Graae, who can currently be seen Off-Broadway in the York Theatre Company production of Inventing Mary Martin, plays the famed jazz venue May 5 and 12 at 7 PM.

Heather Lee directs the evenings with musical direction by John Boswell.

"49½ Shade of Graae," according to press notes, is an "evening with ex-Broadway-juvenile-turned-Hollywood-misfit Jason Graae (pronounced Grah, which means Grey in Danish) as he explores the many 'shades' of his life and career…from hilarity to tragedy all rolled into one madcap, yet heartfelt romp. Jason features old and new songs that explore his life of sex, drugs and musical comedy."

Jason Graae starred on Broadway in A Grand Night for Singing, Falsettos, Stardust and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, and appeared in the Hollywood Bowl concert version of The Music Man as Marcellus Washburn. His Off-Broadway credits include roles in Forever Plaid; Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Drama Desk nomination); Olympus On My Mind; and All in the Timing. Graae also starred in the Reprise! concerts of Of Thee I Sing!, Anything Goes and The Boys from Syracuse.

His latest CD, released in August 2011, is a live recording of Perfect Hermany produced by Kritzerland Records.

Birdland is located at 315 W. 44th St. For tickets call (212) 581-3080 or visit BirdlandJazz.com.