Blackhurst, Stritch, Hale and More Come to Metropolitan Room This Fall

A wave of cocktail culture from the West Coast is about to pour through the Metropolitan Room’s doors as Terese Genecco, Russ Lorenson and Corky Hale come to town, while Baby Jane Dexter and a number of other local notables like Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch stand up for the Eastern seaboard.
 
One of the Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards, vocalist Russ Lorenson makes his Metropolitan Room debut in “Standard Time,” a show full of “new standards” written within the last 20 years by composers such as Harry Connick Jr., John Pizzarelli, Michael Feinstein, Kelly Park, Ray Jessel, Andrew Lippa, Peter Cincotti and even Lorenson himself.  “Standard Time” will be recorded live for a 2009 release.  The 2007 MAC nominee is here for two performances, Saturday October 25 at 9:45pm and Tuesday October 28 at 9:30pm.  (Cover $25)
 
San Francisco’s “Entertainer of the Year” Terese Genecco, the MAC and Bistro Award-winning vocalist, comedian, and bandleader who regularly plays Saturdays at The Rrazz Room in the Hotel Nikko, has been hailed as the love child of Dean Martin and Judy Garland.  (Switched at birth?)  For two nights only -- Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7PM and Saturday, November 1 at 11:45PM –- Genecco unleashes an all-new, retro-cool, 50’s-style nightclub act, backed by a hopping 7-piece band featuring top jazz musicians from San Francisco and New York. (Cover $25)
 
Triple threat pianist harpist and singer, Corky Hale is considered one of the greatest jazz harpists in the world.  The L.A.-based phenom, who’s married to rock ‘n roll hall of famer Mike Stoler, has played har p for Liberace, Tony Bennett, Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole; piano for Billie Holiday and Mel Tormé, and she has sung with the bands of Harry James, Ray Anthony and Jerry Gray.  Not only that Hale soloed with Barbra Streisand in Central Park and the Hollywood Bowl, performed with Björk on an MTV special and appeared with George Michael and Boy George at the Royal Albert Hall and RFK Stadium.  Not only that she appeared as a guest artist at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra last November.  You have not heard or seen the harp until you’ve heard and seen Corky.  Four shows only!  Monday & Tuesday November 10 & 11 at 7pm; Friday & Saturday November 14 & 15 at 9:45pm.  (Cover $20)
 
Hold on to your babies, gang, ‘cause Baby Jane Dexter has just birthed a brand new show:  It’s called “IF (What Might Have Been... What Could Have Been... What Is!)” and it’s performing 9 times – Wednesday thru Saturday, November 12, 13, 14, 15; Thursday thru Saturday November 20, 21, 22; and Friday, Saturday Nov. 28 & 29.  All shows at 7:30pm.  The songs are from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Leslie Bricusse, Bacharach & David, Harry Nilsson, Lucinda Williams, Kander & Ebb and Bonnie Bramlett. Ross Patterson is the music director/arranger, and Boots Maleson kicks on bass. Conceived and directed by Elissa Patterson, “If” follows Dexter’s last hit show “You’re Following Me,” which premiered in February 2007, and was recorded and reprised at The Metropolitan Room a buncha times, prompting Stephen Holden to remark, "Ms. Dexter has the power of a mighty gospel singer with the will to move heaven and earth." (Cover $25)
 
And back by popular demand, but at a brand new time, it’s “Pure Magic” starring Eric DeCamps.  Voted Magician of the Year by The Society of American Magicians, Decamps puts a contemporary spin on close-up conjuring in this intimate chamber magic show that evokes the ambiance of a 1940’s jazz club. Every Sunday at 4pm starting Sunday November 9 (through December 28), the frank, funny, and fact-filled Decamps makes it seem way too easy in this  unforgettable introduction to the art of sleight of hand.  A great holiday show for the kids and for skeptics young and old. Directed by Bob Fitch, “Pure Magic” is bound to make a believer out of you.  (Cover $25)
 
As previously announced, Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch have dreamed up a terrific new vehicle – “Dreaming of a Song – The Music of Hoagy Carmichael.”  This tandem bike of a show, featuring two of New York’s most well-liked and likable entertainers, mines the Carmichael catalogue and unearths lesser-known gems as well as many of his beloved treasures.  Performs 7 times: Tuesday October 14 at 7pm; Wednesday thru Friday October 15, 16, 17, all at 9:45pm; Wednesday November 19 at 7:30pm; Thursday & Friday November 20 and 21, both at 9:45pm. (Cover $30)
 
The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street , New York's most talked-about intimate concert venue, celebrated its second anniversary in May 2008.  There is a two-drink minimum per person for all shows.  For reservations call 212/206-0440. For information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.

Photo Credit Peter James Zielinski