54 Below Podcast

Ep.27 - Donna McKechnie

December 22, 2012 18:32 - 12 minutes - 14.1 MB

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 mu...

Ep. 26 - Maurice Hines

December 20, 2012 02:29 - 13 minutes - 15.2 MB

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’...

Ep.25 - Liz Callaway

November 07, 2012 22:31 - 14 minutes - 16.8 MB

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 Anasta...

Ep.24 - Melissa Errico

October 21, 2012 12:42 - 14 minutes - 17.6 MB

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 CD...

Ep.23 - Sherie Rene Scott

October 08, 2012 18:29 - 16 minutes - 19 MB

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 collaborat...

Ep.22 - Andrea Martin

October 02, 2012 18:15 - 6 minutes - 8.34 MB

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

Ep.21 - Tony DeSare

September 28, 2012 18:00 - 10 minutes - 11.9 MB

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.

Ep. 20 - Christine Andreas

September 28, 2012 17:57 - 17 minutes - 21 MB

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 to star in Oklahoma and On Your Toes (receiving Tony nominations for each), The Scarlet Pimpernel and, just last season, La Cage Aus Folles. From 2006-7, she received rave reviews in the national tour of The Light in the Piazza. This October, join Christine for a whole new eve...

Ep.19 - Barbara Carroll

September 20, 2012 18:59 - 11 minutes - 13 MB

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.

Ep.18 - Jason Robert Brown

September 13, 2012 15:29 - 11 minutes - 12.6 MB

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 ...

Ep.17 - Ann Hampton Callaway

September 10, 2012 14:21 - 14 minutes - 8.17 MB

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" (Septemb...

Ep.16 - Eden Espinosa

August 31, 2012 03:40 - 9 minutes - 10.9 MB

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

Ep.15 - Tonya Pinkins

August 25, 2012 16:07 - 10 minutes - 12 MB

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 Ethe...

Ep.14 - Tituss Burgess

August 24, 2012 14:28 - 8 minutes - 10.1 MB

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

Ep.13 - Faith Prince & Jason Graae

August 23, 2012 13:36 - 16 minutes - 18.4 MB

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 Broadw...

Ep.12 Sing, Harlem, Sing

August 21, 2012 21:53 - 9 minutes - 10.3 MB

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 the...

Ep.11 - Victor Garber

August 17, 2012 16:49 - 12 minutes - 14.1 MB

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 wit...

Ep. 10 - Hilary Kole

August 10, 2012 22:03 - 9 minutes - 11.3 MB

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...

Ep.9 - Jenifer Lewis

July 24, 2012 03:48 - 12 minutes - 15.2 MB

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 natur...

Ep.8 - Andrea McArdle

July 21, 2012 15:05 - 6 minutes - 8.72 MB

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.

Ep.7 - Jackie Hoffman

July 18, 2012 13:25 - 5 minutes - 6.78 MB

Scott Wittman talks with Broadway actress, comedian, and long-time friend, Jackie Hoffman, about her new one woman show at 54 Below (June 3 - July 29th). Hoffman is known for her memorable roles in Hairspray, Xanadu, and The Addams Family, among many others, and her distinctly Jewish brand of humor. Hear Hoffman "speak and sing the truth" about how she opened 54Below with the first show (not Patti Lupone!) how she harnesses her inner kvetch, and why it's OK to sing comedic songs about AIDS...

Ep.6 - Ben Vereen

July 12, 2012 06:37 - 8 minutes - 11 MB

Richard Frankel talks to Broadway legend and Tony Award winner Ben Vereen about his journey from Brooklyn to Broadway, working with legend Bob Fosse, "Hair" in the 60s, and and his newest hit show, Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen, at 54 Below July 10 - 21. Vereen is known to most theatre audiences for his Tony and Drama Desk winning performance in Pippin, Vereen has also appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Chicago, Fosse and Jelly's Last Jam. Television audiences will remember him from his celebr...

Ep.5 - Mx. Justin Vivian Bond

July 06, 2012 19:29 - 12 minutes - 14.7 MB

Scott Wittman talks with the "Cabaret Messiah," Mx. Justin Vivian Bond, about his new album "Silver Wells" and his recurring 54Below show that comes to a close this Monday July 9th, 2012.

Founders Round table

June 25, 2012 19:14 - 2 minutes - 2.48 MB

Hear from the founding partners of 54 Below. Multiple Tony-winning producers (Hairspray, The Producers) Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Marc Routh and Steve Baruch.

Ep.4 - Brian d'Arcy James

June 23, 2012 22:41 - 17 minutes - 19.8 MB

Brian d'Arcy James's is known for his distinguished Broadway career that includes Time Stands Still, Next to Normal, Shrek, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Titanic, among others; television audiences know him from NBC's Smash and HBO's Game Change. Tonight d'Arcy James talks with 54Below about his new cabaret act coming up at the club on June 26-30, 2012. It's the first time in his career to choose his own material to perform. The result? A medle...

Ep.3 - Andrea Martin

June 23, 2012 22:18 - 6 minutes - 7.43 MB

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.

Ep.2 - Patti Lupone and Scott Wittman

June 23, 2012 21:07 - 18 minutes - 21.4 MB

54 Below visits Broadway legend Patti LuPone and Tony award-winning lyricist, Scott Wittman in the rehearsal studio as they prepare for LuPone's new cabaret act that will debut on the club's opening night - June 5th, 2012.

Ep.1 - The Making of 54 Below

June 23, 2012 18:41 - 10 minutes - 11.7 MB

We take a tour through 54Below with Tony award-winning set designer, John Lee Beatty and architect Richard Lewis, and learn how they transformed the former cellar below the old Studio54 into Broadway's nightclub.

Episodes