Holiday Top 10! Must-See December Shows at 54 Below Include Seasonal Cheer With Chita Rivera & Jennifer Holliday
For a holiday treat, you can’t beat a night out at 54 Below. The month of December is packed with great attractions at the theater district hot spot —sometimes three in one night! Though the Smash-inspired Hit List concerts are already sold out, you can catch the return of Sierra Boggess and Alice Ripley (featured in previous Top 10 Lists) as well as the fantastic performers spotlighted below.
10. Daniel Reichard Gets Jolly for a Great Cause
Original Jersey Boys star Daniel Reichard has given acclaimed Christmas concerts for the past five years, choosing a different charitable organization each year to receive 100 percent of his proceeds. His new show, “It’s Christmas…Again,” playing December 10 and 19, will benefit The Actors Fund. Don’t miss this nostalgic evening.
9. Need a Little Christmas? Head to 54 Below’s Mame Concert
On December 8, “It’s Today” for Broadway greats Leslie Uggams, Annie Golden, Lee Roy Reams, Dee Hoty, Beth Leavel and more, performing the hits of Jerry Herman’s beloved 1966 musical Mame. As Ms. Dennis gets set to “haul out the holly,” you’ll wonder why it’s been so long since this show was revived on Broadway.
8. James Barbour Shares Holiday Cheer
Broadway leading man James Barbour helped launch the trend of starry Christmas concerts, and he’ll be in residence at 54 Below on December 7 (with special guest Stephen Wallem of Nurse Jackie) and December 12 (with guest star Mary Testa, currently winning laughs in Disaster!). Barbour's dreamy voice makes every Christmas carol a thrill!
7. Have a Better Night Out With Maltby & Shire
“What Could Be Better?” is the appropriately upbeat title of a December 17 concert spotlighting the work of Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire (Big, Baby, Closer Than Ever, Starting Here Starting Now). Joining the songwriters on stage will be Allison Case, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jose Llana, Barbara Walsh and more, plus a full band.
6. Mandy Gonzalez Explores that Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Wicked and In the Heights star Mandy Gonzalez takes on the ultimate emotion in a show that’s a mouthful: “Love, All Ways, A Musical Retrospective of Triumph and Hilarity.” We can’t wait for a set list that includes songs made famous by Elvis, Edie, Liza, Lennon, Aretha and Tina—with time for a rendition of “Defying Gravity.” Wow.
5. Katie Thompson Puts the Mayhem Back in Bethlehem
Giant and Chicago standout Katie Thompson performs Christmas carols as you’ve never heard them before in “Christmas With a K.” This strong-voiced belter will show off her funny side with a night of re-written holiday carols and re-imagined standards. Discover this talented redhead on December 3 before everyone else does!
4. Rising Stage Stars Sings the Tunes of Drew Gasparini
You can tell how hot a composer is by the actors eager to sing his songs. In the case of Drew Gasparini, consider this list of guests for his December 13 concert at 54 Below: Phoebe Strole, Lauren Pritchard, Jason Gotay, Andrew Kober, F. Michael Haynie, Preston Sadleir and a dozen more. Hey, anybody with an album called I Could Use a Drink is our kind of guy.
3. Spend a Twisted Christmas With Joe Iconis
Described as part rock concert, part theater piece and part theme park attraction, composer Joe Iconis' sixth annual “Christmas Spectacular” is on for December 20 and 21. What could be better on the weekend before Christmas than to see an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, tiny elves and a huge cast of musical theater stars? Not much.
2. Jennifer Holliday Is Telling You…She’s a Holiday Star
There'll be no post-Christmas blues when you can head to Studio 54 to see Dreamgirls original star Jennifer Holliday. From December 26 through December 29, this powerhouse vocalist will remind us why she can hold her own with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin. All we can hope is that the Tony winner’s next gig will be on Broadway.
1. Auld Lang Syne With Legendary Star Chita Rivera
For a New Year’s Eve to remember, take a seat at 54 Below to see the divine Chita Rivera and feast on a three-course dinner. (Baked Lobster with Chorizo and Mussels, anyone?) Pull out your party clothes and head to this intimate boite for a an up-close-and-personal evening with the incomparable Chita. Happy New Year to all.
