Annaleigh Ashford: Lost In The Stars - Live At 54 Below

Annaleigh Ashford is one of the fastest rising stars on Broadway today. From her looseness as Marcy in Pasek and Paul's "Dogfight," to her tightness as Lauren in "Kinky Boots" (which earned the starlet a Tony nomination), to her appearance in the title role in the current revival of A.R. Gurney's "Sylvia," Ashford's certainly proving her increasing marketability as a flexible, funny actress who is not shy about taking chances.

Now Broadway Records is releasing her cabaret show, "Lost in the Stars," which was recorded at 54 Below, and adds another title to the label's continuing commitment for releasing performances from the NYC hot spot. Ashford is accompanied by the Whiskey 5 band, under the musical direction of Will Van Dyke, and delivers an entertaining set that runs the gamut from radio hits (a medley of Adele's "Someone Like You" and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," and a ballad version of the rock classic, "Love Hurts") to new arrangements of some Broadway reliables ("For Good" and "Another Hundred People") to an original of Van Dyke's ("Another Time").

Ashford shows a knack for patter with a lengthy story about her developing her initial love for performing, and her ability to successfully lead an audience is featured to a karaoke version of Alanis Morissette's "Hand in My Pocket." That she includes the classic Kurt Weill melody as both the encore to her show and the title of her record are a testament that no matter what's in her repertoire (including a medley of Donna Summer hits commemorating the venue for this release -- Studio 54) she is a "show tune first" performer, and a highly recommended draw.

"Lost in the Stars" (Annaleigh Ashford at 54 Below)
$12.99
CD and digital formats
www.broadwayrecords.com