The West Bank Cafe Announces Upcoming Events, Cabaret Shows

It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre has a rich tradition of presenting cutting-edge work, which has played a role in shaping American theatre and live performance. Since the 80's, the theatre has staged numerous plays and hosted a myriad of live performance events.

This April, the theatre is proud to announce an exciting and eclectic line-up of performers and performances, all of which will take place in the gorgeous eighty -five seat venue.

Please note there is a $15 food and/or beverage minimum at each performance, with the exception of The After Party. All major credit cards are accepted, and a full dinner/bar menu is available.

The After Party
Every Friday from 10:30pm to 3am
No cover, no minimum
This weekly open-mic schmoozefest for the theatrically inclined has become the hit of midtown, hosted by iron-lunged Brandon Cutrell and Alysha Umphress, with Ray Fellman at the keys. Come hang and belt out a showtune or two. No cover, no minimum. You never know who might drop by.

Changing: Stories from the Mirror
Thursday, April 2 @ 7pm
Friday, April 3 @ 8pm
Sunday, April 5 @ 7pm
$7 cover
Oleander Entertainment, Inc. is proud to invite you to an exciting event: Changed... and Changing: Stories from the Mirror. With laughs and heartwarming tales from the dressing room mirror, the audience is introduced to what courses through a performer's mind - while not in the spotlight...

Brandon Cutrell & Co-Horts
Thursday, April 2 @ 9:30pm
Thursday, April 9 @ 9:30pm
$20 cover
Brandon Cutrell, popular co-host of The After Party, invites a few of New York's most promising newcomers to take the stage and showcase their talents. From songwriters to singers, this show is full of variety!

Mark Winkler and Mary Foster Conklin
Saturday, April 4 @ 8pm
$15 cover
Singer/Lyricist Mark Winkler (Play it Cool, Naked Boys Singing) and Mary Foster Conklin met over a love of old songwriters, in their case two guys from the coast - Bobby Troup (Route 66) and Matt Dennis (Angel Eyes) and each has recorded a CD featuring their heroes. Last year, they reunited in Los Angeles for a special sold-out one night performance. Mark has been in the studio working on a new CD of original material and now that it's completed, he's ready to join Mary onstage in New20York. The evening will be a collection of old and new, beyond Matt Dennis and Bobby Troup, although they'll definitely cover those bases.

Le Scandal Cabaret
Saturday, April 4 @ 10pm
$25 cover
Le Scandal Cabaret is NYC's longest running burlesque variety show. In its ninth year, Le Scandal features variety acts, circus performers, live music and a bevy of burlesque beauties. NY Magazine called Le Scandal, "the rock star of the NY burlesque scene!" And the show is a NY Times "critics pick." New performers every week! Expect sword swallowers, belly dancers, rope trick cowboys, contortionists, torch singing fan dancers and comedic aerobats, all set to the live music of the Le Scandal Orchestra. For tickets, visit Smarttix: www.smarttix.com or 212 484 4444.

Voices from the Great White Way: Aaron Lazar
Monday, April 6 @ 7pm
$25 cover
The third installment of our celebrated Voices from the Great White Way series, featuring one night only concerts from some of Broadway's most exciting voices, continues tonight with a visit from The Light in the Piazza/Les Miserables/A Tale of Two Cities' Aaron Lazar, in his solo cabaret debut.

Kevin Murphy
Monday, April 6 @ 9:30
$5 cover
Meet Craig Stevens, he's fierce and collects show posters. Meet his "girlfriend," Janine, she recently lost 78lbs on the Subway diet. Recent graduates of Virginia's prestigious Tidewater Community College, the se love birds have moved up to the city in hopes of making it on Broadway. Hailed as "the most clueless boy in New York" by Gawker.com, Craig has been sharing his New York adventures for the past year on Youtube with the "Craig Stevens Video Blog." Now Craig and Janine are coming to you live, teaching a performance based master class, featuring an original one-act musical, audience interaction, and performances from 3 TBD Broadway names. Starring: Kevin Michael Murphy, Lauren Marcus, and Lauren C. Adams. Directed by: David Alpert, Choreography by: John O'Malley.

Franca Vercelloni
Friday, April 10 @ 8pm
$10 cover
Franca Vercelloni studied classical piano at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music ("the Juilliard of the Midwest") and now hammers out showtunes in New York City piano bars. She went from being a church organist in the ‘burbs to a nun in a TV commercial with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She explored her Italian-American identity by belting out Bon Jovi tunes in the New York production of Tony n'Tina's Wedding. She likes to tap dance and play the accordion, often at the same time.

Michael R. Jackson: Believe It or Not
Saturday, April 11 @ 9:30pm
$12 cover
Sometimes you lie to protect others. Sometimes you lie to protect yourself. Sometimes you don't - you tell the truth, you just spit it out. And it hangs there in the air like stale cigarette smoke. AND NOBODY=2 0BELIEVES YOU. Which is too bad because truth is stranger than fiction, you know? The songs of MICHAEL R. JACKSON: BELIEVE IT OR NOT brashly offer themselves up with no apology and lots of eye contact, straight on. The rest is up to you. Includes special guests Jason "Sweettooth" Williams, Lauren Worsham, Nik Walker and the reclusive, stage frightened songwriter, Michael R. Jackson backed by a great band: Jong Yoon Choi, Arvi Sreenivasan, and Dan Shuman. Directed by Stephen Brackett.

Voices from the Great White Way: Heather MacRae
Monday, April 13 @ 7pm
$25 cover
The third installment of our celebrated Voices from the Great White Way series, featuring one night only concerts from some of Broadway's most exciting voices, continues tonight with Hair/Falsettoes/A Catered Affair's Heather MacRae.

Cabaret Cares
Monday, April 13 @ 9:30pm
$25 cover
Cabaret Cares is a benefit series that brings together the best of the Broadway and Cabaret communities to raise funds for Broadway Cares and Help Is On the Way Today, and not for profit organization providing funds for children living with HIV.

Christina Bianco in Small Wonders
Wednesday, April 14 @ 7pm
Saturday, April 18 @ 7pm
$15 cover
Forbidden Broadway's Christina Bianco is back for an encore performances of her hit debut show, Small Wonders, reminding us that good things come in small packages. Take a breath to appreciate the "little things!" Featuring an exciting assortment of music from Broadway, pop and contemporary songwriters including William Finn, John Bucchino, Christine Lavin, Maltby & Shire, Marvin Fisher, and Christina Aguilera. Some of the greatest things in life are often so small, we barely take notice. Join Christina in Small Wonders, as she takes us in search of those special moments, when the ordinary becomes remarkable. Directed by 2008 MAC Award Winner, Miles Phillips. Musical direction by Liz Nantais.

Tyler Phillips: Amazing River Parade
Thursday, April 16 @ 7pm
$10 cover
Tyler Phillips (composer/lyricist) returns to the Beechman to DEBUT a concert version of his sixth original musical, The Amazing River Parade. After a year of brotherly correspondence, Ryan Phillips (librettist/filmmaker) bridges together Tyler's songs with a sincere and edgy book. The sky's the limit for Trisha, an ambitious high school graduate, until she falls for her older brother's best friend-a world class deadbeat. She becomes caught up in an unfamiliar world full of sordid love triangles, drug deals, and murder. The stakes are raised higher and higher until it all culminates on the banks of San Antonio's annual Amazing River Parade! An exciting cast of young NYC vocalists illustrates a variety of familiar characters through Tyler's eclectic score - a modern blend of rock, hip-hop, and inventive theatre music. Christopher D. Littlefield (music director) leads from the keys. Check out www.tylerphillipsmu sic.com for updates. This concert event is presented by Tyler Phillips Music in association with Jamie Lynn Ballard and Kamelrock Productions.

Scot Albertson with the Daryl Kojak Trio
Thursday, April 16 @ 9:30pm
$10 cover
In his 2009 return to the Laurie Beechman stage since completing a 16 month monthly run of appearances last December, Scot returns with a quintet comprised of Daryl Kojak (Pianist/Musical Director), Cameron Brown (Bass), Tony Jefferson (Drums), Dave Pietro (Alto & Tenor Saxes & Flute) and Jim Clark (Alto Sax & Flute). As with every performance, new music is introduced so each presentation is a unique experience. Scot was a 2007 and 2008 MAC Award nominee for Male Jazz Vocalist, and his 3rd.CD, "Fate Revealed By Design," was nominated for Best Jazz Recording. Daryl Kojak received a 2008 MAC Award for Jazz Duo/Group and is a 2009 Bistro Award recipient. All in attendance will receive a free copy of the new 4th CD. Please visit www.ScotAlbertson.com for more information and performance videos.

Spotlight
Friday, April 17 @ 8pm
Friday, April 24 @ 8pm
$10 cover
Up-and-coming performers share life stories through song. Email thespotlightcabaret@yahoo.com for reservations. Directed by Ryan Scott Oliver.

Terri Troiano
Saturday, April 25 @ 7pm
$15 cover
Terri Troiano with Robert Marks at the piano in Let Yourself Go. In her latest show, Terri performs a selection of tunes ranging from jazz s tandards to musical theater classics.

Aelita Neilhausen: Cabaret a la Russe
Saturday, April 25 @ 9:30pm
$25 cover
Spend a night of romance as Aelita interprets classic love songs with a Russian, French and Yiddish twist. Growing up in the USSR, Aelita fell in love with the songs of Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, and Astrid Gilberto. Her powerful voice blends those influences into her own distinctive style. Called by press a "chanteuse extraordinaire," she delivers unique renditions of beloved songs, often mixing in Russian and Yiddish lyrics. She has toured widely in Europe, Asia and North America. Her most recent album is "Swing Around the World" with the Diva Jazz Orchestra, arranged by Tommy Newsom of the Tonight Show. Don't miss this rare New York engagement!

Jeffrey Wilgus: By Request
Sunday, April 26 @ 7pm
Monday, April 27 @ 9:30pm
$15 cover
Jeffrey Wilgus returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre for "By Request." This show will include a list of compiled songs that people have requested him to sing. The show will also include new songs from his upcoming CD. Haim Cotton also returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre on piano.

A Group Concert to benefit "Artist's Striving to End Poverty"
Monday, April 27 @ 7pm
Thursday, April 30 @ 7pm
$20 cover
Direction by DJ Salisbury with Musical Direction by Brent-Alan Huffman. Featur ing: Nick Cobey, Adam Enright, Marnie Klar, Michael Markham, MaryAnne Piccolo, Maureen Taylor & Elizabeth Ulmer.

 

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