Espinosa, Bean and Schwartz Headline 'WICKED Summer Nights' Concert Series at Ford Amphitheatre

Upright Cabaret, the "wildly popular theatrical showcase" featuring an eclectic mix of artists from stage, screen and recording, will present a trio of summer concerts called 'Upright Cabaret's Wicked Summer Nights: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road' at the Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, beginning in June.  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.  All three shows will be directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director Billy Porter and presented by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel.

This extraordinary summer series will kick-off with 'Shoshana Bean: A Happening at the Ford' on      Thursday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m. Witness the evolution of a diva in this two part theatrical concert, as former Wicked star Shoshana Bean (Broadway: Wicked, Hairspray) 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" with Tony-nominated dancer Desmond Richardson to special guest.

'Shoshana Bean: A Happening at the Ford' has also been selected as the official "Pride Night Out" kick-off event for Los Angeles Gay Pride 2009 co-sponsored by Christopher Street West/L.A. Pride.

On Friday, July 24, 2009 at 8:30pm, Eden Espinosa (Broadway: Wicked, BKLYN: The Musical, Rent), the acclaimed star of the Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco productions of Wicked makes a triumphant return to her hometown with her critically acclaimed solo show, 'Eden Espinosa - ME'. 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 Judy Garland's grand-niece Audra Mae (FX's Sons of Anarchy). Special arrangements and Music Direction provided by James Sampliner (Broadway: Legally Blond, BKLYN, the Musical, The Wedding Singer).

For the third concert on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 7:30pm, 'Stephen Schwartz: Making Good' will feature Oscar, Emmy and Grammy award-winning lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Disney's Enchanted) providing 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," and many others. The cast of this special concert will be announced soon.

Tickets range from $75-35, with VIP, group and series ticket options available. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.fordtheatres.com, or www.uprightcabaret.com/events or by calling (323) 461-3673.

The Ford Theatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068 

Photo by Bill Dow