The Laurie Beechman Theatre Announces November Performances and Events

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 November, 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 one hundred seat venue.

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

Featuring performances from:
Brent Barrett, KLea Blackhurst, Tituss Burgess, Len Cariou, Jenn Colella,
Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Anita Gillette, Annie Golden, Daisy Eagan, Karen Mason,
Donna McKechnie, Marni Nixon, Joan Rivers, Stephen Schwartz, John Tartaglia,
Barbara Walsh & many more!

It Gets Better: Broadway Supports The Trevor Project
Monday, Nov 1 @ 6pm
$35 cover, visit www.smarttix.com or 212 868 4444
In light of the recent string of suicides among young gay men in our country, The Laurie Beechman Theatre is humbled to present It Gets Better: Broadway Supports The Trevor Project. The 6pm concert will host some of Broadway's leading voices, lending their support to this vital organization that provides suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Showing their support for The Trevor Project is a staggering array of some of Broadway's best, including: Farah Alvin (Nine, Grease), Brent Barrett (Grand Hotel, Chicago, Candide, Annie Get Your Gun), Kevin Chamberlin (The Addams Family, The Ritz, Seussical, Dirty Blonde), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray), Daisy Eagan (James Joyce's The Dead, Tony Award Winner, The Secret Garden), Annie Golden (Xanadu, The Full Monty, On The Town, Leader of the Pack), Eric Michael Gillett (Sweet Smell of Success, Kiss Me, Kate), Randy Jones (Multi-Platinum recording artist & American Music Award winner, original Village People Cowboy), Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Jerome Robbins' Broadway), Liz McCartney (South Pacific, Taboo), Judy McLane (Mamma Mia, Chess), Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd), Roz Ryan (Chicago, The Pajama Game, One Mo' Time, Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin'), Stephen Schwartz (Academy Award-winner, composer of Wicked, Godspell & Pippin), Mary Stout (Jane Eyre, Beauty and the Beast, My Favorite Year, Me and My Girl), John Tartaglia (Shrek the Musical, Avenue Q, Beauty & the Beast), Stephen Wallem (television's Nurse Jackie), Barbara Walsh (Company, Hairspray, Falsettos), and Sally Wilfert (Assassins, Make Me a Song). Mark Hartman (Avenue Q, Sondheim on Sondheim) will serve as Musical Director, with Joe Choroszewski on drums and Steve Millhouse on bass. Phil Geoffrey Bond directs and produces.

Peter Lerman
Mon, Nov 1 @ 9:30pm
$20 cover
Peter Lerman, a musical playwright who recently performed solo concerts at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and Signature Theatre, makes his NYC solo concert debut! A past participant of the Johnny Mercer Songwriting Festival at Northwestern University, Peter is a member of ASCAP, The Dramatists Guild and is a winner of a 2010 Jonathan Larson Award from the American Theater Wing. He has been a member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and recently presented his musical "The Virginia" at the Disney/ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop. In addition to music for theater, Peter writes country and pop songs and music for television.

The Sarah Palin Election Day Musical Spectacular!
Tuesday, Nov 2 @ 7pm - election night!
$20 cover
This very special event features Dorothy Bishop as Sarah Palin and Gregory Uliasz as Levi Johnston, plus some special guest stars. It's a maverick evening of comedy and song lead by the Queen of The Tea Party. Highlights of the evening will include the songs I Can See New Jersey From My Hotel Room, the YouTube parody sensation, Going Rogue! and a brand new sure-fire blockbuster, Defying Gravity! with special guest Christine O'Donnell. Come on in and count the votes with the gun-toting Mamma Grizzly and her friends. Are you gonna have fun? YOU BETCHA!!!

Donna McKechnie: My Musical Comedy Life
Wed, Nov 3 @ 8pm
$35 cover, visit www.smarttix.com or 212 848 4444
Following a sold out engagement in July, Ms. McKechnie returns to The Beechman for one night only. My Musical Comedy Life marks Ms. McKechnie's first New York engagement in five years. Earlier this year, she received glowing notices when she toured with this show in Australia, visiting both Sydney and Melbourne and also appearing as a featured artist in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival at the invitation of Artistic Director, David Campbell. My Musical Comedy Life encompasses music from some of Broadway's most celebrated composers, including Stephen Sondheim, Ed Kleban and Marvin Hamlisch, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cy Coleman, as well as more contemporary artists including Francesca Blumenthal and Ann Hampton Callaway. The show features direction by Richard Jay-Alexander and musical direction by Alex Rybeck.

Rick Peets
Thur, Nov 4 @ 7pm
Thur, Nov 11 @ 7pm
Sun Nov 14 @ 4pm
$20 cover
From Broadway to blues, Disney to disco, Rick opens the gates to an energetic journey through musical genres. Join the fun as he performs selections from The Black Eyed Peas, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Donna Summer and more. Directed by the award-winning team of Lennie Watts and Steven Ray Watkins, and featuring Jackie Fornatale and Tanya Holt. With Dan Fabricatore on bass and Jerry Smith on drums.

Abby Smith: Fabulous, Baby!
Thur, Nov 4 @ 9:30pm
$5 cover
Abby C. Smith celebrates her 30th birthday by performing her New York cabaret debut! An evening of fun, laughter, celebration and great singing!

Miss Coco Peru's Glorious Words
Fri's, Nov 5 & 12 @ 7:30pm
Sat's, Nov 6 & 13 @ 7:30pm
Sun's, Nov 7 & 14 @ 7:30pm
$20 cover, www.spincyclenyc.com or 212 352 3101
MAC, Back Stage Bistro and GLAAD Media Award-winning drag sensation Coco Peru returns to NYC with the New York Premiere of Miss Coco Peru is Still Alive! Yes, Miss Coco is still alive, but how did a precocious young boy from a small island in the Bronx go on to become a glamorous low-end celebrity drag queen on a mission? That's a very long story and Coco Peru is going to tell it to you... all in just a little over an hour.

Stearns Matthews: This Will Be...

Saturday, Nov 6 @ 4pm

$15 cover

Hailed as "slick as a road in a hailstorm and just as determined," by David Finkle of The Village Voice, 2008 MetroStar Talent Challenge Runner-Up and 2009 MAC Award Nominee Stearns Matthews presents his newest show, including songs by Burt Bacharach, Joe Raposo, Cy Coleman, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, as well as songs made famous by Natalie Cole, Cass Elliot and Reba McEntire, and maybe even some Sesame Street. The evening features direction and musical direction by multiple award winners Lennie Watts and Steven Ray Watkins.

Le Scandal Cabaret
Saturdays, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
$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.

Kit Benton: French Connection
Sunday, Nov 7 @ 1pm
$10 cover
Kit performs a musical homage to Paris.

Michael Pesce's Old Fashioned Piano Party
Sun, Nov 7 @ 4pm
$15 cover
The Old Fashioned Piano Party is an evening hosted and performed by singer and actor Michael Pesce with guest appearances by friends and students who are NYC performers from daytime television to Broadway.

My Queer Youth
Mondays, Nov 8 & 15 @ 7pm
$18 cover
My Queer Youth is a humorous look at growing up queer in Farmland, USA. From invading the showtune section at the public library to asking a boy out on a date, the solo performance piece is set amongst the rolling cornfields of Southern Indiana, following our hero and his awakening to not only sexuality, but manhood. Directed by Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk, My Queer Youth features MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award-winning performer Phil Geoffrey Bond.

Jason Blaine: Sing for You
Mon, Nov 8 @ 9:30pm
$5 cover
An evening of popular music featuring singer & actor Jason Blaine. Musical Direction by Mark Hartman.

Emily Shoolin: Perfect Isn't Easy
Tue, Nov 9 @ 9:30pm
$10 cover
Straight from the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof, The Roundabout's The Tin Pan Alley Rag and York Theatre Company's Enter Laughing, The Musical, Emily Shoolin takes a hilarious and honest look at the day to day, uphill, near impossible climb to perfection. Complete with songs old and new ranging from little-known Disney gems and show tunes to pop classics and standards, Perfect Isn't Easy is a heartfelt and hilarious evening with Emily and her inner thoughts as she reminisces on her path to finding her own style of perfection.

Joan Rivers
Wed, Nov 10 @ 8pm
Wed, Nov 17 @ 8pm
Tue, Nov 30 @ 9pm
Tickets, $35: 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 $35 with net proceeds going to Rivers' favorite charities: God's Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Mock Your World: The Songs of Andrew Byrne

Thur, Nov 11 @ 9:30pm

$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.

Rich Pepenella: My BIG Problem with "Non Traditional" Casting

Sat, Nov 13 @ 4pm

$10 cover

What ever happened to type casting?!?! When all the great roles you were made to believe you were "right" for start going to people that you have absolutely nothing in common with... how do you compete? Richard Pepenella in a reprise of his New York cabaret debut. Featuring Christine Iannone Schuller, Liz Brown, and Kendra Kay. Directed by Brandon Cutrell. Musical Director Daniel Lincoln.

Manhattan Cabaret Arts: Something to Sing About!

Sun, Nov 14 @ 1pm

$15 cover

Manhattan Cabaret Arts proudly presents Something To Sing About! featuring songs about life, love and relationships. Performers include Deborah Arters, Cora Custodio, Marti Gonzales, Roberta Klein and Karen Schatz. Directed by Collette Black with Tracy Stark on piano.

Tina Lear

Mon, Nov 15 @ 9:30pm

$ pay what you can cover

Come home to the edifying fire of Tina Lear's music. She will be singing and playing her songs with help from music director Brian Whitted, and guest appearances by Broadway stars Tituss Burgess and Jenn Colella. Join us for an intimate evening of brand new Tina Lear songs, with some well-known faves thrown in for fun.

Karen Jacobsen
Tue, Nov 16 @ 7pm
Thur, Nov 18 @ 9:30pm
Tue, Nov 30 @ 7pm
$40 cover
Joined by her three piece band, GPS Girl Karen Jacobsen navigates you through an evening of melodic piano pop songs. Hear material from her four studio releases, from her upcoming album "Take a Little Drive" and brand new songs including the theme to her upcoming TV show, "Travel the World with The GPS Girl". Karen Jacobsen has shared the stage with Norah Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Deborah Cox and Christopher Cross, her songs have been heard on Dawson's Creek, Passions and NBC, and she's sung the Star Spangled Banner to 80,000 at the New York Jets game at Giants Stadium. At this moment Karen's speaking voice is used around the world in GPS units in many millions of cars giving people directions, and on Aussie hair care's "Put Some Roo In Your Do" campaign. Karen Jacobsen, the GPS Girl, can be found in recent news coverage from The New York Times, MyFoxNews.com and AOL News. Take a peek at what Karen has to share at www.karenjacobsen.com.

Broadway Bombs
Tue, Nov 16 @ 9:30pm
Tue, Nov 23 @ 9:30pm
$15 cover
Broadway Bombs is the stuff musical Theatre Dreams are made of - a loving tribute to the phenomenon of the musical flop, celebrating musical treasures from some of the Great White Way's most infamous duds. Selections will come from shows running the gamut: from Pipe Dream, Rodgers & Hammerstein's only show to ‘flop', to 2006's High Fidelity; the Judy Holliday star vehicle, Hot Spot to 1989's Tony-nominated, comic book-inspired musical, Starmites. Broadway Bombs also features obscure gems from the likes of Kander and Ebb, Cole Porter, Jule Styne and more. Come join us and hear songs you know & love, discover hidden gems and laugh as you re-live some of the most notorious moments in Broadway history.

Metropolitan
Fri, Nov 19 @ 7pm
Sat, Nov 20 @ 7pm
Sun, Nov 21 @ 7pm
Mon, Nov 22 @ 7pm
$25 cover
Metropolitan is an original bi-lingual musical revue set in two major world cities: Paris and New York. Barry Kleinbort, an American, has written music and lyrics for the songs in English. They reflect a New Yorker's perceptions of Paris. Christophe Mirambeau, a Frenchman, has written the music and lyrics for the songs in French: They reflect a Parisian's views of New York. The cast of six is comprised of multi-talented French and American performers, four of whom have flown in from Paris and are making their American debuts. The show's pointed and humorous sketches are the work of noted theater book author, Kenneth Bloom. Metropolitan was performed in Paris in 2009 where it was enthusiastically received. This engagement at the Beechman marks its American premiere.

Kevin McMullan: Twist of Fate
Sat, Nov 20 @ 4pm
Mon, Nov 29 @ 7pm
Sat, Dec 4 @ 4pm
$20 cover
Beloved cabaret veteran Kevin McMullan returns this season with a spectacular new show! Twist of Fate is a whimsical, funny, moving and magical evening's exploration of fortune, fate, love, life, death, the Afterlife and reincarnation - all presented through storytelling and gorgeous music ranging from Broadway and the Great American Songbook to contemporary and alternative rock classics from the likes of Styx, kd lang and Olivia Newton-John. Multiple award-winners Miles Phillips (Director) and Mark Janas (Music Director) oversee an ambitious whirlwind of a show that unveils McMullan at the center of a six-piece gypsy jazz band and a dazzling assortment of gypsies, tramps and thieves! Make your reservations now!

Robert Marks' Showcase
Sun, Nov 21 @ 1pm & 4pm
$15 cover
Well-known Broadway vocal coach Robert Marks presents several students in a cabaret performance.

Cabaret Cares
Sun, Nov 21 @ 9:30pm
$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.

Eat, F@#k, Pray
Mon, Nov 22 @ 9:30pm
$20 cover
A raucous memoir of Suzanne Peebles' dazzling entrance into the NYC cabaret world, from the touching days of CCM to the sizzlingly hot sidewalks of Ellen's on 51st, join Suzanne with special guests: Athena Reich, Marla Mindelle, Susie Cremin & others as this show supersedes limits of versatility on stage by pushing at least seven of the envelopes and reminding us, with profound focus, how fantastic & sometimes tragic this journey is, of finding our center thru art and love... and sex, of course.

George Brescia: George b Style

Tue, Nov 23 @ 7pm

$20 cover

George Brescia shares his gift of style in a witty evening of music, stories and fabulous accessories.

Scott Nevins: Live in NYC!

Fri, Nov 26 @ 7pm

$20 cover

Join award Winning TV personality and comedian (known as the "Hilarious Hottie" from TruTV's hit show "The Smoking Gun Presents"), INSTINCT Magazine cover guy and critically acclaimed live performer Scott Nevins as he returns home to NYC to deliver his latest scandalous comedy romp for one night only. Critics have called him "A young, sexy, gay-er Kathy Griffin," declaring "with just Nevins and his microphone, the night erupts into a hilarious non-stop monologue." The evening is jam packed with side splitting insider Hollywood gossip, never-before-heard outrageous tales of Scott's favorite stars, hilarious personal anecdotes about his family, attending the Academy Awards and his stint as a judge for the Miss Kentucky Pageant, plus Nevins' infamous show stopping celebrity vocal impressions! Check out www.ScottNevins.com for more info!

Love Makes the World Go ‘Round: An Evening of Song to Help Our Furry Friends

Sat, Nov 27 @ 7pm

$50/$25 cover, visit www.smarttix.com or 212 868 4444

Broadway Concerts Direct is proud to present this special benefit for Zani's Furry Friends, a wonderful animal rescue organization. Hosted by KLea Blackhurst, the following are scheduled to perform: Celia Berk, Phil Geoffrey Bond, Emily Buttner, Len Cariou, Michael Cone, Brian Gari, Anita Gillette, Janice Hall, Dana Lorge, Marilyn Michaels, Tanya Moberly, Marni Nixon, Craig Pomranz, Julie Reyburn & Sarah Rice. Directed by JoAnn Yeoman with Mark Janas & Bill Zeffiro at the piano.

Julie Reyburn: Summer Night... In November

Sun, Nov 28 @ 7pm

$20 cover

2010 MAC and Bistro Award Winner Julie Reyburn in a special encore performance of her new show. Featuring works by Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen, James Taylor, William Finn, Henry Mancini and more, Summer Night weaves an emotional journey with unique interpretation and classic arrangements. Joining her will be Music Director Mark Janas with Ritt Henn on Bass and Walter Usiatynski on Drums. Directed by Lennie Watts and Produced by Jeff Hamblin.

Kyra Selman: Fierce. Vixen. Bitch

Mon, Nov 29 @ 9:30pm

$15 cover

Back by popular demand for one night only! Join performer and former gay lounge bartender Kyra Lorraine Selman as she shares stories and sings about her NYC life with gay men, straight men and everyone in between. Featuring Musical Direction by Mark Fifer and backed by a four piece rock band and singers.