Jamie deRoy News

On Friday, November 4th, The American Songbook Project held its annual signature event, their 'Name That Tune' benefit at the historic Hudson Theater in New York. Their mission is to preserve the American Songbook by bringing professional singers in the NYC schools. This year they honored Broadway composer Jerry Herman and Guild Hall (East Hampton), both of whom celebrated their 80th birthdays this year. Liz Smith emceed the Jerry Herman tribute and her passionate, loving remarks about her friend included 'It is said by show biz insiders that Jerry is so universal the you just hear a song of his once and you can hum it or sing it. And you probably can't stop. That is pretty damned great. He is universal in the musical theater, the songsmith of modern American life.' Mr. Herman's tribute included performances by James Darrah recreating his role of Ambrose Kemper from the last Carol Channing revival of Hello Dolly singing 'It Only Takes a Moment;' Meredith Patterson and Jeffry Denman performing 'Tap Your Troubles Away' from Mack and Mabel; and Andrea McArdle singing 'If He Walked into My Life Today' from Mame accompanied movingly by nine-year old Kyrian Friedenberg on trumpet.

The upcoming national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY- a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams- has trimmed down its Chicago engageent, according to the Chicago Tribune. The show, which was scheduled to play The show will now play December 13 through January 1, will now run December 27 through January 1 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams is now on tour. Check out production highlights from the show below! Joining Tony Award® nominee Douglas Sills as Gomez and Sara Gettelfinger as Morticia are Tony Award® nominee Martin Vidnovic as Mal Beineke, two-time Tony Award® nominee Crista Moore as Alice Beineke, Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester, Pippa Pearthreeas Grandma, Tom Corbeil as Lurch, Patrick D. Kennedy as Pugsley, Brian Justin Crum as Lucas Beineke and Cortney Wolfson as Wednesday.

Even before John Iachetti (Loews Hotels Corporate Director of Entertainment) escorts you to your table at Feinstein's, you are aware of a special excitement in the air. When Marilyn Maye comes into town, the Loews Regency becomes more like a Revival Tent, as the faithful flock to be inspired by the Johnny Carson-dubbed 'super singer'.

Cover charges vary by performer. Most shows range from $15 to $35, with some exceptions. Each show's cover charge is listed in the show information on the calendar page. Feel free to call the Metropolitan Room with any questions regarding cover charges.

Jamie deRoy will host a special edition of her Multi -MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends, on the occasion of Jamie's birthday on Saturday, November 12th (7PM) at the intimate cabaret hot-spot Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~ btw. 5th & 6th Avenues).

National Alliance for Musical Theatre presents its 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28.

Donald Smith greeted all the performers as they were about to set upon the stage at the Cabaret Convention last night, but unfortunately it had to be with a letter from him posted backstage at Lincoln Center. Mr. Smith is still in rehab after surgery (back soon) and this was the first time the Mabel Mercer Foundation's founder was not able to be among the assemblage of cabaret fans and marvelous performers that make this three day event the highlight of the 'cabaret year' However, Mr. Smith's touch was apparent by the quality of the artists chosen to appear in this years convention. Rick Meadows, Director and Production Stage Manager of the show started the evening off with some wonderful words from Donald, and then introduced Andrea Marcovicci to pinch hit for Mr. Smith.

JASON GRAAE, the L.A. DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD winner and Broadway and cabaret star, opened his acclaimed tribute to Jerry Herman, 'PERFECT HERMANY' at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in West Bank Cafe last night, October 18. Performances run through October 25th.

Halloween came early to the Metropolitan Room last night because a room full of cabaret connoisseurs were treated to a wonderfully entertaining show by an extremely beautiful and multi - talented performer.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre presents its 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28.

Cover charges vary by performer. Most shows range from $15 to $35, with some exceptions. Each show's cover charge is listed in the show information on the calendar page. Feel free to call the Metropolitan Room with any questions regarding cover charges.

The New York Pops orchestra - famous for presenting popular music with a symphony orchestra of the highest quality - celebrated the music of Irving Berlin in a stirring program entitled 'Rags to Ritzes.' Under the baton of guest director Jack Everly, the concert kicked off the orchestra's 29th season on October 14 with an evening of quintessentially American music.

Yesterday, October 13, Bill Cosby, Chita Rivera and Mark Nadler led the benefit for ART START, an organization that operates with the mission of providing underprivileged children of New York with confidence, creativity and hope through the arts. The volunteers of ART START visit shelters all over the city armed with paintbrushes, mics and instruments - and with them, an opportunity to change a young person's life. Check out the after party below!

The national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams is now on tour. Check out the first production footage the show below!

Missing the Presidential debate to attend the exciting and elegant opening of Clint's show at the Carlyle (JFK) brought this phrase to mind. 'I knew Bobby Short, Mr. Holmes (dramatic pause) and I'm sure that he was in the room last night, smiling, and just as overwhelmed and captivated by your talent as your star studded audience was.'

Like entering a Rolls Royce, taking your seat in Feinstein's at Loews Regency to see a headliner, is your start of an unparalleled ride. Betty Buckley is that kind of experience. Words cannot make you hear the voice, the musicality, or the presence this Tony Award winning singer actress displays in her new show 'AH MEN! THE BOYS OF BROADWAY!' now at Feinstein's. Her show consists of songs originally sung by men, and her superb voice presents them in a powerful and emotional new light. Being a William Finn fan, I was extremely moved by her rendition of VENICE (from Elegies). Just when she brings a tear to your eye with her ballads, she brings you back to a happy place with her great jazz ability in the up tempos. We all have our 'memories' of Betty Buckley from her triumphs' on Broadway and this show reinforces the justification for using the word Extraordinary when describing Betty Buckley.

For her October shows the title should have been Jamie deRoy & her very talented Songwriter friends. Jamie, as she always does, interacts with her guest artists in a way that stimulates them to give performances that are unique and hugely entertaining. As William Finn (who appeared in a prior Jamie deRoy & Friends) remarked, 'Jamie's interview of me was the best I've ever had'. The show was directed by Jamie's extremely creative friend Barry Kleinbort who also displayed his wonderful performance abilities. Music Director was Shelly Markham.

The national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams kicked off September 15 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans. Joining Tony Award® nominee Douglas Sills as Gomez and Sara Gettelfinger as Morticia are Tony Award® nominee Martin Vidnovic as Mal Beineke, two-time Tony Award® nominee Crista Moore as Alice Beineke, Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester, Pippa Pearthree as Grandma, Tom Corbeil as Lurch, Patrick D. Kennedy as Pugsley, Brian Justin Crum as Lucas Beineke and Cortney Wolfson as Wednesday. Check out production shots from the show below!

Cabaret performer Jamie deRoy hosts two nights of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends, today & Wednesday, October 5th (7PM) at the intimate cabaret hot-spot Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~ btw. 5th & 6th Avenues).