Lillias White News

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 10th season this fall with a gala series at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. To celebrate this significant milestone, Bay Area Cabaret presents a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites from the past decade. Opening the season Saturday, September 21, 2013 with a bang is Broadway's Megan Hilty, known to millions as the powerhouse 'Bombshell' on NBC's television program Smash. The season continues October 20, 2013 with Tony nominee Norm Lewis (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess) and November 10, 2013 with 'America's romantic piano sensation,' multi-platinum selling recording artist Jim Brickman, joined by special guest Broadway heartthrob David Burnham.

Today in 1987, the FIRST Broadway revival of Dreamgirls opened at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 177 performances. Dreamgirls features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based upon the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called 'The Dreams', who become music superstars. The musical opened on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, and was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and won six. It was later adapted into a motion picture from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures in 2006. The 1987 cast featured Lillias White as 'Effie.'

SMASH and First Date star Krysta Rodriguez recently joined Broadway Artists Alliance to lead a master class. Rodriguez provided feedback to the students on their audition material and participated in a Q&A. Scroll down for photos!

Tonight, June 10 at 8:30pm, Chris Isaacson & Upright Cabaret will welcome Tony Award-nominee Sam Harris, joining Emmy & Tony Award-winner Lillias White as special guest in her new show A Woman On Love at Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Calif.

On Mon, June 10 at 8:30pm, Chris Isaacson & Upright Cabaret will welcome Tony Award-nominee Sam Harris, joining Emmy & Tony Award-winner Lillias White as special guest in her new show A Woman On Love at Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Calif.

Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret have announced that Keith David will join Broadway diva and Tony Award-winner Lillias White's new show, A WOMAN ON LOVE, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood tonight. There will be two performances only, on Mondays, June 3 and 10 at 8:30pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm. The June 10 show also marks the second anniversary of The Night After The Tonys, a tradition begun in 2012 by Ms. White and Upright Cabaret.

Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret have announced that American Idol's Michael Orland will be the musical director for the West Coast club return of Broadway diva and Tony Award-winner Lillias White's new show, A Woman On Love, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. There will be two performances only, on Mondays, tonight, June 3 and the 10th at 8:30pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm. The June 10 show also marks the second anniversary of The Night After The Tonys, a tradition begun in 2012 by Ms. White and Upright Cabaret.

Today we are continuing BroadwayWorld's 2013 Tony Awards Clip Countdown with a special spotlight focused on two of the most memorable musicals of the 1980s, DREAMGIRLS & NINE!

Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret have announced that American Idol's Michael Orland will be the musical director for the West Coast club return of Broadway diva and Tony Award-winner Lillias White's new show, A Woman On Love, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. There will be two performances only, on Mondays, June 3 and 10 at 8:30pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm. The June 10 show also marks the second anniversary of The Night After The Tonys, a tradition begun in 2012 by Ms. White and Upright Cabaret.

Sunday's series finale of SMASH scored a 0.5 in the Adults 18-49 demographic, an increase of 25 percent from a 0.4 for its most recent episode on May 11. Overall the episode delivered 2.43 million viewers.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, SMASH star Megan Hilty reacted to the news that her musical NBC drama had been canceled by the network.

Chris Isaacson Presents and Upright Cabaret present the West Coast club return of Broadway diva and Tony Award-winner Lillias White in her new show, A Woman On Love, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. There will be two performances only, on Mondays, June 3 and 10 at 8:30pm, with cocktail and dinner service beginning at 6:30pm. The June 10 show also marks the second anniversary of The Night After The Tonys, a tradition begun in 2012 by Ms. White and Upright Cabaret.

On May 9, just before NBC announced SMASH's cancellation, the series' star Katharine McPhee talked to The Hollywood Reporter about what the experience has meant to her, saying 'this show was a huge gift.'

According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC has officially dropped SMASH after two seasons. The series moved to Saturdays this March, and the show's wide fanbase was unable to boost the numbers. SMASH finishes averaging around 3 million total viewers.

'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' opened last night, May 8, at CTG's Mark Taper Forum, directed by Phylicia Rashad. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' directed by Phylicia Rashad, opens tonight, May 8 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. The lyrically rich and powerful play continues through June 9, 2013. Click below to get a sneak peek of the show!

Currently in previews, August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' directed by Phylicia Rashad, opens Wednesday, May 8 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. The lyrically rich and powerful play continues through June 9, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

R&B superstar Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame is one of the stars of 'Fela!' The musical, filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, which opened on April 26 in Los Angeles and runs through May 5, 2013. Below, BroadwayWorld has photos of the cast and creative team celebrating opening night!

Casting has been announced for 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' which begins previews April 24 at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Los Angeles Music Center. Opening night is May 8 and performances run through June 9, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a video of Director, Phylicia Rashad, discussing the show. Check it out below!