Wednesday, July 30, 2014 – 9:30 pm
54 BELOW, BROADWAY’S SUPPER CLUB
Chicago Fire’s Monica Raymund of Sisu Theatrical Productions, LLC, Jacob Harvey of Cave 76 Productions, LLC and Jordi Coats present a cabaret-style concert of VOLLEYGIRLS,which will include tunes from the breakout hit from the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival, as well as, revisit some old fan favorites from earlier incarnations. The concert, hosted by Susan Blackwell ([title of show]), will benefit the It Gets Better Project at 54 BELOW (254 West 54th Street), Broadways premier Supper Club on Wednesday, July 30th at 9:30pm. Tickets range from $30-$55 with proceeds going to benefit the It Gets Better Project plus $25 food and beverage minimum, are available at www.54Below.com.
“VOLLEYGIRLS is a musical that fights for the power of good and encourages every young person whether gay or straight, jock or nerd, to be who you are and stay true to yourself,” says Harvey. “We are proud to continue using our art to fight for equality and tolerance. It Gets Better Project helps saves the lives of young men and women who are struggling to find and accept their own individuality,” says Raymund who is a longtime supporter of the It Gets Better Project and wrote about it as a guest columnist for Huffington Post in 2011: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/monica-raymund/making-a-better-holiday_b_1124272.html
As one of Huffington Post’s Best Shows of 2013, the “heartwarming” (Theatermania) VOLLEYGIRLS, which starred Blackwell, called “a winning spike” by The New York Times, took home top honors from the NYMF awards for excellence, including the Best of Fest audience choice award, Outstanding Ensemble Award and the coveted most Promising New Musical Award-winning musical plus the New World Stages development prize.Blackwell played Kim Brindell, a disgraced Olympian coaching an oddball team of high-school volleyball players in this girl-powered musical VOLLEYGIRLS with book by Rob Ackerman (Tabletop – 2001 Drama Desk), lyrics by Sam Forman (Sleepless in Seattle, book for F#%king Up Everything), music by Eli Bolin(Found, I Sing, Roller Boogie, TV: Sesame Street), choreographed by Ryan Kasprazak (TV: Smash Tour, Billy Elliot) and directed by Neil Patrick Stewart (LA theatre: The Elephant Man – Ovation Award nominations). www.volleygirlsthemusical.com
In addition to Blackwell, the 54 BELOW performance will feature Krysta Rodriguez (First Date, TV: Smash),Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me Kate), PJ Adzima, Benjamin Howes ([title of show] and Scandalous), Jennifer C. Johnson, Julia Knitel (Bye Bye Birdie), Gerianne Perez, Allison Posner, Dana Steingold (Calvin Bergerand Bubble Boy),Allison Strong (Bye Bye Birdie), and MORE! The concert is directed by Neil Patrick Stewart and general mangaged by Jordi Coats. The “Sweat” Band will feature Mike Pettry, Eric Davis,Brendan O’Grady, and Alex Wyatt with musical direction by composer Eli Bolin.
VOLLEYGIRLS plays 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 at 9:30pm. Tickets range from $30-$55 with proceeds going to benefit the It Gets Better Project plus $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.
IT GETS BETTER CAMPAIGN
Founded in 2010 by Dan Savage and Terry Miller, the It Gets Better Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses all forms of media and engagement to reach LGBT youth worldwide in order to provide critical support and hope that life indeed gets better. Through the organization’s messages of hope, international resources and guidance, collaboration and mouthpiece in the media, the It Gets Better Project strives to continuously make life better for LGBT youth. To date, more than 50,000 inspirational videos have been uploaded in support of It Gets Better and the LGBT community, including support from President Obama and 500,000 others who have actively taken the pledge to spread It Gets Better’s messages of hope and speak up against intolerance. The Project has expanded its support of LGBT youth on both a national and global scale, serving as a resource on policy and legal matters. The It Gets Better Project is resolute in its mission to make the lives of LGBT youth, simply put, better. Connect with the It Gets Better Project: @ItGetsBetter, Facebook.com/ItGetsBetterProject, YouTube.com/ItGetsBetterProject.
MORE ABOUT 54 BELOW
54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, is the new performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, 54 BELOW is a classically designed state-of-the art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style. The venue provides a food and beverage menu from early evening through the wee hours of the morning that is worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. In their description of 54 BELOW, The New York Times writes “the club has the intimacy of a large living room with unimpeded views and impeccable sound; there is not a bad seat. Its sultry after-hours ambience is enhanced by brocade-patterned wall panels planted with orange-shaded lanterns. And the atmosphere is warmer and sexier than in Manhattan’s other major supper clubs.” Located at 254 West 54th Street, 54 BELOW features up to three shows nightly with cover charges ranging from $15-$95.