NEWS RELEASE ▪︎ HOST & SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED FOR THELMA HOUSTON’S “MY MOTOWN MEMORIES & MORE” AT THE FORD THEATRES IN HOLLYWOOD ON AUGUST 27

CHRIS ISAACSON PRESENTS
ANNOUNCES SPECIAL GUESTS
LATIN GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE QUATTROSOUND
SINGER/TRUMPETER JOHNNY BRITT
AND
COMIC MICHAEL COLYAR
WILL JOIN
THELMA HOUSTON AT THE FORD THEATRES
WHEN
HOUSTON BRINGS HER SHOW
MY MOTOWN MEMORIES & MORE!
TO LOS ANGELES FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 8PM
THE FORD THEATRES IN HOLLYWOOD
LA’s FRESHEST VENUE!

Chris Isaacson Presents has announced that Latin Grammy Award nominee Quattrosound, singer/trumpeter Johnny Britt, and comic Michael Colyar will be special guests when Grammy Award-winning recording artist and Motown legend Thelma Houston brings her show My Motown Memories & More! to the Ford Theatres in Hollywood for one show only on Sunday, August 27, at 8pm. The evening will be hosted by 102.3 RadioFree KJLH personality Lon McQ.

Singer/ Trumpeter Johnny Britt scored big this year with his trumpet appearances in Oscar and Golden Globe Award-winning film La La Land and the Oscar nominated film soundtrack Hidden Figures. He is signed to Motown Records as the founder/creator/lead singer of his group Impromp2. Britt has toured the world and has recorded with some of the biggest names in the industry. He served as the youngest ever music director for The Temptations which lead to him co-producing the music for the Emmy Award-winning mini-series The Temptations. As a songwriter, Britt has earned three #1 Billboard Singles. His current CD release, Marvin Meets Miles Vol. 1, features eight Marvin Gaye classics along with one original track (“Marvin Meets Miles”), plus two bonus tracks. All songs are performed, arranged, and produced by Britt. His new single “You Sure Love to Ball” features Marcus Miller, Boney James, and Wah Wah Watson. The accompanying video is available worldwide.

Michael Colyar is an LA favorite best known for his performances on Venice Beach. For nine years he has entertained crowds, bringing people together from all parts of the world. His informative and entertaining brand of comedy thrilled audiences for more than nine years, where he was dubbed ‘The King of Venice Beach.’ He was the original host of BET Live From LA, and his point-blank delivery and razor-sharp insight connected to all of the guests that joined him on the couch, as well as over 55 million viewers coast to coast. Colyar won the $100,000 Grand Prize comedy championship on Star Search and donated $50,000.00 to homeless charities in the LA area. In 2000, the city of Venice honored Colyar by placing his shoe prints, handprints, and money grabber in cement for the new Venice Beach boardwalk. He currently stars in a solo stage production that chronicles the life of a comedian, highlighting the importance of his mother’s love and support.

Quattrosound is an innovative acoustic ensemble that skillfully blends classical and jazz training with a wide-range of personal music influences to create a uniquely engaging sound. The four musicians are equally astute at playing a Bach Suite, rocking out to Led Zeppelin, or interpreting a piece by Chick Corea. With violin, cello, guitar, an eclectic selection of percussion instruments, and creative vocal arrangements, Quattrosound produces a vibrant live show. Hailing from Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States, their music selections are as diverse as their nationalities. Individually these four accomplished musicians have played with the likes of Bocelli, Barbra Streisand, Yo-Yo Ma, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson, Layla Hathaway, Ricky Martin, and Gloria Estefan. Together, Quattrosound pays homage to the classics and forges a new contemporary sound.

Host Lon McQ began his career in radio over 35 years ago, working at KGFJ, KACE, and KMAX in Los Angeles, KLOM and KTPL in Lompoc, CA. In 1984 he moved to KJLH as morning show host. He was promoted to Operations Manager in 1994 and has served in that capacity ever since. McQ is the epitome of what an on-air personality should be, full of integrity, compassion, and a genuine love for his craft. He was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles by 8th District Councilmember Bernard C. Parks. McQ has also been featured in many publications including Sweet Factory Music Magazine, Upscale Magazine, and the inaugural edition of Who’s Who in Black Los Angeles.

Perhaps best known for her number one international hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” Thelma Houston began her career singing for Capitol Records with The Art Reynolds Singers and then as a solo artist. “Sunshower,” her critically acclaimed album composed and produced by Jimmy Webb for ABC/Dunhill Records, was released in 1969 and spawned four popular singles. In 1977, her version of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” for Motown Records soared to number one in the United States and London and became a hit in at least twelve other countries. In her show My Motown Memories & More! Houston takes her audience on a musical and inspirational journey that chronicles her illustrious career. Sharing intimate stories and behind-the-scenes adventures against a tapestry of more than 20 classic Motown hits, Houston performs songs originally recorded by Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and more, leading up to her iconic Grammy Award–winning number one pop song “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” After 49 years of performing, 23 studio albums, and winning a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Houston continues to celebrate her long and outstanding career. The concert will be directed by Iona Morris and choreographed by Damita Freeman, with musical direction by Darrell Alston.

Chris Isaacson Presents has created, produced, and promoted over 600 events since the company’s founding in 2004. From small clubs to major theatres CIP has presented some of the most influential stars of this generation including Adam Lambert, Lea Michele, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Holliday, Molly Ringwald, Megan Hilty, Erich Bergen, Andy Grammer, Natasha Bedingfield, Taylor Dayne, and Grammy Award-winners Paula Cole, Richard Marx, Sergio Mendes, and more. CIP’s concerts have been featured on Access Hollywood, Extra, KABC’s On the Red Carpet, KTLA Morning News, and in the Los Angeles Times and New York Post. Upcoming CIP events include Jake Simpson (September 28); the fifth annual Broadway Under the Stars (October 7); Richard Shelton (October 12), Tony Award–winner Sam Harris (October 13 & 14), British singer/songwriter Rumer (October 25), and Joey Arias (November 14 & 15). More at www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com.

Thelma Houston: My Motown Memories & More! is sponsored by Gelson’s Market and will play one performance only at Ford Theatres on Sunday, August 27, at 8pm. All seats are reserved and ticket prices start at $44. Tickets are available online at www.fordtheatres.org or www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com or by phone at (323) 461-3673. To learn about discounts for groups of 10 or more, go to www.fordtheatres.org.

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08-14-17

Thelma Houston. Photo courtesy of Chris Isaacson Presents.

NEWS RELEASE ▪︎ MISS COCO PERU RETURNS WITH “THE TAMING OF THE TENSION” ▪︎ FOUR PERFORMANCES ONLY!

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s
Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center
Presents
MISS COCO PERU:
THE TAMING OF THE TENSION
Written and Performed by Clinton Leupp
Directed by Michael Schiralli

FOUR PERFORMANCES ONLY!
September 9–10 & September 16–17
at the Renberg Theatre

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center has announced the return of the legendary Miss Coco Peru in her latest solo show, The Taming of the Tension. Directed by longtime collaborator Michael Schiralli, Coco will play four performances only at the Renberg Theatre on Saturdays, September 9 & 16 at 8pm and Sundays, September 10 & 17 at 7pm.

According to the latest “scientific” surveys, everyone’s been feeling more tension lately, and Miss Coco Peru knows what we all need. Through her hilarious and heartfelt stories and one-of-a-kind song stylings, Coco will share her hard-won secrets and tame your tensions, making us happier people and the world a little better, too.

Storyteller/monologist Miss Coco Peru, aka Clinton Leupp, got his/her start as a downtown favorite in the New York cabaret world after he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his first show, Miss Coco Peru in My Goddamn Cabaret, 25 years ago. A veteran of numerous feature films (trick and the cult classic Girls Will Be Girls, among numerous others), and television shows (How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development, Will & Grace, and more). Leupp has received worldwide acclaim for his award-winning solo shows and his remarkable series of tributes to great performers, Conversations with Coco, in which she conducts live career-retrospective interviews with such luminaries as Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Liza Minnelli, and the late Bea Arthur.

Leupp has been honored by many organizations, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center, for his long history of dedicated activism and unflagging support of the LGBT community. The Center is proud to present The Taming of the Tension, the seventh original stage show to be performed at the Renberg by one of our most beloved artists.

General admission tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at www.lalgbtcenter.org/theatre or by phone at (323) 860-7300. Net proceeds from all ticket sales will support the full range of free and low-cost programs and services offered by the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theatre is located at 1125 N. McCadden Place (one block east of Highland, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard), in Hollywood, 90038. Due to construction, parking is no longer available onsite. Limited free parking is available at the Center’s Highland facility, one block north of The Village at Ed Gould Plaza. Please allow extra time to find street parking or choose public transportation or a ride–sharing service.

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08-11-17

NEWS RELEASE ▪︎ COEURAGE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” BY LAUREN GUNDERSON ▪︎ OPENS 8/26

COEURAGE THEATRE COMPANY
LA’S PAY WHAT YOU WANT THEATRE COMPANY
PRESENTS
EMILIE: LA MARQUISE DU CHÂTELET DEFENDS HER LIFE TONIGHT
BY LAUREN GUNDERSON
DIRECTED BY JULIANNE DONELLE

OPENS SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
AT THE GREENWAY COURT THEATRE

Coeurage Theatre Company, LA’s Pay What You Want theatre company, has announced the second production of its eighth seasonå, Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson. Directed by Coeurage company member Julianne Donelle, there will be one preview performance on August 25 at 8pm and opening is set for Saturday, August 26 at 8pm. Emilie will play through September 17 at the Greenway Court Theatre.

The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Kari Lee Cartwright, Marc Forget, Nardeep Khurmi, Kim Reed, and Sammi Smith. Scenic design is by Tim Paul Vordtriede, lighting design is by Azra King-Abadi, costume design is by Tania Mustafa, sound design is by Joseph V. Calarco, and choreography is by Carly Wielstein.

Passionate. Brilliant. Defiant. Tonight, 18th century scientific genius Emilie du Châtelet is back and determined to answer her unresolved question: love or philosophy, heart or head? In this highly theatrical, fast, funny, and sexy rediscovery of one of history’s most intriguing women, the French physicist and mathematician defends her legacies — both scientific and romantic — and the groundbreaking work for which she was denounced until after her death.

Lauren Gunderson was America’s most produced living playwright in 2016. She is also a screenwriter and short story author. She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch, where she was also a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Her plays have been commissioned, developed, and produced at South Coast Rep (Emilie, Silent Sky, I And You), the Kennedy Center (Dr. Wonderful), the O’Neill Playwrights Conference (Fire Work), and her revenge comedy Exit, Pursued by a Bear was produced in a multi-city rolling premiere. Gunderson writes for the Huffington Post and Wall Street Journal.

Julianne Donelle is a founding member of Coeurage Theatre Company. She directed Assassins and served as assistant director on Cannibal! The Musical and The Yellow Boat. Her acting credits with the company include The Trouble With Words, Head Over Heels, The 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love–Suicide, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and The Woodsman. Donelle is the creator/writer/director of the web series No Pillowfights, for which she received a Discovery Award nomination for direction at the Raindance Film Festival in London. The series also garnered multiple nominations including Best Director and Best Comedic Series at LA Web Fest in 2016. More info is available at www.juliannedonelle.com.

Coeurage Theatre Company exists to make impassioned theatre accessible for all audiences through Pay What You Want admission and fresh, challenging productions. The company’s name is inspired by a re–imagining of the word courage — coeur is French for heart, and rage, meaning fervor; on fire. Together, Coeurage (pronounced “courage”) is a heart enflamed with passion, which the company strives to bring to every production.

There will be one preview performance of Emilie on Friday, August 25 at 8pm and opening is set for Saturday, August 26, at 8pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm through September 17. There will be additional performances on Wednesdays, September 6 and 13 at 8pm. The final performance is on Sunday, September 17 at 7pm. All seats are available on a Pay What You Want basis and may be reserved online at www.greenwaycourtheatre.org/emilie or by calling (323) 944-2165.

The Greenway Court Theatre is located at 544 N. Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles, 90036. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the theatre.

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07-28-17