Archived entries for

Announcing: Virginia Madsen and Steven Weber Perform Pulitzer Prize Finalist Stephen Karam’s First Play (Written at Age 17) at The Blank Theatre’s YPF Benefit, Sunday 6/3

VIRGINIA MADSEN AND STEVEN WEBER
WILL PERFORM 2012 PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST
STEPHEN KARAM’S FIRST PLAY (WRITTEN AT AGE 17)
AT THE BLANK THEATRE’S BENEFIT EVENING
20 Years of Winners: Scenes, Songs and Speeches from 20 Years
of the Young Playwrights Festival
SUNDAY, JUNE 3 AT 6PM AT AVALON HOLLYWOOD

2012 Young Playwrights Festival - The Blank TheatreVirginia Madsen and Steven Weber have been set to perform A Work Of Art, Pulitzer Prize finalist Stephen Karam’s first play (which he wrote at age 17), at 20 Years of Winners: Scenes, Songs, and Speeches from 20 Years of the Young Playwrights Festival on Sunday, June 3 at 6pm. A Work of Art was produced in The Blank Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival in 1997.

Karam, a three-time YPF winner, was a 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist for his critically acclaimed play Sons of the Prophet. His other plays include Speech and Debate (presented on The Blank’s mainstage in 2008), Columbinus (with PJ Paparelli), Emma, and Dark Sisters. In a recent Los Angeles Times story on the history of the YPF, Karam, now 32, said of his experience, “When you see people taking your work seriously at that age, it makes a big impression. For the first time, I thought of myself as a real writer.”

Additionally, Vanessa Williams has joined the cast of stars of stage, screen, and television scheduled to participate, which, along with Madsen and Weber, includes (in alphabetical order) Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Nicholas Brendon, Brianna Brown, Dale Dickey, Daisy Eagan, Kat Foster, Thea Gill, Peri Gilpin, Lenny Jacobson, Michael E. Knight, Tom Lenk, Scott Lowell, Justina Machado, Allison Mack, Angel Parker, Jessy Schram, Rex Smith, DB Sweeney, Kirsten Vangsness, Gedde Watanabe, Virginia Williams, Noah Wyle, Bellamy Young, and Constance Zimmer.

The 20 Years of Winners event will take place at Avalon Hollywood, 1735 N. Vine Street, in Hollywood. Tickets for the benefit evening, which range in price from $50-$250, may be purchased online at www.TheBlank.com, or by calling (323) 661-9827.

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05-30-12

Announcing: Upright Cabaret Sizzles on Mainstage at CSW LA Pride Festival – Saturday, June 9 at 8pm

CHRIS ISAACSON’S FAMED UPRIGHT CABARET
SET TO SIZZLE AT LOS ANGELES PRIDE 2012
FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

BROADWAY AND TELEVISION STARS CARLA RENATA,
LESLI MARGHERITA, ROGELIO DOUGLAS, JR., ARIELLE JACOBS, AND JAKE SIMPSON WILL PERFORM
UNDER THE MUSICAL DIRECTION OF DAVY NATHAN

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 AT 8PM ON THE FESTIVAL MAINSTAGE

Upright Cabaret Pride Festival CSW 2012For the third consecutive year, Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret have announced a one-performance-only musical event on the mainstage at the 2012 Christopher Street West Los Angeles Pride Festival, on Saturday, June 9 at 8pm.

Scheduled to perform just prior to pop icon and Pride headliner Belinda Carlisle are Rogelio Douglas, Jr. (Broadway’s In the Heights and The Little Mermaid), Arielle Jacobs (In the Heights), Lesli Margherita (Olivier Award-winner for Zorro, The Musical), Carla Renata (CW’s Hart of Dixie, Broadway’s Avenue Q and The Life), who will perform a tribute to Donna Summer, and Jake Simpson (Star Search Grand Champion), who will debut a brand new song. The musical director is Davy Nathan (Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle), and the Upright Cabaret Broadway Choir will perform “Seasons of Love” (Rent) with the entire cast for the show’s finale.

Christopher Street West Association, Inc., a non-profit organization within the Greater Los Angeles area, is committed to the goals of human rights, education, outreach and better understanding within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. CSW was formed in 1970, producing first Pride parade in the world, which celebrated the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion in New York City. Christopher Street West was incorporated in 1976.

Chris Isaacson Presents has created, produced and promoted over 450 events since the company was formed in 2004. From small clubs to major theatres, Isaacson has produced some of the most influential stars of this generation including Adam Lambert (American Idol), Lea Michele (Glee, Spring Awakening), Neil Patrick Harris (CBS’s How I Met Your Mother), three-time Grammy nominee Taylor Dayne, Grammy winner Paula Cole, and more. Isaacson is also founder of LA’s renowned Upright Cabaret, which has been redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences since 2005.

The Upright Cabaret event at the 2012 CSW Los Angeles Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, June 9 at 8pm in the newly renovated West Hollywood Park. Festival admission is $20, and entrance is at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards. For further details and to purchase tickets, call the Pride info line at (323) 969-8302 or visit www.lapride.org. For more info on Upright Cabaret, visit www.UprightCabaret.com.

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05-30-12

Announcing: Lillias White Performs at Catalina Jazz Club One Night Only, Monday 6-11-12

BROADWAY STAR LILLIAS WHITE
CELEBRATES THE NIGHT AFTER THE TONYS
AT CATALINA JAZZ CLUB

ONE SHOW ONLY
MONDAY, JUNE 11 AT 8PM

Lillias WhiteChris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret proudly present Broadway diva Lillias White: The Night After The Tonys, as she belts out the best of Broadway and Jazz, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, for one performance only, on Monday, June 11. Showtime is 8pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm.

Lillias White made her Broadway debut in Barnum (1981). Other Broadway credits include the 1987 revival of Dreamgirls, Cats, Once On This Island, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Chicago, and The Life, in which Ms. White gave a performance as a no-nonsense, world weary hooker, that won her the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Most recently, she received a 2010 Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Funmilayo in the hit musical Fela! Ms. White has performed with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and she has appeared in concert at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center. She has toured internationally with her solo show From Brooklyn to Broadway, and she has been seen on television on such shows as Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, NYPD Blue, and Sesame Street (for which she won an Emmy Award).

Chris Isaacson Presents has created, produced and promoted over 450 events since the company was formed in 2004. From small clubs to major theatres, Isaacson has produced some of the most influential stars of this generation including Adam Lambert (American Idol), Lea Michele (Glee, Spring Awakening), Neil Patrick Harris (CBS’s How I Met Your Mother), Grammy Award nominee Natasha Bedingfield, three-time Grammy nominee Taylor Dayne, Grammy winner Paula Cole, and more. Isaacson is also founder of LA’s renowned Upright Cabaret, which has been redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences since 2005. Upright Cabaret celebrates old style cabaret while simultaneously bringing young Broadway and young Hollywood together in a live setting.

Lillias White: The Night After the Tonys is at the Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood, for one performance only on Monday, June 11 at 8pm. Doors open at 6:30pm for cocktail and dinner service (minimums apply). Admission is $35, and may be obtained by calling (818) 736-5600 or by visiting www.UprightCabaret.com. Tickets purchased online will receive priority seating.

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05-26-12