Lindsay Mendez, Marco Paguia, Duncan Sheik & 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 15:54, and more:

Duncan Sheik, September 9, 11-12 at 7PM, September 13 & 14 at 8PM & 11PM:
Audiences can expect a little bit of everything when Tony-winning composer Duncan Sheik makes his 54 Below debut for one week only! Maybe a few tunes from his Theatre Projects (Spring Awakening, The Nightingale, the forthcoming American Psycho), his celebrated recordings (White Limousine, Whisper House or his brand new album, due out later this year), or even some tunes from his whimsical project, Duncan Sheik Covers the 80's. No matter what he's presenting, expect an artistic and high-octane evening from one of the theatre and music world's most unique and gifted talents. Cover charge $40-50 for 9/9 & 9/11, cover charge $60-70 for 9/12 at 7pm, 9/13 and 9/14 at 8pm, cover charge $25-35 for 9/13 & 9/14 at 11pm. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Lindsay Mendez AND Marco Paguia, September 9 at 9:30PM:
Currently starring as Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked (and star of last's season's acclaimed Dogfight), the charming and super-voiced Lindsay Mendez takes 54 Below by storm for one night only. Joined by pianist Marco Paguia and the hottest band this side of Oz, expect jazzed-up versions of pop tunes from the likes of Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Feist, John Legend, Andrew Bird & more - including a few selections from their brand new CD, This Time. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE CALLBACK: SEMI-FINALS, September 9 at 11:30PM:
Join Emily McNamara and accompanist Benjamin Rauhala at this season's first round of The Callback: Semi-Finals! Watch contestants Jillie MaE Eddy, Brandon Nase, Christine St Pierre, Jessica Tage, Zoe Tchapraste, and Jessica Wagner perform five minute mini-cabarets to compete for the chance to progress to The Callback: Finals and 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: BRIAnna Thomas QUARTET, September 10 at 7PM:
Will Friedwald has called BriAnna Thomas "the best straight-ahead jazz singer of her generation" (The Wall Street Journal). Brianna masters songs across the genre, from heart-wrenching ballads to hard-swinging standards, with vocal power reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone. Don't miss this rising jazz star at her 54 Below debut! Featuring Marcus Printup on trumpet, Allyn Johnson on piano, Yasushi Nakamura on bass, and Ulysses Owens on drums. Cover charge $25-35. $15 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, September 10 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, 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 Morgan James (Motown, Addams Family), Tiffany Haas (Wicked), Christine Pedi (NEWSical, Sirius Radio), Amy Lynn and the Gunshow, Gabrielle Stravelli, and Maxine Linehan. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

Emily Skinner, September 11 & 12 at 9:30PM:
Get up close and personal when Emily Skinner brings her celebration of Broadway to 54 Below! In this dazzling evening filled with glorious music, expect selections from landmark composers such as Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Lowe, Kander & Ebb, Sondheim, Gershwin, Kern, Berlin and even a few tunes by some of the theatre's hottest new composing talent. Tony nominee Emily Skinner has captivated audiences in her many Broadway appearances, including Side Show, The Full Monty, James Joyce's The Dead, Dinner at 8, Jekyll & Hyde and Billy Elliot. Now, join her in our intimate venue for this high octane tour of the Great White Way! Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE STUDIO: Christine Pedi'S COMEDY COCKTAILS, September 11 at 11:30PM:
Musical comedienne & impressionist Christine Pedi (NEWSical the Musical, Forbidden Broadway,Chicago) brings her favorite funny friends together to shake & stir up some hysterical comedy concoctions (musical & otherwise). Silly songs and other diversions from some of the wildest wits on & off Broadway make it an incredibly happy hour & late night laugh lounge. Featuring Michael West, Ryan Knowles, Cristy Candler, Michael Cusumano, Rose Garden, Xavier Rice, and The Rescigno Brothers. $10 cover charge. Two drink minimum.

LATE NIGHT: 15:54, September 12 at 11PM:
"In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." 15:54 unlocks the doors on a weekly Thursday Party at 54 Below featuring the best of New York City's cutting edge nightlife. Unearthing the magic of Studio 54, resident artists, performers, and DJ's will serve you 15 minute sets at 54 Below. Produced by Jacob Langfelder and Lance Horne with Errickson Wilcox, the 7-week-old series has already featured performances by Bridget Everett, Molly Pope, Cristin Milioti, Elizabeth A. Davis, Corey Tut, Will Connolly, Michael Moritz, Kiyan, Emma Dean, Amber Martin, Drew Brody, Scott Thompson, Amy G., Trapper Felides, Trey Files, Tori Scott, and many more. This week, hostBridget Everett welcomes DJs Andrew Andrew, Lance Horne, and more. $15 cover includes your first drink (well, wine, or beer).

SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, September 15 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: Dee Hoty (Phyllis in Papermill Playhouse's Follies), Pamela Myers (Company's original Marta), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd's original Johanna) & Alice Ripley (Amy in The Kennedy Center's Company). $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Morgan James, September 15 at 9:30PM:
Currently starring in Broadway's Motown: The Musical as Teena Marie 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." $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

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

Photo by Walter McBride

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