SONDHEIM UNPLUGS SARAH RICE AT 54 BELOW

Feinstein’s/54 Below continues to celebrate a New York event since 2010, with the BroadwayWorld and Bistro Award-winning monthly series Sondheim Unplugged featuring some of Broadway and cabaret’s most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only, delving into the musical world of Broadway’s master composer. 

Expect tunes from A Little Night Music, Company, Into the Woods, Follies, Passion, Dick Tracy and more.  The show is hosted by series creator Phil Geoffrey Bond, who will fill the audience in on Sondheimien facts, history & assorted tidbits of theatrical lore! Come join the party!

Sondheim Unplugged will feature Sarah Rice, Sweeny Todd’s original Johanna at the 7pm April 21 Performance.“It began with Sondheim’s 85^th birthday and first at the Beecham Theatre running here for seven years,” said Rice. You get to enjoy performers who originated their roles and sharing their stories such as Lane Bradbury, Gypsy’s original Dainty June. “The show is at a high professional level, especially with Bond giving ‘dish’. I don’t only do songs from Sweeny Todd.  For instance I sang A Boy Like That as a duet from West Side Story.”

Rice said that she is singing “all over the place.”  “I have a booking in London in June doing my own show. I also participate in a weekly program called Peaceable Hour from 6-7pm and given free of charge to the community.  Music by world class singers is diverse and speaking is frowned upon. I sing as well as play the theremin . The location is the St. Clemens Church and non-secular.  www.peaceablehour.com
 
Rice describes 54 Below now being a fancy speakeasy having known years ago as Studio 54. Along with the featured performers cabaret singers are: Kristy Cates, Marquee Five, Alexa Green, Blaine Krauss, Rob Maitner, Julie Reyburn, Courter Simmons, and Lucia Spina. You never know who will stop by as well. 

For tickets and further information go to: www.54below.com  There is an additional $25 food and beverage minimum as well.  

 Sarah Rice is on the far left.

SARAH RICE AT 54 BELOW

 Sarah performed her own show at 54 Below, a most darling nightclub in Manhattan.   I saw her on the evening of March 3rd, haven't not heard her sing since we were in The Pirates of Penzance in P'Town, the summer of 1982.

The evening entitled “Glamorous Nights and Careless Rapture was dedicated to the music of composers Ivor Novello and Noel Coward.  Accompanying her was Bill Zeffiro on the Piano, Maria Banks on the Harp, and Jonathan Russell, a very young and talented Violinist.

We not only experienced the delight of her sweet soprano voice, with both moving and humorous tunes, the audience was treated to Sarah playing an instrument called the theremin. This particular instrument is never touched but controlled through sound waves. 

 For upcoming performances, visit her website at www.sarahrice.com

SARAH RICE TO APPEAR

SARAH RICE

Glamorous Nights & Careless Rapture

Music of the Era of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and more...

Featuring the songs of Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and British Music Hall.

March 3 @ 7PM

Sunday

Sarah Rice, Vocals & Theremin

William Zeffiro, Piano & Vocals

Maria Banks, Harp

Jonathan Russell, Violin

One of the most dazzling and beloved singers on the worldwide cabaret and concert scene today, multiple award winner Sarah Rice brings Glamorous Nights and Careless Rapture -- Music of the Era of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and more... to 54 Below in a special one night only performance.

Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince chose Sarah to become part of musical theatre history when she was cast as the original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway, for which she won a Theatre World Award and recorded on RCA. This recording won a Grammy for best show album and SWEENEY swept the Tony awards, including best show. Her recording of "Green Finch and Linnet Bird", was recently chosen by Stephen Sondheim to be on a CD of his favorite renditions of his own works, "Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far..." on the Masterworks Broadway/Legacy label. She has since gone on to perform leading soprano and dramatic roles all over the world.

An evening to delight the senses, join Sarah as she takes you back in time to an era of glamorous elegance and exquisite beauty, depicted in the film and television classics Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, and more! A match made in musical heaven, celebrating the songs of Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and British Music Hall and more, she is accompanied by Bill Zeffiro, Piano, Maria Banks, Harp, and Jonathan Russell, Violin. And maybe she will even play a tune on the theremin!  Think evening brandy & tiaras. Dress for dinner! White tie and tails optional. www.SarahRice.com

"Another highlight, Sarah Rice, the original Johanna from "Sweeney Todd," singing in her spine-tingling soprano, "I Could be Happy with One Little, Little Boy" moved off the stage and elegantly through the crowd, searching each male face. I felt like Odysseus tied to the mast when this siren caught me in her gaze and sang directly to me." By Tom Dworetzky / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 2013

"Gloriously sung, or held back, the showcase presents different sides of the radiant Rice voice." -- Rob Lester, Cabaret Scenes

"it is evident that her voice remains a ravishing instrument" -- Roy Sander, Bistro Awards

"And this Tuesday night she wasn't just funny. She played the theremin (would you believe!),  — and she just brought the house down." By Tom Dworetzky / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 2013

54 Below

254 W 54th St, Cellar

New York, NY 10019

Maitre D' & Reservations: (646) 476-3551

To purchase tickets visit TicketWeb.com or call (866) 468-7619

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3355314

For more information and questions

please call the club directly at:

(646) 476-3551

ROZ RYAN IS 54 ABOVE AT 54 BELOW

Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are great and now I'm widening my horizon to focus on the performers themselves who get gigs at nightclubs.  Having experienced Feinstein's and Cafe Carlyle, I was off to 54 Below, located in the cellar of the original Club 54.  This was a follow up to seeing Roz Ryan in "Scandalous".  A night of Roz, her pianist Shelton Becton, and the band.  My reaction?  Move over Aretha Franklin!

This is one entertaining woman who can charm an audience with a combination of a totally outstanding voice and a great sense of humor!  So what was on the bill?  Roz opened with "The Best Is Yet To Come", followed by, "We're In Love", "Love Wants To Dance" and "Old Friend".

She took a break to allow us the pleasure of hearing another fabulous voice; that of Shelton Becton singing, "Where's God". You'd think he was leading a gospel choir but doing a solo!  Amazing!  You might just as well get both voices as this was followed by a duet of "I'm In Love Again".

Another song and another duet of "You Don't Have To Say You're Sorry" and it was back to a solo on the piano. "Music For The Birds".  Boy can Shelton tickle those ivories 'til their on the floor laughing.

"All Of Me", "Yesterday" (Charles Aznavour composition...not The Beatles), a Patty Austin song, "Love Me By Name" and "How Long Has This Been Going On" lead into her ending number of "My Way".  We all knew that she would come back for an encore and so did she.  Hell....it was demanded!  She sang, "Teach Me Tonight".

The evening was supported by many of her fellow cast members from both "Scandalous" and the former show she starred in, "Chicago". 

As for the nightclub.  It's low lights and a some long tables directly in front.  There are tables in the back that are higher up so that no one in front is blocking your view.  Tables in the sides, too. In other words, there's not a bad seat in the house.

There's basically a cover charge and two drink minimum.  Food is available as I tried a few items on the menu. Penne Shrimp with Broccoli, Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Carrot Cake.  Quality deserves dining there.

Location is 254 West 54th Street,  866-468-7619.  www.54below.com