Metropolitan Room Announces Judges for Talent Challenge

The award-winning intimate concert venue The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, has picked a unique cross-section of performers, journalists and industry figures to serve as judges for the club's first "Metrostar Talent Challenge," a seven-week jury and audience-voted elimination-round competition that begins July 7.  

Among the performers and theatre luminaries donning judges gowns are the actors Karen Mason ("Mama Mia!" "Hairspray"), Kristine Zbornik ("Forbidden Broadway" "A Catered Affair"), and Leon hall (who hosted E! Entertainment's Fashion Emergency).  Also serving are the producer and writer Scott Siegel (Town Hall's "Broadway by the Year" and The Nightlife Awards), and Jean-Claude Baker, the charismatic owner of the Theatre District bistro Chez Josephine.
(The French-born Baker was adopted by the legendary Josephine Baker, and traveled with her at the end of her career.)

Adam Feldman (Time Out NY's theatre and cabaret critic), Stephanie Simon (NY 1 News's arts reporter), Rob Lester of Cabaret Scenes and CabaretExchange.com, former NY Times rock critic (and Joan Rivers svengali) Henry Edwards, and TalkinBroadway.com columnist Barbara Siegel are the contest's media jurists.

The multi-award winning vocalist Lennie Watts (who is also the Metropolitan Room's highly regarded booking manager), will host the contest, which will have two permanent jury members -- the bigger than life singer Baby Jane Dexter and the cabaret guru Roy Sander, a former critic at Backstage and Citysearch. The contest is open to performers from the Broadway stage, cabaret, and the jazz-pop-folk recording and concert worlds who have not played a major engagement at The Metropolitan Room.

The Metropolitan Room is accepting applications from singers from a wide range of styles, ages and backgrounds through July 1.  From the larger entry pool approximately 60 solo singers and vocal duos will be chosen to compete for what is being billed as a package of prizes and professional encouragements worth over $15,000.  The grand prize-winner (who will be named the night of the
contest's finale on August 18) will win a fully produced, prime time booking at the Metropolitan Room and a professionally produced live recording of this upcoming show. The runner-ups will open for the winner and receive demo recordings of their appearance.  The club will engage several well-known professionals and artists to collaborate with the winners.

"Metrostar" encourages contestants to establish well-rounded and uniquely entertaining stage presences.  An artistically ambitious competition, "Metrostar" values innovation and creativity over raw talent, intelligence over polish, and authenticity over vocal fireworks.  Performers from a spectrum of styles, ages and backgrounds are invited.  For eligibility details and instructions on how to apply online or by mail, consult the club's Web site at www.metropolitanroom.com.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.