Jay Rogers News

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th St., 54 BELOWwelcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming events, featuring no cover charges and low minimums:

The actress Lauren Stanford pulled off a dramatic win last night, as she became the 2013 MetroStar at the Metropolitan Room in New York. A Kansas City native with musical theatre credits, Stanford edged out her four co-finalists in tight scoring that belied how strong and evenly matched this year's MetroStar Talent Challenge Top 5 had become.

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.

Beginning tonight, 75 solo singers are competing in the sixth annual MetroStar Talent Challenge at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. Hosted by the comic actor-singer Jay Rogers, the seven-week, jury-and audience-voted competition kicks off with three weeks of trials (July 8, 15, 22), after which the Top 18 contestants will advance to the next round.

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.

Theatre East presents the last installment in the 2012-2013 season of NEIGHBORHOOD READING SERIES - 'Lilies' by Michael Marc Bouchard, upstairs at O'Lunney's, 145 West 45th Street (bet. Broadway & 6th Ave.), Tonight - Monday, June 24th: 6:00 pm is a Mixer with the reading at 7:00 pm. Featured in the reading are: Todd Eric Hawkins, Neil Arthur James, John Kevin Jones, Judson Jones, James LaRosa, Marc Palmieri, Nick Piacente, Jay Rogers, David Schuller, and Ryan Trout. It is directed by Ian Bjoklund.

Theatre East presents the award winning play LILIES as the next installment in its NEIGHBORHOOD READING SERIES upstairs at O'Lunney's, 145 West 45th Street (bet. Broadway & 6th Ave.) tonight, June 24 at 7pm (Cocktail hour begins at 6pm). The play by Michel Marc Bouchard will be directed by Ian Bjorklund. The cast features: Judson Jones, Todd Hawkins, James LaRosa, Marc Palmieri, Kevin Jones, David Schuller, Jay Rogers, and Neil Arthur James.

Theatre East presents the award winning play LILIES as the next installment in its NEIGHBORHOOD READING SERIES upstairs at O'Lunney's, 145 West 45th Street (bet. Broadway & 6th Ave.) on June 24 at 7pm (Cocktail hour begins at 6pm). The play by Michel Marc Bouchard will be directed by Ian Bjorklund. The cast features: Judson Jones, Todd Hawkins, James LaRosa, Marc Palmieri, Kevin Jones, David Schuller, Jay Rogers, and Neil Arthur James.

Pat Sajak puts his spinning talents to work here in Connecticut this month, but this time turning records instead of a 'Wheel of Fortune' as he takes on the role of Man in Chair for CT Repertory's Nutmeg Summer Series production of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present The Drowsy Chaperone, starring Pat Sajak as the Man in the Chair, as the first of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series, tonight, June 6 - 15 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs.

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.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present The Drowsy Chaperone, starring Pat Sajak as the Man in the Chair, as the first of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series, June 6 - 15 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs.

Jesse Luttrell's wildly successful and ever-changing BAWDY continues to sparkle at Stage 72/The Triad with monthly performances on the last Saturday of every month. The next show will take place tonight, April 27th at 9:30 p.m.

Jesse Luttrell's wildly successful and ever-changing BAWDY continues to sparkle at Stage 72/The Triad with monthly performances on the last Saturday of every month. The next show will take place on Saturday, April 27th at 9:30 p.m. April 27th will feature unpredictable west village celebrity LAVINIA DRAPER and the joyous antics of the hilarious JAY ROGERS (Whoop Dee Doo/When Pigs Fly).

Help is on the Way Today, a 501c3 non-profit which assists children and youth living with HIV/AIDS, is announcing their annual Gala on May 19th at the Laurie Beechman Theater.In addition, founder Joseph Macchia is announcing a name change to the charity's Lifetime Achievement Award."It is with a bittersweet pleasure that we've renamed the Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of the late Ruth Kurtzman," says Macchia. "Ruth was a true lady and a kind and caring person who was a tireless supporter of the Cabaret Cares series, as well Help Is On The Way Today, MAC and Broadway Cares. She is someone I will never forget and her kind heart will live on in everyone she touched. I'm very happy to announce the 2013 Cabaret Cares Ruth Kurtzman Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Peter Leavy. Like Ruth, Peter is a true champion of the community, the publisher of Cabaret Scenes magazine - the world's only magazine dedicated to the art form - and a generous supporter of Cabaret Cares and its mission."

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs previously announced the following presenters who are scheduled to appear at the 27th Annual MAC Awards tonight, March 21st, at BB King Blues Club & Grill. Presenters will include: Helen Baldassare, Jeff Blumenkrantz, John Bucchino, Len Cariou, Mary Foster Conklin, Baby Jane Dexter, Anita Gillette, The Glamazons, Kim Grogg, Sean Harkness, Jeff Harner, Tonya Holt, Thomas Honeck, Mark Janas, David Kenney, Barry Kleinbort, Brett Kristofferson, Julie Miller, Sidney Myer, Julie Reyburn, Ricky Ritzel, Jay Rogers, KT Sullivan, Lennie Watts, and Kristine Zbornik.