Michele Lee to Perform at Birdland for the Actors Fund September 22

By: Robert Diamond Aug. 18, 2008

Jim Caruso's Cast Party presents Michele Lee in "LIGHTS, BROADWAY, ACTION!," a concert benefiting The Actors Fund, Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7:00p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Michele Lee has starred on Broadway, in feature and television films, recorded and performed in concerts and variety specials with legends of the entertainment industry. Ms. LEE is known worldwide for her Emmy-nominated role as Karen in the landmark CBS series "Knots Landing", the third-longest running prime time dramatic series in television history.

Ms. LEE's career began on the stage when discovered as a teen by David Merrick and brought to New York. At age 18, Ms. LEE starred in Bravo Giovanni with Metropolitan Opera's Cesare Siepe, which led to her breakout role as Rosemary in the original How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opposite Robert Morse.

As television variety specials became more popular, MICHELE was in great demand, starring with such legends as Fred Astaire, Bette Davis, Perry Como, Bob Hope, Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Danny Kaye and Carol Burnett.

As a recording artist under contract to Columbia Records, MICHELE recorded numerous albums. Between movie and television appearances, she mounted a night club act, performing at major venues in New York and Las Vegas. In 1974 she appeared on the Broadway stage in Michael Bennett's musical Seesaw. Her performance won her a Tony nomination, the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Award for Best Actress.

Ms. LEE has starred in and produced numerous films for television, including CBS's Emmy-nominated "Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story," "When No One Would Listen," and "Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story." In 1996 Ms. LEE became the first woman to produce, direct, write and star in a motion picture for television. "Color Me Perfect" made its debut as an "event presentation" on Lifetime Television. Other television films include "Dark Victory", "Bud and Lou", "A Letter To Three Wives", and Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound".

Ms. LEE was named the NATO Star of Tomorrow for her debut in the movie version of How to Succeed… starred with Dick Van Dyke in Carl Reiner's cult favorite The Comic and in the Disney classic The Love Bug. Most recently Ms. Lee was seen in Universal's Along Came Polly opposite Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.

In 2002 Ms. Lee completed her long run in Charles Busch's Broadway hit, "The Tale of the Allergist Wife" opposite Linda Lavin and Tony Roberts. For her performance as the mysterious and enigmatic Lee Green she earned rave reviews and a Tony nomination.

Michele Lee's autobiographical, high energy, one woman show debuted at Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City. Rave reviews from the likes of Stephen Holden at the New York Times declared, "Her show belongs to the old school of knock-'em-dead entertainment embodied by Liza Minnelli, Sam Harris and Patti LaBelle. One you're on stage, it isn't enough to seduce or enlighten; the only goal worth pursuing is total conquest." Ms. LEE's Lights, Broadway, Action, continues to attract large audiences at concert venues throughout the United States. Ms. LEE was recently presented a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund, which helps actors and performers and everyone behind the scenes who works in theatre, film, TV, music, dance, radio and opera, is a safety net, providing social services and emergency assistance, health services, employment and training programs and housing support for those who are in need, crisis or transition. Learn more about The Actors Fund at www.actorsfund.org.

Tickets can be purchased Online: www.BIRDLANDJAZZ.com; or by Telephone: 212.581.3080.

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