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:
Marilyn Maye, October 28, 30 & 31 at 7PM, November 1 & 2 at 8PM:
New York's darling Marilyn Maye makes her triumphant return to 54 Below! This time, it's all show tunes, all the time! You can expect an evening of purely sublime music interpreted by the incomparable Lady Maye. Performing signature tunes from classic musicals such as Hello, Dolly! and Mame, cabaret's favorite diva also embraces work from tunesmiths such as Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb and Frank Loesser. Johnny Carson called her "Super Singer" and presented her on his The Tonight Show a record-breaking 76 times. Stephen Holden of The New York Times calls her "the embodiment and summation of a sock-it-to-'em nightclub tradition. Her voice is full and rich and perfectly in tune, displaying a voluptuous enjoyment of singing." Rex Reed of The New York Observer calls her "the real deal, the surviving artist of the American popular singer." 54 Below is thrilled to have Marilyn "back where she belongs!" Cover charge $35- 45 for 7PM shows and $50-60 for 8PM shows. $25 food & beverage minimum.
Florence Henderson, October 28 at 9:30PM:
Everyone's favorite TV mom makes her 54 Below debut with her acclaimed concert, based on her best-selling book of 2012. Through stories, songs and her irreverent sense of humor, this iconic star gives audiences a peek inside her world as daughter, mother, wife, movie star, Broadway star, actress, a model of many hairstyles and, of course, as Carol Brady. With Musical Director Glen Roven and additional musicians by her side, this is a rare NYC treat for fans & television devotees. Cover charge $35-45. $25 food & beverage minimum.
THE CALLBACK, October 28 at 11:30PM:
Join Emily McNamara and accompanist Benjamin Rauhala at this week's The Callback: Preliminaries! Watch eight contestants duke it out by singing their favorite tunes for the chance to progress to The Callback: Semi-Finals and eventually win their own show at 54 Below. 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.
WBGO JAZZ SERIES: THE COOKERS, October 29 at 7PM:
"A dream team of forward-looking hard bop," (The New York Times) the Cookers are bringing an evening of pyrotechnic playing to 54 Below. This all-star septet of jazz veterans has a combined experience of over 250 years in the jazz world and has been a part of over 1,000 recordings. Since this version of the band was solidified in 2007, the group has performed at venues around the world, bringing their searing brand of 60's be-bop to all corners of the globe. Don't miss this one-night-only performance that promises to blow the roof off! "Player for player, there's no better working band in jazz than the Cookers." -The Boston Globe. Cover charge $25-35. $15 food & beverage minimum.
Bobby Cronin & FRIENDS, October 29 at 9PM:
Award-winning composer/lyricist Bobby Cronin celebrates his return from the Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab with a concert of songs from his musicals: SunsetCity; W2ML (under a Broadway option); The Concrete Jungle; Daybreak (2011 NJ Playwrights Winner); and 'Til Death Do Us Part (Alec Baldwin Fellowship Winner). A bevy of Broadway talent, including Kyle Dean Massey, Natalie Weiss, Anne Brummel, Amy Justman, Katrina Rose Dideriksen, and more perform Cronin's songs and collaborations that have been described as "...passionate and powerful in a take-no-prisoners way that will knock your socks off." His musicals have been produced in NYC, Chicago, London, & New Jersey, and he has two CDs under his belt: The Concrete Jungle International Cast Recording and Reach The Sky: Bobby Cronin Live at The Beechman. Come see why Bobby has been called "...one of the most exciting writers of new musical theatre today." Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.
LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, October 29 at 10:45PM:
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 Seth Rudetsky and the cast of Disaster The Musical, Trent Armand Kendall (Into The Woods, Batboy, Scottsboro Boys), Yolanda Wyns (Color Purple), Scott Coulter (renowned vocalist), Christine Pedi (Chicago, NEWSical, Sirius Radio) and Nick Spangler (Cinderella, Book of Mormon). No cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.
THE MEETING*, October 30 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! With special guests Angela DiCarlo, Emily McNamara, Randy Rainbow, the band Glittered and Mauled, and Audrey Lavine. Cover charge $15-25. $25 food & beverage minimum.
LATE NIGHT WITH MAMMA RICE, October 30 at 11:30PM:
Mamma Rice is BACK to celebrate the holidays at 54 Below! First up, celebrate Halloween Mamma Rice-style. Mamma's singing some great tunes and we hear some friends (and zombies??!) will be stopping by to visit us in the basement! Join us for all the comedy, crazy and good times you've come to know! Costumes encouraged. Cover charge $15. Two drink minimum.
INTO SWEENEY TODD'S WOODS, October 31 at 9:30PM:
Well Hello, Little Girl... There are Giants in the Sky at 54 Below when host Phil Geoffrey Bond (Sondheim Unplugged) and some of Broadway and cabaret's spookiest talents (along with a ghoulish trio of Sondheimhood's creepiest musicians) collide for a night celebrating the music of these two landmark musicals. God, That's Good! The trees rustle, a wolf howls, something's eerie in the night air: it's The Last Midnight. The perfect way to end your Halloween celebrations - or perhaps start them! City on Fire! ... He shaved the necks of gentlemen who never thereafter... WITH SPECIAL GUESTS: Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd's original Sweeney), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd's original Johanna), and Pamela Winslow Kashani (Into the Woods' original Rapunzel). Also starring, Kristy Cates, Scott Coulter, Claybourne Elder, Matt Farnsworth, Marquee Five, Trent Armand Kendall, Rob Maitner, Teri Ralston, T. Oliver Reid, Julie Reyburn, Lucia Spina, Jessica Vosk & Stephen Wallem. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.
Natalie Weiss, November 1 at 11PM:
Watch for brand new arrangements of pop favorites, highlights from her EP and maybe even an interactive "Breaking Down The Riffs" segment when YouTube sensation, Broadway's Natalie Weiss makes her NYC "Concert Comeback" for one night only! You've watched her dance through the Ozdust Ballroom in Wicked, she survived the French revolution in Les Miz, she's shared the stage with Sherie Rene Scott in Everyday Rapture and you tuned in to watch her on American Idol when she was a season four semifinalist. Now, the creator of the wildly popular web series, "Breaking Down the Riffs", returns to the NYC concert stage after 3 years, and does some riffing of her own at 54 Below! Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.
SILLY WITCHES, November 2 at 11PM:
Spend the extra hour of daylight savings time under the spell of four of THE funniest "weird sisters" in all of New York theatre. Jackie Hoffman, Christine Pedi, Mary Testa & Kristine Zbornik bring their unique styles of music & comedy together to celebrate the Halloween weekend. Boo! Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.
Jarrod Spector, November 3 at 7PM:
Broadway's Jarrod Spector, who is starring in the forthcoming Broadway musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, premieres his brand new show at 54 Below! This new musical outing traces the legacy of the great male singers whose vocal prowess made them the rock stars of their generations, even before rock was born. After starring as Frankie Valli for six years in Broadway's smash hit musical, Jersey Boys, Jarrod wraps his critically-praised voice around the songs that have made superstars out of more than a century of tenor legends from Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson to the great Enrico Caruso himself. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.
Martin Charnin'S SOMETHING FUNNY'S GOING ON, November 3 at 9:30PM:
54 Below presents a dazzling new musical revue, conceived & directed by one of Broadway's most esteemed talents (Annie's Martin Charnin). In the grand tradition of the entertainments once produced by Leonard Sillman, Ben Bagley and Julius Monk, Something Funny's Going On utilizes the writing talents of Charnin, Ronny Graham, Marvin Hamlisch, Douglas Bernstein, Dennis Markell, Abbott and Weeks, Weeden, Finkle and Fay, Kaufman and Krane and many others. Performed by four young, bright, stars-to-be, this is 75 minutes of new and evergreen sophisticated musical hilarity, sure to be a major Fall happening. Reserve your seats NOW! Cast List: Paul Pilcz (West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, TV: Boardwalk Empire, & MildrEd Pierce), Stephen Christopher Anthony (Catch Me If You Can, Hairspray, Legally Blonde), Jennifer Apple, ({Title of show}, Spring Awakening, Grease, Oliver), Tiffan Borelli (The Sound of Music, Two by Two, Annie, Putting it Together, Kiss Me Kate). Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (866) 468-7619.
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