Judy Kaye, Christina Bianco, Levi Kreis and More Set for Feinstein's at the Nikko, June 2014

By: Apr. 17, 2014
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San Francisco in June may be gloomy, but the lineup at Feinstein's at the Nikko will be HOT! Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are thrilled to announce the lineup for the month of June, featuring award-winning stars from stage and screen, including two-time Tony Award-winner Judy Kaye, YouTube sensation Christina Bianco, Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Levi Kreis, cabaret legend Justin Vivian Bond, Broadway star and recording artist Shoshana Bean, and Franc D'Ambrosio & Glory Crampton's tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Additional performers for the month of June will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for all upcoming performers are available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom.

SHOSHANA BEAN - THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 8 P.M. - TICKETS: $35-$50
Best known for her stellar performances as Elphaba in the smash Broadway musical Wicked, Broadway star and recording artist SHOSHANA BEAN will make her Feinstein's at the Nikko debut for one performance only! Bean will perform tracks off her sophomore album, "O'Farrell Street," which features her unique take on vintage soul music of the late 1960's drawing inspiration from artists like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Sam Cooke, as well as beloved soul classics by those same artists who inspired the record, audiences will have an energetic, soulful and moving evening of Shoshana's nostalgic and refreshing originals.

Shoshana Bean made her New York City debut in the Off-Broadway revival of Godspell, and soon after made her Broadway debut in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning production of Hairspray. She went on to be the first replacement for the green-skinned witch Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked later reprising her performance on the Wicked national tour. She performed in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber at the Kennedy Center and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Most recently she headlined in the Las Vegas burlesque revue, Peepshow, and made her New York City concert debut to a sold-out crowd at Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center. Shoshana sang back-up for an endless list of superstars at Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration at Madison Square Garden and shared the stage with Grammy Award nominee Brian McKnight at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards to honor Aretha Franklin.

She released her debut solo album Superhero on her own label, Shotime Records. In its first week of sales it reached #5 on the iTunes R&B charts, making it the only independent album in the Top 100. Shoshana has lent her voice to the film soundtracks for "Hairspray," "Enchanted" and "Dance Flick." Her work as a singer/songwriter has been featured on "The Hills," and "Mercy." Her debut single "Superhero" won an Independent Music Award for "Best R&B Song."

FRANC D'AMBROSIO & GLORY CRAMPTON - FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 8 P.M. & SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 7 P.M. - TICKETS: $35-$50
Broadway veterans FRANC D'AMBROSIO & GLORY CRAMPTON come to Feinstein's at the Nikko with their acclaimed show, Angel of Music - A Salute to Andrew Lloyd Webber for two performances only. Featuring songs from some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most acclaimed shows, including Sunset Boulevard, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar, Crampton and D'Ambrosio present an unforgettable evening of music and story-telling.

Glory Crampton is a Broadway leading lady and musical theatre veteran who is best known for her critically acclaimed roles in productions of Phantom, My Fair Lady, Nine, Camelot, Carousel, and The Fantasticks. She is also an accomplished soprano solo artist who has sung with celebrated tenor Jose Carreras of the legendary The Three Tenors, in a sold out concert at Radio City Music Hall.

Crampton became a sought after leading lady, playing such diverse roles as, "Lili" in the Off-Broadway revival of Carnival and "Guinevere" in Camelot. She appeared in 10 leading roles at the acclaimed Paper Mill Playhouse including, "Eliza Doolittle" in My Fair Lady (opposite Charles Schaunessey), "Amanda Lanyon" in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and "Claudia Narni" in Nine. Crampton also portrayed "Luisa Contini" in Nine the Westchester Broadway Theatre. She has also regularly performed at the Houston Theatre Under the Stars where she worked with the acclaimed composer & lyricist Jerry Herman. She portrayed "Irene" in Hello, Dolly (opposite Leslie Uggams) and "Sarah Brown" in Guys and Dolls (opposite Richard Kind and Tony Award Winner Christiane Hoff). She has had the pleasure of performing several times for Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush. In April, 2011 they were in attendance as her personal guests when she was part of a fundraising benefit for the Theatre.

Crampton's first solo CD, "Unusual Way" was released in 2011 and was recorded with the London National Symphony at the famous Abbey Road Studios in England. In addition to her solo CD, she has been featured on other recordings, including: "All the Love I Have - Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber"- National Symphony Orchestra (Jay Records), "The Musicality of Jerome Kern" - National Symphony Orchestra (Jay Records), "Celebrate Broadway" (RCA) "Phantom" (RCA), "Unsung Irving Berlin, Unsung Musicals(1,2, &3), "The Music of Peter Pan", and "A Broadway Christmas" (Varese Saraband).

Franc D'Ambrosio is best known as the "Phantom" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award winning Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera. Affectionately known as "The Iron Man of The Mask", he was awarded the distinction as the "World's Longest Running Phantom" with over 2,300 performances of the lead role, a title he held for a decade. D'Ambrosio has joined the ranks of the famed Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman as only a handful of Phantom alumni to successfully crossover to solo careers. He is celebrating 10 years of continuous touring.

D'Ambrosio's resume also includes an Academy Award Nominated film, an Emmy Award Nominated television show, four-time Tony nominated Broadway show, Two Grammy Considerations, and a National Theatre Award Nomination. Early in D'Ambrosio's career, Paramount Pictures talent scouts discovered him in the chorus of his first Broadway show. This ended an exhausting two year international search for the perfect Anthony Corleone. Francis Ford Coppola immediately cast D'Ambrosio as the opera singing son of Al Pacino in Coppola's seven-time Academy Award nominated film "Godfather III." D'Ambrosio had the honor of singing the Academy Award winning theme song, "Speak Softly Love" (Brucia la Terra) both in the film and on the original motion picture soundtrack. His performances of the theme song have garnered over 1 million YouTube hits. D'Ambrosio's performance so impressed the late Luciano Pavarotti that it led to an invitation - which was quickly accepted - for him to study with the legendary tenor, for the summer, at his home in Italy.

After his impressive run as The Phantom Of The Opera D'Ambrosio caught the eye of Barry Manilow, who personally selected him to create and star as the male lead, "Tony", in the pre-Broadway tour of Copacabana. The show enjoyed a successful year long tour. The performance earned D'Ambrosio his Theatre Award nomination for Best Male Performer in a Musical. D'Ambrosio currently tours extensively throughout the United States, Europe and South America with his critically acclaimed one man shows and is a welcomed and frequent guest artist with many major American orchestras and symphonies (Pop Series).

Recognized for his vibrant voice and legato singing, D'Ambrosio was invited by Olympic Champion Brian Boitano to perform as a Special Musical Guest in the skater's NBC special "Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular." He also joined Boitano in his next TV special, "The 2005 Tribute to Movies on Ice," starring as special musical guest with Michael Bolton. D'Ambrosio's performance of "Music of the Night" skated to by Boitano, received the evening's only standing ovation.

In July of 2011 D'ambrosio co-starred in the production Love Changes Everything - a celebration of the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. This production boasted an all-star cast, which also featured Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway, Kevin Kern and Laurie Gayle Stephenson.

D'Ambrosio's passion for teaching his craft to young artists leads to Italy each summer as part of the Lorenzo Malfatti Accademia Vocale di Lucca. He has lectured for the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (at their famed Spoletto/Italy). He also works with the Cherubini Music Conservatory in Florence Italy and American University in Washington DC. D'Ambrosio also participates in numerous lecture series for such prestigious institutions as the New Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, the famed Julliard School NYC and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. While touring the country, D'Ambrosio makes himself available to local school outreach programs across the US and Europe. He offers both lecture and master class formats.

JUDY KAYE - THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 8 P.M. & FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 8 P.M. - TICKETS: $35-$50
Broadway legend and two-time Tony Award winner, JUDY KAYE will make her Feinstein's at the Nikko debut with a new show celebrating the work of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Having worked with both, she'll share humorous anecdotes and personal reminiscences, along with her own unique take on some of her favorites from these two giants of the American musical theatre.

Judy Kaye most recently appeared on Broadway in Nice Work If You Can Get It for which she won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards. She won her first Tony Award for The Phantom of the Opera. Other highlights of her career include Souvenir (Tony nomination, Theatre LA Ovation Award as Best Actress), Mamma Mia (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), Ragtime (Theatre LA Ovation Award), On the Twentieth Century (Theatre World Award, Drama Desk nomination), Ms. Kaye has also been Mrs. Lovett in a number of productions of Sweeney Todd, including the most recent Broadway production and National Tour and in London with the original Sweeney, Len Cariou. Other credits include Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, Follies and Tales of the City.

Dramatic credits include productions of Souvenir in ten cities around the country, Lost in Yonkers at the Old Globe in San Diego and Arizona Theatre Company in Tucson and Phoenix. Other roles include Maggie in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Penny in You Can't Take it With You, Shirley Valentine, and Kitty Dean in The Royal Family. Opera credits include La Boheme, Orpheus in the Underworld and The Beggars Opera; all for Santa Fe Opera and Brigadoon, Candide and The Pajama Game for New York City Opera.

Ms. Kaye has appeared with the New York Festival of Song many times; "Fats and Fields," "Lost Tribes of Vaudeville," among many others and in the Grammy winning recording of Leonard Bernstein's "Arias and Barcarolles." She has performed in concert with many of the world's greatest orchestras and has sung at the White House twice. Ms. Kaye is also the voice of Kinsey Milhone for Random House Audio's recordings of the Sue Grafton Alphabet Mysteries, of which "W is for WASTED" is the most recent release.

Judy Kaye Sings Bernstein & Sondheim features musical direction by Dennis Buck and is directed by David Green.

CHRISTINA BIANCO - THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 8 P.M. & FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 8 P.M. - TICKETS: $35-$50
Acclaimed performer & YouTube sensation, CHRISTINA BIANCO, brings her versatile vocals and celebrity impressions to Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only. Her show, Diva Moments, is made up of songs that made divas out of the women who sang them. From Barbra Streisand to Celine Dion to Judy Garland, no celebrity is safe! Praised for her work in Forbidden Broadway and Newsical the Musical, Drama Desk Award nominated actress Christina Bianco will perform these beloved songs in her own voice, as well as impersonating the great divas themselves! Song selections range from Broadway classics to well-known standards and popular hits, including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "What Did I Have That I Don't Have," "Last Dance" and a few Forbidden Broadway gems.

Drama Desk Award Nominated actress, singer and Impressionist Christina Bianco has become a worldwide YouTube sensation with her diva impression videos going viral. Christina's rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Let It Go" got the attention of millions, immediately leading to appearances performing on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "The Queen Latifah Show."

In New York, Christina recently starred Off-Broadway in Newsical The Musical and Forbidden Broadway; Goes To Rehab (Drama Desk Award Nomination). She can be heard on both original cast recordings. Christina originated the role of Dora in the long-running National Tour of Dora The Explorer Live, including a sold-out run at Radio City Music Hall. Other NY credits include: Raffi On Broadway (Gershwin Theatre), Forbidden Broadway Dances With The Stars and Tony and Tina's Wedding (Tina).

As a MAC Award nominated Cabaret Artist, Christina performed weekly in an unprecedented eight-month run of 11 O'Clock Numbers at Feinstein's at Loew's Regency. She has performed her acclaimed solo show, Diva Moments, to sold-out crowds in New York City at Birdland, regionally in Chicago and Baltimore, and on various international cruise ships. Abroad, Christina sold out a critically acclaimed extended run headlining at London's famed Hippodrome. This May, she'll return to London with three sold-out performances at Royal Albert Hall's prestigious Elgar Room.

Christina frequently performs in concert as a soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra as well as other US and Canadian symphonies. She has sung with R&B star Deborah Cox, guest starred on The Jerry Lewis Telethon and performed on NBC's The Today Show. Christina has recently been interviewed by and performed for the following entertainment news media outlets: HuffPost Live, ABC, NPR, CBS, VH1, Hallmark's Home & Family, Pix 11 and Fox News.com.

JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND - SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 7 P.M. & SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 7 P.M. - TICKETS: $35-$50
After sold-out performances in New York and Paris, Feinstein's at the Nikko welcomes cabaret legend and "trans-genre" artist JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND with Love is Crazy, an evening to celebrate love and all its complications. Under the musical direction of Lance Horne, audiences can expect the unexpected with a mix of original songs from Mx Bond's records "Dendrophile" and "Silver Wells," along with songs associated with v's stage and film appearances, including John Cameron Mitchell's "Shortbus" and the recent off-Broadway hit Bertolt Brecht's A Man's A Man.

Mx Justin Vivian Bond is a writer, singer, painter, and performance artist. Mx Bond is the author of the Lambda Literary Award winning memoir "TANGO: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels," published by The Feminist Press and "Susie Says... "a collaboration with Gina Garan (Powerhouse Books, 2012). V's debut CD "Dendrophile" was self-released on WhimsyMusic in 2011 and was followed by "Silver Wells" in 2012. In 2011 Justin Vivian's art exhibition The Fall of the House of Whimsy was presented at Participant Inc. in New York City. Mx Bond was nominated for a Tony Award for Kiki and Herb Alive On Broadway in 2007. Other notable theatrical endeavors include starring as Warhol Superstar Jackie Curtis in Scott Wittman's production of Jukebox Jackie: Snatches of Jackie Curtis as part of La Mama E.T.C.'s 50 Anniversary Season, originating the role of Herculine Barbin in Kate Bornstein's groundbreaking play Hidden: A Gender, touring with the performance troupe The Big Art Group and appearing in John Cameron Mitchell's film "Shortbus." Other films include "Sunset Stories" (2012), "Imaginary Heroes" (2004), and "Fanci's Persuasion" (1995). Mx Bond is a recipient of The Ethyl Eichelberger Award, The Peter Reed Foundation Grant, and The Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists Award for Performance Art/Theater, an Obie and a Bessie.

LEVI KREIS - THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 8 P.M. & FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 8 P.M. - TICKETS: $35-$50
Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter, LEVI KREIS, brings his show, An Intimate Evening with Levi Kreis, to Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only. Featuring songs from his six studio albums - including his latest release, "Imagine Paradise" - Kreis will take audiences on a journey through his illustrious career, with some enlightening banter thrown in.

Levi Kreis' career took off after appearing on the hit TV show, The Apprentice in 2005. Since then, Levi's music has been featured on So You Think You Can Dance, The Vampire Diaries, Sons of Anarchy, Mob Wives, and many more. Kreis began his stage career as Roger in the National Tour of Rent, later moving on to films including playing Matthew McConaughey's brother in Bill Paxton's directorial debut Frailty. Kreis has released six albums to date, the most recent endeavor, Imagine Paradise, being a collection of personalized, custom-written theme songs for some of his most loyal fans. The album debuted #10 on iTunes Top Album Charts on June 20 of last year.

Kreis became a Broadway star overnight with his effortless comedic timing and dazzling piano chops as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Tony nominated musical Million Dollar Quartet. The role won him a 2010 Tony Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama League Award. Kreis has appeared on The View, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Don Imus, & Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kreis tours various venues around the country to rave reviews. The Chicago Tribune gives An Intimate Evening With Levi Kreis "5 Stars".

Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. All seating at Feinstein's at the Nikko is cabaret style and available on a first-come, first-served basis within the section purchased. Guests who purchase the prix-fixe dinner at Restaurant Anzu will receive a complimentary section upgrade (subject to availability) and get to choose their exact seat locations within the upgraded section.

Guests of Feinstein's at the Nikko can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options before performances. Kanpai Lounge, located in Hotel Nikko's lobby, offers light cuisine, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko's intimate restaurant located on the second floor, serves sustainable California cuisine enhanced with Asian flavors. Restaurant Anzu will also offer Feinstein's at the Nikko guests a special three-course prix-fixe dinner ($45 per person) prior to all performances. Reservations can be made by calling (415) 394-1100.



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