Broadway at the Cabaret - Top 5 Picks for January 25-31, Featuring Ben Vereen, Elizabeth A. Davis, and More!

By: Jan. 24, 2016
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Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City.

Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Brian Gallagher & Friends; Ben Vereen at 54 Below; New Musicals at 54: An Americain Boy by Amanda Green & Richard Thomas; Elizabeth A. Davis at 54 Below; and Linda Lavin in "My First Farewell Concert."

Click here for BroadwayWorld's Full Cabaret Listings!


Brian Gallagher & Friends

Where: Birdland NYC (315 W 44th Street)

When: January 25th at 7:00 PM

Tickets: $30 at http://www.birdlandjazz.com/event/1017873-brian-gallagher-friends-new-york/

Brian Gallagher will celebrate his birthday with a night of original music performed by a collection of New York City's best singers. There will be performances by Megan Hilty ("Smash," Wicked, 9 to 5), Eden Espinosa (Wicked), Matt Cusson (Singer/Songwriter), Carly Hughes (Pippin) Celisse Henderson (Godspell), Carrie Manolakos (Wicked), Ben Cameron (Wicked), Sean Jenness (The Last Ship), and many more. The show will include songs from Gallagher's critically acclaimed album, "All That's Ahead," and a slew of new material from his upcoming concept musical, Brownstone, and several other projects currently in the works.

Brian Gallagher is an actor,a guitarist, and a singer/songwriter from New York City. He spent the better part of last year touring with his beautiful wife, Megan Hilty, and writing/recording a new solo album called "All That's Ahead." Recent theatrical credits include the Broadway revival of Jekyll & Hyde and the New York City premiere of Chix 6.

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Ben Vereen

Where: 54 Below (254 W 54th Street)

When: January 25-30th at 7:00 PM (no performance on January 26th)

Tickets: $55-120 at http://54below.com/artist/ben-vereen/

Ben Vereen's most recent engagement at Feinstein's/54 Below blew the roof off the joint - audiences are still talking about it! Now join Ben for another unforgettable evening of song and story - with several brand new numbers AND your favorite Ben Vereen showstoppers. The New York Daily News wrote, "Vereen blows onto the stage with a gale force ready to sweep the audience up, up and away."... so be prepared to be knocked off your feet by this riveting performance. It's not very often you get to see a true theatrical legend perform songs he made famous on Broadway and off!

A Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse's Pippin, Mr. Vereen's Broadway credits include Wicked, I'm Not Rappaport, Chicago, Hair, Fosse, Jelly's Last Jam, Jesus Christ Superstar, and A Christmas Carol. In 2010, Ben completed a successful run in the world premiere of Fetch Clay, Make Man, directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) at the McCarter Theatre. Film: Idlewild, All That Jazz, Sweet Charity, Funny Lady (Golden Globe nomination), Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Once Upon a Forest. Television: The legendary television miniseries Roots, How I Met Your Mother (recurring), Grey's Anatomy (Prism Award),Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Hallmark's An Accidental Friendship (NAACP nomination),Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, Louis Armstrong - Chicago Style, Ellis Island (Golden Globe Nomination), Anne Rice's Feast of All Saints, Zoobilee Zoo, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Ben recently starred in Paramount Studios' Top Five with Chris Rock. He most recently co-starred with Richard Gere in Time Out Of Mind, which opened last month to rave reviews. Rolling Stone raved that his role was "played with grit and grace."

Photo credit ISAK TINER

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New Musicals at 54: An Americain Boy by Amanda Green & Richard Thomas

Where: 54 Below (254 W 54th Street)

When: January 26th at 7:00 & 9:30 PM

Tickets: $25-60 at http://54below.com/artist/new-musicals-at-54-an-americain-boy-by-amanda-green-liz-flahive-richard-thom/

New Musicals at 54 is a series produced by Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper. Some of the 10 new and diverse musicals by a selection of today's most talented writers have had out-of-town productions, some have had workshops... now's your chance to be first to see them in NYC! Join us at New Musicals at 54 for one-night-only concerts celebrating each new show with songs, behind-the-scenes stories, and all-star casts!

Click here to learn more about the New Musicals at 54 series. Use code NEW20 when purchasing tickets to three or more shows in the series in a single order and receive 20% off tickets in the Main Dining Room or Bar Rail sections.

Based on a true story, An Americain Boy is an original rock thriller, that tells the story of a charismatic and manipulative young man from France who will do anything to get a family, and the American family who will do anything to find their long-lost son. It explores the lengths people will go, and the lies we will tell ourselves, and others, for love.

With music by Olivier-Award winning composer Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer The Opera, Anna Nicole, The Tracey Ullman Show), lyrics by Tony-nominated lyricist/composer Amanda Green (Hands On A Hardbody, High Fidelity, Bring It On), and direction by Tony-nominated director Leigh Silverman (Violet, Chinglish, Well).

The creative team will be joined by Jarrod Spector (Beautiful, Jersey Boys), Alysha Umphress (On The Town, American Idiot), Rachel Bay Jones (First Lady Suite, Pippin), Jessica Crouch (NYMF, Next Broadway Sensation), Josh Young(Jesus Christ Superstar, Amazing Grace) and a surprise guest or two. Be the first audience to hear songs from the show, as the creative team takes you through the story. Don't miss your chance to be among the very first to get a sneak peek.

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Elizabeth A. Davis

Where: 54 Below (254 W 54th Street)

When: January 27th & 28th at 9:30 PM

Tickets: $30-65 at http://54below.com/artist/elizabeth-a-davis/

Tony Award & Drama Desk Nominee, Elizabeth A. Daviscomes to Feinstein's/54 Below fresh off her inaugural writing debut at Goodspeed Opera House's Norma Terris with new musical, INDIAN JOE; a compelling score for a gripping, true story. INDIAN JOE weaves sounds of Progressive Folk with Industrial Pop and pure country. This is a journey of overcoming prejudice and finding your true voice . INDIAN JOE The Musical is based on the friendship of Elizabeth and Joe Lightfoot Gonzales (March 18, 1946 - August 15, 2014). Support the scholarship endowment set up in Joe's honor here: www.IndianJoeTheMusical.com

Joining Elizabeth is the Goodspeed Opera House Norma Terris cast of INDIAN JOE.

Elizabeth's Allegro co-star George Abud (The Visit), and soulful singer / songwriter, Melanie Penn (Wake Up, Love) will be featured as well.

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Linda Lavin: "My First Farewell Concert"

Where: Birdland NYC (315 W 44th Street)

When: January 31st at 6:00 PM (also February 1st at 7:00 PM)

Tickets: $35-45 at http://www.birdlandjazz.com/event/1013183-linda-lavin-my-first-farewell-new-york/

The show, wryly entitled "My First Farewell Concert," will be Lavin's personal story told in songs she loves. She will perform favorites from the Great American/Brazilian/Yiddish Songbooks, with Billy Stritch at the piano, Steve Bakunas on drums, and special guest Aaron Weinstein on violin. Songs included will be "You've Got Possibilities," "No More Blues," and a medley of songs recorded by the late, great Bobby Short.

Linda Lavin is currently starring on Broadway in Our Mother's Brief Affair at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater. She burst on the New York musical comedy scene with roles in Oh, Kay!, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman and On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever. She also won kudos for her straight acting roles in Little Murders and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. TV beckoned and she soon became a household name as the star of the sitcom "Alice." During the nine seasons it was on the air, Linda nabbed two Golden Globe awards and an Emmy nomination. She even sang "There's a New Girl in Town" over the opening credits of the show. Following this success, she focused her attentions once again on the stage. She earned renewed respect, in addition to critic's awards, for her diversified Broadway work in Gypsy, The Sisters Rosensweig, Collected Stories, Broadway Bound (1987 Tony award), Death Defying Acts (Obie award), The Diary of Anne Frank (Tony nomination), The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Tony nomination), Other Desert Cities and Nicky Silver's The Lyons. She also appeared in Carol Burnett's autobiographical play Hollywood Arms portraying Burnett's grandmother, and in Paul Rudnick's The New Century at Lincoln Center. She's recently been seen on television in "The Good Wife," and "Mom," and on the big screen in "The Intern" with Robert DeNiro.

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