Billie Roe, best known for her recent award-winning Dangerous Women: Life in Film Noir, now has another notch on her belt as Winner of the 2012 MetroStar Talent Challenge that took place last night at the Metropolitan Room in front of a packed house.
Roe made waves this year when she won a Bistro Award for her recent comeback show that broke a 30-year hiatus from performing in New York, earned top scores from a majority of judges in the last two weeks taking the top place against Tommy Dose (the first runner-up) and second runner-up Elisabeth Cernadas. The two other finalists in the seven-week competition that began on July 9 were Altovise and Eva Kantor.
As the competition revved up to its exciting five-finalist finale, Roe was something of an underdog, but a sure-fire audience favorite. When she came out on top, winning the fifth annual “MetroStar Talent Challenge,” the Metropolitan Room crowd erupted, rising to its feet. Also making strong finishes were the youthful Don’t Tell Mama’s barroom singer Tommy Dose, (the first runner-up) and the highly innovative Elisabeth Cernadas, whose daring flashes of brilliance often pushed the envelope, if not a few buttons.
Roe, who was exhorted by the judges to step up her performances to lay bare her straightforward charm and intelligence, thanked the judges for “pushing all of us, for giving us major inspiration.”
Before the results were announced the audience was treated to special performances by two previous MetroStar winners — 2010 MetroStar T. Oliver Reid, and the reigning MetroStar Marissa Mulder. The evening also featured an appearance by Eric Michael Gillett, the contest’s new permanent judge, whose heartfelt and insightful comments throughout the competition often drew applause from the audience. “This has been one of the best, strongest groups,” Tom Gamblin, the contest’s genial host, declared about the top five.
The night’s guest jurists included Time Out’s Adam Feldman, the Huffington Post’s David Finkle, the producer and critic Scott Siegel, and the producer-entertainer Jamie deRoy. The contest’s permanent jury was anchored, as it has from the beginning, by the critic Roy Sander (the chairman), and critic Rob Lester. These two were joined by the Metropolitan Room’s departing booking manager Tanya Holt, and Gillett. Tracy Stark served as the contest’s resident music director.
The top five were the last ones standing from an initial pool of 48 solo singers. Roe’s career-boosting package of prizes and professional encouragements (worth over $10,000) includes a fully-produced, prime-time major engagement at the club, plus a professional multi-track, unmastered live recording of the new show. Dose and Cernadas will open for Roe on alternating nights during the run, and receive demo recordings of their appearances.
Open to performers of all ages and backgrounds who have not played a major engagement at The Metropolitan Room, “MetroStar” encourages singers to present well-rounded stage performances in which creativity, innovation and authenticity are prized over vocal fireworks.
For all the latest “MetroStar Talent Challenge” information, consult the club’s Web site at www.metropolitanroom.com. Sited as “the best of New York’s smaller clubs” by The New York Times, the Nightlife and Bistro Award-winning Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, celebrated its fifth anniversary in May. Reservations 212 206-0440.
*Photo: Maryann Lopinto
Posted by Sandi Durell
on August 21, 2012. Filed under Cabaret,Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT.
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