Galt McDermott Among Beechman Theatre May Line-Up

The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is the proud recipient of nine MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets) Awards. Its nominees include: Lisa Asher (Female Vocalist), Marcus Simeone (Male Vocalist), Jean Brassard (Male Debut), Scott Nevins (Cabaret Comedy), Southern Comfort (Vocal Duo/Group), The Music of Steve Marzullo (Musical Comedy Group), Steven Lutvak (Singer/Songwriter), Phil Geoffrey Bond (Director) and Alysha Umphress (Female Jazz Vocalist). The annual awards will be presented on May 1, 2007.

This spring, the theatre is proud to announce an exciting and eclectic line-up of performers and performances, all of which will take place in the gorgeous eighty seat venue.

Please note there is a $15 food and/or beverage minimum at each performance, with the exception of The After Party. All major credit cards are accepted.

The After Party
Every Friday from 10:30pm to 2am
No cover, no minimum
"We continue our weekly open-mic schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined, hosted by iron-lunged Brandon Cutrell and Alysha Umphress, with Ray Fellman at the keys and Lisa Asher behind the bar (her pour is as ferocious as her belt). Come hang and belt out a showtune or two. No cover, no minimum; Special After Party! Join us on Tuesday, May 1 at 11:30pm for a special edition of The After Party, celebrating the 21st annual MAC Awards! As soon as the curtain comes down on the awards ceremony at BB King, join us down the street for fun and frivolity, and a special performance by 2007 MAC Board of Directors Award Honoree, Broadway's Karen Mason!"

Robyn McCorquodale
Thursday, May 3 at 7pm
$15 cover
"Singer/Songwriter/Pianist McCorquodale performs her original compositions as well as arrangements of some of her favorite standards, in ensemble with Peter Calo (guitar) and Ritt Henn (bass)."

Annie Dinerman
Sunday, May 6 at 7pm
$15 cover
"Our composer's series continues in May with a visit from prolific songwriter, Annie Dinerman. Best known for compositions such as Child in Me Again, The Lady Down the Hall and Earth and Sky, Annie's music has been recorded by Kathie Lee Gifford, Cybil Shepherd and the late Nancy LaMott, who championed her work, among others. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Abe Olman Award for Excellence in Songwriting."

Lady J & The Pink Champagne Orchestra
Tuesday, May 8 at 7pm
$20 cover
"Our Lady J, aka Jonnah Speidel, is back on our stage yet again with her fabulous Pink Champagne Orchestra for an evening of her original tunes. Thrilling. Sexy. Sharp. Brilliant. …. Don't miss it."

My Friend, The Cat
Fridays, May 11 & 25 at 8pm
$18 cover
$60 dinner + show package
"Phil Geoffrey Bond's tale of his ten year relationship with Chesterson the cat returns to our stage for two special encore performances. A hybrid between cabaret and traditional theatre, the piece includes music by composers as diverse as Laura Nyro, Charlie Chaplin, John Bucchino and even Andrew Lloyd Webber (guess which musical) featuring celebrated vocalists Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell, Julie Reyburn and Alysha Umphress."

Why Lee?: A Musical Scrapbook about Lee Wiley
Wednesdays, May 16 & 23 at 7pm
$15
"Award-winning performers Lois Walden, Barry Kleinbort, and Paul Greenwood tell the largely untold story of an acclaimed, notoriously enigmatic American singer and celebrate her enduring musical legacy. Featuring songs from Ms. Wiley's repertoire, anecdotes and dramatic scenarios about her life both onstage and off, and personal reminiscences."

Duel Belters
Friday, May 18 at 7pm
$5 cover
"Courter Simmons (Beauty and The Beast & Jersey Boys National Tours) and Leonard Sullivan (Hairspray National Tour) come together and belt out tunes that the women always get… 'cause the men's songs are all too low… in this special reprise performance."

David Gurland: D-GUR in Concert '07
Sunday, May 20 at 7pm
$16 cover
"The multi award-winning vocalist is presenting his most ambitious performance series to date: The DGUR Concert Series, happening on the third Sunday of each month. The fourth performance of this series is called Madonna Unplugged - a tribute show covering twenty of Madonna's hit songs from the early 80's through the present with many surprises along the way. A unique mergence of rock music and the theatricality of a cabaret show, Madonna Unplugged features arrangements and musical direction by award winning songwriter/singer/instrumentalist Michael Holland, who will also lend his voice to the mix and play guitar and piano. The show also features Jerry Smith on percussion and vocals."

Galt MacDermot
Monday, May 21 at 7pm
$25 cover
"The legendary composer of Hair presents a concert of his original work, joined by the swinging New Pulse Jazz Band. This is a preview performance, -- happily, this Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer and his band will be with us for all four Mondays in June!"

Time Flies
Sunday, May 27 at 7pm
Monday, May 28 at 7pm
$20 cover
"A collection of short plays by David Ives, presented by Bohemian Archaeology Productions."

Julia Wade in A Canvas of Colors
Tuesday, May 29 at 7pm
$15 cover
"An evening of great songs from many faith traditions and world cultures, performed passionately by Julia and her ensemble, including special guest, Bobby Stanton as well as Jillian Armsbury, Margaret Dorn and Bobby Douglas. Featuring selections from Julia's CD's, Story for the Ages and Upon the Mountain, as well as covers of beloved inspirational songs such as Amazing Grace and You Raise Me Up."

For reservations, please call 212.695.6909, between the hours of 12pm and 8pm.