Arkin, Naughton, Spencer Set to Go 'Into the Weeds'

The long-running and critically acclaimed musical revue Into the Weeds: The Bill Weeden Songbook continues to play the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café located on 407 West 42nd St. at 9th Ave. The show has "taken root" for the past three months and has been extended through November. 

Into the Weeds, presented by D. Benjamen Brown Productions, has welcomed several-noted Broadway performers as Special Guest Stars during its successful run at the Laurie Beechman Theatre such as Annie Golden, Felicia Finley and Stephanie D'Abruzzo. This Saturday, the cast is proud to showcase Losing Louie star Matthew Arkin. This weekend's performance will also debut a special Halloween song composed by Weeden and new staging by Michael Vaccaro.  Future performances include scheduled appearances by two-time Tony Award winner (Chicago, City of Angels) James Naughton and J. Robert Spencer, star of the current Broadway smash Jersey Boys.

The show "is a fresh and funny celebration of over forty years of music written by quintessential New York City composer/performer Bill Weeden and his many talented collaborators including David Finkle, Sally Fay and Ethan Fein," according to press materials.

The team of Weeden, Finkle and Fay won the 1980 NACCA Award (which later became the MAC) as Best Cabaret Comedy Group.  Their musical Move It and It's Yours was named New Jersey's  "Best New Musical" in 1998.  Several of their songs are featured in Martin Charnin's popular The No-Frills Revue. 

As an actor, Weeden was a member of the final cast of The Fantasticks at the Sullivan Street Playhouse and a veteran of several films, television series and numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions during his extensive career.

The cast, in addition to Weeden and Vaccaro, includes Ted Anderson, Melissa Center, Grey Garrett, Hilary Mann, Kristen Rozanski, John Skocik, Eddie Varley, Amanda Weeden, & John Weisenburger.

Shows are every Saturday at 11 PM through November.  Tickets are $15 and there is a two-drink minimum.  For reservations, call 212-695-6909 between noon and 8 PM. For information, go to www.westbankcafe.com.