Metropolitan Room to Offer Summer 2013 Kiddie Kabaret Series

Start 'em young! The Metropolitan Room ramps up its popular Kiddie Kabaret series this spring and summer as the prestigious Flatiron District nighspot stages weekend training sessions and shows for youngsters and teens interested in live entertainment.

The Metropolitan Room's ample young people's programming comes in three flavors!

Chocolate! Kiddie Kabaret for Kids. These multi-disciplinary shows are a fun mash-up of comedy, magic and showmanship, hosted by none other than Mario the Magician on on Saturdays May 18, June 1, 15, and July 6 (all at 11:30am), and Silly Billy on Saturday July 13 at 11:30am. Talk about Broadway Babies! It's never too early to teach a kid how to structure a joke, build a magic trick, banter with the audience, and make things disappear. General admission $30, students $20 per session.

Vanilla! For youngsters ages 7 to 13 and their parents, two watch-mostly participatory shows with an emphasis on music are headlined by professional entertainers: On Sunday June 9 at 11:30am jazz drumming sensation Tony Jefferson and the Nu Gamma Psi Step Team introduce us to jazz scatting and movement and to jazz goddess Ella Fitzgerald (live via satellite). On Sunday June 23 at 11:30am "It's Summer!" no doubt about it, as the Metropolitan Room stages a ridiculously entertaining show starring Silly Billy, Winston Tall and Ruby Rakos. Tickets are $15.

Rocky Road! 4-Week Intensive Course for Youth and Teens. Giving promising young talents a leg up in show business, this four-week intensive workshop that meets on four consecutive Saturdays from June 1 to 22, culminates in a live show open to the public on Sunday June 23 at 2pm. Participants meet on Saturdays June 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 10am to 1pm. Led by Alysa Haas, the actor-singer and performing arts teacher for teens, the 4-week intensive covers many disciplines and styles, but most of all it fosters an appreciation for creativity, imagination, teamwork and communication. At the Metropolitan Room, we encourage performers to connect with the audience not just dazzle and impress. Workshop costs TBD.

The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, keeps kids off the streets and on the stage now through July 13. For more information visit www.metropolitanroom.com or call 212/206-0440.