Barbara Cook, Morgan James and More Set for 54 Below This Week

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 is "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - "The Callback," and more:

Andréa Burns: TRUE BEAUTY, Apr. 29 at 7PM:
In her brand new show, Broadway's Andrea Burns (Beauty & The Beast, The Full Monty, The Ritz, In the Heights, and The Nance) presents a hilarious and at times moving evening that explores finding a state of grace at forty while reasserting that Latinas don't play. Weaving Broadway with pop culture, expect tunes by Sarah Bareilles, Stephen Sondheim, Celia Cruz, Peter Gabriel, and more as Andrea teams up with her In the Heights Musical Director, Alex Lacamoire. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Morgan James, Apr. 29 at 9:30PM:
Currently starring in Broadway's Motown: The Musical as Teena Marie, Doris Day, and others, Morgan James brings her smoky and soulful renditions of songs from her debut CD to 54 Below, as well as a sampling of tunes you've not yet heard from her. Her debut recording on Epic Records, Morgan James Live: A Celebration of Nina Simone, offers up a selection of songs that show off her extraordinary voice and exquisite gift for merging soul, jazz, and R&B in a fresh and thrilling new way. She's fast becoming one of the most sought-after multi-genre vocalists in the country. Morgan was recently seen in the Broadway revival of Godspell (who could forget her sultry rendition of Turn Back, O Man?). Come see what led Terry Teachout of The Wall Street Journal to declare Morgan "the most promising young vocalist to come along so far this century." Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE CALLBACK, Apr. 29 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. Drink Specials: $5 beers and $8 mixed drinks.

Barbara Cook, Apr. 30-May 2 at 7PM, May 3-4 at at 8:30PM, May 1-2 at 9:30PM
One of the all time great voices comes to our stage for two very special weeks this April and May, debuting a brand new evening of music! Her pure soprano, haunting tone, and warm onstage presence make any evening with Barbara Cook an unforgettable nightlife experience. Not only are Ms. Cook's concert and cabaret performances the stuff of New York legend, but her life in the theatre has stretched from the creation of the leading female roles in the Broadway classics Candide, The Music Man, and She Loves Me, to her recent appearance in Sondheim on Sondheim, and a whole lot in between! Among a heavy mantle of awards, Ms. Cook has been honored with the Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk, and Drama Critics Circle Awards, has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame, and was recently presented with the Kennedy Center Honor. Cover charge $65-75: 9:30PM shows, $85-95: 7PM shows, $105-115: 8:30PM shows. $30 food and beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, Apr. 30 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 Nick Wyman (Catch Me If You Can, Les Miz), Ann Harada ("Smash," Cinderella, Avenue Q), Gwen Hollander (Little Women, Single Girls Guide), Carey Anderson (Mamma Mia), Alan Muraoka ("Sesame Street"), Sarah Rice (Original Johanna in Sweeney Todd), Jonathan Reid Gealt (composer), Siren, Loren Allred ("The Voice"), and Jason Gotay (Bring It On, F#%king Up Everything). No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum. Drink Specials: $5 beers and $8 mixed drinks.

LATE NIGHT: THE STUDIO, May 1 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. Join us Wednesday at "The Studio" for WRITER'S BLOCK: Songwriter's Night at 54 Below featuring original work by some of New York's most talented up-and-coming songwriters. Enjoy a drink (or four) off our new late night happy hour menu, or even sign up to perform your own original work on our stage. WRITER'S BLOCK is the new home for New York City's next generation of songwriters. Hosted by Joe Iconis. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum. Drink Specials: $5 beers and $8 mixed drinks.

LATE NIGHT: 54 PIANO BAR, May 2 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 beers and $8 mixed drinks.

Aaron Tveit, May 3 at 11PM:
Catch him if you can! 54 Below is delighted to welcome Aaron Tveit to our stage this May for four special performances only! Mixing Broadway with pop, childhood favorites with contemporary sounds, and superstar vocals with charismatic good looks, Tveit's cabaret debut will have them talking for years. Broadway embraced Aaron when he memorably created roles in Next to Normal and Catch Me if You Can, in addition to his performances in Hairspray and Wicked. Television audiences can soon tune in regularly for the debut of his new USA Network series, Graceland, coming this June, and movie goers were recently starstruck by his work in Les Miserables. His star is on the rise, and we've got him this May! Cover charge $40-50. $25 food & beverage minimum.

CLASSICAL CONCERTS FOR CLASSY KIDS, May 4 at 11:30AM:
The phrase commonly heard by parents introducing their kids to classical music "But it's so boring!" will disappear in a moment with these "Classical Concerts for Classy Kids," as Glen Roven offers an audience of parents and children the simple keys and tools to enjoy the masterpieces of the ages. Focusing on one piece of chamber music, Mozart's "String Quartet No. 21," the Concert starts with a description of the piece and the instruments, followed by a lunch, then a full-out performance by The GPRrecords Festival String Quartet. Filled with insight, wit and humor, Maestro Roven concocts a concert perfect for the seasoned concert-goer as well as the novice. Glen Roven has won Four Emmy Awards, performed at Carnegie Hall three times, conducted major symphonies throughout the world, including the Israel Philharmonic, and is the Artistic Director of GPRrecords, one of the most respected and innovative labels in classical music. Cover charge $65 (includes three-course lunch, non-alcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity).

Michael Musto'S 70s DISCO EXTRAVAGANZA, May 4 at 11PM:
The mirror ball has relocated to the cellar with Michael Musto'S 70s DISCO EXTRAVAGANZA at 54 BELOW. Join downtown legend, disco diva, and Village Voice columnist Michael Musto with his glittery sidekicks Snooky and Tish as he performs live with disco cover band The Elektrik Company, and Sarah Dash (from the classic group Labelle, "Lady Marmalade," and her own disco hit "Sinner Man"), Orfeh (Tony nominee, Legally Blonde), and the diva Joey Arias ("Arias With a Twist"). We are pushing tables and chairs aside to make way for the dance floor, so grab a cocktail and shake your groove thing into the wee hours as 54 Below returns to its fabulous roots.
Cover charge is $20 for dance floor tickets. VIP seating available from $200-$300 per table. Call 54 Below at 646.476.3551 for more information and to make a reservation.
No food is available for purchase at this event.

Joe Iconis & FAMILY, May 5 at 7PM:
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: Liz Lark Brown, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, Seth Eliser, Molly Hager, Dennis Michael Keefe, MK Lawson, Eric William Morris, Krysta Rodriguez, Rob Rokicki, Mike Rosengarten, Lance Rubin, Jared Weiss, Jason "SweetTooth" Williams, and special guest Adam Guettel! Jennifer Ashley Tepper produces. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

SARAH DASH, May 5 at 9:30PM:
Sarah Dash began her career as a founding member of the well known and widley popular Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells (I Sold My Heart to the Junkman), which morphed into the hugely successful Labelle, releasing numerous hits from 1972 to 1977, including the classic, Lady Marmalade. For two nights only at 54 Below, this original diva presents an evening of jazz and blues, including songs she's made famous throughout her career, interspersed with reminiscences and anecdotes of the people she's met along the way. Sarah has enjoyed a fruitful career as a solo artist, spanning many genres, including disco (Sinner Man), R&B, pop and gospel, performing alongside the likes of Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones, among many others. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

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

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