Alex Newell to Headline Queer Juneteenth Celebration at Feinstein's/54 Below

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present 'THE FUNCTION: A Queer Juneteenth Concert Celebration.' The two time Gold Anthem Award winning March On Broadway team is reuniting to bring you "THE FUNCTION;" A queer centered concert celebration of the powerful black history that is Juneteenth, featuring black Broadway, TV, and Recording Stars from across the gamut. Audiences can expect to laugh, to learn, and to be a part of an overall atmosphere full of black joy. Featuring event host LIanne Fields Stewart. Event Headliner Alex Eugene Newell is an American actor and singer. They are known for their role as Unique Adams on the Fox musical series Glee and Mo on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.

HEADLINER

Alex Newell

(Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist, Once On This Island)

Alex Eugene Newell is an American actor, singer, and recording artist. Alex's first single, a disco-fueled cover of Sigma's "Nobody to Love," appeared in 2014. Some one-off singles followed, including a cover of Robin S.'s "Show Me Love" with DJ Matvey Emerson and, for Christmas 2015, an R&B ballad version of "O Come All Ye Faithful." Meanwhile, Newell continued the role on Glee through the show's sixth season, during which Alex performed "I Know Where I've Been" from the musical Hairspray with the 200-member Transpersons Choir. Alex also guested on the Hulu comedy series Resident Advisors in 2015. The dance-pop EP Power arrived in early 2016, and Newell headed out on tour in support of American Idol and Glee alumnus Adam Lambert while Power hit the Top Five of Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Later in 2016, Alex topped the Dance Club Songs chart with "Kill the Lights," a collaboration with DJ Cassidy and Jess Glynne featuring Nile Rodgers.

In late 2017, Newell made a Broadway debut, playing Asaka in the Tony Award-winning revival of Once on This Island. Alex was nominated for a Grammy as part of the cast album. The show ended its run on Broadway in January 2019. Back in the recording studio for the first time in three years, Newell issued the standalone single "As I Am" in mid-2019. Later that year, Alex hit number four on the Dance Club Songs chart with a featured spot on DJ D-Sol 's cover of the R&B classic "Rescue Me."

Following a guest appearance on TV's Empire, Newell returned to television full-time in the role of Mo, Zoey's gender-fluid neighbor on the music-themed series Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. It premiered on NBC in January 2020. A month later, Big Beat issued the solo track "Boy, You Can Keep It."

THE FUNCTION also starring

Ianne Fields Stewart

(Lucille Lortel winner)

J. Hoard

(Grammy Nominee),

Jade Jones

(Olney Theater's Beauty & The Beast),

Jay Jurden

(Comedian, THE TONIGHT SHOW)

Jaida Valenciaga

(Drag Performer)

Khalifa White

(Caroline Or Change)

Jaime Cepero

(Smash, Connecting)

Kristina Nicole Miller

(Lion King),

Asmeret Ghebremichael

(Book Of Mormon, Legally Blonde)

Michael Worldly

(Kinky Boots)

More Artists to be announced at a later date...

"I am thrilled to be producing this event with 54 Below and my colleagues from March On Broadway." Said producer of The Function, Jaime Cepero "On a day when we get to celebrate our historic freedom and Blackness unapologetically - it was important to me that this event be curated by us - for us - with emphasis on celebrating and uplifting my Black queer and trans siblings in the process. Often our intersectionality as queer people falls through the cracks in these type of celebrations - and I really wanted to change that by honoring us with specificity - especially given our current political climate in regards to trans and non-binary rights."

THE FUNCTION presented by #MarchOnBroadway plays Feinstein's/54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on June 19th, 2022 at 9:30pm. Tickets will be priced at 35 dollars with 20 tickets priced at 15 dollars a piece for members of marginalized communities as long as supplies last. There is a food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.

MORE ABOUT #MarchOnBroadway

Organized by Nattalyee Randall and Courtney Daniels, the #MarchOnBroadway demonstration featured appearances from Eden Espinosa and Tony-winner Karen Olivo, co-founders of the organization Artists for Economic Transparency, and disability advocate and actor Ryan Haddad. The event culminated in a march to Scott Rudin's midtown offices, as well as the offices of the Actors' Equity Association.

Naatalyee and Courtney partnered with artist and activist Jaime Cepero, who is best know for his work in advocating for Trans Awareness, and recruited actor and Actors' Equity Delegate Davon Williams best known over the pandemic for his work on the Black Theatre Matters Bill and his show "The Receipts w/ Davon Williams" to create a protest address several issues throughout the greater theatre community.

The #MOB crew went on to win two anthem awards for their work in organizing and policy. One for "Outstanding excellence and innovation to provide people with opportunities to come together within their local community on behalf of a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion cause" and another for "Individual projects produced by an organization or person created to raise awareness for a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion cause."

The #MOB Crew:

Jaime Cepero (He/They) is an Afro-Latinx Queer non-binary Actor, Writer, and Anthem Award winning Activist.Twitter: @JaimeCepero Insta: @Papimagic

Courtney Daniels is a comedian, master improv-er and activist. Who has turned her gift of laughter into the gift for change.

Nattalyee Randall currently resides in NYC but is originally from Springfield, IL. She attended Western Illinois University for Music and English Education. She is an activist, ultra marathoner, and teacher. Insta/Twitter: @Nattalyee @50MileRunForJusticeProtest

Davon Williams is an international performer, Communications Director for Black Theatre Coalition, NYCLU Artist Ambassador, Eastern Principal Delegate for the Actors' Equity Association, and a TED Talk alum. Socials: @Daywilling

SAFETY INFORMATION

Feinstein's/54 Below is committed to the health of its performers, staff, and guests and has created a Safety Plan to ensure safe conditions along with optimum performing conditions. The new policies require that performers, production, kitchen, and dining room staff, as well as all audience members show proof of vaccination to enter the premises. Additional information on our safety protocols can be found here. Feinstein's/54 Below has installed improved air circulation and filtering systems as well as added plexiglass barriers between some tables. Based on CDC and New York State guidelines at the time of performance, safety protocols and seating capacity may change, and policies may be adjusted as is appropriate. (https://54below.com/covid-safety/)

MORE ABOUT FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW

Feinstein's/54 Below was founded as a place for the Broadway community to celebrate Broadway performers, both established and new, who sing not only the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook, but also new material intended for Broadway and off-Broadway stages. The club features fine dining and superb scenic, lighting, and sound designs entirely imagined by Broadway designers. For performers, writers, musicians, and more, Feinstein's/54 Below gives opportunities to advance their craft, expand their repertoires, and develop their voices in a way that is more personal, making them stronger as artists. It gives Broadway fans an opportunity to see their favorite artists in a different way, deepening their relationship and understanding of their talent.

A recipient of the 2022 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre, Feinstein's/54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. It is also a place for innovation in musical songwriting and performance. Collaborations born at Feinstein's/54 Below give rise to and help develop new theatrical projects and new musicals. In addition, its popular streaming video activities and audio recordings support these activities, helping to build a new Broadway audience worldwide, both in age and geography.

Feinstein's/54 Below is one of the most in-demand performance venues in the city, presenting over 700 shows each year. Unique in its mission, it has become an indispensable member of the Broadway ecosystem, providing a place for seasoned and emerging artists to hone their craft, try out new work, grow their fanbases, and gather as a community. The management team includes Proprietors and nine-time Tony Award winning Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, and Tom Viertel, Creative and Programming Director Jennifer Ashley Tepper, and restaurant General Manager Mandisa Boxill.

Located at 254 West 54th Street, the club presents live shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Late night programming will resume in the coming months. Tickets and information at 54below.com .