Bernie Furshpan News

Bernie Fusrhpan, managing partner of the Metropolitan Room moved his club into the Friars Club last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the entertainment super special. 

The tenth annual "MetroStar Talent Challenge" is giving itself a fresh, new look as it adds two new categories to the career-boosting competition.  This year, in addition to the MetroStar grand prize and its Special Audience Award (which was instituted in 2015), the 2017 edition of the summer tradition is adding an Innovation Award and a Best New Artist Award.

The Metropolitan avoided being raided last night (April Fools) as Bernie Furshpan served Charlie Roma alcohol exactly at 7:24 PM as the singing super star turned the legal 21. The Metropolitan's curtain was drawn literally so all the people in it's foyer could see as Charlie turned the room in a scene like the 1960's when Bobby Darwin was on the Copa stage.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) has announced the 2017 MAC Award nominees.

See Shawn Moninger in his second foray onto the cabaret stage BECAUSE I CAN 2 'SECOND ADDICTION'

I don't know who proclaimed him King, but Elli, known as 'The king of Broadway' was lighting the Menorah candles last night on at his 4th annual Chanukah Show on the 5th night of The Festival of Lights at Bernie Furshpan's temple of Cabaret. 

Cabaret Life Productions Owner Stephen Hanks has announced that NEW YORK CABARET'S GREATEST HITS, the BroadwayWorld.com Award Nominated monthly series at New York's Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street) he launched (with Associate Producer Fr. Jeffrey Hamblin, MD) in August, 2105, will present productions of eight Award-winning or critically acclaimed shows of the past during 2017. The series' new season will open on Monday, February 13 at 7 pm with Jenna Esposito's MAC Award-Nominated 2009 Connie Francis Tribute Show, Jenna Esposito Sings Connie Francis , followed by Adam Shapiro's 2013 MAC Award-Winning Guide to the Perfect Breakup on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 pm.

Ian Finkel, the World's Greatest Xylophonist and Elliot Finkel, concert pianist extraordinaire offered a first-hand account of the incredible career of their father Fyvush Finkel last night in a touching memorial at the Metropolitan Room.  Fyvush had been performing in English and Yiddish roles for nine decades before his passing this summer.  His last engagement was at Mr. Finn's Cabaret in the Berkshires, and he had invited the cheering audience at the end of the show to come to his  94th birthday celebration on Oct 9th at the Metropolitan Room.  The evening instead was celebration of his life on stage with the performances by family and friends performing his songs, stories, and jokes.  To quote one of Fyvush's jokes, if he were present he would have opened the evening by saying, "I'm celebrating my 94th birthday today!"  after the applause died down he would then look around and  continue…."but I realize looking at this audience, it's no big deal!"

Five exceptional and well-matched singers were chosen to advance as finalists in this year's MetroStar Talent Challenge on Monday.

Joe Sirola, one of the worlds most successful voice -over actors, film, TV, and stage actor, was honored in the the Metropolitan Room's famous, "This Is Your Night" series last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Managing partner Bernie Furshpan hosted the evening which had performances by Steve Ross, Shana Farr, Gregory Korostishevsky, Eric Rudy Lee Pfeiffer, Jamie deRoy, and KT Sullivan. Jon Weber served as music director.

James Gavin, author of the definitive cabaret history Intimate Nights: The Golden Age of New York Cabaret as well as acclaimed biographies of Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, and Lena Horne, was honored at The Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd St. on May 17, as part of its This Is Your Night series of tributes to cabaret movers and shakers. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

James Gavin, author of the definitive cabaret history Intimate Nights: The Golden Age of New York Cabaret as well as acclaimed biographies of Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, and Lena Horne, will be honored at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd St. tonight, May 17, as part of its This Is Your Night series of tributes to cabaret movers and shakers.

James Gavin, author of the definitive cabaret history Intimate Nights: The Golden Age of New York Cabaret as well as acclaimed biographies of Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, and Lena Horne, will be honored at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd St. on May 17, as part of its This Is Your Night series of tributes to cabaret movers and shakers.

Fyvush Finkel, 93 year old Broadway veteran, Yiddish Theater star, movie and TV actor was accompanied by his two sons Ian and Elliot Finkel and opened at the Metropolitan Room last night.  BroadwayWorld was there, along with many actors, musicians, and comics, who turned out to see the legendary performer take the packed room on an emotional musical journey with some hysterical humor, wonderful singing, and brilliant character acting by Mr. Finkel.  Ian Finkel who is billed as the world's greatest xylophonist, more then lives up to that title with his virtuoso exciting style, and along with powerful piano interpretations by Elliot Finkel, the show is a great musical experience.

The brainchild of Metropolitan Room managing partner Bernie Furshpan, his General Manager Joseph Macchia, and Cabaret Scenes Magazine Publisher Peter Leavy, New York's first International Cabaret Festival (February 17-21) debuted Wednesday night at the Met Room with performances and inductions into the newly established Cabaret Hall of Fame (an actual location for Hall and its memorabilia to be determined at a later date). Clubs hosting this year's festival include The Metropolitan Room, Don't Tell Mama, The Duplex, Feinstein's/54 Below, Iridium, Joe's Pub, and Stage 72 (formerly The Triad).

Metropolitan Room's Joseph Macchia and Bernard Furshpan are excited to announce the formation of the Cabaret Hall of Fame (CHOF), as well as the Inaugural Induction Black Tie Gala tonight, January 16th, 2016 at Metropolitan Room, named New York's Best Cabaret by New York Magazine.

The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo will return to the Big Apple the first week of the New Year for his fourth headline appearance at the popular Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street.

After 21 years as the cabaret light and sound guy, ministry was the only place left for Shawn Moninger to go. Now it;s 10 years later and Shawn returned to a club and made his cabaret debut last night at the Metropolitan Room. His opening act was Nancy Timanaro-Hogan, "The Loudest womean in the world!" and  BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photos below!

The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo will return to the Big Apple the first week of the New Year for his fourth headline appearance at the popular Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street.

On Thanksgiving Day, BroadwayWorld announced the nominees in 14 categories for the 2015 BWW New York Cabaret Awards. BroadwayWorld's cabaret editors and reviewers congratulate all the deserving nominees and everyone who performs in the great art of cabaret in New York. But today, as you munch on the leftovers from last night's dinner, it's time to actually vote for that one performer who you think is the absolute best in each category. Voting ends on December 31 and after a review of the ballots, winners will be announced officially early the week of January 4, 2016. (Note: There will not be a BWW Awards Show this year.)