Suzzanne Douglas: "Lucky to Be Me" Cabaret Tonight at Birdland

Birdland is proud to present - direct from the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's Cabaret and Performance Conference under the new artistic leadership of Michael Bush (Director of Artistic Production for Manhattan Theatre Club) - award-winning actress Suzzanne Douglas in her brand new cabaret theatre evening, Lucky to Be Me, on Tuesday, November 15.

With an array of credits on stage, screen and television (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, "Promised Land"), SuzzAnne Douglas's Lucky to Be Me is a celebration of the music of jazz great Abbey Lincoln (Sydney Poitier's co-star in For Love of Ivy), and the inspiration she had on shaping Suzzanne's identity as a performer.

Growing up black in Chicago's South Side, Suzzanne lost herself in the movies she loved, dreaming of a way out. But she couldn't find a girl like herself among the white faces of Hollywood. When she discovered jazz legend Abbey Lincoln - a beautiful, confident, talented, brown-skinned woman - Suzzanne found the shining inspiration she was looking for.

Now through December 4, Ms. Douglas can also be seen on stage as the Fairy Godmother in the Paper Mill Playhouse's production of Cinderella.

Lucky to Be Me is directed by Ted Sod and musical direction by Dr. Guy Ramsey. Cabaret Conference artist Jim Speake will offer a special guest performance. The show was developed and premiered this past summer at the esteemed Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT, where it played to standing-room-only audiences.

The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's 2005 Cabaret and Performance Conference Highlights Series is produced by Birdland, Michael Bush and Alexander Fraser.

The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Birdland (315 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets are$25 plus a $10 food/drink minimum. For reservations, please call 212-581-3080 or visit www.instantseats.com/birdland. For more information, visit www.birdlandjazz.com.

MORE ABOUT SuzzAnne Douglas

SuzzAnne Douglas is currently appearing at Paper Mill Playhouse in Cinderella and will appear in the revival of Hallelujah, Baby! on Broadway this season. She currently stars in the family sitcom "The Parent 'Hood" and recently appeared in the ABC/Disney made-for-TV movie Sounder. Her guest appearances on TV include "Law & Order: SVU," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "NYPD Blue," Touched By An Angel," "I'll Fly Away," "The Parkers," "Critical Condition" and "Promised Land." She has appeared on Broadway opposite The Threepenny Opera, Into the Woods, The Tap Dance Kid, Sophisticated Ladies and A Grand Night for Singing. Her film credits include School of Rock, as well as Tap, for which she was honored by the NAACP with their Image Award. Ms. Douglas can also be seen in Sunday on the Rocks. Her other screen credits include How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Jason's Lyric, The Inkwell and I'll Do Anything. Ms. Douglas' debut CD, a collection of Harold Arlen songs, can be purchased by logging on to www.JOGMusic.com.