Photo Flash: T. Oliver Reed, J. Elaine Marcos and More Play the Met Room

On Monday, April 27th, the Metropolitan Room was packed with Broadway & Aspiring artists who shared new works and cheered each other on at the Broadway Artists & Friends Open Mic & Mingle. Hosted by JERSEY BOYS' Peter Gregus, audiences were treated to an up close look at singers trying out new songs & sharing their stories. The evening was intimate, joyful and full of opportunities for everyone involved to make invaluable industry connections. Scroll down for photos!

Among some Broadway highlights were J.Elaine Marcos (8 time Broadway principle) who had the audience bellied over laughing at her stand up and song routine; T.Oliver Reed (9 time Broadway veteran) who's smooth as silk voice left people wanting more; Broadway couple Pat & Jessica McRoberts, who sang a true to life version of "What Can Be Better" from BABY; and Denise Pence (the Fosse Gypsy who's story has been immortalized as the character in A CHORUS LINE who could 'never really sing') brought down the house proving she can in fact sing, entertain and wow the crowd.

Sixteen aspiring artists had the courage to take the stage after the pros and proved that guts and hard work does in fact impress. Ranging from 13 years old to well...much, much older, both spectrums proved that talent is ageless. Guest Casting Director Jason Styres from Binder Casting crowned Lina Silver and Christopher Michaels as the "future of Broadway" qualifying them to sing for a cash prize at the BAC All Stars later this year. "I love being a part this event! It's a great opportunity to perform for an audience in a professional atmosphere and get feedback from people we look up to!" stated Michaels.

The evening, produced by Mac Award Winner, Joseph Macchia, was the one of several Broadway Artists Connection (BAC) events to be held at the Metropolitan Room.

Broadway cast: T. Oliver Reed (AFTER MIDNIGHT, SISTER ACT, MARY POPPINS, WEDDING SINGER, LA CAGE, NEVER GONNA DANCE, MILLIE, FOLLIES, KISS ME KATE), Heather Parcells (SOUL DOCTOR, WONDERLAND, A CHORUS LINE, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG), D'Vorah Bailey (CANDIDE), Bernard Dotson (FINIAN'S RAINBOW, IMAGINARY FRIENDS, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, RAGTIME, CHICAGO), J. Elaine Marcos (ANNIE, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESSERT, A CHORUS LINE, WEDDING SINGER, SWEET CHARITY, WONDERFUL TOWN, FLOWER DRUM SONG, MISS SAIGON), Sean McDermott (GREASE, FALSETTOS, MISS SAIGON, STARLIGHT EXPRESS), Denise Pence (PIPPIN, FOLLIES, THE ROTHSCHILDS), Jessica McRoberts (SPIDERMAN, TURN OFF THE DARK, FOLLIES, NINE), Pat McRoberts (MISS SAIGON), and Peter Gregus as host (JERSEY BOYS, CONTACT, AIN'T BROADWAY GRAND).

Additional artists included: Lina Silver, Christina Cataldo, Brian Jones, Lauren Stanford, Michael Marano, Meghan Jenkins, Javier E Gomez, Jacob Lazar, Barbara Malley, Lars Halldin, Johnny Haeger, Christopher Michaels, Will Branner, Emma Green, Marina Colona, Abby DeMauri, and Roselyse Russo.

Yasuhiko Fukuoka on piano, Will Maitland Weiss, Stage Manager & BAC Advisor, Joseph Macchia Producer. For more information about Broadway Artist Connection Events, visit www.broadwayconnects.org.

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