Bean, Espinosa, Schwartz Set for Upright Cabaret's 'Wicked' Summer Nights

Upright Cabaret (www.uprightcabaret.com), L.A.'s premier theatrical showcase featuring an eclectic mix of artists from stage, screen and recording, will present three amazing (and dare we say, Popular!) evenings as they present - Upright Cabaret's "Wicked" Summer Nights: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Los Angeles. The shows will star pivotal performers and figures that have created and shaped Wicked, the powerhouse Broadway musical which tells the story of the two witches of Oz long before Dorothy showed up. Eden Espinosa, Shoshana Bean and Stephen Schwartz will all present one-of-a-kind shows under the stars! All three shows will be directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director Billy Porter and presented by Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel.

Thursday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m.

Shoshana Bean: SHOSHANA SINGS STREISAND!

A Happening at the Ford!

Witness the evolution of a diva in this two part theatrical concert, as former Wicked star Shoshana Bean begins the night singing the hits of Barbra Streisand in Shoshana Sings Streisand," ending with "My Name is Shoshana," featuring songs from Bean's debut album, "Superhero." Bean also appeared in the original Broadway cast of Hairspray and the acclaimed 2001 Off-Broadway revival of Godspell. With Music Direction by Legendary Los Angeles Music Director Gerald Sternbach and Matt Cusson. Shoshana Bean: A Happening at the Ford is co-sponsored by Christopher Street West and has been selected as official "Pride Night Out" kick-off event for Los Angeles Pride 2009.

Friday, July 24 at 8:30 pm
Eden Espinosa: ME

The acclaimed star of Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco productions of Wicked makes a triumphant return to her hometown with her critically acclaimed solo show. Espinosa will "shed the green" from her most famous role to share a piece of herself in ME, singing songs that are close to her heart by the artists who have inspired her. With special guest, singer-songwriter (and niece of Judy Garland!) Audra Mae. Special Arrangements and Music Direction by James Sampliner (Broadway: BKLYN: The Musical, The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde)

Sunday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Stephen Schwartz: Making Good

Stephen Schwartz, the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy award-winning lyricist and composer of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell and Disney's Enchanted, presents a sneak peak of his new opera, "Séance on a Wet Afternoon," followed by a second act extravaganza featuring Upright Cabaret All-Star performers interpreting Schwartz's most popular songs, including "Defying Gravity," "The Wizard & I," "Popular," "Day by Day" "Corner of the Sky," "Magic to Do" and "Morning Glow," among others!

Upright Cabaret (www.uprightcabaret.com) is redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences. Founded by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in 2005, Upright seeks to celebrate old style cabaret while simultaneously turning it on its ear, bringing young Broadway and young Hollywood together in a live setting. Upright performers run the gamut from Tony-nominated divas to up-and-coming recording artists to film and TV stars. Indeed, Upright's talent roster reads like a "who's who" of the entertainment industry, including current American Idol finalist Adam Lambert, film actress Katy Mixon (Four Christmases, HBO's East Bound and Down), Neil Patrick Harris (CBS's How I Met Your Mother & ABC's Doogie Howser, M.D.) and Hunter Parrish (Showtime's Weeds). Upright's roster also includes Michael Urie (ABC's Ugly Betty), Vicki Lewis (NBC's NewsRadio), Busy Phillips (NBC's Freaks & Geeks, ER), and cast members from over 75 Broadway productions, including Wicked, Rent, Jersey Boys and Spamalot, to name a few!

Upright Cabaret, born and bred in West Hollywood, and has been taking Southern California by storm, with shows in Palm Springs, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Avalon and recently on the East Coast at Joe's Pub in New York City. Upright will soon be taking its act on the road outside of the Golden state, with a planned concert tour slated for Spring, 2009. For more information, please visit www.uprightcabaret.com and www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret or www.youtube.com/uprightcabaret.

John Anson Ford Theatres

2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East

Hollywood, CA 90068

Tickets for ALL THREE SHOWS can be purchased online by visiting www.fordtheatres.com or www.uprightcabaret.com/events or by calling (323) 461-3673.

Tickets: Early buyer incentive: purchase by June 4 and tickets range from

$35 to $75 ($75 includes VIP with Artist Meet-and-Greet)

Buy all three events and SAVE!
Tickets range $28 - $60 ($60 includes VIP Artist Meet-and-Greet)

General Ticket Prices (after June 4) range from $40 - $80