Heavenly Entertainment

The prolific and versatile Upright Cabaret producers, Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, unveil their latest venture this weekend, in collaboration with the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, to be performed the first Sunday night of the run during each of La Mirada's mainstage productions.

The newly opened Cabaret Lounge at the theater will showcase the first offering in Upright's debuting American Icon Series. The single-night City of Angels concert on November 8 will star  stellar performers Michael Arden, Valarie Pettiford, and Matt Cusson (pictured left).

This trio of entertainers will perform the music of Joni Mitchell, Doris Day, and Brian Wilson, under the musical direction of Christopher Lloyd Bratten.

Pettiford (pictured right), is a frequent performer at Upright events. She plays Sandra Lucas in the current TV comedy series House of Payne, and previously won three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal of Big Dee Dee Thorne in the TV series Half & Half.  A Back Stage Bistro award winner, she's well known for her acclaimed solo cabaret show, and countless stage musicals and TV appearances. Among her many awards and nominations was a Tony nom for her performance in Fosse.

Cusson, a self-taught piano and guitar player, performs material incorporating myriad styles, including R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, pop, and rock. He tours the world with his former mentor, Brian McKnight, playing keyboards, singing background vocals,  and often opening the show. In December 2008, his self-prodced debut album was released to great acclaim. He is preparing his next album for release in early 2010.

The prodigosuly talented actor-singer Michael Arden (pictured left) has appeared on the Broadway musicals Big River and The Times They are A-Changin'. Off-Broadway, he starred in the Los Angeles-bred cult musical Bare.

This year, he shared the titular role with deaf actor Tyrone Giordano in the Mark Taper Forum's unique production of Stephen Schwartz' Pippin, which was cast with deaf, hearing, and hard-of-hearing performers. He also boasts many credits in television and in dramatic roles in plays. He ventured into a new career endeavor when he served as Associate Director for A Tale of Two Cities on Broadway last year.

Following City of Angels, the Upright season at La Mirada will include the following, with performers to be annonced:

New York State of Mind, February 7, 2010
Music of Robert Goulet, Billie Holiday, and Bob Dylan

Motor City, April 18, 2010
Music of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson

The Mighty Mississippi, June 6, 2010
Music of Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley and Prince

Country Roads, July 11, 2010
Music of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash

Tickets to the series are available at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts website. The kickoff show promises to be a gangbusters evening. Upright has established a terrific track record for offering first-class entertainment, and the company's latest venture is an exciting one indeed.

--Les Spindle 

Comments

[deartopher]

Thank you Les Spindle and Backstage West for always highlighting great entertainment in SoCal!!! Great Work!!!