Amy Oestreicher Comes to STAGE 72 in June

Following a sold-out run last fall, next month at STAGE 72 (158 West 72nd Street) the incredibly talented and inspirational Amy Oestreicher will bring her hit cabaret Gutless & Grateful back to NYC with performances on 6/16 at 3pm and 6/24 at 7pm. In this moving and entertaining evening of song, performer Amy Oestreicher weaves her near death experience and unique personal story with an eclectic set of songs, highlighting the disappointments, struggles, triumphs and humor in her life. It will also have two performances in CT at the Bijou Theatre on 6/1 at 8pm and 6/2 at 2pm and a special one-night performance at the Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts on 7/16 at 8pm as a part of Tony Award-winner William Finn's Cabaret Series.

Gutless & Grateful: A Second Helping will take audiences on a musical journey of hope, determination, and perseverance as Amy Oestreicher shares her gratitude, her strength and her beautiful voice with the world. The show was Created/Conceived by Amy Oestreicher and is Co-written and Co-directed by Amy Oestreicher and Jerold Goldstein. The show also features the song "Still Alive" which was written for Amy by acclaimed composer David Friedman with lyrics by TV personality and lyricist Kathie Lee Gifford.

Growing up, theatre was Amy's entire universe. She trained and performed professionally as a child and a teenager, but in April of her senior year of high school, everything changed. Amy abruptly developed a blood clot, her stomach exploded in the operating room of the hospital, and after both her lungs collapsed, she nearly died. After waking up from a coma months later covered in tubes, bags, and drains, she was told she had no stomach anymore and couldn't eat or drink and nobody could tell her if she ever would be able to again. Three years and 24 surgeries later, Amy's digestive system was miraculously reconstructed and she could begin putting her life back together.

Even with bags leaking, machines beeping, and her planned life on hold, Amy never wanted to feel like a "patient" or a "victim" - rather than mourn her hunger, she started a chocolate business, a food blog, learned karate, starred in musicals, put up three art shows, and taught nursery school. She learned not to take anything for granted - like the first time she could sip water in three years.

Songs will include "Just Around the Riverbend," "You There in the Back Row," "Food Glorious Food," "What About Today," "Still Alive" by David Friedman and Kathie Lee Gifford and "Corner" by Amy Oestreicher. The evening will feature a four-piece band led by Jerold Goldstein on piano, Jim Bannow on drums, and Amy's brother Matt Oestreicher on guitar. Matt also plays in the band at The Apollo every week.

Gutless & Grateful: A Second Helping will perform at STAGE 72 (158 West 72nd Street) with performances on6/16 at 3pm and 6/24 at 7pm. Tickets are $10 plus a two-drink minimum and can be purchased online atwww.STAGE72.com.