Shayna Steele Ars Nova Broadway Spotlight Jan. 10

Ars Nova continues the third season of its acclaimed Broadway Spotlight series with Hairspray's Shayna Steele. Throughout her musical journey, Steele has kept her roots firmly planted in her love for R&B and Soul. Continuing her collaboration with musical director David Cook, Steele and her band will rock the Nova serving up original music, including songs from her self-released six-song EP. Also with Errol Cooney, Justin Johnston and Adam Roberts. Monday, January 10th at 8 PM at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street, just west of 10th Ave.).

Shayna Steele was cast to be the first replacement in the history of the Broadway production of Rent at the age of 20. Instead of singing the kind of songs that producers have heard over and over from behind the table, Shayna gave them a taste of her own soul and personality – and humor – by singing the theme song from the TV show "The Jeffersons," "Movin' On Up," which became somewhat of an audition legend. Steele was selected as the replacement over hundreds of other auditioners. Broadway credits also include Jesus Christ Superstar and her current featured vocal performance in the smash hit Hairspray. As a songwriter, Steele has worked with some heavyweight musician/writers over the past six years, including recordings in the last few months with Moby (his upcoming album) and David Liang (Carl Thomas). Her collaboration with David Cook has resulted in her eponymous debut recording, a self-released six-song EP.

David Cook is currently the Musical Director and keyboardist for Jive Recording Artist JC Chasez, a member of the multi-platinum selling pop group *NSYNC. He met Chasez as keyboardist for *NSYNC. Cook has also recorded and performed with Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Richard Marx, The Miami Sound Machine, Samantha Mumba, Nelly, and pop sensation Britney Spears, among others.

Cook is a founding member of the Detroit jazz quintet Urban Transport, fast becoming known as one of the more exciting original jazz groups in the Motor City. Cook's self-produced debut solo release, "Green," features him on acoustic piano and Hammond Organ, showcasing his musical versatility, with jazz, fusion and gospel inspired original compositions, along with several innovative versions of popular standards. Cook performs regularly in jazz venues around the New York City area with bandleaders Chris Bergson, Michael Blanco and Sunny Jain, and saxophonists Seamus Blake and John Ellis.

Broadway Spotlight brings bright new stars of the Great White Way to the intimate theater at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Curated by Gordon Greenberg, last season's Broadway Spotlight kicked off with Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and included Megan Hilty (Wicked) and Barrett Foa (Avenue Q). This wildly successful monthly event has previously hosted Broadway notables such as John Tartaglia, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Julia Murney and Billy Porter.

Upcoming Spotlights include:

Michael Benjamin Washington (La Cage Aux Folles)
Monday, 2/7 @ 8 PM

KATE REINDER (Good Vibrations)
Monday, 3/7 @ 8 PM

Joe Cassidy (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)
Monday, 4/4 @ 8 PM

Ticket & Schedule Information

BROADWAY SPOLIGHT: Shayna Steele performs Monday, January 10th at 8 PM. Tickets are $15. To purchase, call SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or go to www.SmartTix.com. Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th Street, just west of 10th Ave. Subway: C, E, to 50th Street, N, R, Q, W to 57th Street, or 1, 9 to Columbus Circle. Beer, wine and refreshments are available at the bar.

Ars Nova was built in the memory of Gabe Wiener to provide artists a space to develop and perform new works in an intimate audience setting. Ars Nova produces theater, comedy and music events, making premium live entertainment accessible to a New York audience at affordable prices. Ars Nova offers a free play reading series (Out Loud), an alternative music and comedy series (Thursdays at 10), a musical theater series (Broadway Spotlight), a singer/songwriter series (Uncharted) and in-house writers' workshops. For more information, visit www.arsnovanyc.com.