The first official Bowery Boys live event is coming up this September 13! We would really love to see a lot of you there for this. Â It’s not strictly the two of us on the stage. We’re part of a bigger tribute and one we think you’ll love.
1. Who’s putting this whole thing together? The show is hosted by The Ensemblist podcast’s Nikka Graff Lanzarone and Mo Brady. They’ve been talking with the supporting players of Broadway’s biggest shows since 2013. Subscribe to their show here.Â
2. What’s the theme of the show? It’s a tribute to one of Broadway’s most famous theaters — the St. James Theatre. Â Musicals such as Oklahoma!, The Pajama Game, Hello Dolly, and The Producers all made their first Broadway appearances here. In addition the theater was recently featured in the 2015 Academy Award Best Picture winner Birdman.
Below: A sketch by Anthony F. Dumas of the St. James when it first opened as Erlanger’s Theatre. The ‘Little Theatre’ next to it is today’s Helen Hayes Theatre.
3. What will the Bowery Boys be doing? Singing songs? Thankfully no! We’ll be on-stage telling the story of how Broadway arrived in Times Square, the early days of the St. James, and the wildly changing fate of the New York theater district. Â Consider this a live ‘mini-podcast’ on the history of Times Square, through the perspective of this particular theater.
4. Is the show at the St. James? Well, they’re a little busy over there with the current show Something Rotten.  Instead our tribute will be held at 54 Below, the glamorous basement cabaret that’s been open since 2012.  Upstairs was the former stage for the revival of Cabaret which had featured performances by Alan Cumming, Michelle Wiliams, Emma Stone and Sienna Miller. This of course is the former Studio 54 so expect us to geek out a little bit about this. (We did a podcast on Studio 54 many years ago.)
Below: We will literally be performing in the space below where Bianca Jagger rode into Studio 54 on a horse for her birthday party.
5. But there will be singing right? Ah, but that’s the best part! Stars of Broadway past and present will jump to the stage to present some of the greatest hits of the St. James, from Oklahoma! to American Idiot.  The line-up is mostly finalized, and it is a extremely talented list (with a couple big surprises!) We are honored to be sharing the stage with them.
This is a true cabaret variety show — story-telling, singing, banter, cocktails, the works!
6. One night only? Yes! September 13, 2015. But two separate shows at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Â It’s a great way to end the weekend.
To get your tickets, please visit the 54 Below site here or click on the links below
| Sun, Sep 13 | 7:00pm | Doors: 5:15pm | $30/35/40/70 | Tickets |
| Sun, Sep 13 | 9:30pm | Doors: 8:45pm | $25/30/35/60 | Tickets |
And we’ll see you there!
The picture above is from a 1902 production called Foxy Grandpa by R. Melville Baker with music by Joseph Hart. It debuted that year at Haverly’s 14th Street Theatre. Â Hart himself plays the foxy grandpa in this image. Courtesy the Museum of the City of New York Archives.