Joe Iconis, Ken Page, Carmel Dean and More Set for 54 Below, Now thru 4/21

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - "The Callback," Joe Iconis & Family, actress/producer/singer Rita Wilson, legendary powerhouse voice Lachanze, Broadway's Ken Page and Carmel Dean, and more:

Joe Iconis & FAMILY, Apr. 15 at 7PM & Apr. 20 at 11PM:
After a sold-out holiday run, musical theater writer Joe Iconis is proud to bring his unique mash-up of showtune cabaret and rock and roll jamboree back to 54 Below. Join Mr. Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks as they roar their way through a set of Joe's incendiary songs. The huge cast of brilliant actor/singers, lunatic musicians and legendary special guests will offer you an evening where searing character studies meet drunken back room sing-alongs. This is no mere concert. This is a great, big, howling love-letter to passionate musical theater at its best and bloodiest. Grease up your kazoo, fill your whiskey glass and stay for a while. It's going to be a helluva night. The cast and band is as follows: Nick Blaemire (April 26 only), Liz Lark Brown, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, Seth Eliser, Molly Hager, Dennis Michael Keefe, MK Lawson, Eric William Morris, Jeremy Morse (April 15 and April 20 only), Andrew Rannells (April 15 only), Krysta Rodriguez, Rob Rokicki, Mike Rosengarten, Lance Rubin, Jared Weiss, Jason SweetTooth Williams, and more performers to be announced! Jennifer Ashley Tepper produces. Cover charge $15-25. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Rita Wilson, Apr. 15, 17 & 18 at 9:30PM, Apr. 19 & 20 at 8:30PM & Apr. 19 at 11PM:
Rita Wilson reveals her expressive, denim-and-suede vocals in a nostalgic throwback to the soft rock of Los Angeles in seven special performances at 54 Below this April. Wilson performs songs from her critically acclaimed debut Decca Records solo album, AM/FM, featuring iconic hits from the 60s and 70s, ranging from classic love songs to folk-rock tunes. The LA born actress, producer, and writer made her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in Chicago. Cover charge $40-50. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE CALLBACK, Apr. 15 at 11PM:
At The Callback on Monday nights, contestants will perform for a chance to win their own cabaret show at 54 Below. Contestants will be chosen by video audition, their performances will be recorded and uploaded to 54 Below's Facebook and Youtube page, and each week, a winner will be determined by audience vote to progress to the next round. "The Callback" contestants may also have the chance to sing in front of industry executives and Broadway celebrity guest judges as they move forward in the competition. For more information on "The Callback" rules or how to submit an audition video, please visit www.54Below.com. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

WBGO JAZZ SERIES: EDDIE PALMIERE LATIN JAZZ SEPTET, Apr. 16 at 7PM & 9PM:
NEA Jazz Master Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and bold innovative drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. With a discography that includes 36 titles, Mr. Palmieri has been awarded nine Grammy Awards. For Latin New Yorkers of Eddie's generation, music was a vehicle out of El Barrio. A true powerhouse known for his astute arranging skills and historic compositions, Mr. Palmieri continues to thrill audiences across the globe with his legendary style. Cover charge $25-35. $15 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, Apr. 16 at 10:30PM:
Each week, Broadway cast members and audiences alike gather to mix and mingle at 54 Below, Broadway's most intimate haunt, located in the heart of the theatre district. Musical Director Brad Simmons keeps the house jumping from the piano, while host Susie Mosher (the love child of Joanne Worley & Paul Lynde) guides the crowd through an evening of music, mayhem and full throttle belting, while special guests from Broadway and beyond drop in to perform. NPR had this to say: "The best thing happening right now might just be the weekly Backstage. Hosted by the ridiculously funny Susie Mosher and pianist Brad Simmons who clearly is the man, it's two feel-good hours among New York's theater people, who seem like they're having a really fine time. Can't recommend it highly enough!" At this week's Backstage is Anastacia McCleskey (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Hair, Tarzan), Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan), Robb Sapp (Wicked, Shrek), Ryan Silverman (premiering songs from new Broadway musical Somewhere In Time, Cry-Baby), Hannah Elless (premiering songs from new Broadway musical Somewhere In Time, Godspell), Carla Duren (Hairspray, 110 in the Shade), Gabrielle Stravelli (vocialist), Paul Oakley Stovall (singer/ writer), and Cathy Grier (NYCSubwayGirl, urban blues singer/ activist). No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

LOVE HANGOVER: LACHANZE SINGS Diana Ross, Apr. 17, 18 & 22 at 7PM:
One of Broadway's most celebrated, powerhouse voices takes to the stage at 54 Below in salute of a woman who broke barriers and challenged stereotypes throughout her legendary career. Love Hangover, Do You Know Where You're Goin' To?, Endless Love and Good Morning, Heartache are just a few of the tunes forever linked with this formidable artist (who won a Tony for 1977's An Evening with Diana Ross). And who better to celebrate this music than another formidable artist? LaChanze, a Tony, Emmy, Obie and Theatre World Award winner, is best known for her show-stopping performances in The Color Purple, Dessa Rose & Once on This Island, among others. Be there! And remember, Ain't No Mountain High Enough! Cover charge $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE STUDIO, Apr. 17 at 11PM:
On Wednesdays, The Studio will be the place to see up-and-coming New York talent: comedians, musicians, songwriters, improv groups- just to name a few. Each week will feature a different new New York artist, so visit our calendar to see what this Wednesday has in store for you. No cover charge. Drink Specials: $5 beers and $8 mixed drinks.

LATE NIGHT: 54 PIANO BAR, Apr. 18 at 11PM:
On Thursdays at 11 pm, pick a song and join extraordinary pianist and host Brian Nash as you take your turn on the stage at 54 Piano Bar. See new Broadway talent perform on a whim, and perhaps take part in the ever-popular (and inevitable) audience sing along. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum. Drink Specials: $5 beer, $8 mixed drinks.

Ken Page, Apr. 21 at 7PM:
Broadway's Ken Page makes his 54 Below debut in an evening celebrating the tunes he made famous throughout his time on The Great White Way. A veteran of Broadway's original casts of Cats, Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, and Guys & Dolls, Ken is one of Broadway's favorite players. Film audiences know Ken from Dreamgirls, Torch Song Trilogy, and as the voice of Mr. Oogie Boogie in the Tim Burton cult classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas. In Old, New, Borrowed & Blue, also look for Ken to include a range of tunes borrowed from the canon of the great "Big Joe Turner," as well as standards new and old with a healthy does of the blues. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Carmel Dean, Apr. 21 at 9:30PM:
Just one show wasn't enough to present all of her brilliant compositions, so we're thrilled to re-welcome Australian-born Carmel Dean to our stage. Carmel is perhaps best-known for music directing and/or vocal arranging the Broadway musicals American Idiot, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and, currently, Hands on a Hardbody. She has worked with a wide range of performers including Chita Rivera, Green Day, Eve Ensler, and Phish, but this time, Carmel presents an evening of her own music, with the help of delectable Broadway veterans Sally Wilfert (Assassins, Make Me a Song), Jay Armstrong Johnson, Allison Case & Keala Settle, (Hands on a Hardbody), Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot, Passing Strange), Michael Winther (Mamma Mia, Songs from an Unmade Bed) and Alysha Umphress (American Idiot, Priscilla..., On A Clear Day You Can See Forever). Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (866) 468-7619.

54 BELOW, Broadway's nightclub, is the new performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, 54 BELOW is a classically designed state-of-the art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style.

Designed by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty and architect Richard Lewis, lit by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, and with sound by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, 54 BELOW features an in-your-living-room intimate relationship between its performers and audiences. Tony Award winner Scott Wittman serves as Creative Consultant and MAC Award Winner Phil Geoffrey Bond serves as Director of Programming. André J. Marrero is the Executive Chef of the new venue, which provides a food and beverage menu from early evening through the wee hours of the morning that is worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. Bringing together his love of the arts with his passion for cooking and hospitality, Chef André has created a market driven contemporary bistro menu that includes ingredients sourced from all over the world.

54 BELOW is owned and operated by Tony Award winning producers Tom Viertel, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, and Steven Baruch. 54 BELOW features up to three shows nightly and has audio and video recording capabilities. The cover charge ranges from $15-$115.

54 BELOW is located at 254 West 54th Street. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com.

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