Emily Bergl, Michael Musto, KT Sullivan Among 2013 MetroStar Talent Challenge Guest Judges; Kicks Off Tonight!

Beginning tonight, 75 solo singers are competing in the sixth annual MetroStar Talent Challenge at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. Hosted by the comic actor-singer Jay Rogers, the seven-week, jury-and audience-voted competition kicks off with three weeks of trials (July 8, 15, 22), after which the Top 18 contestants will advance to the next round.

MetroStar, which offers a career-boosting package of prizes and professional encouragements worth over $10,000, is open to performers of all ages and backgrounds who have not played a major engagement at The Metropolitan Room. The winner - the 2012 MetroStar is Billie Roe - receives a fully produced, primetime major engagement at the Metropolitan Room as well as a live, multi-track professional recording of the show.

The contest's permanent judges include the singer-restaurateur Carolyn Montgomery-Forant; the acclaimed singer, actor and director Eric Michael Gillett; and the cabaret journalists Roy Sander (the chairman), and Rob Lester. After the contest's three weeks of trials, the permanent judges are joined by different weekly guest judges, drawn from the media, theatre and cabaret. These include Elizabeth Ahlfors, Lise Avery, Emily Bergl, Eric Comstock, Lynn DiMenna, Barbara Fasano, Ray Fox, David Hajdu, Lina Koutrakos, Michael Musto, Mark Nadler, and KT Sullivan.

This year's schedule includes the Quarter Finals on August 5, in which the top 10 singers perform two songs apiece, including this year's "theme choice," which asks the contestants to perform songs "not about love or romantic relationships." For the semi-finals on August 12, the seven remaining contestants will sing two new songs, plus a "common song" (to be announced). The contest's finale is on August 19.

The contest's resident music director is MAC Award-winning Tracy Stark.

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.

To check out the talent roster for the 2013 "MetroStar Talent Challenge" visit www.metropolitanroom.com The shows, on consecutive Mondays fromJuly 8 to August 19, are all at 7pm. The cover charge for all shows is $20, with a two-drink minimum. reservations call 212/206-0440.

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