On December 2 and 4-7, Millikin alumni Sierra Boggess will return to “Broadway’s Supper Club,” 54 Below, to celebrate the release of her debut album, “Awakening: Live at 54.” The album, recorded from a live cabaret performance at the venue earlier this year, will feature an array of songs that have inspired Boggess.
From opera, to Broadway, to Disney, the list of inspirational sources that Boggess pays tribute to is abundant— as is the number of people that have personally influenced her. Among these are her father, Barbara Streisand, Andrew Lloyd Webber and American self-development author and speaker Wayne Dyer.
“You’ll see the track list says ‘inspiration’ followed by what inspired the next song choice.” Boggess said, “So everyone will understand, hopefully, why I sing what I sing.”
The cabaret and album’s title, “Awakening,” also points to the various sources of Boggess’ inspiration. “It all started when the next Broadway show I was supposed to do fell apart,” she said, “and I was suddenly left wondering ‘who am I?’ I thought it was what I do, and I quickly awakened to the idea that I am not what I do! I can be inspired by all kinds of things around me!”
Located on 54th street just off Broadway, 54 Below promises a fine dining experience of “a world-class seasonal menu served in the breathtaking ambiance of a 1920s Manhattan supper club.” In addition to the high class, yet leisurely atmosphere, ticketed guests also enjoy a show with their meal from a selection of professional Broadway and theatrical performers that varies from evening to evening.
Although it is a recent addition to the Broadway theatre district (opening only last year), already the club has seen performances by Alice Ripley, Emily Skinner, Jason Robert Brown, Patti LuPone, and a variety of other favorites to the stage.
“54 Below is my favorite cabaret venue in NYC right now,” Boggess said, “The moment I walked in there I felt the most amazing open energy. I love the ambiance and the history and the feel of that place. I feel very lucky and strangely at home when I perform there.”
In addition to the CD’s debut, Boggess will also begin to work on a one night only performance of Guys and Dolls to take place at Carnegie Hall on April 3 of 2014. Alongside Patrick Wilson, Nathan Lane, and Megan Mullally, she looks forward to revisiting the role of Sarah Brown, “a role I played at Millikin in the production Sean Morrissey directed my sophomore year! How cool is that?”
When asked what advice she could give to Millikin students who seek a professional life in theatre, she said “I always say that if you have the passion and desire, that’s the first step. And then take that passion and put it into your work. Work your butt off! The joy is in the work. And when you start doubting yourself, which we all do, remind yourself that you are enough, you are so enough, it’s unbelievable how enough you are!”
“Awakening” will be available for purchase on Dec.10.