Norbert Leo Butz, Cast of MATILDA & 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 vocal competition The Callback, performance event The Studio, and more.

OUR SINATRA, July 1, 3, 4 & 7 at 7PM, July 5 & 6 at 8PM:
The New York Times calls it "an utterly winning tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes. Superior entertainment!" This summer, 54 Below is delighted to tip our hat to arguably the greatest male vocalist of the 20th Century, Frank Sinatra. From the classic ballads of the 40's to the saloon and torch songs of the 50's and the swingin' sounds of the 60's, the entire Sinatra canon is celebrated by three of New York's most dynamic vocalists: Christopher Gines, Laurie Wells and Ronny Whyte. Relive your memories in a show that steers clear of imitation but layers on the joy and passion evoked by Sinatra's greatest hits. Cover charge $40-50 on July 1, 3, 4 & 7. $55-65 cover charge on July 5 & 6. $25 food & beverage minimum.

THE CAST OF MATILDA, July 1 at 9:30PM:
Audiences will be able to catch Tony winner Gabriel Ebert and the Tony nominated adult cast members of the hit musical at Broadway hotspot: 54 Below. The magically talented cast will perform together in their collective 54 Below debut on July 1", with proceeds going to the Penguin Classics' We Give Books Foundation.Cover charge $35-45. $25 food & beverage minimum.

WBGO JAZZ SERIES: DIANE SCHUUR, July 2 at 7PM & 9PM:
Winner of 2 Grammy Awards and nicknamed "Deedles," Diane Schuur is one of the most soulful and highly spirited singer/pianists in all of modern jazz. Diane regularly headlines huge jazz festivals, and sings with the finest symphony orchestras and jazz big band in the world today. Diane Schuur, vocals? with Alan Broadbent, piano;? Don Braden, tenor saxophone, flute;? Ben Wolfe, bass;? Ulysses Owens, drums; Roni Ben-hur, guitar. Cover charge $25-35. $15 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, July 2 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 Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies, Mary Poppins), Anastacia McCleskey (Priscilla Queen of the Deset, Hair), ?Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan), Adinah Alexander (Kinky Boots), and Jon Patrick Walker (Peter and the Starcatcher). No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE STUDIO: SALLY ELDMAN & DAVID ALAN THORNTON, July 3 at 9:30PM:
Two is better than one, and these two singer-songwriters prove it. Each a talent in their own right, Sally Eidman and David Alan Thornton come together to bring out new colors in each other's work. Sally is no stranger to the music scene in NYC- she packs Rockwood Music Hall and spent New Year's Eve performing with PHISH at Madison Square Garden. David's work has been heard from house shows in Brooklyn to the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Now they're bringing it together for a little rock, a little folk, a little alternative, and a lot of fun. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

Norbert Leo Butz, July 6 at 11PM:
Back by popular demand! Two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz returns with a BRAND NEW SHOW focusing on the female - both the mythic & the contemporary. Expect tunes from the likes of Elvis Costello, Loretta Lynn, Frank Sinatra and even a little Johnny Cash! After celebrating his dazzling cabaret debut (which went on to be the critically-lauded CD) last year at 54 Below, we're delighted to re-welcome the star of Wicked, The Last 5 Years, Dirty, Rotten, Scoundrels, Thou Shalt Not, Catch Me if You Can and the forthcoming Big Fish. Cover charge $35-45. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Jackie Hoffman, July 7 at 9:30PM:
Broadway's bitter favorite Jackie Hoffman's "Old Woman, New Material" will leave you in stitches! Slip into some summer snark and catch the hilarious and always edgy and wrong Jackie as she debuts some new original songs and rips some Broadway standards to shreds. Directed by Michael Schiralli; Musical Direction by Will Van Dyke. $35-45 cover charge. $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.

In their description of 54 BELOW, The New York Times writes "the club has the intimacy of a large living room with unimpeded views and impeccable sound; there is not a bad seat. Its sultry after-hours ambience is enhanced by brocade-patterned wall panels planted with orange-shaded lanterns. And the atmosphere is warmer and sexier than in Manhattan's other major supper clubs." The New York Post calls the venue "a gorgeous new cabaret space. With its heavy lineup of moonlighting Broadway stars, 54 BELOWhas the congenial feel of a theater hangout where stars go to unwind and sing the songs that really matter to them. It's a pleasure to share their joy." Bloomberg News calls 54 Below "the place for Broadway stars past and present to get up close and personal with audiences and material."

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 $15-$115.

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

Photo by Walter McBride

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