Casey Likes: Back To The Past
54 Below254 W 54th St, New York 10019
Casey Likes brings Back To The Past to 54 Below as a personal musical journey through the records and artists that shaped him. The evening reaches back to early-2000s pop, rock ’n’ roll, and R&B, with a few surprises in the mix. Likes leads the cabaret performance, with orchestrations by Ted Arthur and piano by Cynthia Meng, revisiting the music he grew up listening to and the influences behind his own story.
Originally from Chandler, Arizona, Likes is known onstage for playing Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Musical, J.D. in the Off-Broadway production of Heathers, and William Miller in Almost Famous. A review of an earlier run of this show noted him singing while playing guitar, and praised the “ingenuous charm” of his storytelling; it called his acoustic take on “Wanted Dead or Alive” “a nice vehicle for his singing.” Interludes named the show “RECOMMENDED,” describing his stage banter as “assured and straightforward.” His influences in the show have included songwriters and performers from Jack Johnson and Bon Jovi to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Bruno Mars, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and Kurt Cobain.
A nonprofit cabaret venue dedicated to live music, 54 Below is a listening room where audiences gather to experience legendary artists performing in a dedicated space. The atmosphere is elegant and intimate, with a focus on the music and the performers. The room is designed for seated audiences, offering close proximity to the stage, and the experience is centered around the show rather than conversation or drinking. Shows are ticketed and require advance purchase, with a nonprofit mission that supports the arts. The venue has a strong reputation for excellence in theatre, as recognized by a 2022 Tony Award nomination.