Laurie Beechman News

The Group Theatre Too, along with choreographer, Justin Boccitto and director, Kimberly Vaughn presents the 2013 Broadway Performance Project (BPP), an evening of young, aspiring Broadway bound talent performing on Tuesday, June 11th and Thursday, June 13th, 7:00pm at cabaret hub, The Laurie Beechman Theater. BPP selected twelve participants from among those who auditioned, including: Caitlin Catanella, Melissa Coffey, Isaac Dayley, Kristin Feeney, Anelena Frollini, Billy Hannon, Erica Kimble, Amelia Rose Ortman, Kelly Reader, Daniel Schultz, Alan Simon and Micki Weiner. In preparation for their Beechman performances these artists will have coached with Justin and Kimberly, along with musical director Andrea Grody, and workshopped their songs in an 'in studio' performance class with a panel of industry professionals who include talent manager Naomi Kolstein and casting director Dale Brown. The project also had a successful benefit show last December where they unveiled "The Nicole Fosse Scholarship" and saw performances from Richard Kline, Phillip Boykin, Anita Gillette, Kurt Peterson, Wayne Alan Wilcox, Colleen Zenk, Kevin Spirtas, Raissa Katona Bennett and Sheri Sanders.

Tonight, May 21, composer/lyricist Janine McGuire will present an evening of her original music in 'Let's Make Noise: The Music & Lyrics of Janine McGuire.'

Acclaimed writer/performer Candice Guardino premieres the outrageous Italian Bred Off-Broadway. With this 80 minute one-woman show, Candice slips in and out of characters as she cooks up a full meal of growing up Italian on Staten Island. Special celebrity guest Vincent Pastore recently returned to the stage, and BroadwayWorld has a photo of him in action with Guardino below!

Judy Tenuta is the most famous person who has ever lived...and if you don't believe it, just ask her. Judy's stand-up routine is appropriately described as outrageous, mind-blowing comedy. Her one-woman show promises to be nothing less. In fact, Judy recently became an ordained minister, and has been known to convert her audiences to her own fan based signature religion, 'Judyism.'

The Broadway Dreams Foundation announced their dedication to three educational initiatives that align with their mission and will offer BDF students exciting performance opportunities while also supporting emerging artists and creative projects. The three initiatives include a sophomore album by musical theater songwriter Joey Contreras, the development of a new musical, and a showcase featuring BDF students from across the country at NYC's New World Stages.

Stephen Hanks, BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret columnist and reviewer, has produced and will host Stephen's Angels, a cabaret variety show presented by ScoBar Entertainment and slated for the Iridium Jazz Club tonight, May 14 at 10pm. Stephen's Angels will introduce audiences to six 'smart, sassy, sexy young women, whose singing is sublime.' Five of the six ladies are currently preparing summer or fall cabaret shows for the Metropolitan Room, and one will be launching a CD release show at the Laurie Beechman Theater in June.

Molly 'Equality' Dykeman is a loveable, but barely lucid security guard at PS 339 who dabbles in a bit of poetry, a bit of Percocet and a lot of drink. She may be a foul mouthed, straight talking, lady kissing, mother lover, but she still needs to find a way to pull herself together, overcome bed bugs, love and sissy kids to perform in her first poetry show. Will she succeed? Only Molly can tell...

Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes world premieres, highly-anticipated debuts and the return of many esteemed performers this May and June. Funny girl JULIE KLAUSNER makes her debut with two evenings of cabaret. Legendary downtown performance artist JOHN KELLY returns to premiere Rebel Songs. The 60s-inspired flight attendant PAM ANN returns for five nights in the Cockpit. Elsewhere: Tony Award-winners TONYA PINKINS and LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, Once star CRISTIN MILIOTI, TAYLOR MAC'S epic exploration of popular music, a special appearance from Justin Vivian Bond, JOEY ARIAS, the greatest rapper in the world, CHAMPAGNE JERRY and more. Read on for more May and June cabaret, comedy, Broadway and musical theater highlights at Joe's Pub at The Public.

Two years ago, in my generally favorable review of Pamela Lewis' quirky, if flawed, cabaret show Dog Walking Diva, I went a little bit out on the limb with . . . “She has the potential to be a major cabaret star.” Well, as Lewis (who given her bubbly and bold personality performs under the totally appropriate moniker of “Champagne Pam”) remarked often in her newest show, during which she assessed whether she had yet achieved a list of life goals, that particular observation would have to get a “check.” Because with Daddy's Little Girl, Champagne Pam--who proudly admitted to having reached the Big 4-0--is all grown up as a cabaret performer and should be a member of that rarified group who even a reviewer on a press comp should pay to see and hear.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 12, 2013 - Sunday, May 12, 2013.

Tonight, May 12, composer/lyricist Michael Mott will present an evening of original work, sung by some of Broadway's best and brightest talents in 'Write Now: The Music of Michael Mott.' In addition to Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, NBC's 'Smash'), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), and Ashley Spencer (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rock of Ages), Michael will be joined by Michael Hunsaker (Faustus), Marissa McGowan (A Little Night Music, Bonnie & Clyde), Jacqueline Petroccia (Lincoln Center's Carousel).

She has opened for Lady Gaga, starred in Rent and sung a duet with Idina Menzel, now Australian Idol sensation Courtney Act premieres her newest solo show in New York. Beginning tonight, May 11, the drag star will present COURTNEY ACT: BOYS LIKE ME at The Laurie Beechman Theater.

MargOH! Channing is back with an all new show aptly titled 'MargOH! Sings the Booze' tonight, May 11 at 7:30PM at Dixon Place Lounge, 161A Chrystie Street. The evening is directed by Thom Fogarty.

Ryan Raftery returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre for Ryan Raftery IS BLACK AND BETTER THAN EVER: A CAUCASIAN CELEBRATION OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SONGBOOK! with very special guest Romelda Teron Benjamin (Catch Me if You Can, Bare) and musical direction by Daniel Lincoln. The show will be presented on Wednesday, May 29 and Wednesday, June 26, at 9:30 pm at Laurie Beechman Theatre.

'Champagne Pam' (Pamela Lewis) brings her new show to The Laurie Beechman Theatre. She offers an entertaining inventory of song and story as she checks off the list of a life well lived and loved. Bubbling with a spectrum of sound from contemporary music to jazz, this show is intended to pop with music lovers everywhere and of course, the cabaret devotee. Under the direction of the award-winning Susan Winter, Pamela's sultry, silky voice will be accompanied by a full band including guitarist husband, John Hurley.

On May 6, Broadway came together to support those affected by the Boston Marathon Tragedy at The Laurie Beechman Theatre. Check out photos from inside the concert below!

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday, May 9nd, Broadway Sessions will welcome the 2013 graduating class from Boston Conservatory as well as performances by BoCo alums.

On Tuesday, May 21, composer/lyricist Janine McGuire will present an evening of her original music in 'Let's Make Noise: The Music & Lyrics of Janine McGuire.'

RuPaul's Drag Race favorite Jinkx Monsoon makes her New York debut with the premiere of THE VAUDEVILLIANS, a musical comedy show co-starring composer and musician Richard Andriessen. THE VAUDEVILLIANS will be at The Laurie Beechman Theater (inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street -- at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street). Performances will run July 9 - 26, schedule varies.

"MOLLY POPE, OKAY?" presents the critically-acclaimed neo-retro cabarettist in an intimate evening with you and the music. She plays it fast and loose with a new set list of eclectic songs and madcap antics. Juxtaposing the heyday of mid-century New York City nightlife with a downtown modern sensibility, she tackles material spanning the 20th century with her signature old-school style. She is joined on piano by the brilliant Brian J. Nash. Okay?