54 Below Podcast

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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. 

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, Cancer, and Autism. Learn more and buy tickets at 54below.com

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 celebrated portrayal of Chicken George in Roots, along with recent appearances on How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy (Prism Award) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In January, 2012, Mr. Vereen was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. More information at 54below.com

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.

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

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 medley of pop tunes from the '70s and '80s backed by a full horn section.  And a little Adele too.

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.

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.

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.