54 Below

54 Below is a nonprofit cabaret and restaurant in the basement of Studio 54 in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, Marc Routh and Tom Viertel, 54 Below has hosted shows by such performers as Patti LuPone, Ben Vereen, Sierra Boggess, Peggy King, Lea Salonga, Marilyn Maye, Luann de Lesseps and Barbara Cook.

54 Below
Former namesFeinstein's/54 Below (2015-2022)
Address254 W 54 St, Cellar
New York City
United States
Coordinates40°45′52″N 73°59′1.3″W
OwnerSteve Baruch, Richard Frankel, Marc Routh, Tom Viertel
TypeCabaret
Capacity147
Construction
OpenedJune 3, 2012 (2012-06-03)
ArchitectRichard H. Lewis
Website
54below.org
Interior of 54 Below

History

54 Below opened on June 3, 2012. Its designers include architect Richard H. Lewis, set designer John Lee Beatty, lighting designer Ken Billington, and sound designer Peter Hylenski.[1] Scott Wittman also serves as Creative Consultant. Jennifer Ashley Tepper serves as the Director of Programming at 54 Below.

54 Below features a variety of musical artists and styles, including musical theatre, opera, and jazz, the last of which was featured in a series co-produced with WBGO.

In September 2015, 54 Below announced a creative alliance with performer and singer, pianist, and music revivalist Michael Feinstein, becoming Feinstein's/54 Below.[2] This partnership ended in July 2022, and the club reverted to the name 54 Below.[3]

At the 75th Tony Awards 54 Below was the recipient of a 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. [4]

On April 18, 2023, 54 Below announced they have transitioned to become a Nonprofit organization.[5]

Awards
  • 2013 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Award[6]
    • Patti LuPone: Show of the Year (Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda)
    • Sondheim Unplugged: Best Variety Show/Recurring Series
    • Terri White: Best One-Show Special Event (Blues to Broadway)
    • Alex Rybeck: Best Musical Director for Sibling Revelry with the Callaway Sisters
    • Jackie Hoffman: Best Musical Comedy Performance (Old Woman, New Material)
    • Laura Benanti: Best Female Celebrity Vocalist (In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention)
    • Susie Mosher: Best Host/Producer for Variety Show or Open Mic (Backstage)
    • Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway: Best Duo or Group Show (Sibling Revelry)
    • Ahrens & Flaherty: Best Revue (Nice Fighting You: A 30th Anniversary Celebration)
    • Jason Robert Brown: Best Original Song for a Cabaret Show ("Twenty-Six Names")
    • Jane Monheit: Best Jazz Vocalist
  • 2013 Bistro Awards[7]
  • 2013 June Briggs Award: Excellence in Destination Management Services[8]
  • 2013 Concierge Choice Award: Nightlife[9]
  • MAC Awards: Board of Directors Award (2013)[10]
  • 2013 Nightlife Award[11]

Selected performers

Among the performers who have performed at 54 Below:[12]

54 Below was used in the setting of the Downton Abbey parody Downton Abbey the Musical.[13]

It was also featured in the third season of the webseries Submissions Only.[14]

Recordings

A partnership with Broadway Records has produced live albums of selected shows performed at 54 Below.[15]

References
  1. Piepenburg, Erik (May 31, 2012). "A Broadway Hangout, Old Chum". The New York Times.
  2. Holden, Stephen (September 2, 2015). "Michael Feinstein and the Club 54 Below Agree to a Partnership". The New York Times.
  3. Gardner, Elysa (2022-07-07). "Cabaret Champion Michael Feinstein Teams With Café Carlyle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  4. "Winners / Tony Honors 2022 Tony Honors For Excellence In The Theatre". TonyAwards. June 12, 2022.
  5. Gardner, Elysa (2023-04-18). "Cabaret Mainstay 54 Below Enters a New Era: As a Nonprofit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  6. Hanks, Stephen (January 7, 2014). "Callaway Sisters and Bway Stars LuPone, Benanti, Hoffman, and White Among Winners of 2013 BWW NYC Cabaret Awards". BroadwayWorld.
  7. "2019-1985 Recipients". Bistro Awards.
  8. Denette, Kelsey (December 26, 2012). "June Briggs Awards Winners Announced: 54 Below and More!". BroadwayWorld.
  9. "2013 Concierge Choice Award Winners Announced". City Guide NY. October 2, 2013.
  10. Gioia, Michael (March 21, 2013). "MAC Awards Held March 21; KT Sullivan, Sharon McNight, T. Oliver Reid, Marilyn Maye, Ben Rimalower Among 2013 Nominees". Playbill. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  11. Gioia, Michael; Gans, Andrew (January 14, 2013). "Bruce Vilanch Hosts 2013 Nightlife Awards Jan. 14; Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Maye, Rupert Holmes Among Performers". Playbill. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  12. "Artists". Feinstein's/54 Below.
  13. Rozen, Leah (April 24, 2013). "'Downton Abbey' Gets a Musical Makeover". BBC America. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013.
  14. Coppersmith, Chaya (May 12, 2014). "'Submissions Only' recap: Face the music". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  15. "54 Below". Broadway Records. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
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