Annaleigh Ashford, 54 Celebrates Frank Wildhorn & More Set for 54 Below this Week

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

JAMES SNYDER, December 1 at 7PM:

For the first time, James Snyder and his family will be celebrating the holiday season in New York, while he co-stars as Josh in the Broadway sensation If/Then. Led by his musical director, acclaimed drummer Damien Bassman, and the Second Chance Band, James takes a look at his own If/Then moments: How playing a french poodle led to him to working with Amanda Bynes in She's The Man. How a messy breakup led him to a record deal. How a temper tantrum put him on Broadway. Share a bit of James's journey from Cry-Baby to City Center Encores' Fanny to Carousel at Goodspeed...which led him to The Richard Rodgers Theatre and his current role as Idina Menzel's co-star. In this special evening of firsts, James will be joined by friends: For the first time, James and Matt Doyle will be singing songs from bare: a pop opera together, Elizabeth Stanley and James will re-unite since the lights of Cry-Baby fell dim...and Seth Rudetsky will stop by as well. Let James and his friends be the first to celebrate the holiday season with you - sharing holiday memories from his childhood and holiday memories he and his wife are making with their own child in New York City. Whichever road you take, and whatever holiday you choose to celebrate in the month of December, join us for James Snyder's show at 54 Below. It's an evening about how every event shapes your life, whether its getting married, then finding out you're going to be a dad, meeting friends along the way or co-starring on Broadway in a huge hit show. $35-45 cover charge. $65 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

ANNALEIGH ASHFORD, December 1 at 9:30PM:

Annaleigh Ashford and Music Director Will Van Dyke return to 54 Below with an updated version of their sold out concert, Lost in the Stars. Annaleigh Ashford was recently seen on Broadway in a Tony-nominated turn as feisty factory worker Lauren in Kinky Boots and as Betty DiMello on Showtime's Masters of Sex. She is also known for her work in Rent (Maureen), Dogfight (Marcy), Wicked (Glinda), and Legally Blonde (Margot). Annaleigh comes to 54 Below with songwriter and music director Will Van Dyke to acknowledge the history of Studio 54 with a classic cabaret that features songs from the days of disco to the haunting melodies of Kurt Weill and Stephen Sondheim. With story and song, the evening will have a touch of fun with a whole lot of heart. $35-45 cover charge. $70 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

EVAN RUGGIERO, December 1 at 11:30PM:

Evan Ruggiero returns to 54 Below, this time with experimental soul/funk trio, Fredo. Join them as they take you through a sound warp of music, dance, and explosive vocals. Fredo is comprised of musicians, Jason Kennedy, Ray Carega, and Brendan Daily. Evan began dancing at the age of 5 in his hometown studio and by age 10, he was accepted into the famed New Jersey Tap Ensemble, under the direction of Deborah Mitchell. At age 19, Evan was suddenly diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, Osteosarcoma, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. After undergoing months of chemotherapy and additional surgeries to save his life, Evan began to teach himself how to tap dance again by using a peg-leg. He as appeared all over the country motivational speaking and performing, and has had appearances on television shows such as The Ellen Show, Un Nuevo Diá, American Idol, CBS Inside Edition, and Show Me St. Louis. He is currently in the new workshop production of PANIC! The Musical. $15 cover charge. $25 premium seating. $20 food and beverage minimum or two drinks.

54 BELOW CELEBRATES FRANK WILDHORN, December 2 & 3 at 7PM December 5 & 6 AT 7PM & 9:30PM:

Over the past two decades, Frank Wildhorn has given us timeless stories and countless classics set to soaring scores. 54 Below is proud to present a week in celebration of the acclaimed composer of Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, Dracula, Bonnie & Clyde, Wonderland, and Victor/Victoria. With eight Broadway shows, twenty original international shows, and almost 100 million records sold of his songs, Frank is one of this generation's most important songwriters. It will be a week of Broadway's best singers, a reunion of one of Frank's Broadway shows, and songs from a catalog that goes from Whitney Houston to Julie Andrews, from Hootie and the Blowfish to Johnny Mathis, and from Sammy Davis, Jr. to The Moody Blues. With an all-star band of musicians, you'll be sure to hear all your favorites in addition to brand new songs, never been heard before. Spend an evening celebrating Frank Wildhorn at Broadway's own 54 Below. 12/2 and 12/3 will star original cast members from Bonnie & Clyde including Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, Melissa van der Schyff, Michael Lanning, Mimi Bessette, Louis Hobson, and more. 12/5 and 12/6 will star Leslie Odom, Jr., Brandi Burkhardt, Janet Dacal, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Adrienne Warren, and Jane Monheit (12-5 only). $55-65 cover charge for 12/2 & 12/3. $50-60 cover charge for 12/5 & 12/6. $90-100 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

THE CIVILIANS: A PRETTY FILTHY EVENING, December 2 at 9:30PM:

The Civilians, New York's Obie award-winning investigative theatre company, presents A Pretty Filthy Evening. This one-night-only live cabaret features material from The Civilians' upcoming production of Pretty Filthy, a new musical about the adult entertainment industry that will receive its premiere at the Abrons Arts Center this winter. Created from interviews The Civilians conducted with porn stars, directors, and crew in the San Fernando Valley, world capital of porn, Pretty Filthy affords an insider's glimpse into a world that is far more than the sum of its (very) visible parts. This cabaret at 54 below features monologues from these exciting interviews, Broadway composer Michael Friedman (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) shares original songs, and other special songwriters perform their own porn-centered tunes, in an evening about the ins and outs of the dirty movie biz. This night will include performances from the Civilian's Associate Artists along with special guest appearances from Broadway stars and other well-known performers. Perhaps a porn star (or two) will even make an appearance. $25-35 cover charge. $55 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

MARTIN MORAN AND JOSEPH THALKEN, December 3 at 9:30PM:

Broadway performer and OBIE and Lortel winning playwright Martin Moran and award-winning composer Joseph Thalken join forces for an evening of original music and Broadway hits. Drawing upon some of Moran's career highlights (Titanic, Bells Are Ringing, Floyd Collins) and Thalken's own musicals (Harold and Maude, Was, And The Curtain Rises), Moran is joined by several surprise Broadway guest stars who reunite to recreate unforgettable moments. The centerpiece of the evening is Moran and Thalken's performance of their critically acclaimed One Act musical, Borrowed Dust - the story of a man who is called back to his home in Colorado after a sudden death in the family and the astonishing surprises and discoveries that await him there. $30-40 cover charge. $70 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

MATT DOYLE & THE WHISKEY 5, December 4 at 10:30PM:

Arranged by composer, Will Van Dyke, the evening will be jam packed with holiday classics. Expect to hear favorites such as "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "Sleigh Ride", "What Child is This", "The Christmas Song", and many more. Special guests will range from Tony-nominated Broadway stars to Matt's dearest friends and family. The December 4th show will be recorded live for an official album release. To help make the season even more bright, Matt and his band will reunite for a release concert of the same set on the 23rd. Wear your ugliest holiday sweaters and sit back to enjoy a shamelessly cheery evening filled with holiday spirit. $30-40 cover charge. $70 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

THE WHITE CITY IN CONCERT, December 5 at 11:30PM:

Join Julia Gytri and Avi Amon for a friendship-filled evening exploring the music of The White City. Experience their vision of the majestic 1893 Chicago World's Fair and how H.H. Holmes, America's first serial killer, exploits it for his own demented purposes. In this unique look into the making of the show, watch how first drafts evolved into the rich material that shone at the 2014 National Music Theatre Conference at The O'Neill Theatre Center, and take a sneak peek into what lies ahead for this powerhouse writing team. Cast includes Jordan Barbour (Langston in Harlem, The Suit dir. Peter Brook), Charlie Brady (Burnt Part Boys, South Pacific), Angel Desai (Company, The Tempest), Rebecca Faulkenberry (Rock of Ages, Spiderman), Mallory Hawks (The White City), Kate Loprest (First Date, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Bright Star), Tommy McDowell (American Idiot 1st National Tour), Sam Simahk (Sweeney Todd at Lyric Stage). Directed by Tim Seib with music direction by Kenneth Gartman. $20 cover charge. $45 premium seating. $20 food and beverage minimum or two drinks.

GIOIA TO THE WORLD: MY HOLIDAY HELL, December 6 at 11:30PM:

Who proclaimed this the most wonderful time of the year? We know you're cold, stressed out and broke, so make your way out to 54 Below, where things heat up with glasses of spiked eggnog and a handful of bad-ass Broadway belters. From the team who brought you the sold-out sensation Bitching and Belting: An Evening with Michael Gioia and Friends, Gioia to the World promises to be an unforgettable night where no complaint is too small and no note is too high - holiday style. Join Michael Gioia (who hosted Playbill's Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriters You Should Know LIVE! in January) and his Broadway faves for a set list of the sassiest songs, most dangerous duets and, of course, some holiday beer (err... cheer). The cold never bothered us anyway. Cast includes: Michael Gioia, Ariana Groover, Ariana DeBose, Lauren Renahan, Karen Agatep, Robin De Jesus, Tommy Bracco, Adam Kaplan, Tommy McDowell, Lilli Cooper, Julia Mattison and Jennifer Dilzell. $25 cover charge. $50 premium seating. $20 food & beverage minimum or two drinks.

54 SINGS MAME, December 7 at 7PM & 9:30PM:

"Light the candles. Get the ice out." 54 Below presents tunes from one of the most cherished musicals in the history of Broadway, just in time for the holidays. Join a glittering cast that includes the brilliant Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd), Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me, Kate), Annie Golden (Violet, Orange is the New Black), Dee Hoty (City of Angels), Pamela Myers (Company) & Lee Roy Reams (Hello, Dolly!) as we pay homage to this great Jerry Herman score. With Music Director John McDaniel (Annie Get Your Gun) and his brassy trio, we'll coax the blues right outta the horn as we cover all the hits from "Bosom Buddies" to "If He Walked Into My Life". Be there for this special, annual holiday soiree. Because after all, "We Need a Little Christmas". Also Starring: Klea Blackhurst, Lewis Grosso, Cady Huffman, Marilyn Maye, Sean McDermott and Brian Charles Rooney. With: Raissa Katona Bennett, Matt Leahy, Karen Mack, Miles Phillips and Lisa Sabin.$45-55 cover charge for 7pm show. $40-50 cover charge for 9:30pm show. $75-90 premium seating. $25 food & beverage minimum.

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