Marilyn Maye, Charles Busch, Ricky Ritzel and More Set for 54 Below, Now thru 3/17

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 launches its new series of late night events this March. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - "The Callback," singing sensation Marilyn Maye, performance legend Charles Busch, cabaret's own Ricky Ritzel, performance artist James Jackson, Jr. and more!

Marilyn Maye, Mar. 12, 13, & 14 at 7PM, Mar. 15 & 16 at 8PM:
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 brash, sock-it-to-'em nightclub tradition that runs from Garland through Bette Midler, and with jazz added." Rex Reed of The New York Observer calls her "the real deal, the surviving artist of the American popular singer." Infusing the rhythm and syncopation of the legendary jazz greats with the power and brashness of a Broadway belter, this legendary vocalist's MAYE-den Voyage at 54 Below will feature a program of jazz and Broadway standards not to be missed. When Ella Fitzgerald was asked to name her favorite singers, she named Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and "marvelous Marilyn Maye," who brings her new show MAYE-den Voyage to 54 Below for ten performances only. Cover charge $35-45. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, Mar. 12 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, with guest host Emily McNamara and pianist Brad Simmons who clearly is the man, its 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 weeks Backstage is, Marty Thomas (from Broadway's Wicked, Xanadu, and The Secret Garden), performances from the cast of the upcoming Off-Broadway production Fat Asses The Musical, Angela Birchett (from the National Tour of Hairspray), composer/lyricist Scott Evan Davis, Poppi Kramer (Won season 3 of NBC's "The Biggest Loser"), Kelly Higgins (from Off-Broadway's Girls Night: The Musical), Michael Kirk Lane (host of the weekly show "The Show Tune Room" at Don't Tell Mama). Other appearances by Kathryn Lounsbery (jazz pianist and vocalist), Todd Adamson (actor and singer), Ryan Knowles (currently on Off-Broadway in NEWSical The Musical), and Michelle Dowdy (from Broadway's Hairspray). No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

SEE ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS, Mar. 13 at 9:30PM:
Come celebrate the highly anticipated release of the original off-Broadway cast recording of See Rock City & Other Destinations, featuring original cast members Stanley Bahorek, Donna Lynne Champlin, Jonathan Hammond, Mamie Parris, Bryce Ryness, Sally Wilfert and other special guests! See Rock City & Other Destinations ran off-Broadway in 2010 at The Duke Theatre on 42nd Street in a production by the Transport Group, winning the 2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book (along with nominations for Outstanding Music, Lyrics, Direction and Outstanding Musical). This special, one night only concert features the songs of See Rock City (and even a few tunes cut from the show), alongside new, never-before-heard songs from new projects by composer Brad Alexander and lyricist/bookwriter Adam Mathias. Cover charge $20-30. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE STUDIO, Mar. 13 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. The studio will feature students and alumni from Webster Conservatory. No Cover Charge. Drink Specials: $5 Beers and $8 mixed drinks.

Charles Busch, Mar. 14 at 9:30PM:
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Whether he's playing a Westchester housewife who's preparing her cabaret tribute to Edith Piaf, Cinderella's much maligned stepmother in the style of MildrEd Pierce, or the tough but warm-hearted owner of a speakeasy, performance legend Charles Busch continues to delight and redefine his craft as a master humorist, illusionist, and camp icon. The author of dozens of hit plays (Tale of the Allergist's 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, and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom to name but a few), Busch makes his 54 Below debut for two very special year end performances, joined by Musical Director Tom Judson. Expect laughter, music, tears, and sequins. But no boas. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: 54 PIANO BAR, Mar. 14 at 11PM:
On Thursdays at 11 pm, pick a song and join our house pianist 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 beer, $8 mixed drinks.

Ricky Ritzel SINGS Elaine Stritch, Mar. 15 at 11PM:
Cabaret warhorse Rick Ritzel pays homage to Broadway legend Elaine Stritch in a hilarious and poignant evening of nonstop fun. From Angel in the Wings to A Little Night Music, Elaine Stitch has introduced and covered some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Now, Mr. Ritzel puts his unique spin on them in this loving tribute to one of Broadway's greatest treasures. Cover charge $20-30. $25 food & beverage minimum.

James Jackson, JR, Mar. 16 at 11PM:
Performing artist James Jackson Jr. presents an evening of gender-defying songs, ramblings from the pages of his diary, and an evening like no other. His razor-sharp wit, talent and on & off stage persona have made him an artistic force to be reckoned with. A self-described "sucker" for song interpretation and storytelling, James' unique sense of humor is now aimed at changing the face of the cabaret stage. James Jackson, Jr. was undergraduately reared by lesbians in the New England Bekshires after artistically growing up in Boston under the soul-food tutelage of a deep southern family. The shoes; Birkenstocks. The music; Indigo, Simone, Franklin, & Difranconian. The food; fattening. The relationships; many, lost, and strong. After being deposited in New York City over a decade ago, the real work began. Dance belts, regional stage yelts, demanding Brits, and a rather unfortunate stop in Branson, Missouri lead to his discovery of artistic truth on prestigious stages like Radio City Music Hall as well as Carnegie Hall. His highly emotional, devastatingly funny cabaret act has been seen at Joe's Pub, Duane Park, DROM, The A.R.T.'s Club Oberon, and Los Angeles' Lyric Theatre. James' razor-sharp wit, unique sense of humor, talent, and on & off stage persona have become an artistic force to be reckoned with as well as a voice people want to hear as he changes the face of the concert stage. Cover charge $15-25. $25 food & beverage minimum.

WHEN I GROW UP!- BROADWAY KIDS, Mar. 17 at 7PM & at 9:30PM:
Featuring the next generation of Broadway talent from shows such as A Christmas Story, Annie, Mary Poppins, Bonnie & Clyde, and Evita, this special, one night only engagement features a cast that's all under the age of 17! But When I Grow Up is not your typical kid's cabaret: you won't hear these talented youngsters singing the songs they perform on Broadway. Instead, you'll hear tunes from shows such as Avenue Q, Once On This Island, Next to Normal, [title of show], Company, Into The Woods, and more! Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

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

54 BELOW, Broadway's nightclub, is the new performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, 54 BELOW is a classically designed state-of-the art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style.

Designed by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty and architect Richard Lewis, lit by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, and with sound by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, 54 BELOW features an in-your-living-room intimate relationship between its performers and audiences. Tony Award winner Scott Wittman serves as Creative Consultant and MAC Award Winner Phil Geoffrey Bond serves as Director of Programming. André J. Marrero is the Executive Chef of the new venue, which provides a food and beverage menu from early evening through the wee hours of the morning that is worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. Bringing together his love of the arts with his passion for cooking and hospitality, Chef André has created a market driven contemporary bistro menu that includes ingredients sourced from all over the world.

54 BELOW is owned and operated by Tony Award winning producers Tom Viertel, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, and Steven Baruch. 54 BELOW features up to three shows nightly and has audio and video recording capabilities. The cover charge ranges from $5-$85.

54 BELOW is located at 254 West 54th Street. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com.

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