Richard Frankel News

The founders of 54 Below opened the doors of their jewelbox of a venue to a sold out crowd last night March 23. See photos and a review of the magical night.

From Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS distributing $3.2 million to food programs nationwide to financial updates and future plans at 54 Below, the theater community continues to navigate challenges while supporting artists and audiences alike. We also look ahead to key dates for the Lucille Lortel Awards, explore a Stage Mag spotlight on THE SOUND INSIDE at Capital Stage, and share a moving PBS feature on Ukrainian theater uplifting children during wartime.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 10, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

In December, word started spreading that the venue we know as 54 Below was hitting the rental market. Various area businesses were contacted by those who were marketing the property for occupancy in the first quarter of 2027.

The inaugural Rochelle Denton Awards will be presented September 15 at Judson Memorial Church in NYC, honoring John Clancy, Michael Criscuolo, Tim Cusack, David Fuller, Elena K. Holy, and Judith Jarosz.

Here are a few top picks to consider in NYC this week including a free outdoor summer concert, magicians Penn and Teller at Radio City Music Hall, and stars of Broadway and film/TV doing solo shows.

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Beth Leavel, Casey Likes, Joe Iconis and more. See the full month of programming here! 

See some of the biggest stars of the stage, screen, jazz, cabaret & Broadway performing at cabaret venues this month at a range of budget points. Tickets to these shows are limited and likely to sell out

The new musical, The Jonathan Larson Project, is open now at at the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway. Check out photos from opening night here and learn more about the show!

What happened over the seven consecutive shows, was indeed a Christmas miracle. There was plenty of laughter and tears, and intimate interaction with the audiences. It is simply the “must-see” holiday event of the season.

Norm Lewis kicked off THE BEST OF CHRISTMAS, running nightly through 12/24, on 12/18. In addition to a lovely show, Norm’s opening night was a benefit that also aided 54 Below’s Ticket Subsidy program.

Penn & Teller will celebrate 50 years together when they headline Radio City Music Hall on Thursday August 21, 2025. Learn how to purchase tickets.

54 BELOW has revealed the first cohort of early career artists selected to participate in the Genesis Project. Learn more!

Grab your slushees and head down to 54 Below to celebrate the songs made famous by the iconic hit TV show, “GLEE.” Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Charles Kirsch, host of the Backstage Babble podcast, produced Monday night’s 54 Sings The Rink concert, featuring an array of talent who all had some connection to the 1984 musical. The Rink was a treasure, and this concert was a treasure, too, featuring Karen Ziemba, Mary Testa, Caroline O'Connor and many other stars.

I had no idea that 54 DOES 54 has been an annual event for many years, but I am so glad I was there on Sunday night to witness the range of talents and the performances from so many of the staff of the club and personnel from the offices upstairs of 54 Below.

Great Scott! A new block of tickets for BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical on Broadway has just been released for sale through Sunday, April 27, 2025. Learn more about how to get tickets here!

BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical’s Tony-winning star Roger Bart was honored on Thursday with a portrait at famed theatrical dining institution Sardi’s. Check out photos from the event here!

54 Below recently welcomed six new members to their distinguished board of directors. We asked them a few questions to get to know them a bit better. Meet James Gunderson, Tom Hood, Howard Lee Morgan, Brian Kaltner, Lee H. Perlman and Susan L Raanan!

54 Below, the celebrated Times Square cabaret venue that is the recipient of a 2022 TONY AWARDS Special Honor for Excellence in the Theater, has announced new board members. James Gunderson, Tom Hood, Howard Lee Morgan, Brian Kaltner, Lee H. Perlman and Susan L Raanan have joined the award-winning supper club board, effective immediately.