Ep.12 Sing, Harlem, Sing

08/21/12 • 9 min

Vy Higgenson is a proud Harlemite and New Yorker known for a many significant firsts in the entertainment industry: The first black female radio personality in the prime time New York City market on WBLS. First woman to host a morning show on New York radio at WWRL. The first black woman to produce a drama on Broadway with Joe Tuner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson. The first black female writer, producer, director of the longest-running, Off-Broadway musical in the history of American theatre with Mama, I Want to Sing.

Tonight she talks with Richard Frankel about another first, creating a cabaret show for 54Below. The show, following the roots and evolution of Gospel music, will kick off a series of Saturday Gospel brunches on August 25th. For more information and tickets, visit 54below.com

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Ep.11 - Victor Garber

Victor Garber is one of the most respected and talented actors of his generation, with six Emmy and four Tony nominations for memorable roles on the Broadway stage and big and small screen in shows like "Noises Off" the original "Sweeney Todd", on T.V. in "Alias" and "Eli Stone," and famous movies including "Milk" and "Titanic". But his show at 54 Below, his debut cabaret performance, is the first time audiences can see Victor Garber playing only himself.

Tonight, in his conversation with Richard Frankel, hear why this accomplished star finds the cabaret stage so terrifying. Hear about James Cameron's legendary "Titanic"...behind the scenes, Garber's turn as a rock star in a 60's Toronto-based band called The Sugar Shoppe, and how Sondheim inspired him early in his career.

Plus, an exclusive preview from the first Sold Out show at the club on August 13th.

More information at 54below.com

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Ep.13 - Faith Prince & Jason Graae

Faith Prince has been dazzling Broadway audiences since winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance as “Ms. Adelaide” in Guys and Dolls. Other Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, Bells Are Ringing (Tony, DD, OCC noms), Nick & Nora (OCC Award), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (Tony, DD noms), Little Me, The Dead, and Noises Off, A Catered Affair. On T.V.: Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” as Elaine Bingum, mother of series star Jane (played by another Broadway Diva – Brooke Elliot

Most recently, Faith starred in the national tour of the Broadway hit Billy Elliott. Cabaret debut in 2000 at Joe’s Pub - preserved as the critically-acclaimed live album, “Leap Of Faith”

Jason Graae has starred on Broadway in "A Grand Night For Singing", "Falsettos", "Stardust", "Snoopy!", and "Do Black Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up?". In 2008, Jason won his second L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award - the 2008 Joel Hirschorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre.

He has performed his one-man show all over the country, and has been included in TimeOut NY's Top 10 Cabaret Shows.

See Faith and Jason, at 54 Below, August 21 - 25