The Lobby Project, a series of free pre-show events presented in conjunction with New York City Center's Encores! Off-Center series, will feature a free pre-show event before the Saturday, June 28 performance of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick... BOOM!. 54 Below Meets 55 Above will feature selections of Larson's rarely heard work, curated by Jennifer Tepper (programming director of the cabaret venue 54 Below) sung by Broadway performers Nick Blaemire, Joe Iconis, Anne L. Nathan, Taylor Trensch and Alysha Umphress.
Nick Blaemire is an actor, singer and composer/lyricist. He has appeared in Godspell and Cry-Baby on Broadway and in various television shows including "The Good Wife" and "Law and Order." He wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Glory Days and is the lead singer of the band Nick Blaemire and the Hustle.
Joe Iconis is a writer and performer. His songs were featured on Season 2 of NBC's "Smash." As a composer/lyricist/bookwriter he has authored the musicals Bloodsong of Love, The Black Suits (with Robert Maddock), ReWrite, The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks and We The People.
Anne L. Nathan made her debut in Ragtime in 1998 before going on to star in the Broadway revivals of Chicago, Assassins and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as original musicals Thoroughly Modern Millie and Once.
Taylor Trensch appeared in Matilda and Wicked on Broadway, bare and RENT at New World Stages and in various tours including Spring Awakening and Little Miss Sunshine.
Alysha Umphress is a singer who has earned the title of XL STAR (an "American Idol" style singing competition) and has played Joe's Pub, Birdland, The Irdium, The Metropolitan Room, Carolines, and The Laurie Beechman Theatre, where she can be seen every Friday night.
Encores! Off-Center, under the artistic direction of Jeanine Tesori, is City Center's newest series, featuring landmark musicals that pushed creative boundaries when they were first produced. The season includes three shows: tick, tick... BOOM! (June 25-28), Randy Newman's Faust: The Concert (July 1), and Pump Boys and Dinettes (July 16-19). In keeping with City Center's founding mission to make the arts accessible to all, the majority of tickets are $25. The Lobby Project events will take place 45 minutes before each curtain* and are free for ticket holders.
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