By Walter Rutledge
The multi-award-winning singer, actress and dancer Vivian Reed is back. After a self-imposed hiatus from performing to care for her ailing mother, Reed is back to the business of entertaining. On Tuesday May 20 she is not only back on stage, but also back at 54 Below, 254 W 54th Street, for one performance at 9:30pm.
An Evening With Vivian Reed returns to the club downstairs at the legendary nightclub Studio 54. Her inaugural November 11, 2013 and March 31, 2014 “launch” performances were sold out “must see” productions featuring an eclectic lineup of R&B, jazz, gospel and musical theater selections. Reed’s high-energy show pays tribute to the people who have had a profound effect on her career and includes a special salute to Harold Arlen.
Although this is a one-woman show Reed is not coming empty-handed. Two pianists, a bassist, a drummer, two background singers, and an array of surprise guests will accompany her. In addition to signature numbers from her critically acclaimed performances in Broadway’s Bubbling Brown Sugar, Three Mo’ Divas, music concerts and international nightclub appearances Reed will preview songs from One for My Baby, a new musical in development.
When not performing, Reed uses her spare time to design beautiful scarves and is now the owner and designer of her own scarf line that she launched in memory of her mother. She’s quick to add that “all scarves are handmade” and credits her beloved mother with getting her started in the scarf business. “I definitely got my creativity from my mom. She was an amazing seamstress and taught me how to sew at an early age.”
The doors at 54 Below open at 8:45pm. There is a cover charge of $40 to $50 and a $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets can be purchased by calling (646) 476-3551 or at 54below.com. For information about her line of hand-made silk scarves visit etsy.com.
Photograph 1 and video by Adewale Adekanbi