54 Below

#1

54 Below

Posted: 3/13/13 at 11:46pm

My family and I are going to be in NYC at end of May and I was wondering if I could get opinion about 54 Below. Laura Benanti will be performing there and I am not familiar with her work. Already have tickets for "Newsies" and "Matilda" and will probably see what is "on the board" for the 3rd show.

#2

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 12:25am

Personally, I don't think its a "family" sort of place. Someone else might disagree though. I just find as a "night out with friends getting drinks" sort of place.

#3

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 1:23am

Depending on the age of your children I think it could be a fun night. Laura Benanti is an amazing performer and I'm sure her show will be a delight. I'd say if your kids are over 13 or 14 and are interested in seeing Laura, go for it. 54 Below is not the appropriate place to take children though. See another Broadway show instead

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Without bread we'd just be hungry but without theatre we'd be dead

#4

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 8:28am

My daughters are 24 and 22 but not big drinkers.Guess I will have to check and see what is the minimum "charge" for drinks and or food. We have been to "Joe's Pub" and ""BB KIngs" so I was wondring if it is like that or maybe a bit more "upscale". Thanks for your replies.

#5

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 10:31am

I'd recommend going to Broadway sessions, I was over from britain last week and went to it and it was the highlight of my trip. They had 4 leading ladies singing amazingly and also musical trivia and open mic, well worth checking out http://broadwaysessions.net/

#6

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 10:39am

Oh, if they're 22 and 24, you should DEFINITELY go. And Laura Benanti is a fantastic choice, even if you're not familiar with her work. She sings all kinds of things and is actually SUPER funny in a cabaret setting. HIGHLY entertaining. It's definitely more upscale than either of the places you mentioned, if you get a dinner and a glass of wine, you'll reach the minimum no problem.

#7

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 10:58am

I <3 54 Below

#8

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 11:04am

Go, especially with the kids at that age. The power of seeing a performer, especially of Laura Benanti's caliber, in such an intimate setting will be a great balance to the BIG shows you've got planned between Newsies and Matilda.

If you plan to go and have dinner (the food is pretty good), you will easily meet your food/beverage minimums. It's a $30/person minimum for her show.

#9

54 Below

Posted: 3/14/13 at 1:01pm

Awesome, thanks to everyone for their replies.

#10

54 Below

Posted: 3/19/13 at 11:57pm

I have decided to not go to 54 below for a while unless its someone I really want to see. went to 3 shows at 54 below with 3 of Broadways Ladies.


Two out of three of their acts seemed very quickly thrown together.

They seemed to be lacking direction theme or a true outlook.
Only one out of three was worth the price of admission and that was Linda Lavin as she was the only one who seemed to be happy doing the cabaret thing and took some time and thought into her act.

I won't put down or even mention the other two ladies as their Broadway work is top rate .......but sadly their cabaret work is not.


I wish some of these people would take more time and care putting their cabaret acts together.

Updated On: 3/20/13 at 11:57 PM

#11

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 12:11am

Yeah I've seen some messes at 54 Below, but that's probably true of any cabaret space. I'm sure someone of her caliber will have a first-rate show. I've never been let down by the "big" Broadway leads.

#12

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 12:18am

54 Below is one of the most magical of places New York has seen in decades.

I guarantee that seeing Laura Benanti there with your two twenty-something daughters will be the highlight of your trip.

I guarantee that.

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#13

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 1:03am

All three were big Broadway leads. Including Ms Lavin.
I do think if you've never been to 54 Below it is definitely a must see.
I'm sure Laura Benanti will do a great show. She is not one of the three
Just wish people would put more work into their cabaret acts. Especially some name talent.

#14

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 1:10am

Laura Benanti is a fantastic performer and sings beautifully. I saw her at American Songbook last year and she was wonderful. She will sing some classic Broadway songs, some pop and some funny numbers as well. There is a $25 food and beverage charge in addition to the music charge. But it's all worth it. I have to work when Benanti performs or I would go to see her without hesitation.

#15

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 1:17am

I wanted to add that I am a Yankees fan, BTW.

But I also would like to say something in reaction to what Goldenboy said. I've seen Liz Callaway, Leslie Uggams, Rebecca Luker, Jason Graae and Faith Prince, Tim Minchin, Brian D'Arcy James, Marilyn Maye, the cast of Once, Laura Osnes, and Adam Pascal at 54 Below and all of them gave very thoughtful and exciting shows. Maybe I was fortunate in my choices.

#16

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 7:26am

Copperfield2 - Thumbs up on being a Yankee fan also - lol. Thanks for your replies because I was not very familiar with Ms. Benanti and I have never been to this club. The only "Broadway" people I have even seen in concert have been Linda Eder,Adam Pascal and Idina Menzel. My daughters also expressed interest in seeing Ramin Karimloo who will be in BB King's the same night we were thinking of going to 54 Below. Decisions, decisions - lol

#17

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 7:46am

BB King's has none of the charm and elegance of 54 Below.

Go Below.

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#18

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 8:12am

I'm with PJ: It's a beautiful, magical place. The other fun thing is that the audience is frequently sprinkled with Broadway celebrities.

I've enjoyed every visit, and on the last one I was delighted to see Tyne Daly and Len Cariou in the audience.

Updated On: 3/20/13 at 08:12 AM

#19

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 8:37am

PalJoey- thanks for advice.

#20

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 8:38am

RT - Cool, think my daughters and wife would love seeing some Broadway people in audience in addition to a wonderful show and venue.

#21

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 11:39am

If your party is four people or more, request one of the banquettes in the back. Every time I sit in one of them, I hear the lyrics to Jerry Herman's "Elegance" in my head.

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#22

54 Below

Posted: 3/20/13 at 12:25pm

Isn't it just the most marvelous room? It really is what Joey and Reginald have said, 'magical.'

And I'm singing there on Sunday (shameless plug), and it's HEAVEN performing on that stage.

#23

54 Below

Posted: 3/21/13 at 9:09am

Tickets say price is $60. Does that mean the ticket is $60 plus $30 food/drink minimum or is $60 the total with food and drink minimum.

#24

54 Below

Posted: 3/21/13 at 9:11am

The tickets are $60 plus the $30 food/drink minimum. I've unfortunately only been to 54 Below once, when I saw Patti LuPone open the club in June, but it was so magical and I hope to make it back soon. I've heard Benanti does great concerts, so I hope you and your family go.

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#25

54 Below

Posted: 3/21/13 at 9:14am

Some shows there are cheaper.

Like the one RobbieJ is in on Sunday.

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