THE 54 BELOW PODCAST : Recent Episodes
Broadway Podcast Network
The 54 Below Podcast will take you behind the scenes at the world-famous Broadway supper club. Known as “Broadway’s Living Room,” the club is a destination for acclaimed stars of the stage and music world and their fans. We invite you to join us as we sit down and chat with the performers who grace our stage – they will inspire us with stories about their journey to Broadway, share news about their upcoming shows and projects, and make us laugh with some backstage stories that you may not have heard before! Hosted by 54 Below Director of Marketing Nella Vera and Assistant Programming Director Macon Prickett. Produced by Michael Allan Galvez with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Backstage Babble's Charles Kirsch joins us to talk about the Golden Age of theatre and how a pandemic hobby became the smash hit podcast and cabaret show we know and love. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts.
For more information about Charles's upcoming show, "Backstage Babble Celebrates Tony Awards History," visit 54Below.org//BackstageBabbleTonys
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Producers of the upcoming "54 Sings Diana The Musical" chats with us about how they became DiFanas, what critics didn't understand, and their lives as young producers. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts.
For more information about Katie and Izy's upcoming show, "54 Sings Diana The Musical," visit 54Below.org/54SingsDianaMusical
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"American Horror Story" alum Jonathan Hoover talks about starring alongside Patti LuPone, Ryan Murphy sliding into his DMs (professionally), and what it means to be a "Second-Rate Somebody." Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts.
For more information about Jonathan's upcoming show, "Second-Rate Somebody," visit 54Below.org
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro, two of Broadway's original four Matildas talk about growing up, creating cast traditions, and their favorite Matilda memories ahead of this year's Matildapalooza at 54 Below where several young actors who have taken on the role will come together in celebration of Matilda's 10th anniversary! Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts.
For more information about the upcoming Matildapalooza 2023, visit 54Below.org
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The sensational Tin Can Brothers give us an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview about their new musical, Spies Are Forever, and talk about their careers starting from becoming members of Team StarKid. Associate Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts.
The Tin Can Brothers (Corey Lubowich, Joey Richter, and Brian Rosenthal) are a trio of Los Angeles based entertainers. As writers, directors, producers, and actors, they have created over 200 YouTube videos, seven live stage shows, and raised over $335,000 for projects on Kickstarter. Their body of work showcases a unique combination of short films, mini-series, narrative podcasts, and live stage shows. The three have worked closely on Team StarKid parody musicals (including A Very Potter Musical and Holy Musical Batman!) as well as two national concert tours.
Their new musical Spies Are Forever is the story of a secret agent as he struggles to cope with his traumatic past and prove to himself that he still has what it takes to be the super spy he once was. Throughout the evening we’ll travel the world of 1961 to black market arms deals, state galas, high stakes poker games, and, of course, a sophisticated club just like 54 Below.
For more information about the Tin Can Brothers' upcoming show, Spies Are Forever: In Concert, at 54 Below, visit 54Below.com/Spies
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two-time Tony Award® nominee Amanda Green talks about her recent work in Mr. Saturday Night, becoming the first woman president of The Dramatists Guild, and a sneak peek into what's coming up in 2023. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts.
Amanda received nominations for the 2022 Tony Award® and Drama Desk Award for her lyrics for Mr. Saturday Night, starring the legendary Billy Crystal. She received a Tony Award® nomination and two Drama Desk nominations for her music & lyrics for Hands On A Hardbody; in the same Broadway season she co-wrote lyrics for Bring It On with Lin Manuel Miranda (Tony Award® nominated for Best Musical, Drama Desk nom for Lyrics). Also Broadway: High Fidelity (lyrics); additional book & lyrics for revival of Kiss Me, Kate (2019); additional lyrics for On the Twentieth Century starring Kristin Chenoweth (2014). TV: Peter Pan Live (additional lyrics). As a musical comedy performer she has received two MAC Awards and a BISTRO Award. Amanda currently serves as the first woman to hold the office of President of The Dramatists Guild of America.
For more information about Amanda's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com/AmandaGreen
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway's Princess Diana Jeanna de Waal talks about Diana The Musical, Broadway Weekends, and everything in between. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts.
Jeanna was most recently nominated for a Drama Desk award for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales in Diana The Musical on Broadway and Netflix. Jeanna starred as Lauren in Kinky Boots and as Heather in American Idiot on Broadway. Jeanna originated the role of Dawn in the A.R.T. production of Waitress by Sara Bareilles and the role of Mary Barrie in the A.R.T. production of Finding Neverland, both directed by Diane Paulus. Other notable credits include Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked and Janet in The Rocky Horror Show at The Old Globe.
For more information about Jeanna's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.com/Jeanna
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hamilton's Aaron Burr (Sir), Nik Walker, talks about being Broadway's little brother, how his ADHD got him into theatre, and some behind the scenes stories about Hamilton and Ain't Too Proud.
Nik Walker is an actor, writer, cinephile and theme park nerd, who’s been doing the Broadway thing for a decade and counting. Currently on Broadway as A. Burr in that Hamilton skit, he’s also the co-host of the arts/activism show “The Chaos Twins,” and his movie podcast, “Little Justice,” is streaming wherever podcasts are imbibed. In the free time between all of this, Nik is a highly unqualified adjunct professor at NYU.
For more info about Nik's upcoming show, please visit 54below.com/NikWalker
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez and Alyssa Masarik, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes
Follow Nik Walker at @nikkywalks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Diana The Musical's Prince Charles, Roe Hartrampf, shares behind-the-scenes stories about the development of Diana, filming with Netflix during lockdown, and his TV work. Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts.
Fresh off of his Broadway debut in Diana The Musical, Roe Hartrampf brings his very first solo show to 54 Below, featuring his Diana, Jeanna de Waal, and his Camilla, Erin Davie!
For more info about Roe's upcoming show, visit 54below.com/RoeHartrampf
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez and Alyssa Masarik, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grammy nominated artist and storyteller Alexandra Silber talks about her journey through adversaries, her career, and a glimpse into her upcoming show at 54 Below. Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts.
Alexandra Silber (Fiddler on the Roof, Master Class, Carousel, The Woman in White) returns to 54 Below to host I Wish: The Roles That Could Have Been, where Al and an all star cast live out those dream roles on the stage, and perform in ways you'd never imagine.
For more info about Alexandra's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com/IWish
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez and Alyssa Masarik, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award® winner Kate Baldwin and Broadway and TV star Aaron Lazar talk about dream roles, their careers, and how their showstopping duo came to be. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts.
Fresh from their critically acclaimed run in The Bridges of Madison County, two time Tony Award® nominee Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!, Big Fish, Finian’s Rainbow) and Broadway and television star Aaron Lazar (The Light in the Piazza, Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” The Last Ship) bring their “glorious soprano” and “soaring tenor” voices together with ground-breaking maestro Luke Frazier and 8 members of The American Pops Orchestra, rivaling the biggest ensembles to ever grace the 54 Below stage.
For more info about Kate & Aaron's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com/KateAndAaron
The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez and Alyssa Masarik, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hadestown's new Hermes, T. Oliver Reid, drops by the podcast to talk about representation on Broadway, co-founding the Black Theatre Coalition, and teaching the next generation of artists. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts.
T. Oliver Reid has spent the past 20 years working on Broadway shows, (Hadestown, Once On This Island, Sunset Boulevard, After Midnight, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, The Wedding Singer, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles, Never Gonna Dance, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Follies, Kiss Me, Kate), which have amassed more than 20 Tony Awards from the American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards. He is also an accomplished cabaret artist and multiple award winner for his solo show, “Drop Me Off In Harlem” which he directed, wrote, and starred in. He has produced and directed concerts for Feinstein’s 54 Below and continues to work in film and television (“Inventing Anna,” “GIRLS,” “Ray Donovan,” “The Blacklist”). He has been an adjunct professor at NYU-Tisch’s Grad Acting Program and Columbia University School of the Arts Grad Acting program. He sits on the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is also co-founder of Black Theatre Coalition (www.blacktheatrecoalition.org). He’s currently in the critically acclaimed, Hadestown on Broadway.
For more info about T. Oliver Reid's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com/TOliverReid
The 54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award® nominee Emily Skinner talks about The Cher Show, the importance of meditation and the arts, and a secret Broadway project. Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts.
Emily Skinner (The Cher Show, Prince of Broadway, Side Show, The Full Monty) returns by popular demand in her critically acclaimed musical carnival ride of a show. Hilarious and surprising, embracing everything from bacon to Mae West to poignant ballads, this award-winning theater star celebrates her abandonment of self-edit and her quest to emerge from pandemic lockdown as her most authentic self.
For more information about Emily's upcoming show, visit: 54Below.com/EmilySkinner
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, produced by Michael Allan Galvez with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drama Desk nominee and entertainment dynamo Ann Morrison talks about Merrily We Roll Along, Sondheim, and her multi-hyphenate work as an artist. Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts.
“From the first moment, she proved to be an entertainment dynamo.” -Steven Suskin, Playbill
Ann Morrison is back in town with her new cabaret, including insights and never before heard tales of Merrily We Roll Along from the perspective of her award-winning character Mary Flynn. Forty years later and a few years wiser, in her signature playful and heartfelt style, Annie reprises the Stephen Sondheim songs she had the honor of introducing to the world.
For more information about Annie's upcoming in-person and livestreamed shows, visit 54below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, produced by Michael Allan Galvez with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony®, Grammy, Emmy Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tom Kitt talks about Next to Normal, his writing process, and new songs debuting at his upcoming show at Feinstein's/54 Below.
Tom Kitt is thrilled to return to Feinstein’s/54 Below with his new solo concert, where he’ll be at the piano performing original songs from his musicals including Next to Normal, If/Then and Superhero, along with songs from his new album Reflect. The audience will also get to hear brand new material, including songs from his upcoming musical Almost Famous and some special surprises. For more info about Tom's upcoming show, visit 54below.com/TomKitt
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway-Pop crossover extraordinaire Joey Contreras drops by to talk about songwriting, queer storytelling, and his Broadway icons and influences.
Joey Contreras has some stuff in the works and he’s ready to share it all on the Feinstein’s/54 Below stage. Joined by an incredible lineup of friends and special guests, come be introduced to the latest musical worlds created by this award-winning songwriter. For more info about Joey's upcoming show, visit 54below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Multi-hyphenate Tina Scariano talks to us about rock queens, the versatility of artists, and following your dreams.
Tina Scariano, Musician, Actor, Makeup Artist and Podcast Host, makes her Feinstein’s/54 Below debut in Feels Like Home – A ’70s folk rock show celebrating the queens of rock – Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell and more! For more information about Tina's upcoming show, visit 54below.com.
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Miss America Katie Harman chats with Director of Marketing Nella Vera about serving as "America's Ideal" in the wake of 9/11, her passion for performance and her involvement with Pink Martini, and the impact of pageantry on the empowerment of women.
Katie Harman, Miss America 2002 with a prominent career in opera, musical theater and television, makes her Feinstein’s/54 Below and New York City solo concert debut in Bring My Crown!: Miss America Sings Broadway. A nostalgic nod to crown jewels of the Broadway cannon interwoven with rarely-shared insight about her fascinating year as Miss America and life beyond the crown.
For more information of Katie's upcoming show, visit 54below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NPR's Ari Shapiro discusses with Marketing Director Nella Vera how his journalistic endeavors paved the way for performance, sometimes with his favorite band, Pink Martini, and sometimes with his cabaret partner Alan Cumming.
When Ari is not in front of a microphone on a stage, he sits in front of a microphone as host of the most listened-to radio program in America, NPR's All Things Considered. He has reported from above the Arctic Circle and aboard Air Force One. He’s covered wars in Iraq, Ukraine, and Israel, and has filed stories from five continents and most of the 50 states. He is also a frequent guest performer with the “little orchestra” Pink Martini and appears on four of the band’s albums. Since making his debut with them at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009, he has toured the world and performed with them in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall in London, L’Olympia in Paris, and Mount Lycabettus in Athens.
For more information about Ari's upcoming show, visit 54below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
International Emmy Award winner Mauricio Martínez talks to Marketing Director Nella Vera about On Your Feet!, how being an immigrant affects his performance, and his upcoming album.
The star of Broadway’s On Your Feet!, Mauricio Martínez was most recently seen in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Unmasked: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Mauricio has been a household name in Latin America before crossing over to the United States. He’s been the leading man in numerous productions here and abroad, including the Mexico productions of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Saturday Night Fever, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Drowsy Chaperone, Sweet Charity, The Last 5 Years, and A View From The Bridge.
For information about Mauricio's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drama Desk Award nominee Julia Murney drops by the podcast and talks to Director of Marketing Nella Vera about Zoom concerts, Wicked and The Wild Party, and traveling across the globe.
For information about Julia's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com
Watch Julia Murney sing “But The World Goes Round" at https://youtu.be/vI_2BkC1URo
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Lloyd Young, Broadway's Jersey Boy and concert artist, joins our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, for a heartfelt conversation on the future of streaming and theatre, stereotypes, and his part in the Presidential Committees on the Arts and Humanities. Film, stage and concert artist, John Lloyd Young, is a Tony® and Grammy winner, multi-Platinum recording artist and Presidential Appointee. As the original “Frankie Valli” in Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning Best Musical, Jersey Boys, Young garnered unprecedented accolades from the New York and national media, going on to become the only American actor to date to win all four major Broadway Leading Actor in a Musical honors for a Broadway debut: the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Award. Young starred in Jersey Boys on London’s West End and was hand-picked by director Clint Eastwood to reprise his role in the Warner Bros. film adaptation, becoming one of only a select-few actors in entertainment history to take his Tony®-winning role to the big screen. He has performed at venues like The White House, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall. Keep up with John at johnlloydyoung.com. For information about John's upcoming show at Feinstein's/54 Below, visit: https://54below.com/events/john-lloyd-young-broadways-jersey-boy/
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez and Grace Flavien, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Charles Busch, the legendary actor, playwright, cabaret entertainer, and screenwriter, joins our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, for a lively chat ahead of his New Year Eve’s concert. Charles Busch is the author and star of such plays as The Confession of Lily Dare, The Divine Sister, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, The Tribute Artist, and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, which ran for nearly two years on Broadway and received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Play. He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Mr. Busch is the recipient of a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright. He is a two-time Manhattan Cabaret Award winner, a Bistro Award honoree and has performed his cabaret act in many cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia, London, Paris, and New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. Keep up with Charles at charlesbusch.com. For information about Charles' New Year's Eve show at Feinstein's/54 Below, visit: https://54below.com/events/new-years-eve-with-charles-busch-friends-2/,
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez and Grace Flavien, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award® nominee Brenda Braxton talks to Assistant Programming Director Kevin Ferguson about "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "Dreamgirls," living through cultural phenomena, and making an impact on and off the stage.
To learn more about Brenda's upcoming show, visit 54below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award® winner Paulo Szot joins Director of Marketing Nella Vera in conversation about returning as Billy Flynn in Chicago, his award-winning run in South Pacific with Kelli O'Hara, his home country of Brazil, and his career in opera.
For information about Paulo's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com
Watch Paulo Szot sing “This Nearly Was Mine” from South Pacific at https://youtu.be/XGtuMJkcUTw
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway actor and internationally recognized classical singer David Sabella sits down with Director of Marketing Nella Vera to talk about originating Mary Sunshine in Chicago, his operatic background, voiceover work for Fox and Disney, and his love of teaching.
For information about David's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com.
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grammy Award nominee Mykal Kilgore chats with Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson about Billy Porter's mentorship, his performance at the Met Gala, and using his platform to serve as a change agent for civil rights and LGBTQ+ issues.
For more information about Mykal's upcoming show, visit 54below.com
Watch Mykal's music video for his new single "The Man in the Barbershop" out now in streaming platforms: https://youtu.be/wK0uEzKK4OI
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway and "Smash" triple threat Megan Hilty joins us and guest host Alan Seales in this special crossover episode with The Theatre Podcast for a heart to heart about her career and Bernadette Peters, the objectification of performers, and her upcoming solo debut at Feinstein's/54 Below's Diamond Series!
Already a fan favorite for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked and Doralee Rhodes in Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical, Tony® nominee Megan Hilty became known to theatre fans worldwide as triple threat Ivy Lynn in NBC’s musical drama “Smash.”
For more information about Megan's upcoming Diamond Series show, please visit 54below.com
Watch Megan Hilty sing “I Could Have Danced All Night” at https://youtu.be/UoLUQ4gAkac
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hollywood royalty Lorna Luft sits down for a fun and intimate chat with Assistant Programming Director Kevin Ferguson about growing up in Hollywood, having Judy Garland as a mother, and being considered a gay icon.
For more information about Lorna's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com
The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Assistant Programming Director Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadway's power couple Kelli Barrett & Jarrod Spector dropped by to chat with Assistant Programming Director Kevin Ferguson about kings and queens of music, FX channel's Fosse/Verdon, and becoming characters based on real life people. For information about Kelli & Jarrod's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Kevin Ferguson on Instagram at @K.Ferg_
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mexican-born musical multi-hyphenate Jaime Lozano sat down for a heart to heart with Feinstein’s/54 Below’s Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, ahead of his upcoming concert. The two discussed Jaime’s incredible journey to NYC, how he found a chosen “familia” in the theater, and how Hamilton’s Alex Lacaimore changed his life one afternoon at a performance of In The Heights. Jaime Lozano is considered by Lin-Manuel Miranda as the “next big thing” on Broadway. His recent productions include The Yellow Brick Road (for with he wrote music and lyrics with Tommy Newman, book by Mando Alvarado), which premiered Off-Broadway in 2011 and was followed by a successful national tour and also Children of Salt; A New Latin Musical (book and lyrics by Lauren Epsenhart) which made its New York City debut in 2016 as part of the New York Musical Festival and won the "Best of Fest" Production Award. Recently, Jaime’s song cycle, A Never-Ending Line, a collaboration with 9 female lyricists, had its World Premiere in Paris, France as part of the concert series “Broadway au Carré” at the Comédie Nation Theatre. It had its Spanish language World Premiere in Mexico followed by an Off-Broadway run at The Players Theatre here in NYC. His others works include Con Amor…Isa Colibrí, Estocolmo, Savage, Present Perfect - A musical in broken English, among many other works.In 2015, Jaime and his wife, Mexican actress and singer Florencia Cuenca, created a jazz project called "The New Standards,” an album of contemporary musical theatre songs accompanied by jazz arrangements. Written by Jaime and Jesús Altamira, it has performed at prominent venues in New York City, Mexico, and across Latin America. He is making his Feinstein’s/54 Below debut with a concert full of immigrant stories and songs written in collaboration with some of the most exciting Latinx musical theatre writers celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month. For information about Jaime’s upcoming show, visit 54Below.com/JaimeLozano The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Triple threat Tony Award® nominee Tony Yazbeck joins the club’s Assistant Programming Director, Kevin Ferguson, for a chat about his upcoming Feinstein’s/54 Below show. Tony and Kevin talk about dancing with prima ballerina Megan Fairchild, life on and the future of Broadway, and why Tony’s solo show at 54 Below will make you smile. Tony Award® nominee Tony Yazbeck has starred in ten Broadway shows, including On The Town, Gypsy, and Prince of Broadway, among may others. Next up, Tony stars as Cary Grant in the highly anticipated new Broadway musical from James Lapine and Tom Kitt, Flying Over Sunset, opening this fall at Lincoln Center Theatre’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre. For tickets to Tony’s show at Feinstein’s/54 Below, visit https://54below.com/events/tony-yazbeck-3/ Watch Tony’s sensational performance from On The Town to open the 2015 Tony Awards: https://youtu.be/ljo9h5f5Bl8 The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drama Desk nominee Amy Spanger talks about the musical Chicago, her amazing career as Broadway's leading lady, and binging during lockdown. For information about Amy's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dear Evan Hansen's Kristolyn Lloyd dropped by the podcast to talk with Assistant Programming Director Kevin Ferguson about turning journal entries into songs, her contemporary Christian influences, and her solo debut at Broadway's Supper Club! For information about Kristolyn’s upcoming show, visit 54Below.com Watch Kristolyn Lloyd sing "Only Girl In The World" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPmdSr_JI2E The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Award-winning composer Adam Gwon chats with Assistant Programming Director Kevin Ferguson to discuss his high school origin story, the importance of mentorship in musical theatre, and the thrills of returning to the live stage. For information about Adam's upcoming show, visit 54Below.com To see Santino and Jessica Fontana's iconic performance of “Fine,” visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO4lKYgzoyk The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Theater legend André De Shields dropped into our podcast ahead of his Feinstein’s/54 Below show for a conversation about coming of age during the age of Aquarius, why he took on the monumental role of King Lear for the second time, and how destiny led him to his Tony-winning role in Hadestown. A showstopper at the age of 75, De Shields was the triple-crown winner of the 2019 award season, garnering Tony, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk Awards for his universally praised role as the messenger to the gods, Hermes, in Hadestown. In an illustrious career that has spanned more than half a century, he has distinguished himself as an actor, director, and educator. His notable theatrical appearances include roles in the original Broadway productions of The Full Monty (Tony Award® nomination), Play On! (Tony Award® nomination), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award) and the title role in The Wiz. In 2020, he received the 2020 Grammy Award for Musical Theater Album for Hadestown, an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the 2020 AUDELCO for Lifetime Achievement and the 2020 Red Bull Theater Matador Award for Excellence in Classical Theater. 2019 honors include The Actors’ Equity Foundation Richard Seff Award, which honors veteran stage actors’ best supporting performances of the year, the Project1Voice Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2019 SAGE Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award, and The York Theatre Company’s 2019 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre, among others. He was also inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Among his other accolades are the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival’s Living Legend Award and the 2007 Village Voice Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance. For tickets to André's show at Feinstein's/54 Below, visit: https://54below.com/events/andre-de-shields/. Photo of Mr. De Shields by Lia Chang.
Credits The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Beloved musical theatre writer Bree Lowdermilk joins the podcast to discuss her star-studded new show at Feinstein's/54 Below. Bree sat down with our Senior Digital & Graphics Associate, Grace Benigni, to talk about the magic of performing to live audiences, her identity journey, and the importance of uplifting trans and non-binary artists and stories. For information about Bree's upcoming shows, visit 54Below.com To see Aaron Tveit's viral performance of "Run Away With Me," visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61EL69OZSlY The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Maria-Christina Oliveras caught the attention of NYC theater fans with an explosive, show-stopping turn in David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s multiple award-winning musical Here Lies Love. On August 6, she brings her gift of storytelling and unique style to Feinstein’s/54 Below in an electrifying night of music and surprises. In this episode, she joins our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, for a chat about her career, her collaborations with renowned artists, including Tony nominee Alex Timbers, and why she’s chosen this particular time to do her first solo cabaret show. Maria-Christina has performed extensively on and off-Broadway, regionally, internationally, and in film and television. Her career is distinguished by her transformational character work in a number of world premieres, including roles in Kiss My Aztec (by John Leguizamo, Tony Taccone, David Kamp, Benjamin Velez, directed by Tony Taccone), Amélie (by Craig Lucas, Daniel Messe and Nathan Tysen, directed by Pam MacKinnon), Soft Power (by David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori, directed by Leigh Silverman), El Huracán (by Charise Castro Smith, directed by Laurie Woolery), and Pretty Filthy (by Bess Wohl and Michael Friedman, directed by Steve Cosson). She has appeared on Broadway in Amélie, Machinal, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. For information about Maria's show at Feinstein's/54 Below, visit https://54below.com/events/maria-christina-oliveras/ Learn more about Maria on her website: www.mariachristinaoliveras.com Follow Maria on Instagram: @mcoliveras
Credits The Feinstein’s/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tony Award® nominee Adam Pascal joins us as we celebrate his return to Feinstein’s/54 Below. The star of RENT, Aida, Something Rotten!, Cabaret, and Pretty Woman, among others, chats with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, about life during the pandemic, recalls highlights from his career, and tells us what audiences can expect from his solo show.
For information about Adam's upcoming shows, visit 54Below.com To view a video of Adam singing "One Song Glory.," visit https://youtu.be/hloIgAU6I0o.
Credits The Feinstein's/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by Bailey Everett and Michael Galvez, with support from the Feinstein's/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Derrick Baskin is a Grammy and Tony-nominated artist for his astounding performance in Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations. Other noteworthy Broadway credits include Memphis The Musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Film/TV credits include The Good Lord Bird starring alongside Ethan Hawke, Marshall with the late Chadwick Boseman, and three seasons on Hulu’s critically acclaimed sitcom Difficult People. Derrick joins Nella Vera, Director of Marketing at Feinstein's/54 Below, to chat about his upcoming cabaret show, meeting the real Otis Williams, and how his earlier life abroad shaped his worldview. For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/derrick-baskin/ Watch a clip of Derrick performing: https://youtu.be/OykdNdEwDZU
Credits The Feinstein's/54 Below podcast is hosted by Nella Vera, Kevin Ferguson, and Grace Benigni and produced by the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter and Instagram at @spinstripes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An episode for Sondheim fans! This week, we turn our focus to Sondheim Unplugged, one of the most popular and long-running series presented at Feinstein’s/54 Below. A celebrated New York event since 2010 (It’s a Hit!), the show features some of Broadway and cabaret’s most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only, delving into the musical world of Broadway’s master composer. In December 2020, Sondheim Unplugged was recorded and streamed as part of 54 Below Premieres, the club’s new streaming series. God, That's Good! We are joined by creator and host Phil Geoffrey Bond and performer Lucia Spina. Phil Geoffrey Bond created Sondheim Unplugged, the long-running, award-winning monthly series, in 2010 and has served as its producer and host ever since. His novel, The Last Year at Low Tide, is currently available on Amazon from Chess Books as are his other titles — My Queer Youth, Small Town Confessions, The Fall of Mrs. Parsons, The Disney Diaries, and All the Sad Young Men. Phil has served as Director of Programming for The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, The Laurie Beechman Theatre as well as Feinstein’s/54 Below, where he later became Director of Original Programming. He is the recipient of seven Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets (MAC) Awards, two Backstage Bistro Awards, a Broadway World Award, and a Nightlife Award. Lucia Spina made her Broadway debut with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti) in 2006. Her Broadway credits include Kinky Boots (original cast), South Pacific, Legally Blonde (Enid), and Les Miserables. Off-Broadway, she originated roles in Silence! The Musical (Catherine/Senator Martin) and Fugitive Songs. She toured the country with Legally Blonde, and her regional work includes credits at Goodspeed Opera House, Long Wharf Theater, Baltimore Center Stage, Barrington Stage, Milwaukee Rep, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and The Hangar Theater, as well as Sunday in the Park With George (Nurse/Mrs./Harriett) and Anyone Can Whistle (Osgood) at the Ravinia Festival (Lonny Price, director; Paul Gemignani, musical director). She has sung with the acclaimed American Pops Orchestra and has graced cabaret stages all over New York City garnering her Best Female Vocalist for BroadwayWorld’s 2015 Cabaret Awards. www.luciaspina.com Sondheim Unplugged premiered online Saturday, December 26, 2020, and is available on-demand through January 23, 2021. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.54below.com/Sondheim. View clips from the show: Natalie Douglas sings “Losing My Mind” https://youtu.be/j9FLx8Z4Qfg Telly Leung sings “Being Alive” https://youtu.be/viXRnxui0Uc
All music clips in this episode are from Sondheim Unplugged at Feinstein’s/54 Below, filmed on December 5, 2020: “Being Alive” from Company, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, featuring Joe Goodrich on piano “The Ladies Who Lunch” from Company, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Lucia Spina “Marry Me a Little” cut from Company, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Nicholas Rodriguez “Move On” from Sunday in the Park with George, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Lucia Spina & Nicholas Rodriguez “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Darius de Haas “Losing My Mind” from Follies, music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Natalie Douglas “Being Alive” from Company, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Telly Leung “Anyone Can Whistle” from Anyone Can Whistle, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by T. Oliver Reid Instrumental from “Beautiful Girls” from Follies, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, featuring Joe Goodrich on piano Credits This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s our biggest and most enchanting episode ever! To celebrate the streaming debut of Broadway Princess Holiday Party, we chatted with the delightful cast, Broadway’s original princesses: Laura Osnes (Cinderella), Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast), and Courtney Reed (Aladdin). They are joined by special guest prince Adam J. Levy (Waitress) and musical director and Fairy Godfairy Benjamin Rauhala (Fiddler on the Roof). They reveal the key to playing some of the most beloved and iconic characters on Broadway, talk all things Princess, and reminisce about some memorable moments on stage. The Broadway Princess Holiday Party is available to on demand through December 26 at www.54Below.com/Princess. See a clip of the show: https://youtu.be/q1o2dtrYv9s For news about the Broadway Princess Party and upcoming tour dates, visit: www.BroadwayPrincessParty.com Credits This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Marilu Henner is a star of television, film, and the Great White Way.
On Broadway, she has appeared in Over Here!, Pal Joey, Social Security, Chicago, and most recently, Gettin’ the Band Back Together. She was also part of the National Tour casts of Grease and Annie Get Your Gun.
She began her film career in 1977 with “Between the Lines,” and has since appeared in "Cannonball Run II," "Johnny Dangerously," "L.A. Story," and "Noises Off” among many others.
She has also appeared in TV shows such as “Evening Shade,” “Batman: The Animated Series,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Most notably she starred in the classic 80’s tv series “Taxi.”
Marilu sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to talk about her multi-platform career, taking on strong female roles, and her superior memory skills.
*Since this recording, Marilu has added a performance on Jun 1 at 7:00pm.
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/marilu-henner/
Watch Marilu sing “Roxy” from Chicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wE3bLUtZrc
Watch Marilu perform on “Dancing With The Stars:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYI17r1we3c
Watch Marilu discuss her Hyperthymesia on “60 Minutes Australia:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpTCZ-hO6iI
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our guest today is Nicole Henry, Soul Train Award winner who has been described as “….a paragon of perfection… the vocal love child of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan." She has performed in more than 30 music festivals worldwide and in some of the world’s most famous venues.
She will be playing her show, Nicole Henry Sings Whitney Houston on March 3 and 17 at Feinstein’s/54 Below.
Nicole sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss her major inspirations, performing in venues across the world, and Whitney Houston’s lasting influence on audiences.
See Nicole sing “I Am Changing” from Dreamgirls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVfa7H434s
See Nicole perform “One Moment In Time:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM3-kblapiI
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joining us today are Matt Dahan & Kelly Lynne D’Angelo, writers of the emotional and explosive pop-rock musical Starry, about brothers Vincent and Theo van Gogh.
Matt and Kelly have written two full-length musicals together including The Count of Monte Cristo and Starry. Matt is also the Music Director for Starkid, the internet sensation behind A Very Potter Musical that helped launched Darren Criss to fame. Kelly is also a professional Dungeon Master at Wizards of the Coast and freelance television writer.
Following a sold-out engagement with us in 2019 and coming off their Edinburgh Fringe Festival concert series, Matt and Kelly return to the Feinstein’s/54 Below stage with a song-cycle presentation of Starry.
Matt & Kelly sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss what draws them to stories from the 19th century, the importance of Theo van Gogh to his brother’s story, and how they found Starry’s sound.
See the cast of Starry sing “On The Threshold of Eternity:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUT7r-0xHc4
See the cast of Starry sing “The Road:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_aR5kYvlPg
See Mariah Rose Faith sing “Enlightenment:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JatNSMT8n4M
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s guests are longtime friend of the club Alice Ripley and her frequent collaborator Christopher Schelling.
Alice, who has been hailed by The New York Times as “simply astonishing,” is a consummate Broadway star, a versatile film and TV actor, and a distinguished singer-songwriter. She earned her first Tony Award nomination in 1997 with her brilliant work in the legendary Side Show, before winning the 2009 Tony Award for “Best Actress in a Musical '' for her performance as Diana Goodman in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal. She has also originated roles in such Broadway productions as The Who’s Tommy, Sunset Boulevard, and, most recently, American Psycho.
Alice is joined today by her collaborator of nearly 40 years, Christopher Schelling, who is also a founding member of Ripley, the band formed by Alice in 2001. Christopher has served as musical director and manager for a number of other pop rock/cabaret performers. Additionally, his literary agency represents such bestselling authors as Augusten Burroughs, Rainbow Rowell and Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's.
Alice and Christopher sat down with our Marketing Associate, Adrian Karnani, to discuss memories from these iconic original casts, revisiting Sunset Boulevard, and creating original music for the last decade.
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/alice-ripley-crossovers/
See Alice sing “As If We Never Said Goodbye:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7nUF5yeU3A
See Alice sing “I’m Alive:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJEX5t0l1Hs
See Alice sing “I Dreamed A Dream:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWHpILm5PCI
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our guest today made his Broadway debut at the age of 16 in the title role in Dear Evan Hansen. He was the winner of the Best Actor Award at the 2018 National High School Musical Theatre Awards (known more commonly as the Jimmy Awards).
Andrew joined our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss how he related to the role of Evan, his theatre company Zneefrock Productions, and heading off to Harvard this Fall.
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/a-newsical-hope/
See Andrew sing “Only Us:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l97Nza8mtc
See Andrew’s Jimmy Awards performance of “I Love Betsy:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4HGSE2dd9Y
Watch the original (8th grade) cast of Star Wars: A New(sical) Hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ySOIYKMyXc
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For this special live taping of the Feinstein’s/54 Below Podcast at BroadwayCon 2020, we were joined by Broadway favorites Jelani Remy and Amanda Jane Cooper.
Jelani Remy is currently starring as Eddie Kendricks in Ain't Too Proud! The Life and Times of The Temptations. He was last seen in the recent off Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Cafe after playing Simba in Disney's The Lion King!
Amanda Jane Cooper is known to national audiences for having played Glinda on the tour of Wicked and in 2017 she made her Broadway debut as where she starred as the show’s 15th Anniversary Glinda and also opened NBC's A Very Wicked Halloween with "One Short Day" and closed the special with "For Good" alongside Kristin Chenoweth. She took her final bow at the Gershwin on December 9th, 2018 and is now one of Wicked's longest running Glinda's.
These stars joined our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to talk touring, leading blockbuster musicals, and working with Broadway legends.
For tickets and information about I Wish: The Roles That Could Have Been: https://54below.com/events/i-wish-4/
Follow Jelani Remy on Instagram at @itsjelaniremy.
Follow Amanda Jane Cooper on Instagram at @amandajanecoop and on Twitter at @amandajanecoop.
Watch Jelani Remy perform “Somewhere That’s Green” in I Wish: The Roles That Could Have Been: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcQ7glU_uHQ Watch Amanda Jane Cooper perform “Notice Me Horton” in I Wish: The Roles That Could Have Been: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDcvZO94sFE
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Hill is an actor, producer, TV and radio personality.
John starred as Jason McConnell in the off Broadway cult favorite, BARE: A pop opera and also performed in the original Broadway productions of Hairspray, The Boy From Oz and the National Tour of Miss Saigon. Currently, he is a producer of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” and co-host of “Andy Cohen: Live” on Sirius XM. He also hosts his own show radio show, “The Feels” on SiriusXM.
On March 11, he brings his signature brand of performance to the Feinstein’s/54 Below stage for the East Coast premiere of The Feels: Live, where he will mix the high energy of his live radio show, his insider Bravo gossip, and his cabaret/musical theatre chops for a very special evening.
John sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss his journey from Broadway to Bravo!
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/john-hill-with-special-guests-andy-cohen-and-michelle-collins/ Follow John on Instagram at @johnarthurhill
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we are joined by internationally-acclaimed singer, songwriter and recording artist Anthony Nunziata.
Anthony has performed hundreds of concerts over the past few years headlining major performing arts centers, theaters, symphony concert halls and private events across the country and around the world. He recently appeared in the Netflix film "The Last Laugh" opposite Chevy Chase and Richard Dreyfuss. This Brooklyn-born, classically trained singer is hailed by Broadwayworld as “an explosion of love and entertainment” and recently co-headlined Carnegie Hall for two sold-out concerts with the New York Pops Symphony Orchestra. This February, he brings his soulful and lyrical tenor voice to Feinstein’s/54 Below for a show called Amore: The greatest love songs. He and his world-class band will re-imagine classics such as “Unchained Melody,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You,” “The Prayer,” “O Sole Mio,” “Somewhere,” and many more.
Anthony sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss putting his spin on classic love songs with his twin brother, writing original compositions, and previews his special Valentine’s Day show.
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/anthony-nunziata-2/
See Anthony sing “O Sole Mio:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4H2xuBrIaM&feature=youtu.be
See Anthony sing “Will You Be My Everyday?:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sunNCom1EZA&feature=youtu.be Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Music Credits “Will You Be My Everyday?” Music & Lyrics by Anthony Nunziata, Jeff Franzel, Tom Kimmel Piano: Eugene Gwozdz Saxophone: Daniel Dickinson
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we are joined by two-time Tony Award® nominee Christine Andreas.
Our guest today is Christine Andreas, a multiple-award-winning singer, actress, and two-time Tony nominee. She most recently appeared on Broadway as Jacqueline in the recent revival of La Cage aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer, and also created the role of Marguerite in The Scarlet Pimpernel. She captured theatergoers’ hearts as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th anniversary production of My Fair Lady, as Laurey in Oklahoma! as well as her performance in On Your Toes (Tony® Nomination). Audiences across the country remember her portrayal of Margaret Johnson in the much-acclaimed national tour of The Light in the Piazza.
Her concerts include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Café Carlyle & Feinstein’s/54 Below.
Christine’s most recent show, PIAF-No Regrets, was recorded in London with a 36-piece orchestra and is now available both on CD and in a limited edition collectors vinyl release.
Christine sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss how Broadway has changed with modern sound systems, the process of originating a role, and how life imitated art during her time in The Light In The Piazza.
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/christine-andreas-3/
See Christine rehearsing for her Bemused show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Bg1ftap5Y
Listen to Christine sing “Fly Me To The Moon”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI0FPxCHtEc&list=OLAK5uy_lnTB-MAz4W_S3kIOKaC7KyWTPLfjZxn30
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we are joined by our final composer from the New Writers at 54! Series, Helen Park.
Helen's recent work includes KPOP, her Off-Broadway musical debut for which she co-wrote music and lyrics. Produced by Ars Nova, Ma-Yi Theatre Company and Woodshed Collective, the critically acclaimed show received a sold-out, extended run in NYC and was awarded the 2018 Richard Rodgers Award and the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical.
Helen also composed music for Baked Goods for which she won the 2018 Samuel French Short Playwriting Contest. She is currently writing songs for a new Animated Feature musical film called Over the Moon, directed by Academy Award winner Glen Keane and produced by Pearl Studios and Netflix. The film is slated for a 2020 global release.
She is the first Asian composer or lyricist to win a Lucille Lortel Award and is a three-time Drama Desk Award Nominee.
Helen sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, to discuss the evolution of KPOP, her new endeavors composing for film, and her special guests for Jan 29!
For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/new-writers-at-54-helen-park/
Follow Helen on Instagram at @mshelenpark and on Twitter at @HelenHjPark
Watch the trailer for KPOP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WMQ1o5unhU
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we are joined by two more of the artists from our New Writers at 54! Series, Andrew R. Butler and Mark Sonnenblick.
Andrew R. Butler is a Jonathon Larson Grant winning-composer, writer and performer. His composition credits include the Lucille Lortel Award winner for Outstanding Musical Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future, and four musicals co-written with playwright Andrew Farmer. As an actor, he has performed in productions from theaters such as Ars Nova, SoHo Rep, and Theater For A New Audience. He also writes and performs with the longstanding musical comedy group Political Subversities.
Mark Sonnenblick is a composer, lyricist and scriptwriter whose credits include Midnight at The Never Get, which was nominated for a bunch of off-Broadway awards last season, as well as Independents, Ship Show, Stompcat in Lawndale, and Dragons Love Tacos with TheatreworksUSA. He has also been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and received a Jonathan Larson Grant and the Harold Adamson Lyric Award.
Andrew and Mark sat down with our Marketing Associate Adrian Karnani to discuss their path into musical theatre, the evolution of new works, and their upcoming solo shows.
For tickets and information visit: Andrew R. Butler: https://54below.com/events/the-songs-of-andrew-r-butler/ Mark Sonnenblick: https://54below.com/events/new-writers-at-54-mark-sonnenblick/
Connect with Andrew on Twitter at @ANDREWrBUTLER and on Instagram at @andrewrbutler Keep up with Mark at http://www.marksonnenblick.com/
See Andrew R. Butler sing “100 Years of Subterranean Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpzcoBVdkyQ See Mark Sonnenblick’s sing “Moving”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFYqQ0hb3w
Credits
This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff.
Artwork by Philip Romano.
Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two composers from our New Writers at 54! series join us for this week’s episode.
Rona Siddiqui is the award-winning composer and lyricist behind the autobiographical comedy Salaam Medina: Tales of a Halfghan, which completed a workshop at Playwrights Horizons in November 2019. She has also created standalone pieces for The NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and Wicked’s 16th Anniversary Commemoration and music directed the Michael R Jackson’s A Strange Loop.
Billy Recce is a MAC award-winner, and a recipient of the York Theatre Company’s NEO Award. He is a writer, composer, performer, and is the youngest writer ever selected for the New York Musical Festival for his show, Balloon Boy: The Musical. He released his debut album “The Perks of Being A Snowflake” in 2018 and his show A Musical About Star Wars is currently running off-Broadway at the St. Luke’s Theatre.
Rona and Billy sat down with our Marketing Associate Dylan MacDowell to discuss the new series, their individual journey as writers, and what sparks inspiration.
For tickets and information visit: Rona Siddiqui: https://54below.com/events/new-writers-at-54-rona-siddiqui/ Billy Recce: https://54below.com/events/snowflake-songs-the-music-of-billy-recce/
Connect with Rona on Twitter at @RonaSiddiqui Connect with Rona on Instagram at @CrazyFingers10
Connect with Billy on Twitter at @BillyRecce Connect with Billy on Instagram at @TheBillyRecce See Billy Recce sing “Unironic Love Song”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVtTpnfrh6M See Rona Riddiqui's song “Change the World”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JaRPU-FXeY Credits This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Artwork by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Acclaimed performer Seth Sikes joins us for the second episode of the Feinstein’s/54 Below Podcast. A cabaret singer whose award-winning show Seth Sikes Sings Judy Garland has been performed across the country, Seth has been called “the best male singer of his generation on the cabaret scene” by Theatre Scene and “one of the saviors of the Great American Songbook as we continue into the 21st century” by NY Arts Review. In addition to his Garland tribute shows, his repertoire also includes homages to other great ladies of song and theater, such as Liza Minelli, Bernadette Peters, and others. Off-stage, Seth is a director whose credits include assistant director on shows such as Tribes and The Nance. Most recently, he served as the associate director for the Tony winning musical The Band’s Visit directed by his long time collaborator David Cromer. This New Year’s Eve, Seth and his seven-piece band will usher in a new decade with a roaring 20s show at Feinstein’s/54 Below! Seth sat down with our Director of Marketing, Nella Vera to chat about his upcoming show, his obsession with Judy Garland, and about his journey from Paris, Texas to NYC. For tickets and information visit: https://54below.com/events/seth-sikes-new-years-eve/ Connect with Seth on Twitter and Instagram: @sethsikes See Seth sing “Get Happy”: https://youtu.be/CY7jgP-MHfI See Seth sing “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart”: https://youtu.be/BRcrFMvbk1c Credits This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Artwork by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Tony and Grammy Award nominee, Broadway leading man Norm Lewis joins us for the inaugural episode of The Feinstein’s/54 Below Podcast. Norm talks to the club’s Marketing Director, Nella Vera, about his holiday show, dream roles and upcoming projects. Throughout his distinguished career, Norm has taken on some of the most iconic roles in theater. He is known for playing Javert in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables, as well as for his leading roles in The Little Mermaid, Sweeney Todd, and the 2018 Tony Award-winning revival of Once on This Island. He received a Tony Award® nomination for his portrayal of Porgy in The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess opposite Audra McDonald. In 2014, he made history as the first African American to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, performing alongside his The Little Mermaid co-star Sierra Boggess. Norm has also been seen in TV shows such as “Scandal,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” and “Blue Bloods.” In 2018, he appeared in the NBC television event “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” Since 2015, Norm’s annual appearances at Feinstein’s/54 Below have become a holiday tradition. This year, Norm brings us his show Naughty & Nice, featuring songs he’s performed over the last five years and, plenty of show tunes, and favorites from the 2018 release of The NORM LEWIS Christmas Album.
View Norm singing at Feinstein’s/54 Below: https://youtu.be/j0UbFUtrjLU View Norm and Sierra Boggess in The Phantom of the Opera: https://youtu.be/lCAdkACAH78 Follow Norm Lewis on Twitter: @normlewis777 and on Instagram: @thenormlewis
Credits: This podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Adrian Karnani and produced by Grace Benigni, with support from the Feinstein’s/54 Below marketing staff. Artwork by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Twitter at @spinstripes and Adrian on Instagram at @adriankarnani. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Feinstein’s/54 Below Podcast will take you behind the scenes at the world-famous Broadway supper club.
Known as “Broadway’s Living Room,” the club is a destination for acclaimed stars of the stage and music world and their fans. We invite you to join us for as we sit down and chat with the performers who grace our stage – they will inspire us with stories about their journey to Broadway, share news about their upcoming shows and projects---and make us laugh with some backstage stories that you may not have heard before!
Hosted by Feinstein’s/54 Below Director of Marketing, Nella Vera, and Marketing Associate, Adrian Karnani, and produced by Grace Benigni, with interviews by the Feinstein’s/54 Below staff.
Part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices