Laurie Beechman News

In anticipation of his July 7th concert at the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with Shakina Nayfack, an actress appearing in the upcoming NYMF production of Noemi de la Peunte, David Davila, and Howard Post's Manuel Versus the Statue of Liberty (July 21-27).

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents "The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul" -- A New Musical in Concert on Friday August 7, 2015 at 11:30 PM.  Part memory play, part gin-soaked vaudeville, "The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul" is a fictionalized, hyper-theatrical imagining of the lives and adventures of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda -- an evening in which two tragic, larger-than-life icons of a bygone era finally get to tell their story.

Jason Gotay, Lauren "Lolo" Pritchard, Brandon Ellis, Natalie Weiss, and More Sing 'Zack Zadek at 54 Below' on Monday, June 29th at 9:30pm.

In anticipation of his concert at the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with Jen Bender, NYMF's Director of Programming and Artists Services.

Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera gets its NY premiere as it kicks-off the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) this July. Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera has a concept, book and lyrics by Elizabeth Searle, music by Michael Teoli, and will be directed by David Alpert (If/ Then), with musical direction by Henry Aronson (Rock of Ages), and choreography by Marc Kimelman (A Bronx Tale). Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera will play at the PTC Performing Space (555 West 42nd St.) from July 9 - July 16, 2015.

 ARE YOU THERE, MORGAN FREEMAN?, a new song cycle extravaganza written and performed by Brittany Velotta, will be presented in the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

MOLLY POPE -- brassy belter/whiskey guzzler/benevolent lunatic -- will continue her acclaimed concert series on Friday, July 10, following her recent acclaimed Off Broadway performances in Found at the Atlantic Theater Company and Horseplay, or the Fickle Mistress at La MaMa ETC / Theatre Askew.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series, in association with Jacob Langfelder, is excited to announce that "Love Me: Downtown and Downunder - A Pride Celebration" will take place on the historic music stage on this Sunday, June 28 at 10:30pm.

This Thursday, June 25th, Broadway Sessions will celebrate 7 years of weekly programming with a special all star concert featuring past Sessions guests.

What happens when three Broadway titans come together for a one-night-only, pull-out-all-the-stops spectacle? We don't know either, but three soon-to-be sensations are ready to take the stage, giving you a taste of future stardom! See it happen this Sunday, June 28, 2015 at 9:30pm at the Laurie Beechman Theater (407 W. 42nd Street New York, NY 10036).

Seattle drag artists Jinkx Monsoon (Jerick Hoffer) and Major Scales (Richard Andriessen) have been added to Seattle Rep's 2015-2016 season, bringing their new holiday show Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: Unwrapped to the Leo K. Theatre in November 2015.

In anticipation of his own concert at the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with the artist Charlie Johnson, who's making his directorial debut at NYMF.

Structure! The Musical, or Everything You Need To Know About Musicals You Can Learn From Star Wars**, the writing seminar taught by award-winning librettist and screenwriter Sammy Buck, will be offered today at 3pm and again at 7pm.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre will celebrate the 100th performance by RuPaul's Drag Race favorite Jinkx Monsoon and her cohort Major Scales tonight, June 19th. The evening will feature a pre-show unveiling of a special hand-painted outdoor mural on the front of the building and a post-performance champagne toast.

HEADVOICE, a new musical featuring book, music and lyrics by Ethan Andersen, will be presented in the 2015 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in association with Tomorrow's Child, Inc. & Actors' Playhouse Productions presents REAL MEN, a musical for guys and the women who put up with them with book, music and lyrics by Paul Louis and Nick Santa Maria. David Arisco directs a cast of three, including Paul Louis (Regional: Little Shop; Spamalot), Nick Santa Maria (Bway: Grease, The Producers) and Stephen G. Anthony (Bway: Hank Williams, Lost Highway). Real Men, A Musical for Guys and the Women Who Put Up With Them is being staged at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street (bet. 9th & 10th Avenues) in NYC for five performances from Monday, July 13 through Monday, July 20, 2015. *Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.

Cardinal Theatricals has announced that casting is complete for the Off Broadway premiere of Mrs. Smith's Broadway Cat-tacular!, an all-singing, all-dancing 'demented cabaret on acid,' created and performed by New York based writer/actor and performance artist David Hanbury. Joining Mrs. Smith onstage will be her two 'Broadway Boys' Brandon Haagenson and Ken Lear. Directed by Andrew Rasmussen, performances will begin on Friday, July 10th at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street - between 8th & 9thAvenue). Opening Night is set for Monday, July 20th at 7:30pm. Performances will continue through September 20th.

Bistro Award winning and MAC Award nominated singer-songwriter Nathan Chang returns to the cabaret scene with a brand new show, NAILING IT! (SONGS AND STORIES OF NAILS AND FAILS) which will premiere at the Laurie Beechman Theatre tonight, June 16th at 7pm.

Tim Realbuto's 'Live In Living Color', a benefit concert honoring Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, which was cancelled last Tuesday due to an electrical issue at the venue has been rescheduled for Monday, June 15th at 9:30 PM.

Broadway star (Pippin, Wicked, Next to Normal, Xanadu), passionate masterclass instructor and co-star on the hit TV series Nashville, Kyle Dean Massey will hold an exclusive masterclass for local performers.