Ep.27 – Donna McKechnie
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.
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Ep.26 – Maurice Hines
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
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Ep.25 – Liz Callaway
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.
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Ep.24 – Melissa Errico
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, High Society, Amour and, most recently, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.
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Ep.20 – Christine Andreas
54 Below Podcast 54 Below Podcast | October 1, 2012 | More at 54Below.com A conversation with Christine Andreas who first captured the hearts of Broadway theatregoers as Eliza Doolittle in the 20th … Continue reading
Ep.23 – Sherie Rene Scott
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 (a loved it).
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Ep.19 – Barbara Carroll
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.
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Ep.18 – Jason Robert Brown
Hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephan Sondheim,” hear about Brown’s journey from New York piano bars, to Broadway.
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Ep.17 Ann Hampton Callaway
Tonight she speaks with Richard Frankel about her 54Below show, the “Streisand Songbook” (September 25-29th) a tribute to iconic singer and performer, Barbara Streisand, as well as her life growing up in Chicago, her dutiful “greatness training” as a young, aspiring performer, and the formative influence of her family including sister and co-star, Liz Callaway.
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Ep.16 – Eden Espinosa
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.
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Ep.15 Tonya Pinkins
Pinkins talks about landing her first role in Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along”, an unexpected encounter with Michelle Obama, and her show based on the life and music of Ethel Waters, for one night only, on August 27th.
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Ep.14 Tituss Burgess
A conversation with Broadway and T.V. star Tituss Burgess, best known for his recurring role on “30 Rock” on NBC. Tonight he talks with 54Below’s program director, Phil Geoffrey Bond, about how he fell into theater, his upcoming show for one night only at 54Below, and his new album coming out in October.
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Ep.13 Faith Prince & Jason Graae
Before Broadway, Jason Graae was a singing telegram, and Tony award-winning Faith Prince was a waitress (and a terrible one at that). Hear a behind the scenes conversation with the hilarious duo that is the “Prince and the Show boy” at 54Below through August 25th.
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Ep. 12 Sing Harlem Sing
Tonight Vy Higginsen, creator of “Sing, Harlem, Sing” talks with Richard Frankel about creating “Sing, Harlem, Sing!” a celebration of African-American music, urban radio, and the energy of one of the world’s most legendary neighborhoods. The show, following the roots of Gospel music and its evolution through Rock and Roll, will kick off a series of Saturday Gospel brunches on August 25th.
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Ep.11 Victor Garber
Hear why this accomplished star, with six Emmy and four Tony nominations, finds the cabaret stage terrifying. And get an insight into 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. Plus, an exclusive preview from the first Sold Out show.
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Ep.10 Hilary Kole
Hilary Kole is 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.
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Ep. 9 Jenifer Lewis
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”.
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Ep.8 Andrea McArdle
A conversation with the original Annie from the 1977 hit Broadway musical “Annie”. McArdle She’s since performed leading roles in Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Cabaret (Sally Bowles), and returned to Annie as Miss Hannigan.
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Ep. 7 Jackie Hoffman
Hoffman is known for her memorable roles in Hairspray, Xanadu, and The Addams Family, among many others, and her distinctly Jewish brand of humor, how she harnesses her inner kvetch, and why it’s OK to sing comedic songs about AIDS, Cancer, and Autism.
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Ep. 6 Ben Vereen
A conversation with Ben Vereen, known 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.
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Ep. 5 – Mx. Justin Vivian Bond
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.
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Ep. 4 – Brian d’Arcy James
Brian d’Arcy James talks with 54Below about his new cabaret act. 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.
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Andrea Martin
Scott Wittman talks to Emmy and Tony-winning actress and comedian, Andrea Martin, best known for films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, on stage in Fiddler on the Roof, Young Frankenstein, Exit the King, and in the TV series, SCTV. She is joined by accompanying pianist, Seth Rudetsky.
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Ep. 2 – Patti LuPone
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. Patti will return to 54 Below in September
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