Feinstein’s/54 Below will launch a regular late-night showcase of both up-and-coming and established gender-bending performers, starting March 30 with a singer who salutes current Hello, Dolly! star Bette Midler.
Curated by Garth Schilling (who performs as Miss Vodka Stinger), the new Late Night Drag series will fill the 11:30 PM slot on selected Thursdays with $20 tickets and a two-drink minimum.
Here is the lineup through the end of May. Descriptions are supplied by Feinstein’s:
March 30: Wanna Bette? Cacophany Daniels Sings Bette Midler
“Join Bistro Award-winning drag queen beltress Cacophony Daniels (a.k.a. Jersey Boys’ Courter Simmons) as she pays tribute to everyone’s favorite bathhouse beauty, the one and only Bette Midler. In a fun evening of songs sung in their original keys as only Cacophony can, relive all the Divine Miss M’s best tunes, from the bathhouse to Broadway, film to flim-flam, and everything in between.”
April 27: Sophisticated Ladies with Miss Vodka Stinger and the Martha Rayes
“If it's elegance you've been missing, boozy chanteuse and New York drag star, Miss Vodka Stinger is back with her rakish twosome, The Martha Rayes, to deliver the goods. They make their triumphant return to Feinstein's/54 Below with Sophisticated Ladies, a night that's guaranteed to be brimming with Brylcreem, spats, and diaphragm carrying cases. For their seventh engagement at "Broadway's Living Room," Vodka & The Martha Rayes have challenged themselves to stage a show comprised of only the most refined and upmarket numbers. In other words, an evening for the true sophisticate. Rooted in the swank, eclectic nightclub culture of 1950s/60s New York City, this act hearkens back to the nightlife of yesteryear when you could see a baby Barbra Streisand at The Bon Soir on West 8th Street, Kay Thompson in The Plaza’s Persian Room, or Dorothy Loudon at the Blue Angel on East 55th. Musical director Frank Spitznagel is at the keys for this 70-minute extravaganza that is equal parts American Songbook and esoteric special material. For those who want to bring back the bygone Manhattan, for those who can think chic, urbane, with just a touch of the profane: come catch wise.”
May 11: Joey Arias and Sherry Vine
“International drag darlings Joey Arias (star of Zumanity and Arias With a Twist) and Sherry Vine (YouTube sensation and star of Here TV's She's Living for This) will perform their all-live cabaret extravaganza. Although they have toured the world with their sold out, scandalous shows, Joey and Sherry have not presented a full-length event together in NYC in over four years. The creators of StarLust, SINsation, and Cherchez La Femme will feature new original material as well as Broadway, rock, Joey’s infamous Billy Holiday, Sherry’s fabulous trashy parodies, and a few surprises.”
May 25: Going To The Chapel—Becoming an Honest Woman with Marti Gould Cummings
“After years and years and years of being NYC’s most single human being, Marti Cummings is finally making his way to the altar. Going To The Chapel—Becoming an Honest Woman is an acoustic concert that will take you on a journey from Marti’s high school crushes and first kiss to finding the man of his dreams. The eclectic music will showcase the different stages of Cummings’ dating and romantic life. Featuring Eric Miranda on guitar with special surprise guests.”
In addition, Feinstein’s/54 Below will continue to present drag performances as part of its regular mid-evening schedule on various dates at 9:30 PM. Tickets for these shows begin at $25 with a $25 food and beverage minimum. Here are the currently scheduled shows:
April 5-6: A Little White Music with Varla Jean Merman
“Clear the Hudson River ladies and gentlemen, there's a great white beaching herself in Midtown! International chanteuse Varla Jean Merman is opening her jaws wide to take a bite out of the American Songbook. This salty songbird strikes up a honky hit parade of the whitest material to hit your ears since the invention of the Q-Tip. Featuring unforgettable takes on forgettable favorites, Varla Jean will drag you down to the depths of your AM radio dial. Featuring Gerald Goode on piano. Written by Jeffery Roberson with Jacques Lamarre. Directed by Michael Schiralli. Varla Jean Merman is the purported love child of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine.“
March 28, April 7, May 16 and June 13: It Takes A Woman... An Evening with Alexis Michelle
“A humorous and poignant memoir detailing how Alex Michaels, a boy from SoHo emerged as Alexis Michelle, New York’s premier theatrical drag queen! With songs ranging from standards like “Bill” to classic character numbers like “A Call from the Vatican” and new interpretations of contemporary pop hits, Alexis is certain to bring you the sweet things in life with this one-of-a-kind cabaret experience!” Music direction by Brandon James Gwinn; produced by James Will McBride.
MAY 12: The Doris Dear Mother’s Day Special with Ray DeForest
“A 2016 MAC award winner celebrates her mother Taffy and mothers everywhere with her special guests, multiple award winner and recording artist Stacy Sullivan, Hansen Award winner and MAC award winner Meg Flather, award winning vocalist Shaynee Rainbolt and award winning singer extraordinaire, Lina Koutrakos. The Rumpus Room will be full of rousing numbers from Broadway and the radio...as well as original stories of how our mothers influence our inner ‘housewife.’”
Feinstein's/54 Below is located at 254 West 54th Street, in the basement of the Studio 54 Broadway theatre.
