Chad Kimball News

This past weekend, Broadway and recording star Billy Porter brought his new hit one man show 'The Standard' to Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant for two sold-out SRO engagements. Upright Cabaret producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in association with Lenny Beer and Suzi Dietz proudly presented Porter to Los Angeles audiences, with those in attendance including Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and 'Dreamgirls' film director Bill Condon.

It was announced today that MEMPHIS, a new musical about the birth of rock 'n' roll in the turbulent 50s which recently played a critically acclaimed and sold-out engagement at Seattle?s 5th Avenue Theatre, is aiming to open on Broadway in the fall of 2009. Based on a concept by George W. George (producer of the Tony nominated Bedroom Farce & film: My Dinner With Andre), MEMPHIS features a book & lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), and music & lyrics by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan, in his Broadway debut. The new musical is directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).

With the massive influx of musicals based on movies (or even worse, TV shows) lately such as 'Young Frankenstein', 'Shrek', 'Legally Blonde' and the upcoming '9 to 5', 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'Spider Man', one might think that the original American Musical is dead (or at least on life support). But let's look at some other recent additions, 'In the Heights', 'Wicked', and 'Spelling Bee'. These shows have proven to be wildly successful and give us all hope that we won't be reduced to 'Speed - The Musical'. And the show I witnessed last night gives me even more hope in that regard, 'Memphis'.

La Jolla Playhouse productions heading for national exposure fared well as the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, presented the annual Craig Noel Awards for Theatrical Excellence, honoring the best local stage work of 2008. Noel, the 93-year-old founding director of the Old Globe Theatre, was in attendance for his namesake awards, which were presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, in La Jolla, attended by some 350 theater industry members and supporters. Moises Kaufman's '33 Variations,' about to open on Broadway with Jane Fonda in the lead role, was honored for David Lander's lighting and Derek McLane's set. The Playhouse's premiere of Joe DiPietro and David Bryan's 'Memphis' (now in production at Seattle's Fifth Avenue Theatre) was honored as outstanding new musical and for Chad Kimball's lead performance. A fresh staging of 'Xanadu,' which Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley first directed on Broadway, was named outstanding resident musical, and Bill T. Jones won for his choreography in the Playhouse's hip-hop musical 'The Seven.' Old Globe productions garnered four mentions, including Steven Drukman's boxing-themed drama about Joe Louis, 'In This Corner,' which was named outstanding new play. 'Dancing in the Dark,' a debut musical with Broadway aspirations (based on the classic film 'The Band Wagon'), won for Patrick Page's featured performance and Larry Hochman's orchestrations. A revival of 'The Women,' directed by Old Globe resident artistic director Darko Tresnjak, was honored for Anna Oliver's costumes. And the national touring production of 'Spring Awakening,' produced by Broadway/San Diego, a Nederlander Organization, won for best touring show.

Upright Cabaret's 2nd Annual New Year's Eve Celebration starring Broadway's Chad Kimball, Leslie Odom, Jr., and L.A. Wicked alum Adam Lambert with Legendary L.A. music director Gerald Sternbach at Upright Cabaret at Mark?s Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046.

Upright Cabaret transformed into a winter wonderland of song last week as producers/hosts Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel presented their 4th Annual HOLIDAY BLOWOUT 2008. This highly anticipated yearly event featured over 40 of Los Angeles' most talented performers, three Music Directors including Upright's Chris Bratten and guests Ben Toth and Gerald Sternbach, and welcomed over 700 patrons who came to be entertained on these four incredible evenings of cuisine, style and song.

Happy Holidays Everyone! Well ... here it is ... our BIGGEST CD coverage EVER and just in time for some last minute 'stocking-stuffer' inspiration ... even though a few of these are better used as coal, if you know what I mean.

Celebrating their Platinum 70th Anniversary, the beloved Paper Mill Playhouse kick-started their season with a hoot-n-hollerin' production of an American classic: Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Oklahoma!' Following a rousing Opening Night, stars Brynn O'Malley (Laurey), Megan Sikora (Ado Annie), Adam Monley (Curly), Jonathan Brody (Ali Hakim) and Brian Sears (Will Parker) toasted the occasion by chatting with BroadwayWorld!

Sh-K-Boom Records has announced that on September 9th they will be releasing the World Premiere Recording of Michael John LaChiusa's Little Fish, featuring Alice Ripley, Greg Jbara, Chad Kimball, Brooke Tansley and Robert Torti.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS, a division of Sh-K-Boom Records, is proud to announce the premiere recording of Little Fish, which was called 'a stylish new musical' by The New York Times.

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the initial lineup of cast and creatives for the upcoming musical 'Memphis - The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll' slated for August 19th through September 28th in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Memphis - The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll began previews on August 19th at La Jolla Playhouse and will run through September 28th in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Memphis is the first production directed by Christopher Ashley at La Jolla Playhouse since becoming Artistic Director. Rehearsals begin July 8th.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS, a division of Sh-K-Boom Records, is proud to announce the premiere recording of Little Fish, which was called 'a stylish new musical' by The New York Times.

Sh-K-Boom Records has announced that on September 9th they will be releasing the World Premiere Recording of Michael John LaChiusa's Little Fish, featuring Alice Ripley, Greg Jbara, Chad Kimball, Brooke Tansley and Robert Torti.

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the initial lineup of cast and creatives for the upcoming musical 'Memphis - The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll' slated for August 19th through September 28th in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Upright Cabaret continued their season of star-studded performances poolside at the Viceroy Hotel with a line-up which included recently wrapped Wicked star Eden Espinosa and Rockstar: Inxs' Ty Taylor...

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims recently caught up with Shoshana Bean as she rehearsed for an upcoming performance at Upright Cabaret. She talked about her time on Broadway, taking over the lead role in Wicked earlier than expected and revealed her future plans for recording and possibly touring once her album is released...

Los Angeles City College Theatre Alumni & Associates presented 'Two's Company - An All-Star Event Celebrating The Songs of Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz' at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA on Monday evening, November 5.

Los Angeles City College Theatre Alumni & Associates (LACCTAA) will present 'Two's Company - An All-Star Event Celebrating The Songs of Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.' Under the direction and executive produced by Bruce Kimmel, hosted by Cindy Williams, produced by Cason Murphy, with choreography by Adam Cates and musical direction by Richard Berent, the show will feature an All-Star Cast. The event will be presented at the Alex Theatre on Monday, November 5 at 7:30PM.

'Broadway Unplugged at The Ford' was held on October 15, 2007 at the John Anson Ford Theatre in Los Angeles; serving as a Benefit for the Valley Musical Theatre's programming.