54 Below Announces Upcoming Events

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, will present the following acts:

Gregg Edelman, Jan. 21 at 7PM:
Four time Tony nominee Gregg Edelman sneaks downstairs on his off night from The Mystery of Edwin Drood (playing upstairs at Studio 54), for two special performances in celebration of all things Broadway. With fourteen Broadway shows to his credit, including Les Miserables, Cabaret, City of Angels, Anything Goes, 1776, Passion, Into the Woods, Wonderful Town and Falsettos, Gregg knows from a showstopper or two! Cover charge: $25-35. $25 food and beverage minimum.- CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS

THE BENGSONS, Jan. 21 at 9:30PM:
The Bengsons are a Brooklyn/Berkshires-based husband and wife art-folk duo. Likened to a pairing of Janis Joplin and David Byrne, their radiantly emotive songs blend rousing, all-join-hands group choruses with spry vocal melodies and rich instrumentation that incorporates everything from banjo to accordion to classical harp. This January at 54 Below, the Bengsons will present a selection of music from their upcoming folk opera, Hundred Days. Directed by Anne Kauffman with an all-star NYC and San Francisco creative team, the evening features huge gang vocals, booming drums and the emotionally direct lyrics and vocals for which this dynamic writing duo are celebrated, merging art and pop as only they can. Cover charge $15-25. $20 food & beverage minimum.

Marin Mazzie, Jan. 22, 25, 26 at 8:30PM & Jan. 23, 24 at 7PM & Jan. 25 at 11PM:
You think you know three-time Tony Award Nominee Marin Mazzie from her corseted characters in Ragtime and Passion or maybe from the scene-chewing screwballs of Kiss Me Kate and Spamalot or possibly you thought you gained a glimpse of her as the star of Next To Normal (heaven help us if that is really her in the guise of Margaret in Carrie!). Come see and hear the real Marin Mazzie as she steps back into her formative years with an evening of fun and fantasy as we get inside the head of a Midwest girl and the music she loved. $35-55. $25 food & beverage minimum.

BACKSTAGE, Jan. 15 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. Special guests from hit Broadway shows drop in to perform and answer the question on everyone's minds, "what happened in each week to sing everything from Schwartz to Sondheim. You might even get up and sing yourself if you're feeling brave, or brave, or relax with a cocktail and some sliders - the night belongs to you! 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 weeks Backstage is, The Skivvies, from NEWSical Christina Bianco, Songwriter Bobby Cronin, from Legally Blonde and Wonderland Kate Shindle, from Hair Andrew Kober, from Bring It On Ryann Redmond and from the National tour of Urinetown Sheri Sanders. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

TALES OF JONI, Jan. 23 & 24 at 9:30PM:
54 Below is delighted to tip our hat to the brilliance of eight-time Grammy winner Joni Mitchell. Whether it's "Both Sides Now," "Chelsea Morning," "The Circle Game," "Big Yellow Taxi," or "A Case of You," the work of Mitchell, one of the world's most embraced, lauded, and prolific singer-songwriters, continues to inspire and delight generations of listeners. At 54 Below, look for a cast of Broadway and cabaret luminaries singing the praises of all things Mitchell, including: Lisa Asher (MAC, Bistro & Nightlife Award winner), Annie Golden (Broadway's Hair, Leader of the Pack, On the Town, The Full Monty, Xanadu), Heather MacRae (Broadway's Hair, Falsettos, A Catered Affair), Julie Reyburn (MAC, Bistro, Nightlife Award winner), Nicholas Rodriguez (Broadway's Tarzan, Helen Hayes Award winner), and Gabrielle Stravelli (celebrated NYC jazz vocalist). Upon presenting her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, the Grammys called Joni's music "a powerful influence on all artists who embrace diversity, imagination, and integrity." For four special performances only at 54 Below, come see why! Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Lina Koutrakos, Jan. 26 at 11PM:
Singer/songwriter Lina Koutrakos is a diva for the ages. The New York Times says, "her emotional strength is embedded in singing that has a defiant rock edge," while Billboard Magazine states "This woman is the real thing." Her southern influenced music (rooted in her nomadic upbringing) is delivered with a sophisticated urban accent. Together with her one in a million (part sensual and part sizzle) voice, Koutrakos and her band, The Low Country, can whisper in your ear and peel paint off the walls at the very same time. It's the perfect mixture of swank Manhattan and Southern-fried rock & roll! Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

PATRICIA RACETTE, Jan. 27 at 7PM:
Widely acclaimed as one of opera's leading sopranos, Racette has made her mark as the star in operas ranging from Madame Butterfly, La Bohème and Tosca to Peter Grimes and Dialogues of the Carmelites in the world's most prestigious venues, including The Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, The Paris Opera and San Francisco Opera, among many others, and on worldwide HD Broadcasts to millions. But before her career on the opera stage, Racette sang jazz, cabaret and jewels from the Great American Songbook. Now she brings her career full circle with an intimate evening featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Edith Piaf and other contemporary popular composers. Says The New York Times: "Her singing was robust, nuanced and passionate, befitting a performer of her skill and experience." Don't miss this chance to see her at 54 Below and experience this opera Diva up close and personal, singing songs near and dear to her heart. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Christine Andreas, Jan. 27 at 9:30PM:
Christine Andreas seduces her audience with an honesty,?integrity, self-deprecating wit and scent of sexuality that?would make anyone gladly fly to the moon with her. She can?swing from sensual soprano to killer queen in a heartbeat,?from the White House to the Great White Way. Ms. Andreas?first captured the hearts of Broadway theatregoers as Eliza?Doolittle in the 20th anniversary production of My Fair Lady,?for which she won the Theatre World Award. She went on to?star in Oklahoma! and On Your Toes (receiving Tony?nominations for each), The Scarlet Pimpernel and, just recently, La Cage Aux Folles. From 2006-7, she received rave?reviews in the national tour of The Light in the Piazza. This?January, join Christine for an evening of music as?she appears on our stage for five very special performances ?only. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

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