Kristy Cates Performs at The After Party, April 20

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Café (407 West 42nd St.), will continue The After Party with a visit by Wicked star Kristy Cates on Friday, April 20th.

Billed as "an informal social gathering for the theatrically inclined," The After Party is held every Friday from 10:30pm till 2am.  It features hosts Brandon Cutrell (MAC and Bistro Award winner) and Alysha Umphress (XL Star), as well as Ray Fellman (Captain Louie) at the piano, and 2006 Nightlife award-winning vocalist Lisa Asher behind the bar for the weekly party in the heart of Manhattan's theatre district. "There is no cover charge and no minimum. Come and sing yourself as the mic is always open (only rule: your selection must be from a musical!), or sit back and enjoy a cocktail with friends. Located just blocks from the Great White Way, you never know who might drop in," press materials state.

Cates is best known for playing the role of Elphaba in the smash hit musical, Wicked. She made her Broadway debut as a member of the original Broadway cast and was the original understudy to Idina Menzel.  She also filled in for an injured Stephanie Block for several weeks in Toronto, the first stop of the Wicked National Tour. Recently, Cates returned to New York, following a nearly twelve month run as Elphaba in the Chicago production of the mega-hit. Other New York credits include Princess Ida and Boobs! The Musical. She has also appeared at the St. Louis MUNY, The Lucille Lortel White Barn Theatre, North Bay Opera, The Playhouse on the Green and The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Conference. In January of 2007, Cates presented a series of sold out solo concerts at Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights, IL. Kristy is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where she was the first recipient of the Laurie Beechman Scholarship Award.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located downstairs, within The West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd St at 9th Avenue. There is a full bar and bar menu available, and reservations are not necessary for this event. 

Photo of Kristy Cates by Mark Rupp