Student Blog: 54 Below
When Finals Week Chaos Meets a Sold Out Show…
The semester ended, and I hopped on a train to New York City. With sheet music in my hands and showtunes in my earbuds, I was ready for my 54 Below debut.
54 Below is a renowned Broadway-themed music venue in Midtown Manhattan, specializing in cabaret-style shows. I had dreamed of performing at the venue, having watched countless YouTube videos of my idols singing there. I could only imagine the elegant grand piano, the wine-colored walls, and the golden 54 Below plaque. I immediately said yes when my roommate asked me to be a part of the show she was producing.
.jpeg)
The title of her show was Plot Drivers: Villains Across Musical Theatre. We asked the question, "Are these famous villains really as bad as they seem?" Songs ranged from “Feed Me Seymore” to “No One Mourns the Wicked.” I sang “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” from Company, and “Joanna Quartet” from Sweeney Todd. Learning these particular Sondheim pieces was definitely a challenge, especially in the midst of finals week. Thankfully, the curriculum at my school has given me the tools to put a piece on its feet, even with little rehearsal time.
Rehearsing at a studio in NYC the day before the show was the first time I saw the full cast and band together in one place. Was it nerve-racking? Maybe a little, but we made it work. The band, being from Berklee, was full of talented musicians, and us singers knew exactly how to blend with each other. Hearing everyone else’s solos, duets, and trios was both inspiring and reassuring. We had a show!
The next day was our sound check. At 1 pm, I stepped foot into the venue for the first time. I fell in love with it. I felt like I was transported to a cozy jazz supper club from the 1920s. My castmates’ smiling faces lit up the room. As we sang through our first number, “Bells of Notre Dame,” the acoustics gave us all goosebumps. My adrenaline in anticipation of the show was already pumping.
After rehearsal, it was time for some adventures in New York! First, I rushed to my friend’s apartment to film a self tape. Then, I walked around Central Park with other friends who are also in the 54 Below show, randomly running into a few people we knew. We bought matching jellycats before heading to dinner in the West Village. Having just finished finals week. I had little to no time to actually relax and enjoy time with friends, so this was a much-needed chance to unwind and recharge.
Finally, it was time to prepare for the night show. I took a steamy hot shower. I warmed up my voice again. I got my playlist running to hype myself up. Then, I headed over to the venue for our 8 p.m. call time.
In the buzzing green room, I ran through my pieces quietly. For “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” the other two girls had just learned the song, so we gathered in a trio, hurriedly singing through the beast of a song and quizzing each other on the lyrics. We were determined to get our harmonies tight and align with each other perfectly. Another cast member mentioned that we looked like we were witches summoning a spirit.
Next came taking pictures in front of the iconic 54 Below media wall. As the house opened, whispers of a sold out show flooded the dressing rooms. Soon enough, it was 9:30 p.m., and time to start the show. I was delightfully surprised to see the venue filled with a fashionable audience eager to watch us. I stepped onstage, felt the lights on my face, and let the excitement from the performance carry me through the night. The show flew by in a blur of music, laughter, and applause.
Afterwards, my castmates and I were on a post-performance high. Audience members congratulated us, and the staff even told our music director that it was one of their favorite shows they had seen there! It was an unforgettable night.
Videos
