Bernie Furshpan News

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.

I'm sure there has never been more talent in anyone's camera lens on 22nd Street in front of the Metropolitan Room than is represented in this photo. So for now, I hold that record as we approach 7PM on Jan 1st when hopefully the Guinness World record for Longest Variety Show will begin.

Bobbie Horowitz has been at the top of the cabaret game for nearly 30 years--as composer, producer, performer and fan--and the recent variety show tribute to her at the Metropolitan Room proved why and was richly deserved.

New York's Metropolitan Room will shock the entertainment world with an unprecedented, pull-out-the-stops programming initiative to kick off 2015.

New York's Metropolitan Room will shock the entertainment world with an unprecedented, pull-out-the-stops programming initiative to kick off 2015. For three days -- Thursday January 1 at 7pm to Sunday January 4 at 7am -- the intimate concert venue will stage its first "Marathon Variety Show," with continuous entertainment for 60 hours straight. The marathon, which is eligible to become a Guinness World Records record-holder for longest variety show ever, will feature up to 100 Metropolitan Room artists -- from its most prominent stars to its most promising emerging talents.

THIS IS YOUR NIGHT! will honor Joseph Macchia at the Metropolitan Room on October 27, 2014 at p.m.

On Monday, September 15, Randie Levine-Miller presented and hosted Broadway Showstopper Divos --'A Swell Party' at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street.

Between the two legendary bastions of great jazz, the Blue Note on West 3rd street, and Birdland on 44th Street, is another music stage on 22nd street. The kind of music usually associated with those two clubs was heard at the Metropolitan Room last night. With swinging and elegant singing, Kathy Sledge brought the music of Billie Holiday to the standing room only crowd that packed operating partner Bernie Furshpan's Cabaret venue. With a band that seemed to stretch the entire length of the room, a group of musicians called "Somebody Tell Joe & The Chops" turned on an engine of sound which was akin to hearing Count Basie and crew at the Sands in Las Vegas. As the leader shouted out the tempo cue, 1-2-3-4, horns raised and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and Gillespie and Paparelli's "Night In Tunisia" lifted the musically elite audience out of their seats.

Last nght, The Metropolitan Room welcomed some of Broadway's brightest to salute the legendary Elaine Stritch with an evening of stories and songs, hosted by the famed cabaret's owner, Bernard Furshpan. Check out a look back below!

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: James Snyder, The Trevor Project, Judy Kaye Sings Bernstein & Sondheim, Remembering Elaine Stritch, and 54 Sings The Wiz.

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.

Last night, December 19, Town Hall overflowed with the musical joys of the season when three extraordinary talents, Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Maye and Christine Andreas took the stage for Holiday Belles. These award-winning singers brought their unique and diverse talents to the celebration, performing songs from the musical theater and the American Songbook, as well as holiday favorites. The concert, conceived and directed by Michael Bush, featured each singer performing her own individual set, and then brought them together for a very merry finale of holiday melodies. Check out photos from the concert below!

A star-studded musical celebration, the 4th Annual Best of Broadway & Cabaret to benefit the Actors' Temple [339 West 47th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenue], the historic theater district landmark that has been a welcoming home to show business Jews, their family, and friends, took place on November 18. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo has been entertaining San Antonio and South Texas audiences and recording critically acclaimed CDs for more than 23 years. Now Ken Slavin will bring his unique sound to the Big Apple when he makes his New York City jazz cabaret debut on Thursday, October 31, at the world-famous Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street. Show time is 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25 - with a two-drink minimum - and are available at www.metropolitanroom.com.

Legendary concert artist and Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Cook returns to New York City's Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Avenue & Broadway,) on Thursday, November 14th at 8 PM with a new evening of song (and stories) as she continues to explore her newly-developed repertoire of jazz and swing, while also reprising her now-classic renditions of songs from Broadway and the Great American Songbook. Five weeks later, on December 19, 2013, Town Hall will overflow with the musical joys of the season when three extraordinary talents, Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Maye and Christine Andreas take the stage for Holiday Belles.

On November 14 (8 PM), legendary concert artist and Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Cook returns to Town Hall with a new evening of song (and stories) during which she'll continue to delve into her newly developed repertoire of jazz and swing while also reprising her now-classic renditions of songs from Broadway and the great American songbook. For tickets, visit: http://thetownhall.org

On Monday, September 16, Randie Levine-Miller presented and hosted Broadway Showstopper Divos --'A Swell Party' at the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street). The evening's theme was 'The Broadway Songbook' and starred some of the most talented performers in theater. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Nashville artist Aaron Crites - www.aaroncrites.com - made his New York City METROPOLITAN ROOM debut on February 13, 2013 and now he's headed back up for four more shows - tonight, July 21 and July 24, 26th and 27th.

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.