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BWW Reviews: CORTES ALEXANDER Returns to Sterling's with a Bag Full of Surprises for a SWELL NOEL
by Don Grigware - Dec 24, 2014

On Monday December 22 the terribly amusing song stylist Cortes Alexander presented his annual Swell Noel to an uber packed house at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Alexander has such frenetic energy and charm that, and I've said this before, you just want to wrap him up. What a joyous Christmas present...and with his two glorious backup singers, the Swell Girls Melissa Bailey and Julie Gar

Jennifer Kranz, Adrienne Visnic and More to Celebrate a 'Thanks for Giving' November at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal
by BWW News Desk - Nov 10, 2014

Jennifer Kranz, winner of LA's Next Great Stage Star 2014; and Stage Star top finalist Adrienne Visnic make their respective headlining debuts at Sterling's Upstairs November 16th and 23rd.

Sterling's Upstairs to Celebrate 8th Anniversary this Month
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 7, 2014

Sterling's Upstairs - housed at popular LA hot spot The Federal in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District - has not only been described by the Los Angeles Times as "LA's cabaret destination;" but was just cited by LA Weekly as one of Los Angeles's top five supper clubs, With an arsenal of similar accolades from LA based media, Sterling's Upstairs celebrates its eight-year anniversary this month with Broadway performers Maura Hanlon Smith (June 9), Sandy Bainum (June 22) and Bernard Dotson (June 29-June 30). Kritzerland Records' Nobody Does it Better... The songs of Dorothy Fields kicked off the month-long celebration on June 1st featuring Tara Browne, Cynthia Ferrer, Zachary Ford, Kim Huber, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman, Sarah Staitman, Robert Yacko and Special Guest... Broadway's Kerry O'Malley.

BWW Reviews: Singer Cortes Alexander Returns to Sterling's with a Swell Noel
by Don Grigware - Dec 24, 2013

On Sunday December 22 the amazing Cortes Alexander presented his Thou Swell Noel to a packed house at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Alexander has such frenetic energy and charm that, and I've said this before, you just want to wrap him up. What a joyous Christmas present...and with his two glorious backup singers, the Swell Girls Melissa Bailey and Julie Garnye, who could ask for anything more? Yes, a band! There was an electric four-piece band with musical director Norman Ludwin on bass, David Arana at the piano, Mark Converse on drums and Paul Landry on guitar.Paul's 10-year old son Zeut Landry was a very special guest who accompanied Alexander on a Cajon Drum Box during his beautiful composition 'Marguerite'. This 'Little Drummer Boy' is also big on talent!

2013 Holiday Shows For Your Merry Entertainment!
by Ellen Dostal - Nov 19, 2013

Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit? Check out this list of options to help you have a festive month and bookmark this page for handy reference! (To be updated with new shows as announced).

BWW Reviews: A Sterling Celebration for a Sterling Gentleman
by Ellen Dostal - Sep 17, 2013

On September 15th, 1 host, 12 singers, 2 musical directors, 1 comedian, and a packed house of friends and invited guests celebrated Michael Sterling's birthday at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. The night, appropriately titled A Sterling Affair, was a sparkling tribute to the man whose name has come to be synonymous with Los Angeles cabaret.

Photo Flash: Clarke Thorell Brings SONGS I WISH I'D WRITTEN to Broadway at Birdland; ANNIE's Faith Prince and More Visit!
by BWW News Desk - Aug 7, 2013

The Broadway at Birdland concert series welcomed Broadway's Clarke Thorell in Songs I Wish I'd Written for one night only, Monday, August 5 at 7pm. The concert featured songs by Harry Nilsson, Paul McCartney, Adam Guettel, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Elvis Costello, Chris Thile, and Sting. Joining Clarke were Musical Director/pianist Dan Lipton, along with singers Brian d'Arcy James, Cortes Alexander, Haven Burton and Jim Caruso. The band also included Simon Kafka on guitar & other strings, Mark Vanderpoel on bass and Shannon Ford on drums. Scroll down for photos!

Photo Flash: Cortes Alexander Brings THE SWELL SHOW to Birdland
by BWW News Desk - May 14, 2013

On Monday, May 13, Cortes Alexander stormed the Broadway at Birdland stage with 'The Swell Show,' along with Billy Stritch at the piano, Ray Marchica on drums, Norman Ludwin on bass, Clarke Thorell on guitar/ukulele, and Julie Garnye and Melissa Bailey as 'The Swell Girls.' Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Cortes Alexander, BossaBrasil Festival and More Set for Birdland Jazz Club, Now thru 5/19
by BWW News Desk - May 13, 2013

Birdland Jazz Club has announced their exciting line-up of exceptional talent for today, May 13 - May 19.

Cortes Alexander, BossaBrasil Festival and More Set for Birdland Jazz Club, 5/13-19
by BWW News Desk - May 3, 2013

Birdland Jazz Club has announced their exciting line-up of exceptional talent for May 13 - May 19.

Don Grigware Announces His Best in LA Theatre for 2012
by Don Grigware - Dec 24, 2012

The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.

Around the Broadway World: Regional Highlights for the Week of 12/10
by BWW Special Coverage - Dec 14, 2012

It's Friday and time for another regional news recap! Today, we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 10! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!

BWW Reviews: Cortes Alexander Wishes One and All a SWELL HOLIDAY at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal
by Don Grigware - Dec 12, 2012

Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13, and as I wrote then 'What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song!' Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC. Alexander sings many of his own compositions and has a fine, smooth, easy-going style that pulls you in the minute he opens his mouth. On Monday December 10, Alexander came back to the Federal for the Christmas version of his show called Have a Swell Holiday. His Swell girls were also on hand Melissa Bailey and this time Julie Garnye with musical director John Boswell at piano, Norman Ludwin on bass, Terry Schoenig on percussion, and Paul Landry on guitar. The total effect of these stellar musicians made for a jazzy, swinging evening of musical mirth.

Carrie St. Louis Accelerates Six Month Anniversary of Sterling's Upstairs
by Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans - Oct 12, 2012

The combination of music (mostly Broadway and Great American Songbook fare) and California gourmet cuisine at this North Hollywood, NoHo Arts District hot spot, registers cool chic as Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal which - by its very mission - engages thoughtful sensibilities and the good taste of its namesake and producer Michael Sterling. In other words, Sterling's offering of a west coast supper club with an east coast mentality translates to New York style cabaret planted smack dab in the middle of movie town, USA. And to seal the deal, talent like Lainie Kazan, Tony Award winners Faith Prince and Daisy Eagan; Tony nominee Euan Morton; Broadway's Kim Huber, Beth Malone, Jason Graae, Melody Hollis, Kay Cole, Ilene Graff, Cortes Alexander, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland Records monthly salutes, and a host of other musical theatre A-listers from one side of the county to the have appeared on the stage at Sterling's. But they're not the only performers who illuminate Sterling's Upstairs (formerly housed at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City, CA) now in its 6th year of operation, and 6th month at The Federal.

BWW Reviews: Crown City Theatre Rounds a DANGEROUS CORNER
by Don Grigware - Oct 2, 2012

Dangerous Corner, an intriguing play about relationships written by J.B. Priestley in 1932 has a fresh, new look at Crown City Theatre. Director Gary Lamb's vision brings the play into the 60s and puts the spirit of a deceased character on stage, singing, playing the piano, lounging imperiously and fluttering about as he controls the heated discussion of his supposed suicide. When it becomes clear that there are two divergent directions that the plot could take, this new charade seems entirely appropriate and, in fact, greatly enhances Priestley's perspective on disclosing truth versus half-truths. Now at Crown through November 4, Dangerous Corner has a captivating cast.

DANGEROUS CORNER Kicks Off Crown City Theatre's 2012-13 Season Tonight, 9/27 
by BWW News Desk - Sep 27, 2012

Crown City Theatre announces its new season featuring DANGEROUS CORNER by J.B. Priestley tonight, Sept. 27th, 2012, COMPANY by George Furth and Stephen Sondheim Feb. 14th, 2013, and THE FOREIGNER by Larry Shue May 23rd, 2013. Also, keep a look out for their surprise Christmas show to be announced in October(Dates and shows subject to change.)

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