BroadwayWorld.com: SNL Star Ana Gasteyer makes West Coast Debut with ‘Elegant Songs’

by LA News Desk

LINK: http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/SNL-Star-Ana-Gasteyer-makes-West-Coast-Debut-with-Elegant-Songs-20110809

Direct from her sold-out run in New York City, Saturday Night Live star and Broadway veteran Ana Gasteyer (Wicked, Three Penny Opera) makes her West Coast debut in “Elegant Songs from a Handsome Woman” playing a limited engagement Thurs-Sat, August 11, 12 & 13, 2011 at the Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 West Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Gasteyer brings unique comic wit and style to the stage in her new show featuring songs and stories from…um, dare we say “a Handsome Woman?!”

The evening promises to be classy, brassy and sassy or classy, brassy, quirky and tear-jerky, depending on world events and/or her hair frizz factor. Gasteyer will be gently assisted by Director Julian Fleisher and band leader Jon Spurney.

Thurs – Sat, August 11, 12 & 13, 2011

Dinner/Drinks begin at 7:00PM / SHOWTIME 8:30 PM
Reserve your seat today! (323) 466-2210 or online at www.UprightCabaret.com/events

Catalina Jazz Club
6725 West Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

Ana Gasteyer is best known for her incomparable work on NBC’s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. During her six year stint, she created some of the most famous SNL characters including middle school music teacher Bobbie Moughan-Culp, NPR radio host Margaret Jo, Lilith Fair poetess Cinder Calhoun, as well as spot-on impressions of Martha Stewart, Celine Dion and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

She recently returned to SNL as Margaret Jo in “NPR’S Delicious Dish” and the now infamous “Muffin Top” sketch with Betty White, which Gasteyer created and wrote.

On stage, she made her triumphant Broadway debut as Columbia in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Since then, Gasteyer earned raves as Elphaba in WICKED on Broadway, and originated the role for the Chicago production, earning a Jefferson Award nomination.

Other New York theater credits include the Tony-nominated Broadway productions of THE ROYAL FAMILY directed by Doug Hughes, THE THREEPENNY OPERA with Alan Cumming and Jim Dale, Eve Ensler‘s acclaimed Off-Broadway hit THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, and Manhattan Theatre Club’s hit production of KIMBERLY AKIMBO by celebrated playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Ana also she starred as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.

Recently, Gasteyer starred to rave reviews as Fosca in Gary Griffin‘s production of Sondheim’s PASSION at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, earning a Jefferson Award nomination for her performance.

She also co-starred in the one-night-only star-studded Actors Fund benefit concerts of FUNNY GIRL, HAIR, and A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF Frank Loesser.

Ana can be heard on the Actor’s Fund Recording of Hair and the Reefer Madness Soundtrack.

Announcing: Ana Gasteyer’s “Elegant Songs From a Handsome Woman” West Coast Premiere August 11, 12, 13

ANA GASTEYER SET TO MAKE WEST COAST CLUB DEBUT

THE BROADWAY DIVA AND “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” ALUM
BRINGS ELEGANT SONGS FROM A HANDSOME WOMAN
TO CATALINA JAZZ CLUB FOR THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 12, 13

Chris Isaacson and Upright Cabaret proudly present the West Coast debut of Broadway diva and “Saturday Night Live” alum Ana Gasteyer in Elegant Songs from a Handsome Woman in a limited engagement of three shows only, August 11-13, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. Showtime is 8:30pm, with dinner and drink service beginning at 7pm. Gasteyer brings her unique comic wit and style to the stage in her new classy, brassy and sassy club act, featuring Broadway ditties, beloved (if forgotten) standards, and movie melodies.

Ana Gasteyer is best known for her incomparable work on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. During her six year stint on the show, she created some of the most famous SNL characters, including middle school music teacher Bobbie Moughan-Culp, NPR radio host Margaret Jo, Lilith Fair poetess Cinder Calhoun, as well as doing spot-on impressions of Martha Stewart, Celine Dion, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Gasteyer recently returned to SNL as Margaret Jo in “NPR’S Delicious Dish,” and the now infamous “Muffin Top” sketch with Betty White, which Gasteyer conceived and wrote. On stage, she made her triumphant Broadway debut as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show. Since then, Gasteyer has earned raves as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, and also originated the role for the Chicago production, earning her a Jefferson Award nomination.

Gasteyer’s other New York theatre credits include the Tony-nominated Broadway productions of The Royal Family directed by Doug Hughes, The Threepenny Opera with Alan Cumming and Jim Dale; Eve Ensler’s acclaimed off-Broadway hit The Vagina Monologues, and Manhattan Theatre Club’s hit production of Kimberly Akimbo by celebrated playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. She played Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and also starred to rave reviews as Fosca in Gary Griffin’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, earning a Jefferson Award nomination for her performance. Gasteyer also co-starred in the one-night-only star-studded Actors Fund benefit concerts of Funny Girl, Hair, and A Centennial Celebration of Frank Loesser. She can be heard on the Actors Fund recording of Hair and on the Reefer Madness soundtrack.

Chris Isaacson has created, produced and promoted over 450 events since forming his company in 2004. From small clubs to major theatres, Isaacson has produced some of the most influential stars of his generation, including Adam Lambert (American Idol), Lea Michele (Spring Awakening, Glee), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Grammy Award nominee Natasha Bedingfield, three-time Grammy nominee Taylor Dayne, Grammy Award-winner Paula Cole, and more. Isaacson’s concerts have been featured on Access Hollywood, Extra, KABC’s On The Red Carpet, KTLA Morning News, the Los Angeles Times, and New York Post.

Isaacson is also the creator/founder of LA’s renowned Upright Cabaret, which has been redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences in Los Angeles since 2005. Upright Cabaret seeks to celebrate old style cabaret while simultaneously modernizing it, bringing young Broadway and young Hollywood together in a live setting. Isaacson produces concerts and events under the Upright Cabaret banner including his annual summer concert series at the Ford Amphitheatre, the successful “American Icon Series” which plays at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and Palm Springs, as well as, his critically acclaimed concerts Shoshana Sings Streisand starring Shoshana Bean, Stephen Schwartz: Making Good, featuring Wicked creator/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, and Eden Espinosa: Me, starring Eden Espinosa. This summer, Isaacson will present New York’s Finest (The Leading Men of Broadway) at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, featuring an all-star cast including Tony Award nominee Sam Harris, who will also direct. For the second year, Isaacson will produce the Summer Concert Series at The Grove in Los Angeles, featuring concerts by singer and guitar phenomenon Orianthi, American Idol alums Frenchie Davis and Blake Lewis, music legend Richard Marx and country sensation Lonestar. For more information, visit www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com.

Ana Gasteyer’s Elegant Songs from a Handsome Woman will play three performances only, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 11, 12, and 13, at the Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood. Showtime is 8:30pm, with dinner and drink service beginning at 7pm. Admission is $35, and tickets are available now, online at www.UprightCabaret.com/events or by phone at (323) 466-2210. Tickets purchased online receive first priority in seating; dinner and drink minimums apply.

For more information about this and other Upright Cabaret presentations, including scheduled performers, showtimes, and tickets, visit www.UprightCabaret.com.

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07-06-11

ABOVE PHOTO OF ANA GASTEYER BY J. ROSS

Announcing: ‘Cabaret Cares: Songs for Japan’ Benefit Set for Monday, April 11

CABARET CARES: SONGS FOR JAPAN
A BENEFIT CONCERT TO AID RELIEF EFFORTS

PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT THE JBA FOUNDATION
PRODUCED BY DAISY EAGAN AND JAMES MOONEY
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CATALINA JAZZ CLUB
MONDAY, APRIL 11 AT 8PM

In response to the devastating events in Japan, producers Daisy Eagan and James Mooney, in association with the Catalina Jazz Club, have announced Cabaret Cares: Songs for Japan, a one-night-only event on Monday, April 11 at 8pm. Proceeds will support the Japanese Business Association Foundation. The JBA is working directly with the Japanese Consulate to ensure that the money raised on this evening will make it directly to the people working “on the ground” right now.

Stars from the worlds of Broadway, television, music and cabaret will come together to show their support, entertain, and help raise money to assist with Japan’s monumental crisis. The performers, in alphabetical order, are scheduled to include Danielle Bisutti & Rob Mullins, Jim J Bullock, comedian Bill Burr, Daisy Eagan, Delious Kennedy (All 4 One), Lee Lessack, Andrea Marcovicci, Sharon McKnight, Valarie Pettiford, and The Sklar Brothers (Comedy Central). More stars are expected to participate. Please ‘like’ us at www.facebook.com/cabaretcares for up-to-the-minute updates on the list of performers.

Tickets are $30 (plus a two-drink minimum) and can be purchased online by visiting www.catalinajazzclub.com or by calling (323) 466-2210. The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 W. Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, 90028.

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04-05-11