The Metropolitan Room Announces Summer Lineup

The Metropolitan Room announces it's summer season featuring returning favorites and newcomers.

Men will be making a major comeback when The Metropolitan Room (just voted Best Cabaret by New York Magazine) lets down its hair in May and June with a slate of stars from diverse constellations -- jazz, Broadway, television and the world of magic.  The macho headliners include Jeff Harnar, Martin Vidnovic and Michael Winther.  Among the club's mainstays are returning heroes Tom Wopat,
Jamie DeRoy and Annie Ross.  Joining the Metropolitan Room roster for the first time are these exciting talents: Magic man Eric DeCamps, Broadway's Rachel York and John Treacy Egan, soap star Kathy Brier, the Tony-nominated Yiddish diva Eleanor Reissa, and Gershwin niece Alexis Gershwin.  Rounding out the action are two notable new revues -- "Avenue Q Swings" and the widely praised
tribute to Robert Altman's "Nashville," a country concoction cooked up by Daryl Glenn and Jo Lynn Burk.

Jazz icon Annie Ross (founding member of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross) returns in May (after a one-month breather). Her critically lauded open engagement resumes Tuesday May 6 -- Every Tuesday at 9:30pm Ross dips into a grab bag of musical treats collected over 50 years. (Cover $25)

Can't get enough of the cabaret deRoyal Jamie DeRoy?  Then come on back for more as she diverts and delights with her who's who of talent.  The multi MAC Award-winning variety show "Jamie DeRoy & friends" plays Tuesday May 14 at 7:30pm. (Cover $25)

Presto-chango, it's "Pure Magic" every Saturday at midnight beginning May 3. Starring Eric DeCamps, voted Magician of the Year by The Society of American Magicians, this intimate chamber magic show puts a contemporary spin on close-up conjuring and is not as far from cabaret as you think.  Saturdays at midnight (Cover $25)

Broadway babe Rachel York ("City of Angels," "Victor/Victoria" Drama Desk Award, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels") brings her critically acclaimed concert crowd-pleaser "For the Love of It" for one-night only -- Sunday May 4 at 9:30pm. (Cover $25)

The Tony-nominated (for direction of "Those Were The Days") singer and actress Eleanor Reissa likes to indulge her twin passions -- Yiddish and English -- in her lively, laugh-filled and lusciously lingual one-woman shows.  Her "Hip Heymish & Hot" ran Off-Broadway a few seasons ago (and still tours); here she charts new territory in an all-English show called "Eleanor Reissa Sings English" (a likely story!).  Thursdays May 8, 15 at 7:30pm and May 22 at 10pm. (Cover $20)

Currently in "Little Mermaid" it's the lovable John Treacy Egan (he took a bite out of Max Bialystock in "The Producers") who muscles his way onto the Met Room stage for two nights -- Sunday May 11, and Monday May 26, both at 9:30pm.

In a special benefit for The Topia Arts Center in Adams MA cast members and friends reinterpret the score of "Avenue Q" with some surprising, jazz-inflected arrangements by Mary Ann McSweeney in "Avenue Q Swings." Featuring John Tartaglia, Mary Cleere Haran, Kate Shindle, Ann Harada, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Michael Winther, Lauren Flanigan, Melissa Fahn and Lea Delaria. One night only, in
back-to-back performances, on Monday May 12 at 7pm and 9:30pm.  (Cover is $50 and $100)

The wide range of soap and Broadway star Kathy Brier (she's been Marcie Walsh on One Life to Live since 2002 and she filled the shoes of Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray") is in full evidence in this fun, new variety show "Kathy Brier and Friends."  A party sampler of her friends from the stage and the little screen will take part on two consecutive nights -- Friday and Saturday May 16 and 17, both at 10pm.

In a special 5-show engagement from Wednesday May 21 through Saturday May 24, it's the New York premiere of Alexis Gershwin in "Gershwin Sings Gershwin" the George and Ira niece's tribute to the music and legacy of her legendary uncles.  The elegant heiress is accompanied by a vest-pocket orchestra with back-up vocals.  May 21, 22, 23 at 7:30pm and May 24 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm.

Back by popular demand, it's the surprise sleeper hit of the season, Robert Altman's "Nashville." a country western throw-down (with 6-piece band and backing vocals) that positively captures the winking satirical spirit (not to mention all the songs from the beloved soundtrack, including the Oscar-winning "I'm Easy") of Altman's 1975 classic film.  Sundays May 25 and June 29, both at 4pm. (Cover $20)

Now Meet the Men!  In brand new shows, five cool cats:

Jeff Harnar makes his Metropolitan Room debut in a new show.  Performances Wednesday through Saturday May 28, 29, 30, 31, and Thursday through Sunday June 5, 6, 7, 8 -- all at 7:30pm.

Broadway's Martin Vidnovic returns to the Metropolitan Room for his third engagement.  Performances are four consecutive Mondays June 9, 16, 23, 30, all at 7pm.

Broadway and Off-Broadway actor and concert vocalist Michael Winther, whose performance in the groundbreaking song-cycle chamber musical "Songs from an Unmade Bed" was considered by many a standout of the 2004-2005 season, returns with music director Dan Tepfer in a new show.  Four shows over three weeks -- Wednesdays June 18, 25, at 7:30pm, and Mondays June 23, 30, at 7pm.

Launching into his first extended Metropolitan Room run (his third), Broadway and television star Tom Wopat happily spreads his wings and his appeal as he hazards a few more tunes in a breezy jazz vein.  Six consecutive Thursdays -- June 19, 26 and July 3, 10, 17, and 24, all at 10:30pm. (Cover $ 25)

He's been known to wear his heart on his sleeve, this time it's the name of his show.  Look for Marcus Simeone in "The Heart," the first Sunday of everymonth -- Next pump is May 4 at 7pm.  (Cover $20)

The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22nd Street.  There is a $15 minimum per person for all shows.  For reservations call 212/206-0440. For information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.

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