The Laurie Beechman Theatre Announces December Performances

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 December, 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, Tituss Burgess, Stephanie D;Abruzzo, Nikki Renee Daniels,
Joy Franz, Heather MacRae, Mark Nadler, Marni Nixon, Teri Ralston, Sarah Rice, Joan Rivers, Del Shores & more!

Jana Robbins: Gypsy in My Soul
Wednesday, December 1 @ 7pm
$20 cover
Broadway's Jana Robbins, known for her appearances in front of the footlights (Good News, I Love My Wife, Romance/Romance, Crimes of the Heart, Gypsy, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife) as well as behind as a Producer (Little Women, Ragtime, Through the Night), brings her critically-acclaimed show to the Beechman for one night only. With musical direction by Doyle Newmyer, Robbins reminisces through song about her early years at the Gene Kelly Studio of Dance in Johnstown, PA, through playing the "bump it with a trumpet" stripper Mazeppa while covering Tyne Daly as Mama Rose, which always keeping "a gypsy in her soul!"

A Barkada Christmas: A Benefit Concert
Thursday, December 2 @ 7pm
$20 cover
Broadway Barkada invites you to join us for an evening of holiday cheer as we present a mixture of Christmas classics, Filipino favorites and a whole bunch of Pinoy spirit and love. The perfect way to start the holiday season!

An Old Fashioned Radio Hour
Thursday, December 2 @ 9:30
$10 cover
Join the Readers' Ensemble Company for another trip down memory lane with An Old Fashioned Radio Hour bringing the world of Radio to life for your enjoyment. Featuring members of the Readers' Ensemble Company, with the musical stylings of The Tickled Pinks and Maddy Wyatt Band.

Sondheim Unplugged
Friday, December 3 @ 7pm
$20 cover
Following eight sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED for a ninth installment. Sondheim Unplugged features an array of Broadway and Cabaret's most dynamic performers, celebrating the work of Broadway's most beloved and prolific composer, accompanied by piano only. Joining the cast are three special guests, all of whom originated roles in Sondheim musicals: Joy Franz (Into the Woods), Teri Ralston (Company, A Little Night Music), and Sarah Rice (Sweeney Todd). Also included in the cast: Lisa Asher, Tony nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo, David Brian Colbert, David Gurland, Rob Maitner, Kevin Michael Murphy, Mark Nadler, Marni Nixon, Leenya Rideout, Julie Reyburn, Bruce Sabath and Jessica Vosk.

Boylesque
Fridays, December 3, 10, 17 @ 10pm
$18 in advance/$20 at the door
Visit www.spincyclenyc.com or call 212 352 3101
The people who brought you such fine theatrical fare as Sock Puppet Showgirls, Facts of Life: The Lost Episode, The Golden Girls musical Thank You For Being A Friend and Whatever Happened to Busty Jane? proudly present the World Premiere of BOYLESQUE. This unauthorized parody of the Cher/Christina Aguilera film Burlesque marks the first time in history that a parody has opened before its original source material. BOYLESQUE stars Mimi Imfurst (The Diary of Anne Frankenstein, Facts of Life: The Lost Episode), Kitty Hiccups, Blackie O., Jake Lemmenes (Twist, Thank You For Being A Friend), Matthew Brown (3boys at FringeNYC), Alex Engquist (3boys at FringeNYC) and a special guest star nightly.

Kevin McMullan: Twist of Fate
Saturday, December 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!

Sue & Edd's Fabulous Christmas Show
Saturday, December 4 @ 7pm
$20 cover
Sue Matsuki is a little bit jazzy, Edd Clark a little bit legit - and this award winning duo is bringing their annual Christmas show to back to the Laurie Beechman! The show features great arrangements of familiar holiday tunes, and new songs that will become holiday classics. There's even a new song by Sue and Paul Stephan.

Story of Soul: Songs by Lori & Joel
Sunday, December 5 @ 4pm
$5 cover
The incomparable duo of Mannette and Waggoner are back in action, working on several new projects following the successful recording of Carolina Breeze, their first project together. Come hear new material (and some old favorites!) sung by your favorite vocalists.

Christine Pedi: There's No Bizness Like Snow Bizness
Sunday, December 5 @ 7pm
Mondays, December 6, 20 @ 7pm
Sunday, Dec 19 @ 4pm
Monday, December 13 @ 9:30pm
Dec 26 -30 @ 7pm
$40 cover, visit Ticket Central at www.tickets.ticketcentral.com or call 212 279 4200
Long time Forbidden Broadway Diva Christine Pedi sings songs about and made famous by the great ladies of the stage, screen and beyond. With comic flair & warm appreciation she conjures up Merman, Minnelli, Streisand, Liza, Julie Andrews and more as well as classic tunes first popularized by many a great dame (real or imagined).

Tituss & Nikki Renee: Home for the Holidays
Sunday, December 5 @ 9:30pm
$15 cover
Join Broadway's Tituss Burgess (Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys) and Nikki Renee Daniels (Promises, Promises, Aida, Les Miserables) as they join together in song to usher in the holiday season. The evening promises to put you in the festive spirit with heartwarming and classic songs sung by two of Broadway's most soulful and beautiful voices.

The Dude's Cancer-Crushing Concert of Emerging Composers
Monday, Dec 6 @ 9:30pm
$20 cover
Featuring new work from Miller & Tysen, Keith Carney, Adam Gwon and Waldrop & Williamson.

Joan Rivers
Wed, Dec 8 @ 8pm
Tue, Dec 14 @ 8pm
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.

Del Shores: Sordid Confessions

Thur, Dec 9 @ 7:30pm

Fri, Dec 10 @ 7:30pm

Sun, Dec 12 @ 7:30pm

$22 cover - visit www.spincycle.com or call 212 352 3101

Del Shores, creator of the cult favorite TV series Sordid Lives (starring Olivia Newton-John, Rue McClanahan, Leslie Jordan and Caroline Rhea), brings his hilarious standup back to New York City. Whether he's recalling details of his "slut" years or calling out the people he's worked with, there is no subject off-limits. "Del says what most people think. He has no censor -- on or offstage. Audiences love him because of his ‘bless-their-hearts' Texas charm," explains Caroline Rhea. "Look, I'm on Paxil and I don't give a sh*! anymore," Shores warns.

 

Is This Seat Taken?: The Music of Cody Owen Stein

Thur, Dec 9 @ 9:30pm

$10 cover

An evening of musical theater songs by up-and-coming composer/lyricist Cody Owen Stine, including his wildly popular bawdy/risqué/suggestive (O.K., filthy) cabaret songs written for Delilah Dix and Her Bag of Tricks. Special appearance by Delilah! Plus, a cast of Broadway performers debut never-before-heard excerpts from Cody's full-length musicals-in-progress.

Kiara Duran: Minestrone Con Arepas

Saturday, December 11 @ 1pm

$12 cover

Kiara Duran's New York City Cabaret Debut at The Laurie Beechman Theatre! A personal and poignant look at American and Latin cultures from the outside looking in and from the inside looking out. This charming afternoon cabaret features out-of-print musical theatre tunes, contemporary musical theatre and pop songs, Venezuelan and Italian folk music and Kiara's original songs. Kids are welcome. One performance only. www.kiaraduran.com.

Adrienne Haan

Saturday, Dec 11 @ 4pm

$20 cover

Held over engagement! Young European rising star Adrienne Haan won the Nightclub Award for Best Performing Artist in Paris, France in January 2010. Berlin, Mon Amour is a passionate, theatrical chanson voyage through the 20th Century. Dive into the bizarre and decadent world of the Weimar Republic, learn about the women's movement and the liberation of the gays in 1920s Germany, listen to melancholy Klezmer as well as passionate melodies of French chansonniers Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf, performed in German, English, French and Yiddish.

Mimi Imfurst: A Very Mary Christmas 2 You, Too

Saturday, Dec 11 @ 7:30pm

$20 cover

Visit www.spincyclenyc.com or call 212 353 3101

The Virgin Mary returns for her 5th annual holiday show, featuring drag star Mimi Imfurst, (who is slated to be a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3), as the Blessed Mother, along with some very special guests. Over 2000 years ago in the little hillside town of Bethlehem a miraculous birth occurred. You might think you know the real story, but you don't. Jesus' mother sets the record straight with this boozy, Vegas-style musical retelling of the birth and life of the young Jesus Christ. This inspiring holiday show features original music, plus so-wrong-it's-right parodies of holiday favorites and Top 40 hits by the likes of Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna and the more-famous Madonna. And this year, Mary will finally reveal a deep, dark secret she has been keeping... one that may change the holidays forever!

Le Scandal Cabaret
Saturday, Dec 11 @ 10:30pm
$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.

Manhattan Cabaret Arts: Six in the City

Sunday, Dec 12 @ 1pm

$15 cover

Manhattan Cabaret Arts proudly presents Six in the City showcasing six sexy and funny women including Kirstin Cole, Dale Rutkin, Riana Hershenfeld, Magee Hickey, Donna Hayes and Jane Deeken in their own three song set. Expect a candid and energetic afternoon of show stoppers. Directed by Night Life Award winner Collette Black with musical direction by Obie Award winner, Norma Jeanne Curley.

Stephanie Baldwin Sings Stage to Screen

Sunday, Dec 12 @ 4pm

$12 cover

Baldwin explores how musicals transfer between the Broadway stage and the silver screen. Stephanie celebrates the voices, faces and sometimes the voices behind the faces of favorite movie musicals. MAC Award winners Eric Michael Gillett and Tracy Stark are director and musical director, respectively. See more at stephaniebaldwin.net.

Kellen & Joe's Christmastime Show

Sun, Dec 12 @ 9:30pm

$5 cover

A fun, funny and tuneful evening featuring the work of new musical theatre writers Joe Kinosian & Kellen Blair, with a host of Broadway guest performers, a sense of holiday magic and a whole lotta self-deprecation!

Cabaret Cares featuring the cast of Broadway's Mary Poppins
Sun, Dec 13 @ 7pm
$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. Tonight features the cast of Broadway's Mary Poppins.

Jackie Beat's All-You-Can-Eat Christmas!
Thursday, Dec 16 @ 7:30pm
Fri, Dec 17 @ 7:30
Sat, Dec 18 @ 7:30 & 10:30pm
Sun, Dec 19 @ 7:30pm
$20 cover, visit www.spincyclenyc.com or call 212 353 3101
Jackie Beat, everyone's favorite drag Grinch, returns to NYC for her 13th annual holiday show. Beginning December 16th, the self-professed bastard child of "Weird" Al Yankovic and Bette Midler will premiere this new show on our stage. Note: advance purchase highly
recommended; Beat has sold out every holiday show in the last 9 years. Jackie Beat's All-You-Can-Eat Christmas is a comedy and music smorgasbord of deliciously blackened holiday classics mixed with a heapin' helpin' of hammy new material. The forked-tongue drag superstar carves up sacred holiday standards and current pop turkeys with her knife-sharp wit and serves them up with style at this buffet of tasteless entertainment. Who cares if we're still at war and the unemployment rate is sky-high? The only question you need to ask yourself around this time of year is, "Breast or a leg?" (and with Jackie Beat, there's no need to choose!) www.jackiebeatrules.com.

Seeking Savage Love

Thursday, December 16 @ 10pm

Thursdays, December 23 @ 30 @ 9:30pm

$15 in advance, $20 at the door cover

When it comes to sex, where do you turn when you're in need of a logical opinion that spares your dignity without sacrificing your anonymity? For three nights only we create the love child of film, stage, and pop culture. Inspired by America's Favorite Sex Columnist, Dan Savage. Go ahead spice up your holiday season with Seeking Savage Love!

Stearns Matthews: This Will Be...

Saturday, Dec 18 @ 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.

Manhattan Cabaret Arts: It's a Mad Men World: Songs from the early 60's

Sunday, December 19 @ 1pm

$15 cover

Manhattan Cabaret Arts proudly presents It's A Mad Men World: songs from the early sixties featuring Stephen Hanks, Deb Stein, Pro Bose, Karen Gross, Eric Estrada and Jackie Kristel in an afternoon of pop favorites from 1961 to 1965. Enjoy this fast paced tribute inspired by television's Mad Men. Beautiful harmonies and arrangements by MAC/Bistro Award winner Tracy Stark. Directed by Night Life award winner Collette Black.

Marya Grandy: Clean Slate
Monday, Dec 20 @ 9:30pm
$10 cover
Marya Grandy (Les Miserables, The Great American Trailer Park Musical) makes her solo debut at the Beechman, sharing the stage with her musical alter egos, including Rocker Chick, R&B Diva and Redneck Woman. Pick your favorite or collect ‘em all!

The Big Holiday Special
Tue, Dec 21 @ 7pm
$25 cover
Mark Nadler, Heather MacRae, Marta Sanders, Jamison Stern and Tanya Holt spin the holiday standards in all different directions in this merriest of winter-fests. Exploring every element of the holiday season from TV specials to Christmas parties and, yes, even those horrible memories of the Christmases we DIDN'T get our heart's desire! This show is at times hysterically funny, at times deeply moving and always joyously musical; it will leave you with a warm glow that will last long after the Holiday season has come and past.

Brent Barrett: Christmas Mornings
Tue, Dec 21 @ 10:30pm
$25 cover
Broadway favorite Brent Barrett, fresh from his run as Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago, makes his Beechman debut with Christmas Mornings, a show based on his CD of the same name. Expect tunes ranging from Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Winter Wonderland to creative arrangements of I'll Be Home for Christmas/A Place Called Home and Christmas Waltz/It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Barrett's Broadway credits include Annie Get Your Gun, Grand Hotel, Dance a Little Closer, West Side Story and Candide.

Craig Stevens' Christmas Pageant
Wed, Dec 22 @ 7pm
$10 cover
Meet Craig Stevens: he's fierce and collects show posters. Meet his "girlfriend," Janine: she recently came back from Scotland where she studied Shakespeare and Brigadoon. Recent graduates of Virginia's prestigious Tidewater Community College, these love birds have moved up to the city in hopes of making it on Broadway. Hailed as "the most clueless boy in New York" by Gawker.com, Craig and Janine are coming to you live, teaching you and some Broadway guest stars how to celebrate the holidays properly, here in the city of New York City!

Darren Williams: Not the Boy Next Door: The Peter Allen Story
Wed, Dec 22 @ 9:30pm
$20 cover
Australian Variety Entertainer of the Year Darren Williams returns to New York with his critically acclaimed show celebrating the life and music of the man who inspired the musical The Boy From Oz. From Arthur's Theme to I Honestly Love You, Don't Cry Out Loud and I Go to Rio, Darren explores the songbook of fellow Aussie Entertainer Peter Allen, but very much in his own award winning style.

Christmas on the (L)edge!
Thur, Dec 23 @ 7pm
$15 cover
An evening filled with songs of the season, and some seasoning with songs. Featuring performances by: Tricia Towey, Lexi Lowell, Lizzy Miller, Cait Murphy, Maggie Rhatigan, Dan Moore, Kyle Doherty, Mike D'Agastino, James Peterson. Corinne Colgan and Mary DeBorger. Musical direction by A. Michael Tilford, concieved and directed by Eileen Tracy.