hotel, Flute Bar Midtown, New York City Center, Broadway's The 39 Steps, Off- Broadway's Danny and Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Story, Massage America, Couture De Jour, Moet Hennessy, BroadwayDemo.com and Intensati for Artists.

Big Night Out Presents 1930's Idol will be judged by a panel of distinctive individuals with specific expertise in the areas of performance, New York history, and the American Songbook. This year the judges' panel will feature our returning judges, Mr. Kevin Fitzpatrick, Dorothy Parker Historian and President of the Dorothy Parker Society, and Adam Feldman, Lead Drama Critic for Time Out New York and a Dramatists Guild Member, as well as first time judges, Roy Sander, Chairman of the Advisory Board of MAC, the "Godmother of Cabaret"Jan Wallman, and 2008 1930's Idol Champion Danielle Grabianowski.

Jennifer Wren has appeared in various New York productions including Unexpected Guest, The Wild Party (The Gallery Players), Commedia Del'artemisia and The Man Who Laughs (both with The Stolen Chair Theatre Company), Medusa and The Amazing Colossal Thing (both in the Vital Signs Festival), Granola! The Musical (NY International Fringe Festival), and numerous concerts, benefits, and workshops (including the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop). She has performed for audiences large and small in venues ranging from CBGB's to the Hudson Theatre. An accomplished actor as well as a singer, Ms. Wren has appeared on the Discovery Channel series, "Sensing Murder" as the ill-fated Mary Leonard, in several national commercials (including Atari: Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit and Cablevision's "Pixel" series) and on the new Independent Film Channel original series, "Z-Rock." www.jenniferwren,info

William "Bill" Zeffiro is the composer/lyricist and book writer of The Road To Ruin (NYMF 2008). In addition, Mr. Zeffiro worked as a co-writer/actor on USA Network's "Up All Night," as the musical director/composer for "Extreme Makeover" (ABC), and composed special material for "Another World" (NBC), Mario Cuomo and Rudolph Giuliani. He produced and performed with the lovely and legendary Kay Swift in An Evening Of Kay Swift. In addition, Mr. Zeffiro's career includes numerous music direction, performances, and recordings. Mr. Zeffiro continues his vocal training work with students on -and off-Broadway. www.theroadtoruin.com

Alex de Suze is Associate Producer of Big Night Out. Bringing her varied and immense talents to Big Night Out. Ms. de Suze's many artistic forays have taken her all over New England and New York. Her extensive acting career includes turns at the Prospect Theatre, the York Theatre, Passajj Productions, Speakeasy Stage, and The Public Theatre. She has sung in numerous productions at Don't Tell Mama, The Encores, New York City Center Encores!, The Bronx Opera Co., and with the New York Choral Society. In addition, Ms. de Suze has directed at the Riant Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Source, and written a multitude of works including sketch comedy, "Single What? Female," stories for "Stories At The Creek," and "Louder Than Words, and material for her own cabaret show "Following my Voice". www.singlewhatfemale.blogspot.com/

Big Night Out Presents 1930's Idol will play Wedenesday, August 12th AND Thursday August 20th at 8:00pm - at Don't'Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street -Restaurant Row) There is a $12 admission and a two beverage minimum. Reservations are highly suggested and can be made by calling 212-757-0788 (after 4:00 PM daily) or visiting the Don't Tell Mama website www.donttellmama.com. Big Night Out will occur at 8:30 PM on select THURSDAYS at Etcetera Etc. Restaurant following these performances. More information can be found at www.bnonyc.com

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