54 Below Podcast

McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also famous for her Broadway appearances in State Fair, On the Town, Company, Promises, Promises and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Hear Tony-winner Donna McKechnie talk about her brand new show: a musical déjà vu celebrating the scintillating 70′s in New York City via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch, Billy Strayhorn, and Stephen Sondheim, with arrangements and music direction by John McDaniel. More information and tickets at 54below.com

Broadway veteran and Tony nominee talks about his original show Tap’in Through Life . Hear Hines recall memories from early childhood, when he and his younger brother Gregory were childhood tap-dancing sensations, appearing in New York, Las Vegas, and Europe, and on television, and a remarkable thirty-five appearances on The Tonight Show. A smash in 1978′s Broadway sensation Eubie!, Maurice’s critically-acclaimed appearances on the Great White Way include Sophisticated Ladies and Uptown… It’s Hot, which he also conceived, directed and choreographed.   Maurice Hines is at 54Below from Dec. 26-29th.  More information and tickets at 54Below.com

A chat with Tony Nominee and Emmy Award-winning actress, singer and recording artist Liz Callaway.  She made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Baby, and for five years, won acclaim as Grizabella in Cats. Liz also starred in the original casts of Miss Saigon, The Look of Love and The Spitfire Grill, and provided the singing voice for numerous animated features including the Oscar-nominated Anastasia. With a busy concert career that takes her throughout the world, New York audiences are fortunate indeed to have her in residence this Fall for seven very special performances only.   Tickets and more info at 54below.com

Melissa Errico has been wowing audiences since she was  plucked out of Yale to star in the first national touring  company of Les Miserables. Since then, Broadway has  embraced her in My Fair Lady (Eliza, 1993 revival), High Society,  Amour (Tony nomination) and, most recently, Irving Berlin’s  White Christmas. Kennedy Center audiences applauded her  performance as Dot opposite Raul Esparza’s George in Sunday  in the Park with George. She'll talk about her three critically-heralded CDs, Blue Like That, Lullabies  and Wildflowers and A Legrand Affair (produced by Phil  Ramone).   Melissa is at 54Below from Oct.30-Nov.3 For more information and tickets visit 54below.com

Before Sherie Rene Scott became one of Broadway's favorite leading ladies, she sang with four giant turtles on stage at Radio City Music Hall, worked as a backup singer, and sold shoes on Park Avenue (and loved it).   Known for her work in numerous theatrical productions including  EVERYDAY RAPTURE, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ,  THE  LITTLE MERMAID, TOMMY, RENT, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, and DEBBIE DOES DALLAS,  Sherie Rene Scott premiers her new work, Piece of Meat, in collaboration with Todd Almond at 54Below Oct. 16-27.   For more information and tickets visit 54Below.com

Scott Wittman talks to Emmy and Tony-winning actress and comedian, Andrea Martin, best known for films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and in stage in productions such as My Favorite Year, Fiddler on the Roof, Candide, Young Frankenstein, Exit the King, and in the television series, SCTV. She is joined by Sirius XM host, actor, writer, performer and her accompanying pianist, Seth Rudetsky. Andrea Martins performs at 54Below Oct 9-11.  Visit 54Below.com for information and tickets

A conversation with jazz singer, songwriter and pianist, Tony DeSare who will be at the club October 2-13th.  Visit 54below.com for tickets and more information. 

A conversation with Christine Andreas who first captured the hearts of Broadway theatregoers as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th anniversary production of My Fair Lady for which she won the Theatre World Award. She went on tostar in Oklahoma and On Your Toes (receiving Tonynominations for each), The Scarlet Pimpernel and, just lastseason, La Cage Aus Folles. From 2006-7, she received ravereviews in the national tour of The Light in the Piazza. ThisOctober, join Christine for a whole new evening of music asshe appears on our stage for two very special performancesonly on October 1st and 8th.  Visits 54Below for tickets and more information.

The 87-year old jazz legend, Barbara Carroll, remembers her days on "swing street" the jazz hub of New York City on 52nd street through the early 1950s. Carroll recounts stories of playing with Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie and a once little-known singer known by the name of Anthony Benedetto. Barbara Carroll performs at 54Below on Sunday afternoons through Nov. 11th.  Visit 54Below.com for more information and tickets.

Jason Robert Brown, Tony award-winning lyricist, composer and performer sits down with 54Below Programming Director, Phil Geoffrey Bond, to talk about his short run at 54Below, through September 15th, that will include hits from The Last Five Years, Songs for a New World, and the upcoming musicals The Bridges of Madison County and Honeymoon in Vegas for which he was composer and lyricist.  Hailed as "one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephan Sondheim," hear about Brown's journey from New York piano bars, to Broadway.

Ann Hampton Callaway is a Platinum Award winning singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger and songwriter whose songs are featured on six of Barbra Streisand's recent CD's.  She s best known for her Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! And for her jazz-cabaret singing as a solo performer and with her sister, Liz Callaway, in the award-winning show Sibling Revelry.  Tonight she speaks with Richard Frankel about her 54Below show, the "Streisand Songbook" (September 25-29th) a tribute to iconic singer and performer, Barbara Streisand, as well as her life growing up in Chicago, her dutiful “greatness training” as a young, aspiring performer, and the formative influence of her family including sister and co-star, Liz Callaway. 

Eden Espinosa is known to Broadway audiences for her roles in Wicked, Rent, and Brooklyn.  But for her new show at 54Below, she departs from Broadway to pay tribute to singer/songwriter, Eva Cassidy.  Hear programming Director, Phil Bond, talk with Eden about some of the songs for the evening, her Broadway dream roles, and her upcoming solo album. More information and tickets at 54Below.com

Tonight, we're backstage with Tony award-winner, Tonya Pinkins known for performances in Milk Like Sugar, Jelly’s Last Jam, and Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s 2004 Broadway musical Caroline, or Change. She is familiar to television audiences for her roles on "As The World Turns," "All My Children" and "Army Wives." Pinkins talks about landing her first role in Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along", an unexpected encounter with Michelle Obama, and her show based on the life and music of Ethel Waters, for one night only, on August 27th. More informaton and tickets at 54Below.com

A conversation with 54Below's program director, Phil Geoffrey Bond, and Broadway and T.V. star Tituss Burgess, best known for his recurring role on "30 Rock" on NBC. He has also originated memorable roles in the original Broadway casts of Jersey Boys, The Little Mermaid and the revival ofGuys and Dolls. Tonight he talks about how he fell into theater, his upcoming show for one night only at 54Below, and his new album coming out in October. More info and tickets at 54below.com

Faith Prince has been dazzling Broadway audiences since winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance as “Ms. Adelaide” in Guys and Dolls. Other Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, Bells Are Ringing (Tony, DD, OCC noms), Nick & Nora (OCC Award), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (Tony, DD noms), Little Me, The Dead, and Noises Off, A Catered Affair.  On T.V.: Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” as Elaine Bingum, mother of series star Jane (played by another Broadway Diva – Brooke Elliot Most recently, Faith starred in the national tour of the Broadway hit Billy Elliott. Cabaret debut  in 2000 at Joe’s Pub - preserved as the critically-acclaimed live album, “Leap Of Faith”  Jason Graae has starred on Broadway in "A Grand Night For Singing", "Falsettos", "Stardust", "Snoopy!", and "Do Black Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up?". In 2008, Jason won his second L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award - the 2008 Joel Hirschorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre.  He has

Vy Higgenson is a proud Harlemite and New Yorker known for a many significant firsts in the entertainment industry: The first black female radio personality in the prime time New York City market on WBLS.  First woman to host a morning show on New York radio at WWRL. The first black woman to produce a drama on Broadway with Joe Tuner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson. The first black female writer, producer, director of the longest-running, Off-Broadway musical in the history of American theatre with Mama, I Want to Sing. Tonight she talks with Richard Frankel about another first, creating a cabaret show for 54Below.  The show, following the roots and evolution of Gospel music, will kick off a series of Saturday Gospel brunches on August 25th. For more information and tickets, visit 54below.com

Victor Garber is one of the most respected and talented actors of his generation, with six Emmy and four Tony nominations for memorable roles on the Broadway stage and big and small screen in shows like "Noises Off" the original "Sweeney Todd", on T.V. in "Alias" and "Eli Stone," and famous movies including "Milk" and "Titanic".  But his show at 54 Below, his debut cabaret performance, is the first time audiences can see Victor Garber playing only himself.  Tonight, in his conversation with Richard Frankel, hear why this accomplished star finds the cabaret stage so terrifying.  Hear about James Cameron's legendary "Titanic"...behind the scenes, Garber's turn as a rock star in a 60's Toronto-based band called The Sugar Shoppe, and how Sondheim inspired him early in his career. Plus, an exclusive preview from the first Sold Out show at the club on August 13th. More information at 54below.com

Tonight, Hilary Kole –the first jazz singer to play 54Below.  But she wasn't always destined for jazz singing.  Hear how Ms. Kole went from dreams of becoming the next John Williams to being the youngest singer to ever perform at the Rainbow Room She's played with music legends Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck and Michel LeGrand, recorded with Hank Jones, John Pizzarelli, David Frishberg, Monty Alexander, Benny Green, Freddy Cole, Alan Broadbent, Cedar Walton and Mike Renzi, and starred in the off-Broadway hit, Our Sinatra.   Her newest album, You Are There, was named as record of the year in USA Today (2010), as well as winning the 2010 Bistro Award for record of the year.  www.hilarykole.com   At 54 Below August 14-18th, more info at 54below.com

Marc Shaiman talks to long-time friend and collaborator, Jenifer Lewis, about their upcoming show together at 54 Below, their secret "language" developed over 30 years of friendship, and the story behind the new song "The 11 o'clock Number".  From Broadway’s Eubie to Hairspray, television’s Jackie’s Back to Strong Medicine, and film’s What’s Love Got to Do With It, Beaches, Cars and The Princess and the Frog, Jenifer Lewis, one of Bette Midler’s most infamous Harlettes, is a force of nature whose voice is as distinctive as her take no prisoners sense of humor.  This new show, running for only 7 performances July 24-28th, marks the diva's return to the New York cabaret scene after a nearly twenty year absence. For more information and tickets, visit 54below.com

Richard Frankel talks to Andrea McArdle, the original Annie from the 1977 hit Broadway musical "Annie". McArdle was the youngest actress to be nominated for a Tony for best lead actress in a Musical for the role. She's since performed leading roles in Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Beauty & the Beast (Belle), Cabaret (Sally Bowles), and returned to Annie as Miss Hannigan.