Richmond Native Kathy Halenda to Make Her CenterStage Debut

Richmond CenterStage is set to welcome Cabaret performer and Richmond native Kathy Halenda to Rhythm Hall as she performs her acclaimed one-woman show entitled Brass & Class: The Music of Judy Garland and Bette Midler. Ms. Halenda is the third performer in the inaugural season of the U.S. Trust Life is a Cabaret! Series: A Celebration of the Great American Song Book.

Ms. Halenda was born and raised in Richmond before leaving to attend college and begin her touring career. Her credits include playing the title role in Mame and Nancy in the national touring production of Oliver. Currently, she is performing the role of Mama Rose on the national tour of Gypsy. She was also the recipient of the 2011 Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Award from the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle.

“The Cabaret series at CenterStage has been a wonderful way to expose Richmonders to classic Broadway-style performances in an intimate setting,” said CenterStage Executive Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. “Having a Richmond native like Kathy Halenda as a part of these special performances makes this series even more special!”

Brass & Class: The Music of Judy Garland and Bette Midler will show audiences that although the legendary Bette Midler and Judy Garland have completely different backgrounds and song styles, they are very similar in heart and passion. Ms. Halenda’s Richmond performances will surely showcase why the Los Angeles Times said she has “a magnificent belt voice and earthy charm.”

Ms. Halenda’s CenterStage debut will be Thursday, January 26 – 28 at 7 p.m., with a special 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, January 29. Ticket prices for each show in the U.S. Trust Life is a Cabaret! Series are:
Lounge Seating: $27
Reserved Ticket: $42
Inner Circle Single Ticket: $52

Tickets are now available at www.richmondcenterstage.com, at the CenterStage Box Office, or through E-Tix at 1-800-514-ETIX (3849).

About Kathy Halenda: A native of Richmond, Virginia, Ms. Halenda has been a professional actor and singer for twenty-five years. Ms.Halenda has performed in over 180 productions, including 12 national tours, where her roles included Nancy in Oliver, Mae West in Ziegfeld, Raffaela in Grand Hotel, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Maggie Jones in 42nd St. She has toured the entire United States, including New York City’s Lincoln Center, Washington D.C., Boston, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. While in New York City, she received the honor of singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the nationally televised New York Knicks and was asked to sing at Boston’s historic Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees. She is currently performing the role of Mama Rose on the national tour of Gypsy.