March 18, 2012: Jamie deRoy & Friends hit the jackpot with a great lineup of talent at the Metropolitan Room on what felt like a spring evening and her roster of guests certainly had bounce in their performances as well. The evening featured an eclectic mix that ran the gamut from the extraordinary classical violinist Daisy Joplin, who plays the violin like a rock musician, to the raunchy and loveable Queen of Mean Lisa Lampanelli, who was on fire.

She was the last guest to perform arriving just after taping a segment of “Celebrity Apprentice,” and she had the room in hysterics. Another highlight was Victoria Shaw, the song writer and vocalist, whose performance of her Country Music song of the year award winning “I Love the Way You Love Me,” was simply exquisite. The evening also featured comedian Mo Rocca, a CBS journalist, 10 time MAC Award winner Karen Mason, who flaunted a zany parody by Barry Kleinbort of “Show Queen” (Show Me) by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.  Valarie Pettiford strutted her stuff with “All That Jazz” from Kander and Ebb’s “Chicago,” which the lady did in London with Chita Rivera. And last but not least is the hostess herself Jamie, who performed her some of standard parodies “Start of Something Big,” “Duane Reade” (Downtown) lyrics by Barry Kleinbort and what may be her signature song “Jews Don’t Camp” by David Buskin. What a way to go Jamie! She’s like an Ever Ready battery. She just keeps going and going.  I overhead Jamie is off to London for 6 days, where she will attend the opening of “The King’s Speech” as one of play’s  proud producers. Hat’s off to Jamie de Roy & Friends. PC
Photography: Barry Gordin