Laurie Beechman Theatre Announces Lineup for January: Joan Rivers, Judy Gold, Carey Anderson & More

The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located within The West Bank Café, is pleased to announce upcoming performances in January, including performances by Carey Anderson, Donna Lynne Champlin, Michele Dowdy, Joan Treacy Egan, Karen Finely, Judy Gold, Steven Lutvak, Liz McCartney, Laura Osnes & Joan Rivers.

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 January, 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.

All the Sad Young Men
Monday, January 4 @ 7pm
$20 cover (includes a copy of the book)
Phil Geoffrey Bond launches his new book with the help of celebrated vocalists Carey Anderson (Avenue Q, Mamma Mia), Lisa Asher, Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd, Billy Elliot), Brandon Cutrell and John Treacy Egan (The Producers, Bye, Bye Birdie).

Joan Rivers
Tuesdays, January 5, 12 @ 8pm
Wednesdays, January 6, 20 @ 8pm
Tickets, $30: www.spincyclenyc.com or 212 352 3101
Legendary comedian and Celebrity Apprentice winner Joan Rivers brings her live stand-up act to Times Square's Laurie Beechman Theatre. Rivers presents an evening of her newest and most outrageous riffs on The Celebrity Apprentice, Hollywood, pop culture, celebrities, reality TV and award show fashion. A full dinner menu and bar are available, and pianist Lance Cruce plays from the time doors open until Joan takes the stage. Tickets are $30 with net proceeds going to Rivers' favorite charities: God's Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Julie Rogelstad
Friday, January 8 @ 8pm
Thursday, January 21 @ 7pm
Wednesday, January 27 @ 7pm
$20 cover
An evening of a little blues, country and pop rock from vocalist Rogelstad.

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 featuring Gabrielle Stravelli, Becca Johnson and Ray Fellman at the piano. Come hang and belt out a showtune or two. No cover, no minimum. You never know who might drop by.

Le Scandal Cabaret
Sundays, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 10:30pm
Thursday, January 7 @ 9:30pm
$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 212 868 4444.

Judy Gold: Jewdy! Jewdy! Jewdy!
Sunday, January 10 @ 7pm
Mondays, January 11, 18, 25 @ 7pm
$25 cover
The hilarious Judy Gold brings her larger-than-life comedy to The Laurie Beechman Theatre in a show with biting wit and playfully sardonic comedy. Judy takes the audience on a wild ride that is not to be missed.

Showcase Cafe
Monday, January 11 @ 9:30pm
No cover
Featuring the original music of Julie Foldesi, Thom Culcasi and Liz McCartney (South Pacific, Taboo) presented by the vocal talents of Beth Malone (Ring Of Fire, BINGO), Laura Osnes (South Pacific, Grease) as well as Jerold Solomom, Charlie Brady, Marla Mindelle, Robyn Payne, David Benoit, Joan Jaffe, Wendi Bergamini, Kimber Monroe, Correy West and Ray Fellman at the piano.

Leslie Orofino
Thursday, January 14 @ 7pm
$15 cover
Songs of vamps, tramps, mantakers, heartbreakers and the girl next door... Familiar hits of Alberta Hunter, Eartha Kitt, Carolyn Leigh, Peggy Lee, Sophie Tucker, Julie Wilson and many more.

Mock Your World
Friday, January 15 @ 8pm
$10 cover
They cleaned up Times Square, but they didn?t get Andrew Byrne. And now Broadway?s naughtiest stars are belting out his songs in "Mock Your World." Covering everything from disastrous auditions to public hook-ups, this evening of on-key but off-color songs is a blend of parodies and originals that is sure to leave you humming, cheering and blushing. Directed by Amy Rogers, and starring Marya Grandy, Ryan Murray, Chuck Ragsdale and Lisa Rothauser. It?s like Forbidden Broadway... for trashy sluts.

Jackie Draper: Something New in My Life
Sunday, January 17 @ 4pm
$15 cover
Join Jackie in the reprise of her newest (and tenth) show as she sings, seeks, finds "the something new" that recharges, refreshes and revitalizes each of our lives, through songs in English, French and Spanish by Legrand, the Bergmans, Lasser, Kern, Mercer, Weill, the Gershwins, Pizzarelli/Molaskey, Porter, Bucchino, Aznavour and others. Accompanying her in her quest are Music Director/pianist Gregory Toroian; Ritt Henn on bass; special guest dancer Franklin Ayala; and guest artist Robbyn Tongue, on alto sax. Directed by Helen Baldassare.

A Class Act: Students of the 92nd St. Y
Sunday, January 17 @ 7pm
$15 cover
The 92nd Street Y presents A Class Act featuring songs about life, love and relationships featuring Donna Hayes, Leorah Haberfield, Suzanna Mack, Linda Mancini, Phil Raia, Karen Steinberg and Bob Wiener. Directed by Nightlife Award winner Collette Black, Musical Direction by Norma Jeanne Curley.

Dana Iannuzzi: This Tall to Ride
Sunday, January 17 @ 9:30
Thursday, January 21 @ 9:30pm
$6 cover
When you're younger you wait to be 16 to drive, 18 to vote, 21 to drink and then you wait for 30 when you're supposedly an adult. Well when you're nearing that last mile stone its always good to stop and look behind you at the ones you've already passed in your own unique way. What better way to look back then to explain what it was like to be 5' 2" and attempting to be "This Tall To Ride..."

CANTEEN! @ The Laurie Beechman Theatre
Monday, January 18 @ 9:30pm
$10 cover
Right in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle, you'll find 5 members of the American army, trying not to go crazy. Come hear modern day tunes, set to a swinging big band beat! With laughter, drinks, music and sometimes a special surprise guest, the sky's the limit! Featuring Hairspray's Michele Dowdy.

Brandon Cutrell & Co-Horts
Tuesday, January 19 @ 9:30
Sunday, January 24 @ 4pm
Thursday, January 28 @ 9:30
$20 cover
The After Party's own 2009 Nightlife Award winner, Brandon Cutrell takes to the Beechman stage with his new show, Brandon Cutrell & Co-Horts. A cabaret showcase, Brandon emcees the show, which features five different people at each performance. Do not miss this opportunity to meet some of New York's brightest and youngest stars-to-be.

Roger Mapes: House of Joy
Friday, January 22 @ 8pm
$15 cover
This project is a labor of love that integrates male/female/god/goddess in a musical expression based on southern rock, blues, country and gospel. For more info, visit
http://www.talentplace.net/rogermapes/http://www.rogeranthonymapes.com

Queen Bea: A Soapsical!
Saturday, January 23 @ 7pm
$30 cover
Torn from the headlines of "Soap Opera Digest" comes a raucous musical comedy recounting the rise and fall, and rise, and fall... and rise of daytime TV's greatest diva. Brought to life in concert by today's hottest soap stars.

Will Trice: Goodbye, Pluto
Monday, January 25 @ 9:30
$10 cover
2009 MAC Award Winner Will Trice (with Jamie Schmidt - piano and Ann Gregg - viola) bids farewell to our recently demoted ninth planet with an eclectic program featuring music by Jake Heggie, Radiohead, Johnny Mercer, Counting Crows, Kurt Weill and more.

Lacey & Danielle: Boston Babes Broadway Bound
Tuesday, January 26 @ 7pm
$10 cover
There was Lucy & Ethel, Carol & Julie, and now... Lacey & Danielle. Watch as these two Boston girls with big Broadway dreams discover triumph, rejection and love as newbies to New York City in this evening of comedy & song.

Amber Coartney
Thursday, January 28 @ 7pm
$10 cover
A night of songs and stories laced with crazy in every sense of the word.

Steven Lutvak
Friday, Jan 29 @ 7:30pm
$25 cover - visit Smarttix: 212 868 4444 or www.smarttix.com
One of New York's most prolific and original songwriting talents returns to the Beechman. From the title track to the smash hit film, Mad Hot Ballroom, to Broadway's upcoming The Truth About Monty, Steven's songs are original, fresh and surprising. And he can sing. As The New York Times says, "With one eyebrow cocked, a sly grin flickering over his cherubic face, Mr. Lutvak expertly [weaves] his songs into an entertaining semi-autobiographical narrative...where he performs his pointedly witty, occasionally misty-eyed reminiscences and told some of the true stories behind them." Not to be missed!

Karen Finley: The Jackie Look
Saturdays @ 7:30 thru 2/27
Tickets, $30: www.spincyclenyc.com or 212 352 3101
Karen Finley, the most controversial woman in performance today, premieres her latest work, The Jackie Look. Finley brings icon Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis back to life in this unique look at history, style, trauma, femininity and the demands of being the First Lady. Using the structure of a lecture set in the present day, Jackie, one of the most photographed woman of her day, contemplates her life in pictures. Jackie also makes use of YouTube and views online homages to herself and her family. Along the way, Jackie ruminates about Michelle Obama, Marilyn Monroe, Caroline's run for Senate, the art world, Michael Jackson and the lasting impact of that fateful day on the grassy knoll in Dallas. Since her first performances in the early 1980's, Karen Finely has become synonymous with performance art. She is the recipient of two Obies, two Bessies, and multiple grants from the NEA and NYSCA. She has toured internationally with pieces including Make Love, George & Martha, The American Chestnut, A Certain Level of Denial and The Return of The Chocolate Smeared Woman. In 1990, Finley became an unwilling symbol for the NEA when she, along with Tim Miller, Holly Hughes & John Fleck, sued the NEA for withdrawing grants on the grounds of indecency.

Cabaret Cares
Sunday, January 31 @ 7pm
$25 cover
A cabaret benefit series that brings together the best of the Broadway and Cabaret communities to raise funds for Help Is On the Way Today, an organization that benefits youth grappling with HIV/AIDS.

Jennifer Tepper & Kevin Murphy: If It Only Even Runs a Minute
Sunday, Jan 31 @ 9:30pm
$10 cover
An evening of rare and inspiring songs, anecdotes and photos from Broadway musicals that may not have been fully-appreciated the first time around. This concert features many Broadway performers, and is essential for musical theatre nerds!

The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.

For more information, please visit http://www.beechmantheatre.com/