'Backstage' features The Chalks, Broadway's Anastacia McClesky

'Backstage' features The Chalks, Broadway's Anastacia McClesky

Thomas Dworetzky/New York Daily News

 

Jessica Hershberg made her mark on Broadway in “Baby It's You,” and off-Broadway in “Love and Real Estate.” 

If you had arrived on the dot of 10:30 p.m. for the ‘Backstage’ at 54 Below a few weeks ago, getting a seat would be no problem. But something changed last Tuesday.

I arrived just a little late to find a packed and boisterous house.

Susie Mosher, who hosts the show, could not have been happier, “Good times were had by all,” she says.

And what made it so good was not just the appreciative crowd but the great lineup assembled for the show.

Packed into 2 hours were performances by: Jon Patrick Walker, of the regulars, Christopher DiCristo (with Jonathan Ivie on keys, Steve Millhouse on Bass and Rock and Roll hall of fame's T-Bone Motta on Drums), The Chalks (Mary Brienza, Kathryn Markey and Leenya Rideout), Anastacia McCleskey, Jessica Hershberg, Terese Genecco , Amy Toporeck, and Marymount Manhattan Students Robbie Torres and Anthony Rotonaro.

All were great, and the ambience was like something out of the "Pal Joey," era. Spontaneous, but not random. Excellent without being over-planned.

As usual, Ms. Mosher’s improvisational singing skills helped tie the whole evening together.

Some other standouts included: Chris DiCristo, who is actually on staff at 54 Below. He got to rock-n-roll control the stage because, says Susie, "I was at the holiday party for 54 Below and he got up and sang and his voice blew me away. So soaring and true. Loved having him do his original material last night."

Then there was  Anastacia McClesky, "a star. Period," says Susie. She's graced Broadway in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” “Hair,” and “Tarzan”.

"She sang Whitney Houston like a bird and then brought the house down with 'The Hokey Pokey.'" Susie told me, and I totally agree,  only a star can do that.

Country and contrary (is there such a thing as contrary country?) The Chalks, a trio in spangled shirts and country garb, to the max, totally took over. "Absolute favorites" of Susie's and now I know why. Hilarious songwriting and terrific musicianship, complete with some boot and cowbell percussion, they created their own world and for a couple of tunes we got to go there.

Then beautiful Jessica Hershberg, a rising star in the theater world, showed us all why. She's made her mark on Broadway in “Baby It's You,” and off-Broadway in “Love and Real Estate.”

 Her voice is silvery and fluid. “I just want to take bathe in it,” says Susie. Hearing her sing "Like a Virgin" was a highlight.

Terese Genecco, a great singer with her own "Little Big Band" killed, especially with the poignant "If I Were a Boy." When you sing from the heart it shows. Susie, "Loved it." Me: "Loved it, too. Brave and true.

"One of my favorite performers as well as people on the theater scene," says Susie, is Emily McNamara.

Funny and self deprecating, Emily draws you in and makes you laugh and then you are in awe at her voice...all at once.

She is in NEWSical with Susie, and is really gear (Ha, not since Arthur's, before Studio 54, which was upstairs from 54 Below, has that term been used.)

And Amy Topereck was a delight, her strong clear song voice belting out a song about 15 extra pounds. With her smile, and her talent, that guy should plotz. She is terrific.

Again, some talent from the college crowd brought the house down. This time a pair from Marymount Manhattan, Robbie Torres doing a beautiful original song and Anthony Rotandaro, a junior, who was wonderful.

In other words, pretty much a perfect way to spend a Tuesday night.