Michael Sterling News

As a teen in Tulsa, Oklahoma who aspired to be a dramatic actor, Chicago-born Jason Graae was advised to 'Be a Clown' and to 'Make 'em Laugh'. Not everyone can fill the shoes of a clown; those shoes are pretty damn big. But for Graae, whose mind never stops clicking with its razor-sharp wit, fierce timing and shotgun-speed spontaneity, clowning seemed the natural choice, and thank heaven for us, he not only followed through but has turned into one of the most endearing comic performers the world has ever known. On Monday March 10, Graae premiered his brand new cabaret show 49 1/2 Shades of Graae at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to an ecstatic packed house. Introducing his material, he said it was based on the porn novel 50 Shades of Grey, but...'This is gonna be dirtier.' 'Dirty' in Graae terminology means... yes, indeed, some smut thrown in, but with a whole lot of charm, pizazz and miles and miles of genuine humor. There are a few serious scenarios included in the mostly autobiographical show, but every one with heart and banners waving high. And when I mean autobiographical, there are not only career stories but personal anecdotes as well. Expertly staged by Heather Lee and with fab musical direction from John Boswell, the evening was, to quote Graae, in an improv-takeoff of my supposed BWW review, 'the best show I saw in NoHo all day...' and for those lucky enough to get reservations, it will repeat next Sunday March 16.

Jennifer Kranz, a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre, emerged victorious Sunday, February 16th as LA's Next Great Stage Star® 2014 produced and presented by Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, the most critically acclaimed concert supper club in the greater Los Angeles area.

And the winner of the 8th annual LA'S NEXT GREAT STAGE STAR talent competition is Jennifer Kranz, a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre. On Sunday, Feb 16th, Ms. Kranz and 19 other talented young professionals sang their hearts out for the coveted prize. As winner, Ms. Kranz awarded a cash prize of $1000; an upcoming paid headlining concert engagement at Sterling's Upstairs; a vocal demo recording session from Tom Griep's Audition Trax; a photo session with Isaac James Creative; and is already in the process of scheduling meetings to be signed and represented by one of the lucrative competition's Equity Agent/Judges as the first step toward a professional career in musical theatre, television and film. Scroll down for photos from the competition!

On Sunday, February 16 LA's Next Great Stage Star 2014 came to an exciting conclusion at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. After an amazing two-hour program in which the 20 contestants gave 150% to their uptempo songs from Broadway shows, fourteen contestants were eliminated and the top six* finalists selected. After a brief intermission, each of the six then proceeded to perform a second number after which the distinguished panel of 18 judges made the final decision. Musical director par excellence James Lent accompanied at the piano throughout the three hour show.

Kicking off 3-D's 2014 musical theatre season, The Producers opened February 1, 2014 at 8:00 pm. Performances will continue in Fullerton through Sunday, February 16. 3DT will then move the production to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for its first season of 'extended' performances February 21 - March 2. After being honored by the prestigious LA Stage Alliance with 15 Ovation Award nominations and 5 wins (including Best Musical) for their 2013 production of Jason Robert Brown's Parade, 3DT's Executive Producer/Artistic Director T.J. Dawson said 'What better way to begin a new year season than with the musical that has won more Tony Awards than any other show in history.' Check out the opening night photos below!

On Sunday January 26 divine singer Nita Whitaker brought her brand new show Love 'n Stuff to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Looking positively stunning in a black and white pageant dress accentuated with sequins - she was Miss Louisiana in the Miss America Pageant some years ago - and displaying much more of her oh so glorious range than she has in the past, Whitaker gave an 80 minute knock out performance expertly accompanied on the piano by musical director Nelson Kole and on percussion by Walter Rodriguez. There were also a couple of exciting surprises in store for the packed house. In the audience were celebrity friends actress Jennifer Lewis and the one and only triple threat Ben Vereen, who came onstage and did a couple of unrehearsed but delicious duets with Whitaker.

The 2014 season continues this weekend after its launch last Sunday, January 5th, in North Hollywood, CA. at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal.

LA's Next Great Stage Star® 2014 sings in the New Year beginning Sunday, January 5 at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, the most critically acclaimed concert supper club in the greater Los Angeles area.

On Sunday December 22 the amazing Cortes Alexander presented his Thou Swell Noel to a packed house at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Alexander has such frenetic energy and charm that, and I've said this before, you just want to wrap him up. What a joyous Christmas present...and with his two glorious backup singers, the Swell Girls Melissa Bailey and Julie Garnye, who could ask for anything more? Yes, a band! There was an electric four-piece band with musical director Norman Ludwin on bass, David Arana at the piano, Mark Converse on drums and Paul Landry on guitar.Paul's 10-year old son Zeut Landry was a very special guest who accompanied Alexander on a Cajon Drum Box during his beautiful composition 'Marguerite'. This 'Little Drummer Boy' is also big on talent!

On Sunday, December 1 Kritzerland Records presented its 40th show and annual Christmas presentation entitled A Kritzerland Christmas III at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with special guest star Terri White. It was a beautiful evening of mostly familiar Christmas music with a few lesser known but still great tunes. This is the whole point of Kritzerland to spotlight those songs that somehow got away without becoming hits. On hand as well as dynamic Terri White were songsters Dan Callaway, Robert Yacko, Ashley Fox Linton, Lisa Livesay, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sarah Staitman, Kelsey Scott and nine year-old Hadley Belle Miller, under the super musical direction of Richard Allan.

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal, the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, has set Sunday, December 15, 2013 as auditions for the 8th consecutive year of LA's Next Great Stage Star®, it was announced today by Executive Producer Michael Sterling of Michael Sterling & Associates in Los Angeles, CA. "Our annual auditions in search of 10 men and 10 women between within the ages of 18 and 28, is highly anticipated by the hierarchy of those in the business of presenting Los Angeles Broadway musical theatre. We couldn't be more grateful to our professional colleagues and select corporate entities for their consistent support of Stage Star since its inception eight years ago."

Los Angeles Broadway World TV Correspondents Michael Sterling and Anthony 'A.J.' Hernandez were on hand to not only talk to tour stars Caroline Bowman (Eva Peron), Josh Young (Che) and Sean MacLaughlin (Juan Peron) and Evita Producer Hal Luftig, but such Hollywood celebrities as Shirley Jones, Marty Ingels, Patrick Cassidy, Sam Harris, Greg Louganis and partner Johnny Chaillot, Disney's G. Hannelius (Dog with a Blog), Hal Sparks (Disney XD's Lab Rats) among others. In addition to Hal Luftig, Evita Producers include Scott Sanders, Troika Entertainment & The Nederlander Organization. The production officially opened at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood October 24 and will continue its limited run there through November 10, 2013. Check out the video below!

On Sunday, October 27 Charlotte Mary Wen, winner of LA's Next Great Stage Star 2013, made her long awaited cabaret debut at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with Time to Take a Breath directed by Peter Welkin and with musical direction by Dr. James Lent. Petite, pretty and ultra confidant, the terrific singer truly soared, leaving past anxieties far behind her.

When You Wish: The story of Walt Disney officially opened October 16 at UCLA's distinguished Freud Theatre following four successful previews (October 11 - 13). BWW TV's Los Angeles correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans were invited to visit with the cast and creative team as the world premiere musical was approaching its first preview performance. When You Wish is the first ever musical about Walt Disney who is considered not only one of the most universally celebrated, award-winning figures in entertainment history, but one of the greatest showmen on earth. The long anticipated project features an original score of 17 songs with Music and Book by Dean McClure; Direction by Broadway's Larry Raben; and Choreography by Lee Martino. Still an active performer, author and business man... film and television star, and former pop recording superstar Pat Boone co-produces When You Wish with Dean McClure and Robert Rudolph. Check out the video below!

It's no surprise that Bruce Kimmel's monthly Kritzerland series (this is show #38) has gained such a loyal following at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. For true musical lovers it is the rare opportunity to hear beautiful, funny and surprisingly touching songs from musicals you may never get to see.

On Sunday September 29 at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal, Los Angeles theatre actor/singer Will Collyer presented Will Collyer in Concert directed by Mandy Kaplan and with musical direction by Brett Ryback. The 75-minute set featured guest appearances from Kaplan and Melissa Lyons. Collyer is an exceedingly affable 34 year-old openly gay actor who looks more like 19. Cute, drole and consistently mobile, Collyer did a retrospective of his life so far, which included his birth - very amusing segment on the music his mother was listening to in hospital when she gave birth to him - boyhood background, college days, his first kiss with another boy, local musical theatre, and a tribute to his life partner of 14 years... a mixture of banter and songs that he grew up with, some of which he actually performed in shows.

The Wizard of Oz, featuring some of movie music's most unforgettable standards, along with new music written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber; a book adapted by Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams... and everything else that is good made its way successfully to Hollywood's Pantages Theatre last week (September 18) for a high flying opening night celebration which drew a full house of young and old alike. Among those involved with the festivities were BWW TV's own Los Angeles correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans on the red carpet walk of fame. Among the celebrities in attendance were Rico Rodriquez (ABC's Modern Family) and his sister Raini Rodriguez (Disney's Austin and Ally), Fox TV's Lauren Potter (Glee), Academy Award winner George Chakiris (West Side Story), Kate Linder (The Young and The Restless), Jane Kean (The Honeymooners), Ann Jeffrey's (General Hospital, Topper), Corbin Bleu (One Life to Live), RJ Mitte (AMC's Breaking Bad), Michelle Dockery of the BBC's Downton Abbey and others of note. Check out the video below!

On September 15th, 1 host, 12 singers, 2 musical directors, 1 comedian, and a packed house of friends and invited guests celebrated Michael Sterling's birthday at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. The night, appropriately titled A Sterling Affair, was a sparkling tribute to the man whose name has come to be synonymous with Los Angeles cabaret.

On Monday, September 16, LA's premiere supper club, Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in North Hollywood California's NoHo Arts District, has been set to host a screening of the short film The Beating