Laurie Beechman News

Eva Kantor, 2012 MetroStar Finalist, will bring her first solo show 'The Way I Am' to The Laurie Beechman Theatre, tonight, March 29-April 21, 2013, directed by Eric Michael Gillett, with musical direction by Don Rebi and produced by Cookie Stark.

Starring four-time Tony nominated Tovah Feldshuh and others, SHOWSTOPPERS! Spring Awakenings celebrates the talents and achievements of the AEA Scholarship Program students. Joining the Broadway stars on the bill is scholarship success story, Stephen Mitchell Brown, making his Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde this April.

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 May 11, the drag star will present COURTNEY ACT: BOYS LIKE ME at The Laurie Beechman Theater.

BEN RIMALOWER: "PATTI ISSUES" - the hit solo play hailed as "ecstatically vivid" by The New York Times and praised for its "wit, feeling and conviction" by Time Out New York - has announced a sixth extension after more rave reviews and a host of awards. The show will now run through June 29 at The Duplex in the West Village. Since "PATTI ISSUES" opened in August, it has become a must-see show on the downtown theater scene, garnering great word-of-mouth from attendees such as Alan Cumming, Michael Kors, Justin Vivian Bond, Tonya Pinkins, Perez Hilton and Ms. LuPone herself ("I was moved," she said. "He's a very talented man and I'm so proud of him.") Included as "Best New York Theater of 2012," The Advocate called the show "smart, poignant and dishy as hell," while it was dubbed "pithy and unforgettable" by The Huffington Post and "a very fierce comedy" by BroadwayWorld.com. "PATTI ISSUES" received a special Bistro Award for solo play in March and just won the MAC Award for "Male Debut." The show will be performed in Berkeley, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles between March 26 and March 30. BEN RIMALOWER: "PATTI ISSUES" is directed by Aaron Mark (Another Medea with Tom Hewitt, Random Unrelated Projects).

PANDORA BOXX, a favorite contestant from RuPaul's Drag Race, will present the New York premiere of her solo comedy. Beginning May 24, the beloved comedienne will present PANDORA BOXX: LICK THIS BOXX! at The Laurie Beechman Theater (inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street at Ninth Avenue.

"Gravy", described as a one woman tour de force written and directed by Dana Tarantino will run at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in the Westbank Cafe for a limited engagement from April 25 thru 28. Angela C. Vuolo is producer. The cast includes Marianne Ferrari and Chandler Bishop.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs has just announced the winners of the 2013 MAC Awards, which were presented last night at the 27th Annual MAC Awards Show. The awards ceremony was held at B.B. King Blues Club, and the show was directed by Lennie Watts and produced by Julie Miller. Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Tom Wopat and Penny Fuller. The Board of Directors Award was presented to 54 Below, and a special award was presented in memory of Ruth Kurtzman. The Hanson Award was presented to Elaine St. George. The show was hosted by KT Sullivan, with music direction by Tracy Stark, and stage management by Amy Wolk.

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 Today, March 21st, Broadway Sessions will celebrate Broadway Best Friends Eric Sciotto and Kirsten Wyatt.

After a successful sold-out show at the Laurie Beechman Theater, playwright/songwriter, David Davila and friends came back to rock Stage 72 at the Triad with more fun songs about love, sex, strippers, and following your dreams. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

Liz Larsen serenaded Michael Einfeld with 'You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)' from THE HONEYMOON EXPRESS at Broadway Sessions on January 29th, 2013. Watch her sing 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, March 21st, Broadway Sessions will celebrate Broadway Best Friends Eric Sciotto and Kirsten Wyatt.

Alexis Field recently appeared as Diwata in the 4th Wall Theatre production of Speech And Debate. She has appeared Off-Broadway in Angelina Ballerina (Union Square Theatre) and Scenes From The Staten Island Ferry (McGinn/Cazale Theatre). Additional credits include Temping The Musical, The Spitfire Grill, and the world premiere adaptation of Tartuffe by Connie Congdon. Alexis has previously appeared at Joe's Pub, Le Poisson Rouge, and the Metropolitan Club.

Karen Gross-Philadelphia's celebrated cabaret singer, songwriter, and comedienne who recently put down roots in New York City-will debut her all-new show 'Cabaret Mixtape' at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the premier cabaret venue The Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Aves.), New York City, NY.

The Amanda McBroom Project: 1 Great Songwriter, 4 Magical Nights, 30 Incredible Women! played the Laurie Beechman Theatre on March 8, 9 and 15, and continues tonight, March 16 at 7pm. BroadwayWorld was there for the concert and brings you photos below!

Erin Markey returns to Joe's Pub tonight, March 15. Known for her dark wit and absurdist transformations, Markey has been likened to Kristen Wiig, Kathy Acker and Eileen Brennan. Erin weaves together an exciting bill of R&B, 90's pop and grunge, standards and original music under the direction of Ben Rimalower (Leslie Kritzer is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches) with musical direction by Tony-nominated Kenny Mellman (Kiki and Herb).

Eva Kantor, 2012 MetroStar Finalist, will bring her first solo show 'The Way I Am' to The Laurie Beechman Theatre, March 29-April 21, 2013, directed by Eric Michael Gillett, with musical direction by Don Rebi and produced by Cookie Stark.

Alex Wyse (Bare, Triassic Parq, Lysistrata Jones) performed 'The Man That Got Away' from A STAR IS BORN at Broadway Sessions on January 24th, 2013. Watch him sing below!

Greenlist Productions presents Ryan Raftery's return to the Laurie Beechman Theatre for his fifth solo show, 'Ryan Raftery is Black and Better Than Ever: A Caucasian Celebration of the African-American Songbook'. The show sold out on March 3rd, and Raftery has added a second performance on April 10 at 9:30 p.m.

Help Is On The Way Today, a 501c3 non-profit that assists children and youth living with HIV/AIDS, is announcing their annual Gala on May 19th at the Laurie Beechman Theater. In addition, founder Joseph Macchia is announcing a name change to the charity's Lifetime Achievement Award.

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.