Melissa Errico, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED & 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:

ARIANE REINHART & LAURENCE HOBGOOD, April 21 at 7PM:

In The Remains of the Night, Ariane Reinhart & Grammy Winner Laurence Hobgood explore the triumphs, tribulations and humor of the human spirit as we cope with love and loss throughout our lives. Ariane sings a variety of musical theater, jazz and popular songs that have all new arrangements written and performed by multiple Grammy nominee and 2010 Grammy Winner Laurence Hobgood and his trio. Ariane takes the audience through a comedic and deeply moving journey through song and anecdotes. With music by Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, U2, Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman and others - it surprises and delights with unique interpretations. Ariane Reinhart is a singer, actor and dancer who recently returned to New York after performing regionally in productions of The Last Five Years, Sweeney Todd, Rabbit Hole as well as several short films released in early 2013. Over the years Ms. Reinhart performed in New York on Broadway and off-Broadway, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Room, Don't Tell Mama and many other locations. She has worked with such names as Marni Nixon, Hal Linden, Elaine Stritch, Eartha Kitt and now the great Laurence Hobgood (former music director for Kurt Elling). Laurence has enjoyed a multi-faceted and dynamic career. Recently he released a New York Times and Chicago Tribune Recommended Christmas Album (available only at www.circumstantial.us), which quickly sold out its initial run. Laurence has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Birdland, The Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The White House for President Obama, and many other spots all over the world. Recent projects include Producer/Composer/Arranger/Pianist for Charmaine Clamor's latest album "Better Angels;" a new collaboration with Chicago singer Tammy McCann; touring the country with his own band, featuring saxophonist Ernie Watts, and an adventurous collaboration (POEMJAZZ) with poet Robert Pinsky, the only three-term U.S. Poet Laureate. Musical Director: Laurence Hobgood (multiple Grammy Winner), Director: Lennie Watts (nine-time MAC Award recipient). $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

IF IT ONLY EVEN RUNS A MINUTE, April 21 at 9:30PM:

Sometimes Broadway musicals run forever, like Cats or LES MISERABLES. But sometimes, Broadway musicals run for only a minute, like Merrily We Roll Along, High Fidelity, or Via Galactica. This is their story. If It Only Even Runs A Minute is the Bistro Award-winning concert series celebrating rare songs, behind-the-scenes tales and inspiring photos from underappreciated musicals. Created and hosted by 54 Below Director of Programming Jennifer Ashley Tepper and The Book of Mormon's Kevin Michael Murphy, with musical direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross, each concert includes performances and stories from original cast members and writers of selected featured shows, as well as new interpretations. The 12th Edition of the concert will feature performances from Anna Ty Bergman (Very Very), Randy Blair (Adding Machine), Max Crumm (Grease, Disaster!), Ed Dixon (Anything Goes, The King of Schnorrers), Hunter Foster (The Bridges of Madison County, Hands on a Hardbody), Anita Gillette (Chapter Two, Brighton Beach Memoirs), A.J. Holmes (The Book of Mormon, Team StarKid), Chad Kimball (Memphis, Lennon), Lesli Margherita (Matilda), Samantha Massell (Little Me at Encores), Lenora Nemetz (Gypsy, Up In One), Larry Owens (Fat Camp), Sean Michael Palmer (Charlotte's Web), Ben Rappaport (Picnic, "Outsourced"), Mike Rosengarten (Hard Times, Hank Williams: Lost Highway), Chip Zien (The Big Knife, Into the Woods), and more to be announced. This edition will features stories about and songs from Borscht Capades, Chess, Climb High, The Gospel at Colonus, The King of Schnorrers, Lennon, Let My People Come, Mr. President, Ride the Winds, Ruthless!, The Selling of the President, Up in One, Weird Romance, and more to be announced. Previous editions of ...Runs A Minute have played at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Caroline's on Broadway, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, Joe's Pub and (Le) Poisson Rouge. So far, the series has included 238 performers and 138 featured musicals, as well as many songs that have never before been recorded. $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

IF IT ONLY EVEN RUNS A MINUTE AFTER PARTY, April 21 at 11:30PM:

Stay after the show for a Runs A Minute celebration featuring drink specials and videos from your favorite underappreciated musicals!

MELISSA ERRICO, April 22 & 24 AT 7PM & April 25 & 26 AT 8PM:

The Wall Street Journal states "Everything about Ms. Errico's show, even the outfit, is sublime comfort food: wonderful songs sung exceptionally well." The last time Melissa Errico played 54 Below, it was in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and seemed to fall right into place with the chaos of a life that involves juggling a career, a husband and three young daughters! Well, it was a hit engagement at the now-famous hot spot, and this time too, audiences will be treated to great music and tales about "the business" of an embarrassingly successful career, which has taken her from stage to screen and to television and recordings... all the while, spinning plates for all her passions. The beauty, intelligence, charisma and singular silver voice of Melissa Errico has been wowing audiences since she was plucked out of Yale to star in the first national touring company of LES MISERABLES. Since then, Broadway has embraced her in My Fair Lady (Eliza, 1993 revival), High Society, Amour (Tony nomination) and, most recently, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Kennedy Center audiences applauded her performance as Dot opposite Raúl Esparza in Sunday in the Park with George, and she appeared as Clara in the acclaimed off-Broadway revival of Passion. Having sung throughout the world in some of the most prestigious concert halls, she has also released three critically-heralded solo studio CDs, Blue Like That, Lullabies and Wildflowers and A Legrand Affair (produced by Phil Ramone). Musical Director: Tedd Firth and Director: Richard Jay-Alexander. $35-45 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

YANNI BURTON, April 22 at 9:30PM:

Yanni Burton makes his New York City solo concert debut at 54 Below, celebrating the release of his first solo album, Same Old Love. A Juilliard graduate in double bass, Burton is no stranger to the stage, having performed all over the world with orchestras, chamber groups and rock bands. He most recently shared the concert stage with pop stars John Legend, Michelle Williams and Natasha Bedingfield. A native of Australia, Burton now takes center stage as solo artist, singer and songwriter. The album captures universal themes of love, while he offers us a peak inside his personal world of love and romance. Same Old Love, the CD and concert, will take you on a journey through all the ups and downs we encounter in love, no matter who we are and who we end up falling head over heels for. Joining Burton in concert is musical director and internationally-acclaimed pianist Matthew Sheens, Burton's New York-based chamber orchestra Delphi, and world renowned photographer Charles Quiles as artistic director. Together, they offer an evening of sweet, soulful and beautiful music we can all relate to. $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

JAMES HARVEY, April 22 at 11:30PM:

Musical theater composer James Harvey makes his 54 Below debut with a night of his original music. A senior student of composition at New York University, James was hand picked by Alan Menken for a scholarship based on his exciting work and the promise of work to come - and James has delivered with music and lyrics New Jersey Monthly has described as "lively and clever." The night will feature selections from his original musical The Crack in the Ceiling, seen this summer at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, as well as from his brand new satirical take on the Siegel family, who were chronicled in the 2012 documentary, The Queen of Versailles. James will be joined by some of musical theatre's finest for a night that previews the thrilling future of the art form! $10 cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum or two drinks.

BACK TO THE GARDEN: MUSIC OF JONI MITCHELL, CAROLE KING & MORE, April 23 at 7PM:

Back to the Garden celebrates folk-rock trailblazers Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Laura Nyro. Challenged by the traditional images of women in the music industry, they bravely explored territory outside the accepted confines of popular music. These prolific singer-songwriters paved the way for women in music, art and life. Back to the Garden pays tribute to these women, their influence and inspiration. Featuring Melissa Hammans (Company, Smokey Joe's Cafe), Shaleah Adkisson (Hair, Rent), and Maddy Wyatt (Band of Wyatt). Directed by Amy Jones (Good Ol' Girls, Broadway Backwards). $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LIKE YOU LIKE IT, April 23 at 9:30PM:

Rock out for the Bard's ses-quadricentennial on April 23, by traveling back to 1985 in a concert of the award-winning musical Like You Like It. All the world's a mall in this totally awesome blend of As You Like It and the John Hughes movies of the 1980s. Featuring original cast members and other Broadway stars, the concert will feature a selection of songs and cut songs by Daniel S. Acquisto and Sammy Buck. Like You Like It: Because Its Totally Shakespeare's 450th Birthday! is produced by Shoshana Feinstein and directed by Tim Drucker. Casting by Robin Carus. The winner of Best Musical at the 2009 NY Innovative Theatre Awards and a festival favorite in the very first NYMF, Like You Like It has been performed extensively in regional theaters, festivals, colleges and high schools. Check out the songs live in advance of the concept album arriving later this year. Featuring: Nick Cearley (The Skivvies), Hannah Elless (The Other Josh Cohen), Noah Galvin (Burnt Part Boys, Love and Information), Nathan Johnson (Like You Like It), Bonnie Milligan (Jasper in Deadland), Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Threepenny Opera), Molly Ranson (Carrie, Bad Jews), Kate Rockwell (Rock of Ages), Nic Rouleau (Book of Mormon), Dana Steingold (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee tour), Sam Underwood ("The Following," "Dexter") and Jenna Ushkowitz ("Glee"). $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER WITH NATALIE WEISS AND MORE, April 24 at 9:30PM:

After a sold-out first edition, Broadway's best writers and performers team together again to help raise funds for children with special needs in New York City and around the world. Victor Legrá, Anthony Crouchelli & M.O.V.E for Autism present Putting the Pieces Together: Volume 2 featuring the music of Carner and Gregor, Rosser and Sohne, Maglione and Ruiz, Joey Contreras, David Dabbon, and Will Van Dyke. The concert will feature show-stopping performances by Natalie Weiss (Everyday Rapture), Marla Mindelle (Sister Act, Cinderella), Eric Michael Krop (Godspell), Mike Schwitter (The Book of Mormon), Megan Fulmer (Shrek the Musical national tour), Jessica Hendy (Cats, Aida), Allison Strong (Mamma Mia!, Bye Bye Birdie) and more to be announced. $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

THE SONGS OF MARTIN & REALBUTO FEATURING JENNA LEIGH GREEN & MORE, April 25 at 11PM

Popular up-and-coming singer-songwriters Tim Realbuto and Matthew Martin (writers of the Broadway-bound Ghostlight) will bring a new show back to 54 Below after their hugely successful show in March. The new show Dear Beautiful Outcasts, This One's For You... will feature songs from Ghostlight, as well as popular covers and a slew of new songs from their top secret new musical. The composers will co-host and sing along with some of Broadway's biggest stars, including Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked, Bare: A Pop Opera), Mandy Gonzalez (Wicked, In the Heights), Jennifer Laura Thompson (Wicked, Urinetown), Alli Mauzey (Wicked, Cry-Baby), Trevor McQueen, Christina Sajous, Kimberly Faye Greenberg, Claybourne Elder, and Abigail Ludrof. $25-35 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, April 27 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 & assorted tidbits of theatrical lore! Come join the party! Special Guest Star. Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd's original Johanna). Featuring: Katie Rose Clarke, Harris Doran, Claybourne Elder, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Shanna Jones, Jeanne Lehman, Nicolas Rodriguez, Lucia Spina, Gabrielle Stravelli and Thom Christopher Warren. $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

MARK NADLER, April 27 at 9:30PM:

Award-winning entertainer Mark Nadler takes you on a tour of the sex, booze, drugs & even murder from the wildest decade of the 20th century. Says Clive Davis of The London Times, "The nearest most of us get to the music of the Roaring Twenties is a late-night rerun of Some Like It Hot or two tickets for Chicago. With Mark Nadler as your guide, you get an even richer sense of what it was like to live, or rather party, through the Jazz Age. By the time he has sung his last song & thundered through his final piano solo, you may want to text your local bootlegger & order a fresh supply of illicit gin." $35-45 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum.

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

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