Photo Flash Exclusive: Vivian Reed Premieres New Show 'Standards and More' at the Metropolitan Room

VIVIAN REED, the two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and concert artist called "remarkable and ferocious" by The New York Times, returned to New York on Saturday April 2 at 9:30 PM, with the opening night of her new show "Standards and More" at The Metropolitan Room. BroadwayWorld brings you an exclusive look below!

Her special guests for the performance included Metropolitan Opera soprano Janinah Burnett and Broadway star Raun Ruffin, who appeared in The Civil War. Reed will also appear at The Metropolitan Room on May 23, June 17 and July 21, backed by a four-piece band led by Billy McDaniel. The evening included unique arrangements of classic standards by Duke Ellington, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and George Gershwin in a dazzling blend of pop, jazz, soul and R&B.

Reed's explosive resurgence has found her headlining major concerts, including a triumph at the Edith Piaf Centennial Celebration at Town Hall with the American Pops Orchestra in December 2015. She was praised for the "firepower of her majestic rage" by The New York Times and her "outstanding performance" by the New York Beacon. In Out Magazine, Michael Musto raved about her "grace, boldness, and amazing notes. Star this woman in another Broadway show immediately."

This follows acclaimed Town Hall appearances at The Mabel Mercer Convention and "Broadway Unplugged," in addition to "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's/54 Below, "American Showstoppers" at Pace University's Schimmel Center, the National Black Theatre Festival and the new Harold Arlen musical One For My Baby, created by Scott Thompson and Fred Barton. Her 2014 residency at Feinstein's/54 Below was called "one of the most exhilarating nightclub shows so far this year" by BroadwayWorld.com.

VIVIAN REED is a passionate multi-faceted entertainer who has earned two Tony Award nominations, the Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, the NAACP Award and several others. When Vivian originally took New York by storm in the original Broadway production of Bubbling Brown Sugar, she was hailed for her "magnificent voice" by The Hollywood Reporter and her "fine dancing talent and stage electricity" byThe New York Post. People Magazine heralded her one of their "25 Most Intriguing People of the Year." In the show she introduced her fiery rendition of "God Bless the Child," which has since become her signature show-stopper. Vivian subsequently starred in the show in Los Angeles and then led the world tour through England, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, France and beyond.

Her national TV appearances include "The Tonight Show," "The Today Show" and the ABC daytime drama "One Life to Live." She has shared the bill with notable performers such as Patti Labelle, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Elaine Stritch, Alan King, Sammy Davis Jr., Quincy Jones, Ashford & Simpson and Charles Aznavour. Her film credits include Heading for Broadway, L'Africain with Catherine Deneuve and La Rumba, in which she portrayed Josephine Baker. Recently she produced and starred in a short film What Goes Around, written by Straight Outta Compton star Angela Gibbs.

She captured the attention of Pierre Cardin, who booked Vivian into his theater which led to her first European TV special. She was invited by the Prince and Princess of Monaco to sing in Monte Carlo and later performed at the Top Fashion Designers Gala at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées and the American Film Festival in Deauville. She has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Time, Paris Match, People, Ebony and a cover profile inJet.

Vivian's most recent Broadway appearance was opposite Audra McDonald in Michael John LaChiusa's Marie Christine at Lincoln Center Theatre, which was nominated for six Tony Awards. She received critical acclaim in major productions of Sophisticated Ladies, Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd, Blues in the Night, High Rollers, Show Boat and Tintypes. Her recent plays include Blues for an Alabama Sky, Pork Pie and Cookin' at the Cookery. She also portrayed Lena Horne in More Than A Song with the Pittsburgh Ballet Company, directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett. Vivian appeared at the Lena Horne Awards honoring Rosie O'Donnell and Quincy Jones at the Ford Center in New York. She appeared in Three Mo' Divas at the San Diego Rep and Arena Stage in Washington, DC and received critical acclaim for her dramatic portrayal in The Second Tosca.

Vivian began voice training at age eight at the Pittsburgh Musical Institute, later continuing at New York's Juilliard School of Music followed by extensive dance training. She became a polished performer under the guidance of Honi Coles and Bobby Schiffman of the Apollo Theater. Ms. Reed has taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston and Marymount College in New York.

VIVIAN REED will sing "Standards & More" at The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues) on May 23 at 7:00 PM; Friday, June 17 at 9:30 PM; and Thursday, July 21 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $35 each with an additional two-drink minimum. VIP Packages with open bar and more are also available. Please visit www.MetropolitanRoom.com for additional information.

Photos by Lou Montesano / Stillrock.net

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