The winner of the seven-week challenge will receive a fully produced, prime-time booking at the Metropolitan Room and a professionally produced live recording of his or her own show. Runner-ups will open for the winner and receive demo recordings of their appearances. "Metrostar" is open to vocal performers and duos who have not played a major engagement at The Metropolitan Room. The winner of the competition, which will be narrowed down from a group of 60 contestants, will be announced Aug. 18.

In addition to regular weekly panel members Baby Jane Dexter and cabaret critic Roy Sander, Metrostar will welcome guest judges including Karen Mason (Hairspray), Kristine Zbornik (A Catered Affair), Scott and Barbara Siegel (Broadway by the Year), Jean-Claude Baker, Time Out critic Adam Feldman, New York 1 arts reporter Stephanie Simon, David Finkle of the Village Voice, Rob Lester of Cabaret Scenes and former NY Times rock critic Henry Edwards.

There is a $15 cover and two-drink minimum for the weekly "Metrostar" competition that is determined by an audience majority vote. Each audience member is provided with two voting ballots as part of the cover. Additional ballots are obtained with the purchase of an additional drink beyond the Metropolitan Room's two-drink minimum.

The Metropolitan Room is located in Manhattan at 34 West 22nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. For further information visit metropolitanroom.com.