OCPAC Unveils 2010-2011 Cabaret Season featuring Foster, White, Menzel & Mullally

With Tony® winner Faith Prince marking the conclusion of The Orange County Performing Arts Center's Broadway Diva-heavy 2009-2010 cabaret season just this past weekend, the Center is gearing up for a new season this fall with a line-up that includes more superstars from the Broadway stage, including versatile actress, comedienne and singer Megan Mullally (who also recently made headlines after dropping out abruptly from the Broadway production of Lips Together, Teeth Apart) in her Samueli Theater debut with her band Supreme Music Program; Center favorites Jason Graae and Tony winner Lillias White in a Cy Coleman tribute; Tony winner Sutton Foster; and Broadway's original Wicked Green Girl, Tony winner Idina Menzel with a full symphony orchestra in a one-night-only concert in Segerstrom Hall.

Megan Mullally and Supreme Music Program
October 7 – 10, 2010 in Samueli Theater

One of Hollywood's most versatile talents, Megan Mullally is an actress and singer who has appeared on Broadway, in concert halls, in films and on television. She is best known for her Emmy®-winning performances as Karen Walker on NBC's Will and Grace, the role that she will reprise in Karen: The Musical, currently in development. She can be seen now in the Starz hit cable series Party Down and is the Chief on the new Adult Swim comedy, Children's Hospital. Mullally has appeared on NBC's Parks and Recreation, in the 2009 remake of FAME and was Beverly Wilkins in the critically acclaimed West Coast debut of The Receptionist at the Odyssey Theatre in LA.

Idina Menzel (Center Debut)
November 7, 2010 at 3 p.m. in Segerstrom Concert Hall

Broadway powerhouse Idina Menzel – the Tony award-winning "Elphaba" from internationAl Blockbuster Wicked – performs in Segerstrom Hall with a full symphony orchestra. With a diverse repertoire of classic pop, musical theater favorites (including hits from Wicked and Rent) as well as songs from her album I Stand, Menzel demonstrates why she is one of the great vocal performers of our time. Catch her this spring on the popular FOX television series Glee.

Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman
December 9 – 12, 2010 in Samueli Theater

This loving tribute to the great Cy Coleman, composer of such shows as City of Angels, Sweet Charity and The Will Rogers Follies, and songs such as "Witchcraft" and "The Best is Yet to Come," has been created by Michael A. Kerker, ASCAP Director of Musical Theater and producer of Sunday Night ASCAP Songwriters' Series at the Firebird Café in New York. The ensemble includes lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels. Jason Graae, a Center favorite, returns. Graae's special way around a song has taken him to Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room in New York, and The Plush Room in San Francisco. Lillias White, who has starred on Broadway and in numerous national tours and at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, joins the group. The formidable chanteuse won a Tony for her star turn in Coleman's The Life. Additional casting to be announced at a later date.

Sutton Foster (Center Debut)
February 17 – 20, 2011 in Samueli Theater

Tony Award winner Sutton Foster is one of the brightest stars Broadway has seen in a long time. She received her Tony for Thoroughly Modern Millie and Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for her performances in such shows as Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (co-starring fellow OCPAC cabaret headliner Megan Mullaly), The Drowsy Chaperone and Little Women: The Musical. Foster has also appeared in Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, with the Philly Pops and New York Pops at Carnegie Hall as well as at Feinstein's and Joe's Pub in New York. Her debut solo CD, Wish, was recently released to critical acclaim.

Nathan Gunn (Center Debut)
March 24 – 27, 2011 in Samueli Theater

Nathan Gunn is one of the most exciting and in-demand baritones in the world, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Royal Opera House and the Paris Opera to name just a few. He is also a distinguished concert performer and recitalist. But Gunn brings another side of his star power and passion for music to Samueli Theater, performing ballads and romantic tunes that he has featured on his CD, Just Before Sunrise. He has selected songs ranging from favorites in the Great American Songbook and contemporary composers.

Photos (from top): Sutton Foster by Laura Marie Duncan. Idina Menzel by Stewart Shining. Megan Mullally courtesy of OCPAC.

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Season tickets for the Cabaret Series are $335, which is a savings of $45 over the cost of regular tickets. Priority renewal information is being sent to current subscribers, who will have the opportunity to renew their subscriptions before new subscribers and the chance to renew in their current seats or upgrade to better seating locations. A variety of flexible payment options are available with season ticket packages. Season tickets may be purchased online now at OCPAC.org/cabaret. Single tickets for all performances will go on sale Sunday, August 22. Tickets and additional information may also be obtained by contacting the Center's Box Office at 714.556.2787 or visiting 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626.