UPRIGHT Pays Tribute to Judy Garland June 8
By: James Sims
Upright Cabaret will celebrate LA Pride Weekend with an all-star tribute to the legendary Judy Garland on June 8, featuring one of her relatives and Upright regular, Audra Mae.
Mae, a dynamo soulful singer who inherited the "pipes" of the world's most famous chanteuse, Judy Garland, will debut as part of the Upright Cabaret's star-studded tribute to her great aunt. Mae is the great grandniece of Judy Garland and the great-granddaughter of Judy's bandleader Bobby Sherwood. You might say that she's direct from Oklahoma (where she was raised) by way of Broadway!"While she wields a unique and amazing voice, Audra Mae is also one of LA's hippest songwriters," state press notes. "On piano, guitar or simply at the mic, her brilliantly crafted lyrics and memorable melodies are slightly cynical, all original. Telling her rich story, Audra Mae's songs defy classification with influences by Hank Williams, Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, and even Cyndi Lauper. Come see Audra Mae while she stands on the cusp of stardom -- soon after arriving in Los Angeles from her native Oklahoma, the singer-songwriter signed a development deal with Warner Chappell." Other scheduled performers include Bree Bruns, Jill Burke, Jennifer Hall (Broadway: Wild Party), Roslyn Kind, Chad Kimball (Broadway: Into the Woods, Lennon, Good Vibrations), Brent Kyle, Ann Mack (legendary LA jazz singer), Karissa Noel, Jason Paige, Leslie Odom ("Big Day," "Vanished," Broadway: Rent), Valerie Pettiford ("Half & Half," Tony Nominated: Fosse), Busy Philipps ("ER," "Freaks and Geeks," "Dawson's Creek"), Ryan Raftery, Dawn Scheel, Talia Thiesfield, Jennifer Leigh Warren (Broadway: Big River, Marie Christine, Little Shop of Horrors) and more.Upright is a monthly playground for famous folk who happen to be musically inclined that wows audiences with its unique and fanciful take on the cabaret clubs typically found in Manhattan. Television stars, check… Broadway players, check… fresh talent, check… priceless fun, always.Producers Shane Scheel and Chris Isaacson, along with Music Director Trapper Felides have been wowing West Hollywood audiences for 18 remarkable months, featuring cast members from over 50 Broadway productions as well as stars from Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, The OC, Weeds, How I Met Your Mother, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Big Day, Huff, Newsradio, My So-Called Life, NYPD Blue, and many more! Upright Cabaret takes place at La Boheme Restaurant located at 8400 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. This special "Tribute to Judy Garland" show begins with dinner and drink specials at 7:30 p.m. with a special show time at 9 p.m. Following the tribute will be a post show concert with Audra Mae and her band, beginning at 11 p.m. Tickets for Upright are $15 cash cover at the door and $40 food/drink minimum if sitting for dinner. For more information visit www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret or www.uprightcabaret.com.Photo of Audra Mae by Greg Burmann.
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