Theater News

A.J. Shively, Lora Lee Gayer, and More to Perform the Songs of Chris Rayis in New Cabaret

Douglas Waterbury-Tieman produces the evening at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

Chris Rayis will offer his Feinstein's/54 Below cabaret debut, Ex Nihilo.
Chris Rayis will offer his Feinstein's/54 Below cabaret debut, Ex Nihilo.
(© Star Stuff Photography)

Broadway veterans of Bright Star, Disaster!, and more will perform the music of songwriter Chris Rayis in Ex Nihilo, Rayis' Feinstein's/54 Below concert debut, produced by Douglas Waterbury-Tieman (The Robber Bridegroom). The concert will take place January 2, 2017, at 7:00pm.

According to press materials, Rayis' storytelling "encompasses everything from the tempestuous relationship of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow to the heroic accomplishments of John Glenn to the hard struggles of a coal mining community in rural West Virginia. Each of his songs holds a key to more fully understanding the depth and complexity of the powerful stories he chooses to tell, and his melodies are not soon forgotten."

Joining Rayis onstage will be producer Waterbury-Tieman, in addition to Drama Desk nominee A.J. Shively (Bright Star), Lora Lee Gayer (Holiday Inn), Maggie McDowell, (Disaster!), Robby Haltiwanger (Ghost), as well as Annabelle Fox, Meghan Glogower, Emma Stratton, and Jessie Davidson.

Rayis is the composer-lyricist of Deep Water Ballad, Just South of Gihon, among other works. In addition to his work as a writer, Chris has served as music director and/or pianist for Far From
Heaven
(Playwrights Horizons), The Last Five Years (Actors Theatre of Louisville), and Man of La Mancha (national touring production).

For tickets and more information, click here.

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