Anne Steele News

 Minda Larsen eeked out a MetroStar win last night, finishing on top of a strong and tightly matched Top Five line-up in a spellbinding contest finale at the Metropolitan Room.  To win the 8th annual MetroStar Talent Challenge Larsen captivated the judges with her confessional and inspirational story of having competed in the contest three other times (unsuccessfully) and dramatically changing her attitude about her work this time around.  The attitude adjustment succeeded as Larsen soared in the finale, beating out the delightful everyman Thomas Dieter (1st runner-up) and gloriously-voiced Josephine Sanges (2nd runner up). The two other Top 5 finalists were Lisa Remick and April Leonhard.

 In nail-bitingly close voting Monday night, the MetroStar Talent Challenge bid farewell to two audience favorites in a hotly contested semi-final round.  Let go by the jury were the contest's popular 9th grader Josephine Bianco and the veteran piano bar performer Sheree Sano.

Producers Howard Panter and John Frost gleefully announced that the author of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O'Brien, would join the production at certain special performances during the Melbourne season, playing the role of the Narrator. O'Brien can be seen at performances tonight, June 30, and July 1, 2, 5 (5.30pm only), 7, 8 and 9.

The 2015 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' is extending its deadline for applications to July 4 and adding new mentoring to help competitors up their games during the 7-week contest. The eighth annual edition of the summer tradition runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from July 6 through August 17.  All contestants must certify that they will be available to compete throughout the jury-and audience-voted, elimination-round competition.

?Producers Howard Panter and John Frost gleefully announced today that the author of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O'Brien, would join the production at certain special performances during the Melbourne season, playing the role of the Narrator. O'Brien can be seen at performances on June 30, July 1, 2, 5 (5.30pm only), 7, 8 and 9.

The 8th annual 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' gets under way on Monday July 6 at 7pm. The summer tradition, in which singers of different ages, styles and backgrounds are challenged to raise their standards and push themselves artistically, 'MetroStar' runs eight consecutive Mondays through August 24 at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. Applications are now being accepted through July 1.

Los Feliz is raining shows and show tunes this March at ROCKWELL Table and Stage, L.A.'s premier spot for extraordinary entertainment and sensational dining experiences (for before, during or after the shows!) - where you can have a great lunch or dinner on our outside patio, enjoy specialty cocktails and see some of the best entertainment Los Angeles has to offer!

Joe's Pub has announced its nightly performances from February 11-21, 2015. Details below!

Last night were the finals of the MetroStar Talent Challenge and BroadwayWorld was there. One by one the nervous five entered the dark room and the process started. The judges were identified and their qualifications noted by host Tom Gamblin.

On Monday, in one of the most competitive MetroStar competitions to date, five finalists were selected to move on to the two-week finals of the 7th annual MetroStar Talent Challenge. The five finalists, who will go head-to-head the next two Mondays, August 18 and 25, are Joanna Morton Gary, Lindsey Holloway, Leah Jennings, David LaMarr and Kristoffer Lowe. The Top 5, narrowed down from a group of nine semifinalists, are the last singers singing from an initial pool of 48 when the 8-week competition began on July 7.

The New Alternatives for Homeless LGBT Youth event will be hosted by Jené Hernandez (Conviction, Cash Flow, The L Word) and Frankie Faison (Banshee, The Wire, Coming to America) and music direction by Nate Buccieri.

Celebrate NYC Pride at Joe's Pub at the Public with performers including: No Hope Productions Presents SIREN/KINGS, Martha Graham CRACKER CABARET, Champagne Jerry, LATRELL! LATRELL! JACKSON IS NOT ANGELA BASSETT, Julie Klausner CABARET SITUATION, Bridget Everett & The Tender Moments, Voices for Homeless LGBTQ Youth: A Benefit for New Alternatives, BROWN GIRLS BURLESQUE, and more!

Celebrate NYC Pride at Joe's Pub at the Public with performers including: No Hope Productions Presents SIREN/KINGS, Martha Graham CRACKER CABARET, Champagne Jerry, LATRELL! LATRELL! JACKSON IS NOT ANGELA BASSETT, Julie Klausner CABARET SITUATION, Bridget Everett & The Tender Moments, Voices for Homeless LGBTQ Youth: A Benefit for New Alternatives, BROWN GIRLS BURLESQUE, and more!

The 'MetroStar Talent Challenge,' a singers contest which has launched the careers of several standouts in cabaret, pop and jazz,' turns 7 this year. The 2014 'MetroStar' runs for eight consecutive Mondays, from July 7 through August 25 at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. Applications are now being accepted through July 1.

After a highly competitive semi-final round of the 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' at The Metropolitan Room last night, five finalists were picked to move forward in the 7-week singers' competition. The five finalists, who will go head to head next Monday, August 19, are Stephen Mitchell Brown, Venessa Diaz, Jason Morris, Tony Ponella and Lauren Stanford.

Something funny's happening to the 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' this year. Singer-restaurateur Carolyn Montgomery-Forant joins the permanent jury, and the comic actor Jay Rogers hosts the 6th annual edition of the singers contest at the Metropolitan Room. The exciting competition has launched the careers of a number of standouts in cabaret, pop and jazz. The 2013 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from tonight, July 8 through August 19.

Something funny's happening to the 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' this year. Singer-restaurateur Carolyn Montgomery-Forant joins the permanent jury, and the comic actor Jay Rogers hosts the 6th annual edition of the singers contest at the Metropolitan Room. The exciting competition, which has launched the careers of a number of standouts in cabaret, pop and jazz, is accepting applications through July 1. The 2013 'MetroStar Talent Challenge' runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from July 8 through August 19.

Something funny's happening to the "MetroStar Talent Challenge" this year. Singer-restaurateur Carolyn Montgomery-Forant joins the permanent jury, and the comic actor Jay Rogers hosts the 6th annual edition of the singers contest at the Metropolitan Room. The exciting competition, which has launched the careers of a number of standouts in cabaret, pop and jazz, is accepting applications through July 1. The 2013 "MetroStar Talent Challenge" runs for seven consecutive Mondays, from July 8 through August 19.

This week at Joe's Pub at the Public, March 11-17, will feature The New Yorker, Mike Daisey, Condola Rashad, Barb Jungr, Champagne Jerry, John Naberezny, Amy Correia, Tora Fisher, Erin Markey, Anne Steele, Justin Vivian Bond, Carol Lipnik/Poor Baby Bree and Roge.

Harvey Fierstein read the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' at XL Nightclub and Cabaret during SPARKLE, a benefit show for The Actors Fund, on December 17. Click below to listen to his signature voice gracing the words of the Christmas classic!