Are you ready to throw your shoe?! Or maybe catch the Holy Ghost? Either is probable when Marisha Wallace and Nick Rashad Burroughs join forces at their Feinstein’s/54 Below debut, Baptized By Broadway!
Likely due to popular demand, the Broadway stars are collaborating to bring their sanctified sound to the popular basement hangout. After their brief, yet highly re-tweeted appearance at Highline Ballroom’s Broadway Does Bruno Mars this summer, it’s a wonder the two didn’t collaborate sooner. If you’ve seen the video, just know — all of that is simply a precursor of what’s to come!
Set at the newly renamed Feinstein’s/54 Below, the concert will outline their journey growing up in a southern church to finally singing on the Great White Way. The pair is sure to excite with their array of vocal stylings including soul, gospel, jazz and, of course, showtunes. The show will also feature a special guest, Alex Newell of Glee fame.
Burroughs moved to New York a little over a year ago to make his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots as Angel/Lola understudy. He’s performed regionally in shows such as Shrek, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar which earned him a Broadway World Award for Best Local Actor in a Musical. Wallace is currently tapping herself through the Renaissance in the Tony-nominated comedy Something Rotten. Previously, she could be seen in Broadway’s Aladdin and as part of The Book of Mormon’s first national tour.
Read our exclusive interview with the duo below:
BroadwayBlack (BB): What does it mean to be Baptized By Broadway?Nick: It’s means to sit back and relax and let Marisha and I give you our version of broadway, the version that’s rooted in soul and gospel singing that no one can give you like 2 southern preachers kids can, that sound mixed with our love and passion for broadway gives you.., Baptized By BroadwayMarisha: We wanted to tell our story about the journey from our small southern towns knowing nothing about musicals. To making it to Broadway and thriving. And It is because of our faith , passion, and humor that we are here.BB: Why did you two team up? What is your relationship dynamic?Marisha: I feel like I bring the structure and soul and Nick brings you the spontaneity and passion. Together we balance each other. We both push each other to go higher and take chances.Nick: We’ve always known each other from mutual friends in NYC but it wasn’t until Corey Mach from “Broadway Sings” asked us to do a duet together in Broadway Sings Bruno Mars that the real bond began, we suddenly realized we’re and electric pair together and after a standing ovation from our duet of Run Away Baby at The Cutting Room for Broadway Sings Bruno Mars the rest was history!BB: How did Alex Newell get involved with your 54 Below debut and what can we expect from the featured guest?Nick:Alex and I became good friends from hanging out every Wednesday night at Queen of the Night for Live Band Karaoke, Belting in each other’s faces and being complete idiots together! When Marisha and I decided to do a concert together we just had to get him to sing with us. You can expect for Alex to give you some fierce Whitney Houston that night.BB: What have you discovered to be the most useful tool in your career?Marisha: Being true to your self in every way, and using what makes you different as your strength.BB: Will Aunt Viv be ready to serve?Nick: Oh absolutely, get ready to dance!
😂😂😂 By @nickrburroughs: Oh you thought Halloween was over? Aunt Viv from Fresh Prince of Bel-air is ready to SERVE! pic.twitter.com/OzXGF7Ga5E
— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) November 2, 2015
BB: What was your first experience singing a solo in church?Nick: Well for me it started very early for me being a preachers kid, I was 6 when I song my first big solo in church and I sang holy is the lamb by Oleta Adams and I knew from that day on I had a passion for performing.Marisha: I forgot all the words to a Shirley cesar song and cried. I was five years old. I never forgot the words again.
A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on
Named for “Great American Songbook” creator Michael Feinstein, Feinstein’s/ 54 Below has become one of the premiere destinations for Broadway performers and fans alike. While it is famous for its informal cabarets led by esteemed theater vets, it’s also become a wonderful venue for young performers to sharpen their skills and build their network.
