Benefit to Save the West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre Held October 8 | Playbill

Benefits and Galas Benefit to Save the West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre Held October 8

The event intends to be a turning point for these cherished spaces, aiming to raise necessary funds.

Michael R. Jackson, Richard Kind, Judy Kuhn, and Eva Noblezada

A variety of Broadway's best come together to save the West Bank Cafe and the Laurie Beechman Theatre October 8.

In July, it was announced that the Beechman, a longtime NYC cabaret venue, would close along with the restaurant that hosts it due to financial difficulties. A number of its most passionate fans stepped in to push back against the August exit, launching a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $100,000. Now, that same team is coming together to host a high-profile gala to raise additional funds to support the continued life of the institutions.

The October 8 gala will feature performances by Julie Benko (Funny Girl), Andrew Barth Feldman (No Hard Feelings), SAG winner Annie Golden (Orange Is the New Black), Tony nominee Joe Iconis (Be More Chill), Pulitzer winner Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop), SAG nominee Richard Kind (Mad About You), Emmy nominee Lorna Luft, Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Grammy winner Eva Noblezada, Emmy nominee Randy Rainbow (Hadestown), Tony winner Lillias White (The Life), Tony winner Gabe Ebert (Matilda), Bianca Leigh (Oh, Mary!), and Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer).

In addition to the performances, the gala will feature cocktails, small bites, and the chance to mingle with Broadway stars and other luminaries. General admission tickets start at $500, and top-tier packages include special perks like a personalized plaque in the restaurant or theatre, cementing your place in the storied legacy of the West Bank Cafe.

This event is produced by Tony-nominated Broadway producers Tom D’Angora and Michael D’Angora (Suffs), Tony-nominated composer Joe Iconis (Be More Chill), actor Tim Guinee (Homeland), as well as owner Steve Olsen. Event sponsors include Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Bronwyn Newport, Todd Bradley, Kristy Cates (Wicked) and Greg Grozdits. Michael Lavine serves as musical director for the evening.

Originally opened in 1983 as the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater Bar, the space was renamed for late Broadway and cabaret icon Laurie Beechman following her death in 1998, at the age of 44. The theatre, located at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue, has long served as one of NYC's most prominent cabaret venues, hosting play readings, concerts, and more over its long run. Notably, comedian Joan Rivers used to work out material with regular shows at the space, including the final performance she gave before her 2014 death.

For more information visit WestBankCafe.com.

 
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