New Works Night at 54 Below
The Table Read Co. joins forces with five visionary composer and lyricist teams to bring new musicals across Manhattan to 54 Below in Concert! Directed and produced by Kristen Eliza Brock and Annika Burley, this electrifying concert spotlights the songs that could become tomorrow’s classics.
Audiences will experience song selections from Brooklyn’s Bridge, Riverbend, Two Weeks and a Day, Broken Madonna, and the premiere of Bluebirds. From bold new sounds to some special guests, the night promises something for every lover of musical theatre.
New Works Night is dedicated to uplifting emerging theatrical voices and championing the future of Broadway. Be there at the beginning—you’ll want to say you heard it first.
Music direction by Tyler Campbell.
DRUMS……………………………………………Reid Metoyer
BASS/GUITAR………………………………….Caleb Graham
VIOLIN…………………………………………….Susan Aquila
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Two Weeks and a Day
“The Mommy Song”…….…………………Annika Burley, Kristen Eliza Brock
Show Medley (“Last Summer”, “Revelation I”, “Waiting on Laundry”)…….…………………Annika Burley, Kristen Eliza Brock, Michael Raul Perez
Broken Madonna
“Not Today”…….…………………………..……………………………………….Diva LaMarr
“Heartbeat”……………………………………………………………..……..Tara Tagliaferro
“There She Goes”…………………………………………………………………………N’Kenge
Riverbend
“When She Holds Me”……………………..……………….Kay Sibal, Meg Wombles
“The Tree”……………………….Tiffany Furicchia, Amaya White, Maggie Likcani
“After Dark”……………………………………………………………..………………..Full Cast
Bluebirds
“Bluebirds”…………………………………………………………………………Rosie Dunphy
“Stars”…………………………………Rosie Dunphy, Albert Sterner, Lucas Babcock
“Music In The Making”……………………………………………………..Albert Sterner
Brooklyn’s Bridge
“From Our Window”………………………………….Savannah Frazier, Ben Jones
“Marching On” (Act I Finale)……………….…..Lauren Hatfield & Ensemble
“We Built the Bridge” Reprise…………………..…..Brian C Veith & Company
ABOUT THE TABLE READ CO.
The Table Read Co. is a nonprofit bringing fresh plays, musicals, and screenplays to life through table reads and staged readings. We collaborate with up-and-coming writers by empowering emerging theatre voices to hear their work out loud and take it to the next level.
Not only do we work directly with writers, we recruit and collaborate with actors and creatives – as well who all want to get involved in developing new work.
BE PART OF THE PROCESS: HELP THE TABLE READ CO. CREATE NEW THEATRICAL WORK
Giving Levels & Perks
Print the Pages - $25 Donation
Support an Actor - $50 Donation
Cover a Stage Manager - $100 Donation
Fund a Table Read - $250 Donation
Director’s Circle - $500 Donation
Producer’s Chair - $1000 Donation
Executive Producer’s Guild - $5000 Donation
WHY DONATE?
Your support helps us:
Produce exciting new readings and performances of new projects happening in NYC.
Mentor and collaborate with emerging writers, actors, and creatives.
Build a thriving creative community of theatre lovers and makers.
CAST
LUCAS BABCOCK
BLUEBIRDSLucas Hinds Babcock Lucas is making his 54 Below Debut and is so excited to do it alongside great friends! Credits: Hamilton National Tour (Laurens/Philip), Once on this Island (Daniel), Beautiful:The Carole King Musical (Lead Drifter), Next to Normal (Gabe), Grease (Danny). Production Vocalist with Norwegian Cruise Lines. Graduate of Emerson College’s BFA program! Instagram: @lucashbabcock
ROZIE BAKER
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGERozie Baker has performed in Broadway productions such as Bonnie & Clyde, Shrek the Musical & Mary Poppins, and originated the roles of Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting & Dani in Dani Girl. She is the proud daughter of Joe Baker and is so proud to be performing selections from Brooklyn’s Bridge.
TWO WEEKS AND A DAY | BROOKLYN'S BRIDGE | PRODUCERKRISTEN ELIZA BROCK
Kristen Eliza Brock (she/her) is an AEA actress based in Manhattan and a graduate of Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre, class of 2022. She also appeared as Ann on Norwegian Cruise Lines in the closing cast of Swing! The Broadway Musical. Credits: Mary Lane (Reefer Madness), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Ariel (Footloose), Janet (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Reno (Anything Goes), Sharpay (High School Musical), Jovie (Elf) and The Witch (Into the Woods) where she was a nominee at the 2018 Jimmy Awards at the Minskoff Theatre. Proudly signed with Bright Artists Management. Instagram: @kristenelizabrock
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGECHRISTIAN BURDICK
Christian Burdick is a New York City–based actor with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. Performance credits include Titanic, Catch Me If You Can, Fun Home, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame(Ithaca College), as well as Burt & Me and A Year With Frog and Toad (Gretna Theatre). He is a member of Broadway Carolers and has participated in new works workshops including Vallier/The Lillies andHijahs (The Disappeared) at the Finger Lakes New Works Festival.
TWO WEEKS AND A DAY | PRODUCERANNIKA BURLEY
Annika Burley (she/her) is a New York based artist who specializes in coming of age female-driven films, queer stories, Shakespeare, acting-driven musicals, and new works from their beginning stages. TV/Voiceover: Jane (Dead Sea Squirrels); Select Regional: Janice (Come From Away, Nashville Rep), Lady M (Macbeth, Commonwealth Shakespeare), Natalie (Next to Normal, Scranton Shakespeare), Constance (Kill The Magistrate, Boston Playwrights), Ruby (She Reached for Heaven, Nashville Rep), Swing (The Play That Goes Wrong, Cincinnati Shakespeare), Rosalind (As You Like It, Nashville Shakespeare), Third Witch (Macbeth, Commonwealth Shakespeare), Tybalt (Romeo & Juliet, Cincinnati Shakespeare), Sally (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Berkshire Theatre Group). Love to her family, M, H, and E. annikaburley.com | @annikaburley
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGESEAN CROTHERS
Sean Crothers is a local New York actor and recent graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School. Originally from Boone, North Carolina, Sean moved to St. Petersburg Florida to pursue Theatre at Eckerd College and get a Degree in Musical Theatre. He has since lent his Talent to theaters in North Carolina such as the Flat Rock Playhouse, where he will return in the Summer and Fall of 2026, and local New York theaters like The Chain’s Winter Play Festival later this Winter. He is so excited and proud to be apart of this ensemble and to be making his 54 Below debut with this team of incredible artists!
BLUEBIRDSROSIE DUNPHY
Rosie Dunphy (she/her) is an NYC based actress and singer (and proud NJ native). She is a recent graduate of DeSales University, receiving her BA in Musical Theatre and shortly after performing in the Off-Broadway premiere of Falling Fast as a vocalist and swing. Other recent credits: Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ella). Catch her otherwise watching a BBC documentary, listening to Ariana Grande, or sipping a sugar free red bull (or if you’re lucky—all three at once). Rosie is incredibly grateful to bring the beautiful music and story of Bluebirds to life.
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGESAVANNAH FRAZIER
Off B'way: Eve (et al) (APPLE TREE, Theatre Row), Eileen (WONDERFUL TOWN, Theatre Row), Marc Antony (JULIUS CAESAR, Theatre 54). Broadway: Sophie/Mary Catlett u/s (AMAZING GRACE, Nederlander Theatre). Other credits: one-woman show, "Ever-Long: Tales of A Tall Ingenue and Other Short(er) Stories" at Feinstein's/54 Below, Laurey (OKLAHOMA, Lyric Stage of Dallas), Alta (FROM THE FIRE, Edinburgh Fringe), Session singer for Apple TV's Schmigadoon! Season 2, Co-star on CBS's FBI Season 3, and guest star on NBC's Law and Order, Season 22. Find her original SAG web series, CUDDLE, on Vimeo. Currently developing a musical improv residency show "Reproductions!" right here in NYC!
RIVERBENDTiffany Furicchia
54 Below Debut! Some of her credits include: How The Grinch Stole Christmas National Tour (Reno/Phyllis Who). Regional: Frozen, Legally Blonde (Ensemble, Arrow Rock), Sweeney Todd (Johanna, Clear Space), The Sound of Music (Liesl u/s, Engeman). Off-Broadway: Audrey (Marilyn Monroe). BFA MT: Montclair State University. Love to her family and friends, MTA & ATA! @tiffanyfuricchia
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGELAUREL HATFIELD
Laurel Hatfield most recently starred as Emily Roebling in the World Premiere of Brooklyn’s Bridge at the Dr. Phillips Center. Other Orlando credits include Evelyn Williams in American Psycho the Musical (Theater West End - Southeast Premiere - Orlando Sentinel Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical), Mrs. Van Buren in Intimate Apparel (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre - Orlando Sentinel Outstanding Featured Actor in a Drama), Snow White in Disenchanted (Theater West End - Directed by original Off-Broadway cast member Michelle Knight), and Jovie in Elf (Orlando Rep). Other credits include La Mirada Theatre, Musical Theatre West, Performance Riverside, and Disney Cruise Line. On screen, she has appeared in Gilmore Girls, Passions, Being Vincent, Stratos 4, and national commercials (Ritz Crackers with Trevor Lawrence, Addition Financial, Auto-Owners Insurance, and more). In 2024 the Orlando Sentinel named her one of the year’s outstanding directors for Steel Magnolias at Theater West End. She is the lead singer of Laurel Hatfield and the La La Band, performing across Orlando including Judson’s Live, and can currently be seen in Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond at Disney World. @la.hatfield
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGEBEN JONES
Ben Jones is an award-winning singer, comedian, storyteller and actor who has appeared in front of audiences worldwide. He's shared the spotlight with the likes of Rita Moreno, Michael Tilson Thomas, Frederica von Stade, Nathan Gunn, Isabel Leonard, Helmuth Rilling, Michael Morgan, Val Diamond and the Bang on a Can All-Stars. Ben made his Carnegie Hall debut virtually in 2021, performing a selection from Greg Pliska and Charles Moorey’s new Musical A Most Dangerous Man in Carnegie Hall’s Voices of Hope festival.
He was most recently seen in Off-Broadway productions of Twist of Fate and Brooklyn’s Bridge at The York Theatre. Ben received the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Performance in a Musical for his portrayal of Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game. Two of his solo shows–I Think I'm in Love and I Think We Should See Other People–were featured in BroadwayWorld's Best of 2022.
BROKEN MADONNADIVA LAMARR
They are a proud non-binary award-winning NYC headliner. You can catch them every Monday night at Madame George hosting BROADWAY NIGHT OFF. Follow our insta: @broadwaynightoff
RIVERBENDMAGGIE LIKCANI
Maggie Likcani is a New York based actor recently seen on Broadway in the Tony award winning musical Sunset BLVD. After that, she made her Off-Broadway debut in The Royal Pyrate as the historic Mary Hallet. @maggielikcani
BROKEN MADONNAN’KENGE
A five-octave vocal powerhouse, N’Kenge is redefining crossover artistry. Her single “Bewitched”, from the album CenterStage: Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, soared to #2 on the smooth jazz charts and drew international acclaim from critics across Italy and South Africa. A Tony, Emmy, and Grammy-nominated performer, N’Kenge has headlined with major orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony, and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. Her dynamic blend of classical precision and soulful expression has made her a global favorite in pop, opera, and jazz. She has appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim, Motown: The Musical, and Caroline, or Change, originated the role of The Moon, and performed at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball for President Obama, televised internationally. With over 26 million TikTok views for her hit “Goosebump Moment”, N’Kenge continues to bridge classic artistry and modern audiences. In 2026, she premieres a new Motown and Rock ’n’ Roll symphonic concert with the Jacksonville Symphony, and leads the world premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center.
TWO WEEKS AND A DAYMICHAEL RAUL PEREZ
Michael Perez is a New York based actor most recently seen as the Evan alternate in Dear Evan Hansen (National Tour). Film/TV: Amazon Prime’s “Uncle Frank,” Hallmark’s To Her With Love, Netflix’s “Insatiable,” AMC’s “Halt and Catch Fire,” Sundance’s “When the Streetlights Go On.” Thanks to Stewart Talent, Rikki Dale Management, my family, Appa, and A.
RIVERBENDKAY SIBAL
Kay Sibal (she/her/hers), a proud Filipina actor and musician, grew up in the SF Bay Area, and spent most of her career in LA. She is currently playing Katherine Howard in Six the Musical on Broadway. She was most recently seen on Season 26 of The Voice on Team Gwen. Regional credits include: Invincible: the Musical (Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts); The Tempest: An Immersive Experience (Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles/After Hours Theater Co); Grumpy Monkey the Musical (Pasadena Playhouse); Spring Awakening (East West Players). In addition to performing live, she has a passion for education, a cappella and choral music, singing pop covers, and crocheting. IG: @kaysibal Tik Tok: @musikay
BLUEBIRDSALBERT STERNER
BROKEN MADONNATARA TAGLIAFERRO
Favorite credits: Audrey in LSOH (Arkansas Rep), Miss Shields in A Christmas Story (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Smitty in H2$ (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), and Miss Meyers/Danielle in Freaky Friday (North Shore Music Theatre). Co-host of @downtheyellowbrickpod with live performances at The Green Room 42 and Stonewall Inn. Currently receiving her Masters in Information Science, transitioning to become a children's librarian. Thanks to Josefin for the opportunity!
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGEDREW TANABE
Drew Tanabe (he/him) is a NYC based actor most recently back from the national tour of Austen's Pride. Other NYC credits include Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road (The York) and Annie (Theater at MSG). Huge thanks to Ray and Joe for having him be a part of this concert!
BROOKLYN'S BRIDGEBRIAN C. VEITH
Brian C Veith, originally from California, has worked around the country at theatres like Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Rev, ACT of Connecticut, and The Gateway. Favorite shows include Beauty And The Beast, Sweeney Todd, Kinky Boots, In Emily's Words, and Murder On The Orient Express.
RIVERBENDAMAYA WHITE
Amaya White previous credits include the national tour of Six the musical, An Officer and a Gentleman, Once On This Island at Theatre Raleigh, Beautiful at Ogunquit Playhouse, and Jelly’s Last Jam at Long Wharf Theatre. IG: @yourstrulyamaya
RIVERBENDMEGHAN RENEE WOMBLES
Meghan Renee Wombles is absolutely thrilled and honored to be involved in this wonderful celebration of new works! She is an Indiana native and recently graduated from Lipscomb University with her BFA in Musical Theatre. Favorite regional and educational credits include Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, Nemo in the TYA world premiere or Finding Nemo, and Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia. All the love to her family & friends, God, and her incredible partner! @megwombles
PLAYWRIGHTS + COMPOSERS
COMPOSER, BROOKLYN'S BRIDGEJOSEPH BAKER
Joseph is thrilled to be a part of BROOKLYN’S BRIDGE A New Musical!
He has been performing as a Keyboardist/Conductor/ Music Director on and around Broadway for over 35 years, shows include: WICKED, SHREK, THE LION KING, BLOOD BROTHERS, THE LIFE, GRAND HOTEL, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE TAP DANCE KID, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CATSKILLS ON BROADWAY, FOOTLOOSE, BELLS ARE RINGING, and LAUGHING ROOM ONLY. He has also done duties as Orchestrator, Vocal Arranger or Dance Arranger on shows as: BUBBLY BLACK GIRL,THE GREEN HEART, PLAY IT COOL and FOOTLOOSE. He has conducted for Artists such as Carole King, Petula Clarke, Art Garfunkel, David and Shaun Cassidy, Helen Reddy, Chita Rivera, Leslie Uggams, and other Broadway Notables.
As a Theater Composer, Joseph created the Arrangements and Original Material for the Hit Show THE BIKINIS, and is currently working on a musical about the rivalry between Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse. Mister B. also composed and arranged the score for the smash hit documentary MAD HOT BALLROOM, and is Composer Arranger – Producer for DITTYDOODLE WORKS, an exciting children’s TV series on Public Television WLIW.
PLAYWRIGHT/COMPOSER, TWO WEEKS AND A DAYSCOTT BRONS
Scott Brons is a Nashville-based artist thrilled to be partnering with Table Read Co. at 54 Below! He makes his lunch money as a musical director, pianist, vocalist, and composer-lyricist. ‘Two Weeks and a Day’ had a workshop in 2024 in collaboration with UNCSA drama and music students. He is grateful to continue sharing this fable.
MUSIC + LYRICS, BLUEBIRDSJOSEPH COLANERI
Joseph is a composer, copyist, and music educator based in New York City, whose work bridges classical and contemporary styles with a deep focus on storytelling. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Belmont University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Education at CUNY Hunter College.
LIBRETTIST/LYRICIST, RIVERBENDCAROLINE GAME
Caroline Game (she/her) is a librettist/lyricist, and actor/singer with a passion for telling complicated, compassionate stories. Her current projects include Riverbend (Write Out Loud 2025 Finalist, Emerging Artists Theatre’s Sparkfest 2023, Drama Club Camp 2024) and Hourglass (Drama Club Camp 2025, Sandbox Musicals ‘Playspace’). Her work has been featured in EAT’s Sparkfest, the New York Theatre Festival, and the Druid City Pride Festival. Professional performing credits include Ghost (Molly), Significant Other (Laura), and Mamma Mia (Lisa, u/s Sophie). She is originally from Atlanta, GA, and is now based in New York City. She received her M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU Tisch and is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
BOOK + ADDITIONAL LYRICS, BLUEBIRDSJacqueline Birgitte Hennessy
Jacqueline Birgette Hennessy is a NJ based writer/performer/comedian. Currently she is a part of the House Musical Sketch Team at the Peoples Improv Theater in NYC as a writer/performer. In 2024 her piece, “The Drifters Gallery” was featured in the New York Theater Festival. For her writing, she has also been awarded an NJ Governors Award in Arts Education as well as an NJ Thespian Award for best short play. As far as performing Jacqueline currently tours with Tony and Tina’s Wedding regionally and has been featured in several films such as Mean Girls the Musical Movie, The 4:30 Movie, Northern Borders, and more.
COMPOSER/LYRICIST, RIVERBENDMICHAEL LIGHT OOSTERHOUT
Michael Light Oosterhout (he/him) is a composer/lyricist, music director, and playwright. Passionate about genre-bending and blending myriad styles into contemporary musical theatre, he is chiefly interested in exploring the relationship between the ancient and modern worlds, as well as highlighting issues affecting queer youth. Michael's current projects include Evelyn Evans (play), The Lonely Girl’s Guide to Friendship or… Love? (musical), The Right Reasons (song cycle), and Riverbend (musical). Past projects include Ariadne: A New Musical, Sparta! The Musical, Euripides' Medea (arrangements), Judith Walsh White's Winnie the Pooh (arrangements), 15-minute opera Windy, and 20-minute musical The Advice Column. Music direction credits include Fly By Night, Mr. Burns, Formerly Known (arrangements), and The Cherry Orchard. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Michael is a graduate of Vassar College (B.A., Music and Greek & Roman Studies) and recently received his M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Writing from N.Y.U. Tisch.
BOOK + LYRICS, BROOKLYN'S BRIDGEray roderick
Ray is privileged to be creating a musical that celebrates the American spirit and the remarkable Emily Roebling through the story of building of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Ray was the Director and Script Adaptor for CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG, US National, UK/Australian tours (publisher MTI). Writer/Director ‘S WONDERFUL! THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL, US Tour. Co-Writer/Director/Choreographer Irving Berlin’s I LOVE A PIANO (publisher R&H) 3-year National Tour US, Japan.
Co-Writer/Director THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER Off-Broadway (publisher Samuel French). Co-writer/ Director/Choreographer THE RAT PACK LOUNGE (Carbonell nomination), A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE (publisher Samuel French) and I LOVE NEW YORK (Bistro Award). Creator/Co-writer ARE WE THERE YET?, COMING TO AMERICA, THE BIKINIS.
Writer/Director CHUN YI, THE LEGEND OF KUNG FU Beijing, London West End, Russia, Japan.
Creative director USTA US Open Writer/Director Arthur Ashe Kids Day on ABC, Creator/Director live events/ceremonies on ESPN.
As Broadway actor: BARNUM, GRIND, CATS, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, CRAZY FOR YOU, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.
PLAYWRIGHT + COMPOSER, BROKEN MADONNAJosefin Silèn
Josefin Silén (she/her) is a Finnish-born writer and performer currently based in New York City. She holds a Master’s degree in Writing and Design for Musical Theater from Berklee College of Music and a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Before relocating to the U.S., Josefin built a successful career in Finland and Sweden as a performer, writer, and educator. She is a recipient of the Victor Borge Scholarship and has appeared on national television, played multiple leading roles (Mary Poppins, Esmeralda, Rizzo, among others), and currently serves as the artistic director of the musical theatre summer program at the Martin Wegelius Institute. Josefin is passionate about female-driven stories and works that amplify women’s voices on stage. She strives to live by the mantra: “Be the change you want to see in the world