Bebe Neuwirth, Mary Testa and More to Play 54 Below, Now thru 3/24

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 launches its new series of late night events this March. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - "The Callback," and more, including:

Award-winning actor/vocalist Rocco Arrigo, Emmy Award and Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, Late Night: The Callback, Late Night: BACKSTAGE, Tony nominated Mary Testa and Michael Starobin, Late Night: 54 Piano Bar, NYMF's Alixis Fishman and Max Cherin, cabaret's own Ricky Ritzel and Sondheim Unplugged.

ROCCO ARRIGO, Mar. 18 at 7PM:
Award-winning actor and vocalist, Rocco Arrigo, invites you to join him for a celebration of all things we love, hate and love to hate about The Big Apple. This energetic and creative young artist will take you on a hilarious, heartfelt and one-of-a-kind journey of story and song. He will be performing a selection of favorite songs by Coleman, Hamlisch, and Maltby & Shire, as well as a few surprises. Along this tuneful ride, Rocco will be breaking through cultural, social, and creative boundaries to forge a fun, sexy and personal evening for everyone. Multiple award winners, Miles Phillips (Director) and Mark Janas (Music Director) have teamed with Rocco to create this dazzling one night performance. Be there when the passionate and charismatic Rocco rocks 54 Below! ASL interpretation provided. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Bebe Neuwirth, Mar. 18 at 9:30PM, Mar. 19, 20, & 21 at 7PM, Mar. 22, & 23 at 8PM & Mar. 23 at 11PM:
Television audiences adore her for her multiple Emmy Award-winning role as Lilith Crane on Cheers, but it's the Broadway stage that Tony Award-winner Bebe Neuwirth truly calls home. So appropriately enough, this March, she'll make her debut at "Broadway's Nightclub" in an exciting cabaret event. Stories with Piano #4 consists of a collection of story songs by the likes of Kurt Weill, Tom Waits and, of course, some Broadway standards as well. According to Neuwirth, "I'm very interested in the characters and these moments in their lives that are best expressed in song." Neuwirth won Tonys for her work in Sweet Charity and Chicago, and also dazzled New York audiences in A Chorus Line, Little Me, Damn Yankees, Here Lies Jenny, and, of course, The Addams Family. Cover charge $50-60. $35 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: THE CALLBACK, Mar. 18 at 11PM:
At "The Callback," on Monday nights, contestants will perform for a chance to win their own cabaret show at 54 Below. Contestants will be chosen by video audition, their performances will be recorded and uploaded to 54 Below's Facebook and Youtube page, and each week, a winner will be determined by audience vote to progress to the next round. "The Callback" contestants may also have the chance to sing in front of industry executives and Broadway celebrity guest judges as they move forward in the competition. For more information on "The Callback" rules or how to submit an audition video, please visit www.54Below.com. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: BACKSTAGE, Mar. 19 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, while special guests from Broadway and beyond drop 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, with guest host Emily McNamara and pianist Brad Simmons who clearly is the man, its 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, Alysha Umphress (from Broadway's Priscilla Queen of the Dessert, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, and American Idiot), Marla Mindelle (from Broadway's Cinderella, and Sister Act), Matt DeAngelis (from Broadway's Hair), Rebecca Naomi Jones (from Broadway's Passing Strange and American Idiot), and Matthew Hashimoto (from season 10 of "American Idol"). No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

Mary Testa & Michael Starobin, Mar. 20 at 9:30PM:
For one night only, back by popular demand, two powerhouse artistic talents combine forces to craft a performance that is unlike anything you're likely to see in a cabaret theatre - ever. Their unique takes on music both contemporary and classic is enough to make heads spin and ears tingle with excitment. Mary Testa is one of New York's most celebrated and hardest working actors. Her Broadway credits, too numerous to mention in their totality, include Tony-nominated performances in On the Town and 42nd Street but also star turns in Guys & Dolls, Xanadu, Chicago, Marie Christine, A New Brain, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Rink and off-Broadway in In Trousers, Lucky Stiff, First Lady Suite and, most recently, her acclaimed performance in Queen of the Mist. To top it all off, she is last year's recipient of a "Special Achievement" Drama Desk Award for her prolific contributions to the theatre. Two time Tony Award-winner Michael Starobin has provided orchestrations for some of Broadway's most beloved scores, among them Falsettos, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins and Next to Normal. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

NYMF'S ALEXIS FISHMAN & MAX CHERNIN, Mar. 21 at 9:30PM:
The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) comes to 54 Below when we proudly present the winner of 2012's "Next Broadway Sensation," Alexis Fishman, in a special one night only concert. An Australian native and award-winning musical actress, Alexis took the competition by storm when she walked away as the winner of this highly competitive program, which has become not only a highlight of the festival, but a New York musical theatre tradition amongst those in the know. Look for her to perform everything from tunes made famous by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Antonio Carolos Jobim, to compositions by some of musical theatre's newest and most dynamic young composers - and maybe some fun with the ukulele. Joining her will be Grand Finalist Max Chernin, a NYMF alumnus who will present a set of jazz standards and Broadway gems. Cover charge $25-35. $25 food & beverage minimum.

LATE NIGHT: 54 PIANO BAR, Mar. 21 at 11PM:
On Thursdays at 11 pm, pick a song and join our house pianist as you take your turn on the stage at 54 PIANO BAR, featuring pianist and host Brian Nash. See new Broadway talent perform on a whim, and perhaps take part in the ever-popular (and inevitable) audience sing along. No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum. Drink Specials: $5 beer, $8 mixed drinks.

Ricky Ritzel SINGS Elaine Stritch, Mar. 22 at 11PM:
Cabaret warhorse Rick Ritzel pays homage to Broadway legend Elaine Stritch in a hilarious and poignant evening of nonstop fun. From Angel in the Wings to A Little Night Music, Elaine Stitch has introduced and covered some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Now, Mr. Ritzel puts his unique spin on them in this loving tribute to one of Broadway's greatest treasures. Cover charge $20-30. $25 food & beverage minimum.

SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, Mar. 24 at 7PM:
A celebrated New York event since 2010, the Bistro Award-winning series Sondheim Unplugged features some of Broadway and cabaret's most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only. Expect tunes from A Little Night Music, Company, Into the Woods, Follies, Passion, Dick Tracy and more. Past special guests have included original Sondheim cast members such as Len Cariou, Victoria Mallory & Donna McKechnie - so you never know who might drop in. Sondheim Unplugged is hosted by series creator Phil Geoffrey Bond, who will fill the audience in on Sondheimien facts, history & assorted tidbits of theatrical lore! Cover charge $20-30. $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.

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.

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