by: Sandi Durell and Michael Stever
It isn’t everyday that a cabaret club owner is willing to make a commitment of 60 continuous hours as an attempt to make it into the Guinness Book of Records. But Bernie Furshpan, and his beautiful wife Joanne, decided this is how to get the Love going and the songs flowing . . . but even more . . . the laughs and variety talent that exist in this City that never sleeps (literally)! From the well-known to the unknown but now known, the entertainment kept coming from January 1 at 7 p.m. to January 4 at 7 a.m.
TheaterPizzazz was proud to be a sponsor and have some of their most talented writers, videographers and more participate. Russ Weatherford, talented reviewer/writer, has a column “Making the Rounds with Russ” – but he and Eric Rudy put their performance hats on to present song and comedy in the wee hours of the final morning; talented filmmaker Michael Stever was on hand to record and film, and photographer Fred Cohen graciously added his beautiful photographic skills, as yours truly served as an Expert Witness and Stage Director.
So what we have here is a final wrap up on everything Bernie, Joanne and Metropolitan Room and the nearly 250 performers who devoted their talents, time and themselves to accomplish this one and only feat – the official attempt to become the longest running variety show ever in the Guinness Book of Records.
*Photos below and above courtesy of Fred Cohen Photography (see more at Fred’s site):
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When it comes to entertainment entities that have ‘worlds largest’ or ‘biggest ever’ in the heading, it’s possible actor, turned filmmaker, Michael Lee Stever won’t be too far away.
Having performed himself on the world’s largest stage in Reno, Nevada in Donn Arden’s gigantic stage spectacular ‘Hello Hollywood, Hello’ Stever then worked as Unit Production Manager for nearly three years on the epic, critically applauded documentary, ‘Broadway; The Golden Age’ (alongside TheatrePizzazz.com publisher/editor Sandi Durell who was a producer). Stever now finds himself immersed with some of the most notable names in the cabaret world. New York City’s popular Metropolitan Room and their record breaking 60 hour long non-stop variety show is the latest project to capture his attention. Some of the nearly two hundred and fifty performers also happen to be clients. Enjoy the mini-documentary!
(Photos immediately below by Michael Stever)
What Bernie had to say:
“There is more than one message here. First, I’d like to say that most of you “Got it.” For 60 hours, if you were looking for a place overflowing with LOVE, we were harboring it, nurturing it, and sharing it. Music, Comedy, etc, it’s all healing… for both entertainer and audience, and we were on Turbo Overdrive.
Secondly, Live Entertainment is VERY MUCH ALIVE, and we proved it. We showed the World how giving and talented we are here in NYC. In 60 hours we showcased almost 300 performers that represented a cross section of the variety and diversity of genres and styles we offer to humanity.
Thirdly, I hope you found this event to be an Inspiration that anything is possible. It’s a matter of making a commitment and then going for it without hesitation.”
The photos below are contributed by other photographers: 
(click on any photo in this article to enlarge)
