James Donegan News

New York Theatre Barn (The Barn) will present readings of its original commission Small Town Story today, November 13th at 2pm and tomorrow, November 14th at 1pm at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Playwrights Horizons (416 W. 42nd St.).

New York Theatre Barn (The Barn) will present readings of its original commission Small Town Story on November 13th at 2pm and November 14th at 1pm at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Playwrights Horizons (416 W. 42nd St.).

Muse Match, an evening that seeks to answer the question, 'What happens when 15 composers go on a musical theater-blind date with 15 singers?,' will be presented tonight, October 24 2014, at 11:30 PM at 54 Below.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Muse Match, an evening that seeks to answer the question, 'What happens when 15 composers go on a musical theater-blind date with 15 singers?,' will be presented Friday October 24 2014, at 11:30 PM at 54 Below.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming events:

This October and November 54 BELOW presents a lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

THE SONGWRITERS' SALON, produced by Write Act Rep, John Lant Producing Artistic Director, and conceived and Directed by Colton Pometta, is a cabaret series that will feature 3-5 musical theatre composers and lyricists on the first Thursday of each month. It's a casual and open playground for artists to meet and share new work.

Greed: A Musical for Our Times, written by Michael Roberts and directed by Christopher Scott with music direction & arrangements by Steven Gross, will end its Off-Broadway, open-ended premiere engagement at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street) on Saturday April 19th. Greed: A Musical for Our Times is presented Off-Broadway by Eric Krebs.

Greed: A Musical for Our Times, written by Michael Roberts and directed by Christopher Scott with music direction & arrangements by Steven Gross, will begin its Off-Broadway, open-ended premiere engagement at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for April 3rd. Greed: A Musical for Our Times is presented Off-Broadway by Eric Krebs.

GREED: A Musical for Our Times will run off-Broadway at New World Stages, beginning previews tonight, March 19, 2014.

GREED: A Musical for Our Times will run off-Broadway at New World Stages, beginning previews on March 19, 2014.

Greed: A Musical for Our Times, written by Michael Roberts and directed by Christopher Scott with music direction & arrangements by Steven Gross, will begin its Off-Broadway, open-ended premiere engagement on March 19th at New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for April 3rd. Greed: A Musical for Our Times is presented Off-Broadway by Eric Krebs.

GREED: A Musical for Our Times will have its debut production by The Tank, Ltd from tonight, January 17 through February 5, 2014.

What do Jamie Dimon, Pope Francis, Lance Armstrong, Chico Marx, and A-Rod all have in common? They will be sharing the stage, nightly, starting January 18th on West 46th Street.

GREED: A Musical for Our Times will have its debut production by The Tank, Ltd from January 17 through February 5, 2014. With book, music, and lyrics by Michael Roberts, GREED's exploits range from the outrageous Ponzi scheme of 1910 to the subtle sales pitches of retirement planners and mortgage bundlers. With songs like "A Little Juice," "Inside Information," and "The Ballad of Jamie Dimon," GREED takes aim at the obvious, and not so obvious, targets.

Bucquisto: The Bar Mitzvah Concert, an evening celebrating the 13th anniversary of the songwriting team of Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto, will be presented tonight, June 17 at The Duplex.

Bucquisto: The Bar Mitzvah Concert, an evening celebrating the 13th anniversary of the songwriting team of Sammy Buck and Daniel S. Acquisto, will be presented June 17 at The Duplex.

On Wednesday, June 5, Fundamental Theatre Project will present Benjamin Button - A New Musical, as a part of Mass Rhetoric: A New Works Festival. With music by Natalie Tenenbaum and a book and lyrics by Brett Boles, the project will be directed by Stephen Nachamie and will feature Daniel Reichard, Melissa van der Schyff, Hunter Herdlicka, T.J. Mannix, James Donegan, Mark Willis Borum, Lauren Downie, Isabel Nesti, Lindsay Gallagher, Sena Lee, Alysia Dorhout, Heath Chaney, Chris Withers, Xalvador Tin-Bradbury and Mark DiConzo.

Unless the host is particularly warm, funny, and charismatic (think Dana Lorge and her new monthly vehicle at the Metropolitan Room) or the show is a way to champion a good cause (like Joseph Macchia's Cabaret Cares events), for the most part cabaret variety shows are clunky affairs which can be too long, too rambling, give too much time to average talent or not enough of a showcase to outstanding talent. I ran into one of the rare exceptions last month (April 23) in the form of the The Concerts for City Greens' First Annual Gala & 2012 Songwriting Contest Finale, a variety show at the Laurie Beechman Theatre that served as a fund raiser for the launch of a new non-profit called Music and Art for Green which will incorporate Concerts for City Greens within its umbrella.