Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, Melissa Errico & More to Celebrate Rita Gardner at 54 Below

This salute to Rita will feature stories and songs that celebrate a remarkable career and life, featuring Broadway and Off-Broadway stars.

By: Mar. 14, 2023
Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, Melissa Errico & More to Celebrate Rita Gardner at 54 Below
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Broadway stars Laura Benanti, Liz Callaway, and more are joining the cast of 54 Celebrates Rita Gardner on May 1st at 7:00pm. For more information, visit 54below.com/Gardner.

Come remember and celebrate Rita Gardner at 54 Below! Rita Gardner will always be remembered as The Girl in the legendary Off Broadway hit The Fantasticks, in which she introduced "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "Much More," and "They Were You." She went on to star in Broadway shows, TV and film, and to teach countless young performers at HB Studios. This salute to Rita will feature stories and songs that celebrate a remarkable career and life, featuring Broadway and Off-Broadway stars. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Featuring Tony Award® winner Laura Benanti, Tony Award® nominee Liz Callaway, Lewis Cleale, Tony Award® nominee Melissa Errico, Jeff Harnar, Paula Dione Ingram, Heather MacRae, Amanda McBroom, Kurt Peterson, Sarah Rice, and Ann Talman.

Produced by Sherry Eaker and Claire-Frances Sullivan. Music direction by Alex Rybeck. Direction by Barry Kleinbort.

54 Celebrates Rita Gardner plays 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) May 1st at 7:00pm. There is a $45-$55 cover charge ($51-$62 with fees). Premium seats are $90 ($100.50 with fees). There is a $25 food & beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at 54below.com/Gardner. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00pm are only available by calling (646) 476-3551. All online and phone ticket purchases are subject to fees of 10% of ticket price, plus a $1.50 facility fee.

MORE ABOUT 54 BELOW

54 Below was founded as a place for the Broadway community to celebrate Broadway performers, both established and new, who sing not only the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook, but also new material intended for Broadway and off-Broadway stages. The club features fine dining and superb scenic, lighting, and sound designs entirely imagined by Broadway designers. For performers, writers, musicians, and more, 54 Below gives opportunities to advance their craft, expand their repertoires, and develop their voices in a way that is more personal, making them stronger as artists.  It gives Broadway fans an opportunity to see their favorite artists in a different way, deepening their relationship and understanding of their talent. 

A recipient of the 2022 TONY AWARDS® Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. It is also a place for innovation in musical songwriting and performance. Collaborations born at 54 Below give rise to and help develop new theatrical projects and new musicals. In addition, its popular streaming video activities and audio recordings support these activities, helping to build a new Broadway audience worldwide, both in age and geography.

54 Below is one of the most in-demand performance venues in the city, presenting over 700 shows each year. Unique in its mission, it has become an indispensable member of the Broadway ecosystem, providing a place for seasoned and emerging artists to hone their craft, try out new work, grow their fanbases, and gather as a community. The management team includes Proprietors and nine-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, and Tom Viertel, Creative and Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper, and restaurant General Manager Mandisa Boxill.

Located at 254 West 54th Street, the club presents live shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Tickets and information at 54below.com.




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