The Metropolitan Room Announces March Performances

 The Metropolitan Room announces March performances: 

Craig Pomranz 3/1 @ 7:00 PM 3/4 @4:00 PM 3/7,3/14 @9:30 PM $20 Cover The Ides Of March (Breaking Up Is The Thing To Do…)

As Julius Caesar found out, March is not an easy month. After the glow of Valentine's Day Craig will take you on a ride along the melodious and rocky road away from love with laughs and the promise of new love as a part of the journey!

Craig Pomranz, a fixture on the international nightclub scene, will be returning to The Metropolitan Room. With a vocal quality reminiscent of heart-melting tenors like Johnny Mathis, Chet Baker and Jimmy Scott, he has been described as one of the dreamiest voices in the music industry. Craig has distinguished himself consistently in his live shows by performing music from the Great American Songbook that is not over-recorded, contemporary pop, as well as more unusual songs he has collected from songwriters through the years. Pomranz crafts shows that feel freshly minted each night, like a nightclub act at the Copa from the golden days, and audiences can expect witty banter with his music director Stephen Bocchino, fast-paced entertainment, and moments of deeply moving beauty. In addition to his solo performances, he has shared the stage with Dame Cleo Laine, Barbara Cook, Betty Buckley and Ann Hampton Callaway.

Loni Ackerman 3/2, 3/23, 3/20 @ 7:00 PM $20 in her new cabaret show, “Next to Ab-Normal,” ebullient Broadway veteran Loni Ackerman recalls personal stories of her unusual New York upbringing (including her childhood associations with such “family friends” as Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon,) as well as revisiting songs she sang in New York hits like “Starting Here, Starting Now” or in one of her lengthy associations with the shows of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Directed by BarryKleinbort, with musical direction by Paul Greenwood, Ms. Ackerman’s repertoire also includes charming standards, contemporary songs, even one of her own compositions which became the theme song for a “very special” French film made during her time in Paris. Another prime example of her life as something just “Next to Ab-Normal”of a singular creative voice that taps all the cultures from which it is born.”

Susie Meisner 3/2 @ 9:30 PM $20 usie began her early professional career in dinner theatre in Buffalo, NY (earning $7 a night!) where she became smitten with the words and music of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hart. Susie’s warm and effortless articulation puts an intimate spin on her jazz repertoire inspired by jazz recordings of Ella Fitzgerald, and performances by Earl “Fatha” Hines, Kenny Burrell and Nancy Wilson. Meissner’s 2009 debut CD release, “I’ll Remember April,” with trumpet sensation Brian Lynch, features her fresh and intimate vocals in a collection of much-loved jazz and Brazilian standards. Her passion and exuberance for this music is unmistakable, and her CD was chosen by W.R. Stokes of the Jazz Journalist’s Association as “one of the top 20 Jazz Vocal CDs of the year.” Susie’s new release “I’m Confessin’” includes Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, one of the true greats on the jazz scene today. Her natural swing, ability to caress a ballad, and impressive versatility really shine on this recording. Of her appearance at the IRIDIUM in New York City, Joe Lang of Jersey Jazz Journal wrote “she’s as impressive in live performance as she is on her recording.” Susie is scheduled to appear at other top venues this coming year. To date, Susie has recorded or performed with Jazz greats including Wycliffe Gordon, Brian Lynch, John Swana, Freddie Hendrix, Martin Wind, Dean Johnson, Tim Horner, Lee Smith, Byron Landham and Matt Wilson.

Pamela Luss & Houston Press 3/3 & 3/31 @ 7:00 PM $20 Pamela Luss with Houston Person will perform, Just The Two of Us and Friends, a monthly Saturday series. Showswill vary each month. The opening show was titled All About Love. The second show on Saturday, March 3rd will be Learning To Love. * The series will resume in September. Future Fall dates to be announced

Maria Jacobs 3/3 @ 9:30 PM $15 Maria Jacobs is a dynamic vocalist and songwriter, who performs nationally. Her most recent releases are R&B Album Free As A Dove, and Jazz release Chasing Dreams. She has opened for Chuck Mangione and Bob Dorough. Maria’s show is a blend of Jazz, Blues and Soul. She is a cross between jazz pioneers Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and contemporary artists like Norah Jones. She will also be performing favorite Broadway and Streisand standards. Her album Chasing Dreams is receiving national airplay, and it’s enjoying wonderful reviews in All About Jazz, Jazz Corner and The LA Jazz Scene. She will be joined by her brilliant trio of, Richard Clements, piano; Chris Haney, bass and Will Terrill, drums.

Michael Omer 3/4 @ 7:00 PM $20
From London's legendary Pizza on the Park and now a regular artist at the Pheasantry in London's Chelsea neighborhood, British jazz pianist and cabaret singer Michael Omer makes his U.S. performance debut at the Metropolitan Room. He does so in a unique show with something for just about everyone -- original songs, new jazz gems, a sprinkling of standards, a clever and totally improvised "Instant Musical" show ending, and selections taken from his remarkable album, intriguingly titled 'Unwritten, Unplugged & Unsigned'-- all this plus a dash of very special British humor!

His performances at leading London cabaret venues have been well-received and well-reviewed. 

Janice Hall 3/5 @ 7:00 PM $20 n "I'd Rather Be Doing This...," 2011 Bistro Award winner Janice Hall performs a selection of songs she's always wanted to sing, showcasing the wide range of her vocal and dramatic abilities.

Beginning with Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," Janice takes the audience on a tour of her favorite things, places, and composers,from the sophistication of Cole Porter and Cy Coleman to the raw emotion of Piaf's "L'Accordeoniste" and the taut drama of Kurt Weill. In addition, Janice premieres a deliciously risque song written especially for her by her musical director, Matthew Martin Ward, with lyrics by her director, Peter Napolitano. A winning combination of wit, wisdom, and seriously beautiful singing, by a world-class performer who is as at home in the world of cabaret as she has been on the international opera stage. "I'd Rather Be Doing This..." also features Tony Romano on guitar.

Tanya Holt 3/6 & 3/14 @ 7:00 PM Tanya Holt REPRISES HER WIDELY PRAISED NEW ACT

She shines the spotlight on countless singers. Now the Metropolitan Room’s popular talent booker Tanya Holt steps into the spotlight herself as she reprises the critically acclaimed show she debuted at Urban Stages in December.

In "Forever Home", Holt’s first nightclub act in five years, the sultry singer brings an eclectic mix of styles under one roof -- from jazz standards and Broadway to pop. With boundless heart and a seemingly effortless musicianship, Holt stuns and overjoys with this collection. Whether humorous, lyrical, or boldly sensual each of these well-chosen songs hits close to home.
With musical director Tracy Stark on piano and Matt Wigton on bass. Directed by Lennie Watts.

Annie Ross 3/6, 3/13, 3/20 & 3/27 @ 9:30 PM $25

Annie Ross has been an abundant contributor to the art of jazz for over 50 years. Born in the UK, she has been a permanent resident of the USA for many years and a US citizen since 2001. The following are some highlights of what has been a long and illustrious career in jazz: 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", quot;Jackie" and many others.

Marissa Mulder 3/7,3/8,3/9,& 3/10 @ 7:00 PM $25

Marissa Mulder, winner of the 2011 MetroStar Challenge, brings the highly anticipated show she was awarded as her prize to the Metropolitan Room. The show, called "Illusions," explores fantasy, imagination and dreams through song. From high expectations and hopes to the realities of faded love, loss and all of the beauty, humor and disillusionment along the way. "Illusions" is directed by the multi-award winning vocalist Karen Oberlin with musical direction by Bill Zeffiro. Mulder will also be joined by John Loehrke on the bass and Pete Anderson (of the famed Anderson Twins) on saxophone. She will be singing the music of such composers as Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Mickey Leonard and many more.

Jessica Kirson’s New Talent Showcase 3/8 @ 9:30 PM $12 Jessica Kirson: Jessica Kirson's unique style and captivating stage presence captures the attention of audiences and club bookers everywhere she performs. Her wide variety of characters brings a diverse energy to her routine. Once you have seen her amazing talent, it is easy to understand why she was selected to perform at the Hamptons, Toyota, Marshall's Women in Comedy, Comedy Central's South Beach and HBO's Las Vegas comedy festivals. She has been featured on various television shows, including, Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and"Fresh Faces," Nickelodeon's "Sixth in the Suburbs," Noggin's "LOL," VH1's "Awesomely Bad" Shows,Showtime's, "White Boyz in the Hood,".Oxygen's premier game show "Can You Tell?," Bravo's "The GreatThings About Being," The Women's Television Network's, "She's So Funny,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” Season 2 and 3, NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. Jessica performed at The Stockholm Comedy Festival in the fall of 2009 and her character voices can be heard in early 2010 in Nickelodeon's "Bubbleguppies." Jessica appeared in her own LOGO Special, "My Cookie's Gone." and LOGO's New Now Next Best of 2009. In ate 2009, Jessica starred in a Television Pilot, considered to be a new breed of entertainment – The Reality Talk Show, entitled, THE JESSY K SHOW, executive produced by Zach Braff.

Fred Barton and Friends 3/11 @ 7:00 PM $25 Fred Barton and his 9-piece Broadway Band perform with a selection of great singers in a monthly evening of classic and rare Broadway songs, with some swing on the side. On March 11, Fred's guest singers are the Drama-Desk-Award-winning Toni DiBuono ("WONDERFUL TOWN," "THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE," "Forbidden Broadway") and the impeccable SCOTT AILING ("BROADWAY BY THE YEAR 1945," "THE A-TRAIN PLAYS"). The sensational Kevin Earley ("DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY," "THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE") will make an encore appearance, along with Pamela Myers (Tony nominee for introducing "Another Hundred People" in COMPANY), ELENA BENNETT, JESSE LUTTRELL, and KAREN WILDER.

Charles West 3/12 @ 9:30 PM $20

CharlesWest "Feeling Good” is a collection of songs that are part of the journeyCharles has taken thru his career and personal life. In making his debut incabaret last November, Charles said he approached this genre because: "I like where I've been. The ups and downs of my life onstage and off have taughtme a lot. It took me a while, but now I love where I am. When words alonearen't enough, all I can do is sing about it...and I'm feeling good!"

Producedby Lampkin Music Group. With Music Direction by Steven Ray Watkins; Directionby Mark Hawbecker; Musical Arrangements by Steven Ray Watkins and Charles Westand Written by Mark Hawbecker and Charles West, Charles West....Feeling Good is a showcase ofwhere Charles stands as a talent in the city where dreams come true.
CharlesWest is currently the standby for El Gallo in the NYC production of TheFantasticks and recently completed a 5 show run of his New York cabaret debut. "Charles West...Feeling good at Don't TellMama. Critics wrote of Charles "West's voice is a polished baritone...it'ssmooth and rich"," a breathtaking and spectacular debut".

Shana Farr 3/15 @ 9:30 PM Whistling Away The Dark”

Inspired by the rich collection of lyrics and melodies that have become synonymous with Julie Andrews, "Whistling Away The Dark" is an hour of songs that represents not only great American standards by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, the Gershwins, and The Sherman Brothers, but also beautiful, lesser known numbers by Henry Mancini, Arthur Schwartz, and Van Heusen. Shana Farr is a beautiful performer who interprets the lyrics with intelligence and confidence, Fred Barton created a masterpiece of musical arrangements, and Adam Fisher adds an unexpected musical depth with cello.

See this very talented team of musicians guided by Director, Eric Michael Gillett.

Bria Skonberg 3/16 @ 9:30 PM $15

Originally from Chilliwack, BC, New York based trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg has been performing for over 20 years. She has represented Canada as a bandleader and guest artist all over North America, Europe, China and Japan. Best known for her knowledge of classic jazz and pursuit of world-wide fun, she is creating a style all her own rooted in swampy New Orleans and blues with swing, pop and world music influences.

FLOANNE 3/17 @ 9:30 PM $20 Edith Piaf

Alive and Living in New York
Introducing Floanne
Written by Floanne Ankah & Alice Jankell
Directed by Alice Jankell
Piano: Audrey Saint-Gil, Accordion: Kate Dunphy
Guitar: Marcel Van Dam, Percussion: Mario Monaco
Saturday, Jan 21/Feb 18/Mar 17 at 9:30

Marci Geller & Jean Phillip- Martignoni 3/18 @ 3:00 PM $15

New York singer/songwriter Marci Geller was flown to Switzerland as a “gift to the bride” to perform at a wedding outside of Geneva. The guests included the Mayor of the small village of Grens as well as world renowned Parisian cellist Jean-Philippe Martignoni. Geller invited Martignoni to sit in for a song or two and the chemistry was immediate and magical. So much so, the Mayor commanded an encore performance which was fulfilled and the two continued performing until the next morning. As the French say, “Details” were exchanged before Geller departed for the US and the two musicians forged a friendship and musical working relationship that resulted in Martignoni being a guest performer on Geller’s soon to be released CD.

Jamie deRoy and Friends 3/18 @ 7:00 PM $25
Broadway On 22nd Street 3/19 @ 7:00 PM $20 Joseph Macchia’s monthly series that brings some of the most talented performers from the Great White Way down to The Metropolitan Room continues this month with Liz Pearce Billy Elliott, Eric Ghunus The Producers and Billy Elliot, one more name to be annJounced. Tracy Stark musical directs. Each performer does their own 4 song mini set.

Gregory Generet 3/20 & 3/21, 3/28,& 3/29 @ 7:00 PM $25
Pamela Rose 3/21 @ 9:30 PM $20 With dramatic visuals, superb storytelling and her swinging band, jazz singer Pamela Rose makes a compelling case for the enduring contributions of women songwriters of Tin Pan Alley . Fresh from Monterey and San Francisco Jazz Festivals, this captivating multimedia show artfully delivers a cultural retrospective wrapped in a superb jazz and blues concert. ----- "electrifying voice and stage magnetism!" --Broadway After Dark

Pamela Rose is a San Francisco jazz and blues vocalist who has thrilled audiences locally and internationally with her swinging, soulful style.

RoBert Hicks 3/22 @ 7:00 PM $25

Critically acclaimed recording artist RoBert Hicks brings his West Coast Jazz influenced piano and vocal stylings to Manhattan. While living in Los Angeles, Hicks worked and recorded with such greats as legendary composer/arranger Pete Rugolo (Stan Kenton’s right hand man), star trumpet brothers Pete and Conte Candoli, and guitarist Al Viola. Currently based in Portland, Oregon, Hicks has spent the last six years performing at top venues in such cities as Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, Seoul and Singapore. With a strong appreciation for the King Cole Trio, George Shearing, Chet Baker and vocalists from the Cool School, Hicks and his cohorts bring levity and tasty licks to a unique selection of tunes both standard and offbeat.

Liz Rubio & James McClellan 3/23 @ 9:30 PM 3/24 @ 7:00 PM $20

Two people, each born to sing, collaborate on a musical friendship, and that friendship becomes cabaret. Whether honoring the Great American Songbook and nudging it into the 21st century, or threading the Sondheim canon as an all-new, old-fashioned love story, Liz Rubino and James McClellan offer personality and personal choices-in person.

Fran Leonardis 3/24 @ 4:00 PM $15

FRAN LEONARDIS leads a double life! By day, she is a housewife and mother of two young boys. By night, she dresses up in frilly dresses and high heels, makes wise cracks and belts out songs. It's like something out of an old movie starring Joan Crawford. Or Doris Day. Or both! Join her for her debut cabaret show, as she breaks out of that New Jersey Housewife shell to become the Diva she was meant to be! It will never be that way again ...or will it?

Claudine Jellison 3/25 @ 7:00 PM $20

Yes, and …" is a homecoming of sorts, a joyous musical return for an entertainer who traded a successful career as a cabaret singer and actress for the more prosaic but challenging world of public education. Luckily, Claudine scattered some musical breadcrumbs along the paths of academe because she’s found her way back to New York nightlife, bringing along with her a collection of songs that range from renowned classics by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter to more contemporary turns by Stevie Wonder and Billie Joel. Claudine also shares stories about culture, family, French cheeseburgers, flying, lullabies, Peter Pan in Russia ("????? ?????!" which, in Russian, means "no kidding!") good friends and lessons learned, both during and after school. Assisting her on this return are cabaret veterans David Gaines, musical director on the piano, and Tom Hubbard on the bass. At the director's helm is multi-award winner, Barry Kleinbort. So if you’re interested in Yes, higher education, and a terrific voice singing some glorious tunes, then, on March 25, April 1 and 8, "Class Is In Session." PS: If you're not interested in higher education, you’ll still have a great time.

Tim DiPasqua 3/26 @ 7:00 PM $20

Award-winning singer/songwriter Tim Di Pasqua takes a break from singing his own songs to celebrate the songwriters and their songs that hold a special place in his heart. From The Beach Boys to The Beatles. From Stevie Wonder to Stephen S ondheim. All proceeds go to THIRD EYE THEATRE CO. A non profit theater group of which Tim is a founding member.

Lisa Lindsley 3/28 @ 9:30 PM

Lisa Lindsley performed this hilarious one-woman show out West and packed the house. She now brings I’ve Got A Lot Of Livin’ To Do with her on this East Coast tour. With a flair for comedy, coupled with a respectful homage to jazz standards, sultry blond songstress .
The Sarah Partridge Quartet 3/30 @ 9:30 PM $20 Singing along to a karaoke machine on a dare is not the way most aspiring singers begin their careers; however, this is how jazz singer Sarah Partridge got her start. While enjoying a successful and busy career as an actress, Partridge went to the Improv in Los Angeles with friends, to enjoy a night out. A karaoke contest began and her chums urged her to participate, “just for fun.” Partridge, a jazz enthusiast, reluctantly agreed and eventually found an “elevators only” version of Summertime. Her beautiful, rich voice captivated an L.A. booker, who assumed that she was a professional jazz singer. Before she could say “help” she found herself billed as the featured vocalist in a live jazz salute. This was not an easy accomplishment considering that she knew only ten songs all the way through. Yet, she was a smashing success and hasn’t taken a backward step from that evening on.

The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22nd Street. For more information call 212-206-0440 or visit www.metropolitanroom.com.

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