DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED & More Set for 54 Below this Week
By: Tyler Peterson Dec. 16, 2013
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:
GRAFF FAMILY HOLIDAY SPECIAL, December 16 at 7PM:
One of Broadway's most beloved musical families conquers our stage! Ilene Graff, Randy Graff, Todd Graff and Nikka Graff Lanzarone, along with special guests Fran Drescher, Liz Callaway, Joanna Gleason, Max von Essen, Julia Murney & others, will perform a host of holiday favorites & tunes from their various forays on the Great White Way. In the tradition of the Andy Williams Christmas specials that warped them as children, expect tight, four-part harmonies, color coordinated hats and mufflers, indoor sleigh rides, audience participation, mistletoe & plenty of high belting. As a bonus, watch in wonder as Nikka dances all the parts to Turkey Lurkey Time in a four by four foot space! It's gonna be terrifying! $35-45 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
William Finn'S RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED COMPOSERS..., December 16 at 9:30PM:
Join two-time Tony Award winner William Finn for a night of "Songs by Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists you Probably Don't Know but Should," celebrating the work of young writers mentored by the composer of Falsettos, A New Brain, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, Elegies, and this season's Little Miss Sunshine. Originating at Barrington Stage Company (BSC) and now in its 8th year, the "Ridiculously Talented" concert series has become a hallmark of BSC's Musical Theatre Lab, where Mr. Finn serves as Artistic Producer. Mr. Finn explains what makes a good song great as he hosts this evening of personal favorites from the BSC series, featuring past cast members Sally Wilfert, Anne L. Nathan, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Elizabeth Stanley, Alysha Umphress, Taylor Trensch, Mykal Kilgore, Jeremy Morse, Michael Linden and Amanda Savan, and showcasing work by Will Aronson, Nikko Benson, Julian Blackmore, Sam Chanse, Joey Contreras, Jessica DiGiancinto, Josh Freilich, Emily Goldman, Joe Iconis, Michael R. Jackson, Alana Jacoby, Bob Kelly, Laura Kleinbaum, Salomon Lerner, Sara Nicholson, Brian Pugach, Brett Ryback, Sean Patterson, Jenny Stafford, Katya Stanislavskaya, Liz Suggs, Frank Terry, and Niko Tsakalakos. The concert is produced and directed by Shakina Nayfack. Jeremy R. Lyons music directs. Stick around when the show comes down for a "Ridiculously Talented After Party" hosted by Shakina and featuring an open mic with all new work by the evening's featured writers! $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED AFTER PARTY, December 16 at 11:30PM:
What better pairs with Ridiculously Talented composers, but a RIDICULOUS after party?! Join Joe Iconis, Michael R. Jackson, Nikko Benson, Joey Contreras, Sam Chanse, Bob Kelly, and MORE as they kick back, relax, mingle, premiere new work, and enjoy drinks after William Finn's Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists You Probaby Don't Know but You Should... Hosted by Shakina Nayfack. Cover Charge is waived for those who attend the 9:30 pm Ridiculously Talented show. $10 cover charge. No minimum.
Terese Genecco, December 17 at 7PM:
Deck your halls with holiday cheer, Big Band style! One night only, Terese Genecco and her 8-piece jazz orchestra bring their new show to 54 Below this season! Expect snappy new arrangements of your favorite holiday tunes, with a little Big Band swagger. Will Friedwald of The Wall Street Journal had it right when he said "Genecco and her three horns and five rhythm put on an unstoppable juggernaut of a set with one hard-hitting swinger after another." Join the festivities this December as Terese Genecco jingle bell rocks the night away. $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
54 SONGWRITER SERIES: MALTBY & SHIRE, December 17 at 9:30PM:
Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire are among the top songwriting teams working in the musical theatre today. Their shows written together, including Starting Here Starting Now, Baby, Closer Than Ever, Big, Take Flight, Love Match, and How Do You Do I Love You will be celebrated by Broadway's best in story and song. Expect original cast performances recreated, as well as brand new interpretations. The show will feature performances from Loni Ackerman (Starting Here, Starting Now, Cats), Allison Case (Hands on a Hardbody, Hair), Margery Cohen (Starting Here, Starting Now), Molly Hager (Fat Camp, Joe Iconis & Family), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Hands on a Hardbody, The Last Goodbye), Jose Llana (Here Lies Love, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Stacey Logan (Sweet Smell of Success, Beauty and the Beast), Ben Platt (The Book of Mormon, "Pitch Perfect"), Donna Vivino (Stars of David, Wicked), Frank Vlastnik (Big, Sweet Smell of Success), and Barbara Walsh (Big, Company), as well as Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire themselves, and more to be announced. Music direction will be by Jeremy Robin Lyons, and the concert will feature a full band. $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, December 17 at 11:00PM:
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 The Chalks (Bluegrass Divas), Chondra Profit (The Lion King), Nick Gaswirth (A Christmas Story, The Musical), Daniel Quadrino (Newsies), and Northwestern Undertones (Collegiate Acapella Singers). No cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
TONY PINKINS, Laura Benanti, NORMA LEWIS & MORE SING Rupert Holmes, December 18 at 7PM, December 13 & 14 at 8PM:
Tonya Pinkins and her Broadway friends and cast members of A Time To Kill join Tony winner Rupert Holmes (Edwin Drood, The Piña Colada Song) and will sing his music to support The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, the foremost civil and human rights law firm in America. Music direction by Dominick Amendum. Cast List: Tony Pinkins, Norm Lewis, Chuck Cooper, Carolee Carmello, KLea Blackhurst, Patrick Page, John Proccaccino, Tijuana Ricks, Dashiell Eaves, Steff Reef, Sebastian Arcelus, Stephanie J Block, Laura Benanti, and Renee Elise Goldsberry. $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
THE MEETING*, December 18 at 9:30PM:
Psst! You're Invited to The Meeting*! Known for its signature blend of outrageous comedy, touching tribute, and amazing musical guests - The Meeting* finds a new home at 54 Below! This acclaimed monthly comedy/variety show, (named one of the "Top 10 Nightclub Shows" by Time Out New York & the recipient of the 2012 Bistro Award for Comedy Artistry), gathers to honor an artist or a cultural work that is iconic to the gay community. Hosted by the always engaging Justin Sayre, the show's creator, writer, host and Chairman of the Board of the International Order of Sodomites, The Meeting* and Sayre have been hailed as "delicious and delightfully droll" by The New York Post, "hilarious and sardonic" by The Village Voice, "poised, funny and frighteningly knowledgeable" by Out Magazine and "fearless, commanding and hilarious" by Sirius XM Radio. The Meeting* wants you! Featuring John Epperson, Karen Wyman, Rob Maitner & special choreography by Jason Wise. $15-25 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
Gregory Jacobs-Roseman WITH Leslie Kritzer AND MORE, December 18 at 11:30PM:
Ever the lonely Jew on Christmas, composer-lyricist Gregory Jacobs-Roseman brings friends together at 54 Below for this holiday cabaret! With a cast of Broadway and off-Broadway singers, the night will feature world-premiere performances from his new musical Letters To Santa, as well as songs from the musical wedding comedy Save The Date, which won a 2013 New York International Fringe Festival Overall Excellence Award for a Musical, and much more. Come raise a glass of eggnog at this evening of music and holiday merriment! CAST LIST: Victoria Britt (Save The Date), Kristine Reese (Wicked, Les Miserables), Jed Resnick (Avenue Q, Rent), Maya Sharpe (Hair), DeAnne Stewart, Jason 'Sweettooth' Williams (Bloodsong of Love), and Noah Zachary (Dear Edwina). Special Guest: Leslie Kritzer (Hairspray, Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair, Sondheim on Sondheim, Elf). $10 cover charge. Two drink minimum.
JANE NORMAN, December 19 at 7PM:
Expect to be enchanted! Jane Norman creates "magic" on stage, on television (where her award-winning show Pixanne delighted families nationwide for 17 years), and in the recording studio. Her two newest CDs, "With Love" (a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland) and her second holiday CD "A Perfect Christmas," are played on hundreds of radio stations across the country, including NPR, Sirius & XM and CRN (reaching 11 million listeners). Program Directors use superlatives such as "perfection" and "masterpiece" to describe her albums. West Coast Critic Jeff Britton writes: "Jane Norman conquers cabaret and beyond! Jane knows how to caress a lyric and engage an audience. She can be sultry and sassy, with a pinch of brassiness for good measure. She's the real thing!" Jane's "winter warm" voice and personality will make you fall in love all over again, as she makes her 54 BELOW debut, with special guest Paul Jost, backed by four of the country's finest musicians presented by Jim Kierstead. You're in for a treat! $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
Daniel Reichard, December 19 at 9:30PM:
Broadway and concert star Daniel Reichard (Original Jersey Boys, also Forbidden Broadway and now, The Midtown Men) brings his annual Christmas show to 54 Below with a festive band of musicians. Both nostalgic and lightheartedly irreverent, It's Christmas...Again features classic holiday hits along with treasured favorites from the Great American Songbook. Come see what NY1's Roma Torre describes as "An instant rush of holiday spirit- Reichard reclaims the pure magic of Christmas!" $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB, December 19 at 11:30PM:
DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB is BACK at Broadway's hottest spot! DON'T QUIT is the critically acclaimed late night happening of music, comedy and offbeat performances. This hit variety show returns, hosted by Steve Rosen, Sarah Saltzberg and music director Dan Lipton with a visit from David Rossmer, plus DJs Andrew Andrew. As always, expect an astounding array of special guests each month. DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB - where Broadway and improv meet... and make out! Proceeds benefit Open Doors, TDF's theatre arts mentoring program for high school students. $20 general admission, $50 premium seating. $20 food & beverage minimum.
THE 6TH ANNUAL Joe Iconis CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, December 20 & 21 at 8PM & 11PM:
A New York City Twisted Holiday Tradition- now in its sixth year! Joe Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks are proud to bring their insane celebration of all things red and green to 54 Below for the first time ever! Directed by John Simpkins and Produced by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, this wild yultide explosion is part rock concert, part theater piece, and part theme park attraction come to life. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, a huge cast of musical theater all-stars, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and more whiskey-fueled shenanigans than you can shake a candy cane at, it promises to be the hap-hap-happiest holiday hoedown ever seen on stage. $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, December 22 at 7PM:
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: Pamela Myers (Company's original Marta), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd's original Johanna), and Jim Walton (Merrily We Roll Along's originAl Franklin Shepard). Also starring: Lisa Asher, Mick Bleyer, Derrick Cobey, Alexis Cole, Eric Michael Gillett, Leah Horowitz, Rob Maitner, Molly Pope, Julie Reyburn, and Lucia Spina. $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
SPREAD THE CHEER, LET'S GIVE THIS YEAR, December 22 at 11:30PM:
A concert to benefit the American Red Cross and disaster relief in the Phillipines. Come on out and hear some of your favorite holiday tunes and much more by Past American Idiots, New York's Indie Rock Band Hey Guy, Montclair State Musical theater Alumni, and more up and coming New York Artists! $20 cover charge. Two drink minimum.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (866) 468-7619.
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