Tom Wopat, Elizabeth Stanley, Eric Michael Gillett and More Set for 54 Below, Now thru 3/3

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, including two-time Tony nominee Tom Wopat, Broadway star Elizabeth Stanley, BACKSTAGE award-winning vocalist, director and Broadway actor Eric Michael Gillett, singer/songwriter Tony DeSare, singing sensation Hilary Kole, and multiple award-winner Sarah Rice.

Tom Wopat, Feb. 25 at 7PM:
Broadway audiences adore him for his performances in City of Angels, Guys & Dolls, Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, 42nd Street, Glengarry Glen Ross, A Catered Affair, and Sondheim on Sondheim, among others, but television audiences the world over remember him as Luke Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard! Now, for onevery special encore performance, 54 Below is thrilled to welcome back two-time Tony nominee Tom Wopat to our stage. His distinctive vocals can be heard in venues throughout the country and on an array of CD's, crooning the tunes of Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, and Cole Porter, among others. At 54 Below, listen especially for selections from his forthcoming CD, Consider it Swung! Cover charge: $20-30. $25 food and beverage minimum.

Elizabeth Stanley, Feb. 25 at 9:30PM:
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Elizabeth Stanley burst onto the Broadway stage when she recreated the role of April in the 2006 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company. Since then, she's delighted Broadway audiences in Cry-Baby and Million Dollar Quartet, and her critically-heralded performances off Broadway include The Transport Group's Hello, Again and the Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along. Join Elizabeth this February when she returns to 54 Below for a special, one night only reprise of a show that can only be described as "electric!" Cover charge $20-30. $25 food & beverage minimum.

ERIC Michael GillETT, Feb. 26 & 27 at 7PM:
Award-winning vocalist, director and Broadway actor (The Frogs, Sweet Smell of Success, Kiss Me, Kate) Eric Michael Gillett uses the wit and wisdom of Lorenz Hart to remind us all that, though love can be experienced with abandon, to be careless with the heart can also have a price. George Balanchine called Lorenz Hart the "Shelley of America," his lyrics rank with the greatest romantic poetry of all time. Though he, himself, was unlucky in love, his writing casts a spell that will always survive the test of time, inspiring generations of lovers to come to follow their hearts. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

BACKSTAGE, Feb. 26 at 10:30PM:
Each week, Broadway cast members and audiences alike gather to mix and mingle at 54 Below, Broadway's most intimate haunt, located in the heart of the theatre district. Musical Director Brad Simmons keeps the house jumping from the piano, while host Susie Mosher (the love child of Joanne Worley & Paul Lynde) guides the crowd through an evening of music, mayhem and full throttle belting. Special guests from hit Broadway shows drop in to perform and answer the question on everyone's minds, "what happened in each week to sing everything from Schwartz to Sondheim." You might even get up and sing yourself if you're feeling brave, or brave, or relax with a cocktail and some sliders - the night belongs to you! NPR had this to say "The best thing happening right now might just be the weekly Backstage. Hosted by the ridiculously funny Susie Mosher, with guest host Emily McNamara and pianist Brad Simmons who clearly is the man, it's two feel-good hours among New York's theater people, who seem like they're having a really fine time. Can't recommend it highly enough!" At this weeks Backstage is, Katie Thompson (coming to Broadway, Big Fish), Dani Spieler (from Broadway's Legally Blonde), Kevin Ray (songwriter/ singer), Anne Steel (three-time MAC award winner), Freddie Kimmel (National Tour of Billy Elliot). No cover charge. $20 food & beverage minimum.

Tony DeSare, Feb. 28 at 7PM & Mar. 1 & 2 at 8PM:
Described in The New York Times as "two thirds Frank Sinatra and one third Billy Joel," celebrated singer/songwriter/crooner Tony DeSare is back by popular demand for three special encore performances of the show that drew accolades last October. Backed by a swinging trio, Tony has the capability to glide from a standard by George Gershwin to a contemporary classic by Bruce Springsteen or Journey to one of his inventive original songs with ease. His takes on classic standards and sophisticated original compositions have earned him a reputation as one of the country's hottest young singer/pianists. Tony's sound is romantic, swinging, and sensual, but what sets Tony apart is his ability to write original material that sounds fresh and at the same time blends seamlessly with the Great American Songbook. Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Hilary Kole, Feb. 28 at 9:30PM:
After dazzling 54 Below audiences last August with her sultry vocals and solid jazz chops, Hilary Kole makes a triumphant return for one night only! Presenting a mixture of what Hilary dubs "the new standards," as well as her original tunes, she'll be joined by a stellar five-piece band. Expect class, sass, and more than a little fun from an artist about whom The New York Times declares "her smooth, melodic lines have never been so consistently infused with literary subtext, which spells the difference between sounding pretty, and having something to say." Cover charge $30-40. $25 food & beverage minimum.

Sarah Rice, Mar. 3 at 7PM:
One of the most dazzling and beloved singers on the worldwide cabaret and concert scene today, multiple award winner Sarah Rice brings Glamorous Nights and Careless Rapture - Music of the Era of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and more... to 54 Below in a special one night only performance. Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince chose Sarah to become part of musical theatre history when she was cast as the original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway, for which she won a Theatre World Award and recorded on RCA. This recording won a Grammy for best show album and SWEENEY swept the Tony awards, including best show. Her recording of "Green Finch and Linnet Bird", was recently chosen by Stephen Sondheim to be on a CD of his favorite renditions of his own works, "Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far..." on the Masterworks Broadway/Legacy label. She has since gone on to perform leading soprano and dramatic roles all over the world. An evening to delight the senses, join Sarah as she takes you back in time to an era of glamorous elegance and exquisite beauty, depicted in the film and television classics Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, and more! A match made in musical heaven, celebrating the songs of Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and British Music Hall and more, she is accompanied by Bill Zeffiro, Piano, Maria Banks, Harp, Jonathan Russell, Violin. And maybe she will even play a tune on the theremin! Think evening brandy & tiaras. Dress for dinner! White tie and tails optional.Cover charge $20-30. $25 food & beverage minimum.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (866) 468-7619.

54 BELOW, Broadway's nightclub, is the new performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, 54 BELOW is a classically designed state-of-the art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style.

Designed by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty and architect Richard Lewis, lit by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, and with sound by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, 54 BELOW features an in-your-living-room intimate relationship between its performers and audiences. Tony Award winner Scott Wittman serves as Creative Consultant and MAC Award Winner Phil Geoffrey Bond serves as Director of Programming. André J. Marrero is the Executive Chef of the new venue, which provides a food and beverage menu from early evening through the wee hours of the morning that is worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. Bringing together his love of the arts with his passion for cooking and hospitality, Chef André has created a market driven contemporary bistro menu that includes ingredients sourced from all over the world.

54 BELOW is owned and operated by Tony Award winning producers Tom Viertel, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, and Steven Baruch. 54 BELOW features up to three shows nightly and has audio and video recording capabilities. The cover charge ranges from $5-$85.

54 BELOW is located at 254 West 54th Street. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com.