Metropolitan Room Announces November Lineup
By: Jessica Lewis Oct. 20, 2009
The Metropolitan Room, deemed the best cabaret room in New York by New York Magazine, has announced its upcoming November calendar.
Featured events include:
November 1, 2009
4PM: Meg Flather "More View Points" Meg Flather, known to millions as one of home shopping television's most popular on-air personalities, who has appeared on QVC, Shop NBC, HSN, TVSN ( Australia ), and The Shopping Channel ( Canada ) as one of TV's most successful cosmetic salespersons,has enjoyed a life-long parallel career as a singer and songwriter. With more than two decades writing and performing, Flather boasts five albums, all of which are commercially available via www.amazon.com and www.theorchard.com. A member of ASCAP, her original compositions are published by Margaret Hall Music. "More View Points" is an expression of the outspoken Flather's personality. Laced together with humorous snippets of her life story, including a childhood spent in the Philippines where her father was a director for the US Peace Corps during the Kennedy Administration, "More Viewpoints" celebrates the women who inspired Flather to write and perform music - Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Annie Lenox, and Suzanne Vega - together with many of her own compositions. Her show blends the genres of folk, pop, jazz, and the music hall with an ongoing commentary heavy on punchlines. Years after returning from the Philippines, Flather studied at New York 's famous High School of Music and Art in Harlem. As a singer and songwriter, Flather is a two-time Backstage Bistro Award-winner. Her original music is heard in the soundtracks of theatrical films, including one that bowed at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as the Off-Broadway play, "Acts of Love," and "A secret Better Not Kept," a multi-media project to prevent teen suicide. She has also performed as a special guest at the Tribeca and Vermont Film Festivals. As a comedic actress Flather has been seen on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and the syndicated "Rosie O'Donnell Show." $20
7PM: Daryl Glenn and JoLynn Burks sing songs from Nashville Daryl Glenn and his co-star, Broadway singer/conductor/pianist Jo Lynn Burks return with their popular, critically acclaimed, BISTRO, NIGHTLIFE, and MAC award-winning, tribute to Robert Altman's classic 1975 film, "NASHVILLE" the very first Sunday of each and every month at 7 pm. With a new and udderly fabulous special guest star for every dang show! Backed by a 6 piece all-star country band and featuring The Metropolitan Room's own Tanya Holt, Broadway's Brad Wills and award-winning/cabaret favorite Jay Rogers its a country-western throw-down. Every song from the soundtrack album will be recreated including Keith Carradine's Academy Award winning "I'm Easy". Tickets are $25.
9:30PM: Aaron Gleason
November 2, 2009
7PM: Chelsea Krombach brings her buttery voice from the Broadway stage to the Metropolitan Room. She updates standards with ease, underscoring Gershwin and Porter with grooves from The Black Eyed Peas and the streets of New Orleans. Tickets are $15.
11/3 7PM Jenna Esposito of "Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis," a 2008 and 2009 MAC award nominee for female vocalist, made her NYC cabaret debut in August, 2004 and has since performed shows at The Duplex, Danny's Skylight Room, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and the Metropolitan Room. Her shows "A Hint of Rosemary: The Songs of Rosemary Clooney," "SMOOCH!" and "I Hate Men: Songs for the Scorned" have all received critical acclaim, and her annual "All-Star Birthday Bash" is a fun-filled evening during which she has shared the stage with a number of New York's finest performers. Jenna is also the host of Metrojam--the Metropolitan Room's open mic, which takes place on the first Friday of every month. 13 Men...and Me!, Jenna's debut CD, was released in October, 2007. "Cabaret's Sweetheart" will be singing the songs of "America's Sweetheart" in Jenna's brand new show celebrating the songs of Connie Francis. Directed by Lennie Watts with musical direction by Fortune Esposito, the show will feature hits such as "Where The Boys Are," "Stupid Cupid," and "Who's Sorry Now," as well as a number of lesser-known gems. Tickets for this CD release show are $20.
9:30PM 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
November 4, 2009
7:30PM Danielle Grabianowski For her solo cabaret debut Danielle Grabianowski - Metrostar's 1st runner up and the 2008 *1930's Idol* - will sing early songs from the Great American Songbook such as the Depression Era Classic, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" and the lesser known, "I'll Die Happy" as well as new tunes from the likes of Christina Courtin, Regina Spektor and the White Stripes. Tickets are $15.
November 5, 2009
7:30PM Karen Oberlin Oberlin "Birds Do It" MAC and Bistro Award winner Oberlin has been described by the NEW YORK TIMES as having "impeccable pop style (and) musical intelligence. (Her singing has) purity, naturalness, polished phrasing (and a) jazzy spontaneity." For her new show, "BIRDS DO IT," Oberlin finds her natural inspiration from such varied songwriters as Cole Porter, Fred Hersch, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim, Dave Frishberg and Paul McCartney. Musical direction is by Tedd Firth. Tickets are $20.
9:45PM Ricky Ritzel "Ricky Ritzel has Hysterical Blondness" CABARET VETERAN Ricky Ritzel TALKS ABOUT HIS 30-PLUS YEAR CAREER, HIS BRUSHES WITH CELEBS AND RUNNING OVER AN ALLIGATOR IN FLORIDA! Ricky Ritzel has been a fixture on the nightclub and cabaret scene in NYC for 30 years and has received most Cabaret awards including 13 Manhattan Association of Clubs Awards in 8 different categories .He has performed all over the United States as well as London and Paris. An accomplished solo performer, Ricky has also accompanied such greats as Vivian Blaine, Ruth Warrick, Arthur Prysock, Varla Jean Merman, Julie Wilson, Lenora Nemetz and Miss Coco. Ricky was featured musician/sidekick on Sandra Bernhard's Radio Show on SIRIUS Satellite network and was musical director for the Sally Rand Tribute at Town Hall featuring Bebe Neuwirth, Donna McKechnie, Marge Champion, Karen Mason and directed by Tony Stevens. With famed Chicago jazz vocalist Spider Saloff, Ricky created several award winning revues such as "1938", which was recorded on the Kopathetics label, "Porgy & Bess: a Cabaret Concert" and "Ira and Others".His performance as Jimmy Durante in "Schnozzola!" earned him critical raves and numerous awards. Ricky is half of the kooky "Lounge does Top 40" duo, THE LOUNGEOLEERS with 5 CD's on the Emenar label. As an actor his roles include Snug in ' A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Third Priest in 'MURDER IN The catHEDRAL', Dr. Rance in 'WHAT THE BUTLER SAW', Jonathan in 'OH DAD POOR DAD...' and various roles in 'HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FILM' He can also be seen as SCARY MAN who comes on to Christian Campbell in the film"TRICK". Ricky was seen in Las Vegas as Jimmy Durante in"Stop the Music!' at the Cashman Theatre with Sharon McNight as Sophie Tucker and with Leslie Anderson at the legendary Monkey Bar on East 54th. Ricky was the first Artistic Director for Cabaret at the Inaugural Gettysburg Festival in 2008 and returned in 2009. He is also proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the Manhattan Association of Cabarets, for which he served as President for 3 years. Tickets are $20.
November 6, 2009
9:45PM Nicole Henry Her latest CD "The Very Thought of You," just reached #7 on U.S. Billboard's Top Jazz Chart. With three international TOP 10-selling CDs in the last five years, and a list of international performances, young Nicole Henry's soulful voice continues to inspire and touch hearts worldwide. Performing the Great American Songbook, love songs, and originals, Henry's voice adds new life and richer meaning to the lyrics she sings. Nicole Henry is simply one of the finest vocalists to emerge this decade. Tickets are $25.
11/7 5PM Merrill Grant "My Shirley Years" With the return of Merrill Grant's debut cabaret, "My Shirley Years", Merrill brings you a lovebale, funny, light-hearted evening of songs and anecdotes of Shirley Temple, along with those of the leading ladies in her films- Dorothy Dell, Rochelle Hudson, Alice Faye and others. Tap dancing and other sparkling surprises are in store as Merrill tells of the span of time in her childhood she refers to as "My Shirley Years." Winner of Audience Favorite at "1930's Idol" 2009. Tickets are $20.
10PM Metrojam Join host Jenna Esposito for our monthly open mic! Sit back and enjoy the music, or sign up and sing with some of New York's hottest musicians. $10
November 8, 2009
4PM Maureen Taylor "Taylor Made: Bob Merrill" Maureen Taylor celebrates Merrill from " the Simple to the Sublime!" Merrill celebrated the Ordinary Everyday Man... while "stitching a suit" of chart hits, novelty songs, 8 Tony award nominations, a Golden Globes nomination and an Academy Award for Best Song with songwriting partner Jule Styne. Come rediscover Bob Merrill from "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window, to "Mambo Italiano" to "Love Makes The World Go Round" to" Funny Girl"...and let the Ordinary Man thrive! $20
7PM Ricky Ritzel "Ricky Ritzel has Hysterical Blondness" $20
9:30PM AnaIza Otis performs her one-woman show, entitled, 'The AnaIza Experience." New Jersey native Ana Otis, the daughter of legendary songwriter and producer, Clyde Otis and former top model and recording artist Lulu Guerrero, is an author, singer/songwriter and a fine artist in her own right. Beginning a professional singing career at the age of seven which spans over 30 years, Ana joined the original vocal cast of Sesame Street and has recorded over 70 jingles, as well as animated television specials such as Frosty's Winter Wonderland, and other commercial recordings, including "Sing", with the Carpenters. As an adult, Ana has performed as a solo artist in the United States and abroad and has performed with and opened for the late Dizzy Gillespie, Illinois Jacquet and his big band and other jazz greats. Recently, AnaIza has performed at Joe's Pub, The Metropolitan Room, and at restaurants out in the Hamptons. As a songwriter, Ana's biggest accomplishment was in composing "If You Wanna Sing Me (I'll Be A Song)" recorded by Jazz legend Nancy Wilson as a title song on the album titled "I'll be a Song" and performed live by Ms. Wilson in the feature film, "The Big Score". "I'll be a Song" was also re-released on the 4 disc CD Compilation The Essence of Nancy Wilson- 4 Decades of Music as one of Ms. Wilson's personal favorite recordings. Ana has featured in Venus, Black Elegance and Billboard Magazines, and in numerous NYC and NJ newspapers. AnaIza, who attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France, majoring in French, Art History and Fine Arts, has been heavily involved in volunteer work and is a former Platinum member of New York Women in Film and TV (NYWIFT); served on the board of directors of NewFest, the NYCLGBT Film Festival; and has served as a Juror for the International Emmy Awards for the past several years. Tickets are $25.
November 9, 2009
7PM Maureen Taylor "Taylor Made: Bob Merrill" $20
9:30PM Amy Wolk "Wolk This Way Amy Wolk returns to the Metropolitan Room with an all new show, Wolk This Way. Musical Direction by Steven Ray Watkins, Directed by Lennie Watts. Amy Wolk is a MAC winner for outstanding debut. Her previous shows include A Wolk in Progress, We Can Wolk it Out, Wastin Away Again in Wolkaritaville, and Wolka! Wolka! Wolka!. She is the host/producer of Friends With Benefits, a series which raises money for BC/EFA. She has a serious problem with people who misuse your and you're, and wishes that all of the random trivia answers would just get out of her head to make room for more important things. $15
November 11, 2009
7PM Darren Williams "NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR THE Peter Allen SONGBOOK" AUSTRALIAN VARIETY ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR recipient Darren Williams returns to the Metropolitan Room, celebrating the life and music of the man who inspired THE BOY FROM OZ musical. From ARTHUR'S THEME to I HONESTLY LOVE YOU, DON'T CRY OUT LOUD to I GO TO RIO, Darren explores the songbook of fellow Aussie entertainer Peter Allen, but very much in his own award winning style. Tickets are $20.
9:30PM Annie Ross. Tickets are $25
November 11, 2009
7:30PM Uptown Express Uptown Express will be reprising their hit show, Brand New Day in which CabaretScenes reviewed the show on May 27, saying: "Under the musical direction of James Reaching back through seven decades, they are spot-on with arrangements like a 1954 Crewcuts hit, "Crazy ‘Bout You Baby". Flash forward to the hypnotic syncopation of Jason Mraz' "I'm Yours", and then zoom back again to the 1930's for a vivid, "Sing For Your Supper"(Rodgers and Hart). You are in their pocket". With Special Guest Julie Gold. Tickets are $15
9:45PM John Hume " 7 stages" In January 2009 John C. Hume (JOHN HUME LIVE with Danny Katz on piano) sold out his debut New York cabaret engagement with a show about finally finding the man of his dreams. Three weeks after the show closed his boyfriend walked out on him. This winter join John on a new adventure as he is thrown down the rabbit hole of single-dom in search of an answer to the age old question: can any one man withstand the trial of going thru each of the 7STAGES of relationship grief?This journey thru bereavement is sung to the tunes of some of the 20th century's greatest composers. Mila Henry musically directs John's first appearance at the legendary Metropolitan Room for a limited one-night-only theatrical event. Tickets are $15.
November 12, 2009
7:30 Karen Oberlin "Birds Do It." Tickets are $20
9:45 Ricky Ritzel "Ricky Ritzel has Hysterical Blondness." Tickets are $20.
November 13, 2009
7:30PM Maria Guida "Soul Eyes" Maria Guida and her jazz trio swing favorites from the Great American Songbook. With Mark Soskin on piano, Dean Johnson on bass, and Jeff Hirshfield on drums." Tickets are $20.
November 14, 2009
5PM Merrill Grant "My Shirley Years." Tickets are $20.
7:30PM Suzzanne Douglas "Lucky To Be Me" Abbey Lincoln lives in her music. Suzzanne Douglas goes on her own musical journey as she sings the songs that Abbey penned and performed. Tickets are $20.
9:45PM Darren Williams "Not The Boy Next Door." Tickets are $25.
November 15, 2009
4PM Elisabeth Cernadas and Les Bandits "Stolen Songs and Stories" Join Eurpohile jazz combo Les Bandits as they take you on a voyage fantastique celebrating the great folk and pop ranconteurs of Le France and L'Anglataire and L'Etats Unis, excellently arranged for harp, winds, bass, cello, voice, ukulele and many more. Tickets are $15.
7PM Amy Wolk "Wolk This Way." Tickets are $15
9:30PM Ricky Ritzel "Ricky Ritzel has Hysterical Blondness." Tickets are $20.
To see the full November calendar of events, click here.
The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22 (between 5th and 6th Ave.). Reservations strongly suggested either online or by calling (212) 206-0440. Each show has a 2 beverage minimum. For more information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.
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