(l to r) Joe Iconis, Caissie Levy, Lauren Molina and Robert Creighton. (Photo: Matthew Wexler)
By Matthew Wexler
Broadway Blog editor Matthew Wexler played hooky earlier this week for a special preview of forthcoming shows headed to Feinstein’s/54 Below. Here’s what he discovered…
Robert Creighton
Robert Creighton: Holiday Happy!
Song and dance man Robert Creighton brings his throwback sound to Feinstein’s/54 Below for one night only as he celebrates the season before getting snowed in with the Broadway company of Frozen, where he’ll be playing the Duke of Weselton.
Creighton attributes his classic style to his parents’ love of old movies like White Christmas and Holiday Inn as well as his natural optimism. “My nature is more positive and that’s how I want to go through the world,” Creighton told the Broadway Blog.
Along with some original tunes, Creighton will be singing some familiar songs, albeit with new arrangements in collaboration with musical director Matt Perri. When asked about how he interprets a song, Creighton said, “Normally it starts with an idea of how I want to sing the song. Sometimes I’ll approach it in a classic way and pay tribute, and with others I have a clearer idea of how I want to mix it up. I usually end up singing into an iPhone and tapping it out for Matt. He’s great at taking iPhone ideas and making them into music!”
Robert Creighton: Holiday Happy!
December 14
Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza (Photo: Matthew Wexler)
The 10th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza
Celebrating a decade of yuletide debauchery, composer/lyricist Joe Iconic gathers stars aplenty, including Annie Golden, Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen), Ally Bonino, Shakina Nayfack, George Salazar, and others, for an evening that he describes as “bawdy and classic at the same time.” Inspired by throwback Christmas television specials, Iconic “flips the conceits of those things on its head” for an evening that’s nostalgic but with a bit of downtown vibe in the vein of Charles Busch’s camp style.
Nearly sold out, the last remaining seats remain for the December 17, 11 p.m. performance. (Waitlist available for other performances.)
The 10th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza
December 15-17
Caissie Levy (Photo: Matthew Wexler)
Caissie Levy on New Year’s Eve!
Broadway belter Caissie Levy rings in the New Year, singing career highlights from Hair, Ghost, Rent, Wicked, Les Misérables, and more. This is one of the last times in the foreseeable future that fans will be able to see Levy up close and personal before she begins her Broadway run as Elsa in the highly anticipated production of Disney’s Frozen. You can also expect to hear pop vocals as she covers Eva Cassidy, Radiohead, TLC and more, as well as tracks from her debut solo album With You.
Levy says playing a more intimate venue like Feinstein’s/54 Below is a different muscle to flex versus her experiences on the Broadway stage and larger theatrical venues throughout the U.S. “I’ve grown to love it as I’ve gotten older—I like connecting with people and communing with the audience,” said Levy. And although she’s typically more of a morning person these days with a toddler in tow (she and husband David Reiser’s son was born in March 2016), she’ll be ready for a late night come December 31, saying. “If there’s one night to do it, it’s New Year’s Eve.”
Caissie Levy on New Year’s Eve
December 31
The Skivvies
The Skivvies
The Skivvies (aka Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley) return to Feinstein’s/54 Below for two January concert dates, and although it may be cold outside, they’ll be showing up in their underwear. Performing an eclectic set of mash-ups, originals (performed on cello and ukelele), the duo has built a dedicated fan base through a series of YouTube videos that originally began with a (literally) stripped down version of Rihanna’s “We Found Love.”
When asked about their most recent inspiration, Molina said, “We’re just trying to make people laugh through the insanity of the world. Smile when you can and try to stay positive.” She’s also quick to point out that during this era of sexual misconduct, that the Skivvies’ act is more about body positivity. “You can see a person in his or her underwear and it’s funny and awesome without being lecherous, dirty or inappropriate.”
Expect guest stars and a hilarious evening of genre-hopping perfection.
The Skivvies
January 14, 20
For ticket information, visit www.54below.com.
Matthew Wexler is the Broadway Blog’s editor. Follow him on social media at @wexlerwrites.
