Cast of FIRST DATE, Joanna Gleason & 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:

Emily Bergl, October 14 at 7PM:
Emily Bergl, best known for her roles on TV shows such as Desperate Housewives andSouthland, burst onto the cabaret scene in 2011, garnering raves from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Since then, she has performed in leading venues throughout NYC and across the country. Her third show, Til I Get It Right, exposes the lengths we go to in our search for love and what we do when we don't find it, or even more frightening, when we do. In her signature nouveau cabaret style, Bergl uses the past to illuminate the present, blending together Irving Berlin with Blondie, Rodgers and Hammerstein with Tracey Chapman & even Noel Coward with Britney Spears. You'll be treated not only to an evening of diverse songs, but a full cast of characters all personified by this veteran Broadway actress. For anyone looking for an evening of song that's heartbreaking, droll and a little dangerous, this is your show! Cover charge $35-45. $25 food and beverage minimum.

Will Van Dyke, October 14 at 9:30PM:
Join Will and a cast of Broadway luminaries as he celebrates the release of his second album, Writing Kevin Taylor (A Concept Cast Recording). One of New York's most promising composer/lyricists, Will Van Dyke is also beloved by many a Broadway gypsy for his work on Kinky Boots (Associate Music Director), Rent (Music Director), The Addams Family (keyboards) & lots more. Expect an evening of songs new and old spanning Will's collaboration as a songwriter with Josh Halloway, Rick Elice, Matt Doyle and more. Directed by DB Bonds, you'll find Will himself at the piano leading a kick-ass band! Featuring: Tony Award winner Bill Porter (Kinky Boots), Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots), Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Tamika Lawrence (Matilda, The Book of Mormon), Mike Wartella (Wicked),

Alex Brightman (Big Fish), Jason Gotay (Bring It On), Randy Blair, Matt Doyle (The Book of Mormon, War Horse), Katie Gassert, Preston Sadleir (Next to Normal), Brad Weinstock, David Josefsberg (The Wedding Singer) and Sally Wilfert (Assassins). Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

THREE WAY STREET, October 14 at 11:30PM:
Join us for an evening of new music by talented new musical theatre song writers Christine Toy Johnson, Michael Mott, and Bradford Proctor. You'll hear music they've written on their own, with others, and with each other. With guest performers:

Mimi Bessette (Bonnie & Clyde), Jake Boyd (Rock of Ages), Hannah Elles (Godspell), Ali Ewoldt (The Fantasticks), Beth Glover, Brad Greer (The Orion Experience), Adam Kaplan (Newsies), Janet Krupi (Bring It On), Anastacia McCleskey (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), and Diane Phelan. Cover charge $20. Two drink minimum.

WBGO JAZZ SERIES: Houston Person & KEN PEPLOWSKI, October 15 at 7PM:
Two of the world's most internationally beloved tenor saxophonists join forces for The Joy of Sax: a special concert of toe-tapping swing, ballads, and blues, with a red-hot rhythm section. This music is all about feeling totally relaxed, deep in the groove, and in complete thrall with musical story-telling at its most eloquent and inspired. This sax will take you to paradise. Cover charge $25-35. $15 food & beverage minimum.

FIRST DATE, October 15 at 9:30PM:
The cast of Broadway's First Date, the critically acclaimed new musical comedy starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez, celebrates the release of their Original Broadway Cast Album with a one night only show featuring the entire cast! Proceeds benefit Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries for children around the globe impacted by facial deformities. Cast list: Zachary Levi, Krysta Rodriguez, Sara Chase, Kristoffer Cusick, Blake Hammons, Kate Loprest, Bryce Ryness, Eric Ankrim, Vicki Noon and Sydney Shepherd. $35-45 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, October 15 at 11PM:
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, with special guests from Broadway and beyond dropping 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 Celisse Henderson (Godspell, In Transit),Anya Marina (recording artist on Twilight, Grey's Anatomy), Jay Rogers (When Pig's Fly), Cathy Grier aka nycsubwaygirl, and Siren(power pop trio). No cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

THE LAST 5 YEARS IN CONCERT, October 16 & 17 at 7PM & October 18 & 19 at 11PM:
In celebration of the brand new cast recording of Jason Robert Brown's much-loved musical, 54 Below is delighted to tip our hat to Jamie & Cathy for four very special concerts. Join the stars of the recent revival, Betsy Wolfe & Adam Kantor, as we wind our way through this brilliant score. If you don't get your tickets in The Next Ten Minutes, You Can Do Better Than That! Goodbye Until Tomorrow. Cover charge $45-55 for 10/16. Cover charge $35-45 for 10/17 & 10/18. Cover charge $40-50 for 10/19. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Joanna Gleason, October 16 at 9:30PM:
54 Below is delighted to welcome Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason as she makes her NYC cabaret debut! Accompanied by Well Strung, the dazzling modern-day string quartet, her fantasy and real lives intersect underscored by tunes ranging from Billy Joel to Dave Frishberg to Johnny Mathis, with maybe even a little walk through the woods. Revered by Broadway audiences for her unforgettable (& award-winning) portrayal of The Baker's Wife in the original company of Into the Woods, New York has also embraced Joanna in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Nick and Nora and Sons of The Prophet among others, racking up all of the major theatre awards along the way. This is to say nothing of her film and TV work, which includes Boogie Nights, Crimes & Misdemeanors, The Wedding Planner, the upcoming Las Vegas and a whole host of other projects. It's the cabaret event of the fall when this eloquent, witty and thoroughly delightful star graces our stage. Be there!Cover charge $35-45. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Jen Waldman STUDIO AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR SONGBOOK, October 16 at 11:30PM:
A celebration of thinking outside the box! The students of Jen Waldman Studios come together to celebrate the rainbow of color in the theatre and embrace all races and ethnicities in one fun-filled night. Enjoy your favorite archetypal Broadway songs with a twist! Hosted by Jen Waldman and Sharone Sayegh (Mamma Mia). Cast: Todd Adamson, Sherz Aletaha, Tony Castellanos, Virgina Cavalierre, Nicole Ferguson, Danny George, Noellia Hernandez, Joanne Javien, Shanna Lesniak, Justin Lopez, Erin Mayalvory McKay, Susan Oliveras, Isabel Santiago, Sharone Sayegh, Laura Yen Solito, Mariand Torres and EJ Zimmerman. Cover charge $5. Two drink minimum.

Charles Busch, October 17 at 9:30PM:
The acclaimed actor/ Tony-nominated playwright and drag legend returns with a brand new show, chock full of outrageous personal stories, original characters and classic songs; all perfumed with his own unique form of glamour. Charles Busch continues to delight and re-define his craft as a master humorist, illusionist and camp icon. The author of dozens of hit plays (Tale of the Allergists Wife, Red Scare on Sunset, Flipping My Wig, Times Square Angel, Our Leading Lady, The Third Story, Die! Mommie! Die!, Psycho Beach Party, The Divine Sister & Vampire Lesbians of Sodom to name but a few), Busch returns to 54 Below, joined by Musical Director Tom Judson. Expect laughter, music, tears and sequins. But no boas. Cover charge $35-45. $25 food and beverage minimum.

Joe Iconis & FAMILY, October 18 at 8PM:
Musical theater writer Joe Iconis is about to journey to the West Coast for the world premiere of his musical The Black Suits in sunny Los Angeles. But first, he's proudly bringing his unique mash-up of showtune cabaret and rock and roll jamboree back to 54 Below, just in time for Halloween! Join Mr. Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks as they roar their way through a set of Joe's incendiary songs, along with a few seasonally-appropriate spooky classics. 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. CAST LIST: Nick Blaemire, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, Seth Eliser, Molly Hager, Rachel Lee, Ian Kagey, Dennis Michael Keefe, MK Lawson, Lauren Marcus, Jeremy Morse, Rob Rokicki, Charlie Rosen, Lance Rubin, Marc Shaiman, Jared Weiss, Jason SweetTooth Williams, and more performers to be announced! Cover charge $35- 45. $25 food and beverage minimum.

MARQUEE FIVE, October 19 at 8PM:
Marquee Five returns to 54 Below with their acclaimed show, Broadway By The Letter: Act One, a collection of Broadway material arranged with Marquee Five's signature harmonies, humor and heart, including pieces by Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kander & Ebb, Jason Robert Brown, William Finn and many more. Featuring Adam West Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Sierra Rein, Julie Reyburn and Christopher Whipple on vocals, accompanied by Mark Janas and directed by Lennie Watts, Broadway By The Letter: Act One offers a harmony-infused tribute to theatrical composers, shows and songs presented with a wink and a few surprises. Marquee Five's CD, 8-Track Throwback, is available for purchase after the show, on iTunes and at www.marqueefive.com. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

A celebrated New York event since 2010, the Bistro Award-winning series Sondheim Unplugged features some of Broadway and cabaret's most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only. Expect tunes from A Little Night Music, Company, Into the Woods, Follies, Passion, Dick Tracy, and more. Past special guests have included original Sondheim cast members such as Len Cariou, Victoria Mallory, Donna McKechnie & Chip Zien- so you never know who might drop in. Sondheim Unplugged is hosted by series creator Phil Geoffrey Bond, who will fill the audience in on Sondheimien facts, history, and assorted tidbits of theatrical lore! SPECIAL GUESTS:

Marni Nixon (The singing voice of Maria in the West Side Story film, Heidi Schiller in 2001's Follies), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd's original Johanna), Melanie Vaughan (Sunday in the Park with George's original Celeste #1), and Eric Michael Gillett (2004's The Frogs). Also starring: Christina Bianco (Newsical, YouTube Sensation), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Tony nominees, Avenue Q), Marilyn Maye (NYC's favorite nightclub singer), Vivian Reed (Tony nominee, Bubbling Brown Sugar) and Lucia Spina (Kinky Boots). Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Rebekah Lowin, October 20 at 9:30PM:
Rebekah Lowin, the inaugural winner of 54 Below's "The Callback" competition, is not to be missed in her first solo cabaret engagement! A current student at Columbia University, Rebekah is one of the hottest new voices in the cabaret and theatre world, most recently appearing in Lydia & Tom: A New Musical. Earlier in October, she will be appearing as a soloist at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater for the 24th Cabaret Convention. Expect a wonderfully varied spectrum of tunes, new and old, from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Billy Joel. Directed by Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street, Hello Dolly, The Producers), the evening is sure to be an unforgettable one. Cover charge $15-25. $20 food & beverage minimum.

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

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