Nita Whitaker News

The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director Sheldon Epps) announced today full casting for BREAKING THROUGH, a world premiere musical, with book by Kirsten Guenther, and music and lyrics by Cliff Downs and Katie Kahanovitz. The production is choreographed by Tyce Diorio, directed by Sheldon Epps and begins rehearsals this week. Preview performances begin October 27, 2015 with the official press opening on November 1, 2015 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena).

'I know I'm who I am today, because I knew you...' This words by the late Kevin Gray come back to him as 150 Broadway colleagues join their voices in song and music as a loving tribute to an artist/teacher and friend who who never knew how loved he was.

On Sunday evening January 18 the beautiful songstress Nita Whitaker brought her inimitable style and warmth to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in a new show entitled All That Matters. Backed by musical director Nelson Kole at the piano and a three-piece combo, Whitaker spoke of the value of love and sang about it via a precious collection of songs both old and new. On hand were her two daughters Elyse and Skye LaFontaine, who joined their mother in a few of her original compositions.

Stage, television and film chaunteuse Nita Whitaker brings a very special holiday show to the COPA Palm Springs for one night only - December 20 at 8:00 pm. The former Miss Louisiana and Hall of Fame Star Search Grand Champion Winner has shared the stage with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Broadway legend Ben Vereen, Josh Groban, Michael Buble' and Chris Botti, to name a few. She recently penned her first award winning memoir titled, 'Finding My Voice: My Journey through Grief to Grace' and produced her newest CD release just in time for the holidays. I had the chance to chat with Ms. Whitaker as she was preparing for her holiday concert at The Copa. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

A behind-the-scenes documentary video of The Actors Fund's Musical Monday event TRADITION: The Jewish Legacy of Broadway is now online. Check it out below!

The Actors Fund presents a very special MUSICAL MONDAY withMichael Childers Presents: ' TRADITION, THE JEWISH LEGACY OF BROADWAY' tonight, November 17, 2014. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.; performance at 8 p.m., followed by dessert reception with the performers.

The Actors Fund presents a very special MUSICAL MONDAY with Michael Childers Presents: ' TRADITION, THE JEWISH LEGACY OF BROADWAY' tonight, November 17, 2014. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.; performance at 8 p.m., followed by dessert reception with the performers.

Noel Coward's rarely produced first hit show, updated to the Swinging Sixties, returns with the original director and cast at the Matrix Theatre.

Noel Coward's rarely produced first hit show, updated to the Swinging Sixties, returns with the original director and cast at the Matrix Theatre.

The Actors Fund presents a very special MUSICAL MONDAY with Michael Childers Presents: ' TRADITION, THE JEWISH LEGACY OF BROADWAY' on November 17, 2014. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.; performance at 8 p.m., followed by dessert reception with the performers.

Sterling's Upstairs - housed at popular LA hot spot The Federal in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District - has not only been described by the Los Angeles Times as "LA's cabaret destination;" but was just cited by LA Weekly as one of Los Angeles's top five supper clubs, With an arsenal of similar accolades from LA based media, Sterling's Upstairs celebrates its eight-year anniversary this month with Broadway performers Maura Hanlon Smith (June 9), Sandy Bainum (June 22) and Bernard Dotson (June 29-June 30). Kritzerland Records' Nobody Does it Better... The songs of Dorothy Fields kicked off the month-long celebration on June 1st featuring Tara Browne, Cynthia Ferrer, Zachary Ford, Kim Huber, Jenna Lea Rosen, Sami Staitman, Sarah Staitman, Robert Yacko and Special Guest... Broadway's Kerry O'Malley.

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.

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild. Check out the photos below!

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick presented A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18, 2013. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild. Check out photos from the concert below!

A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event, will take place tonight, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event, will take place on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

In response to the devastating typhoon and its aftermath in the Philippines, producers Patty Onagan and Ronn Goswick have announced A Relief Benefit Concert for the Philippines at The Pasadena Playhouse, a one-night-only event on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Proceeds will support the American Red Cross' Typhoon Appeal and its efforts to assist overseas as the people of the Philippines begin to recover and rebuild.

Broadway actress, writer and filmmaker Christine Toy Johnson performs for one night only at Stage 72 (formerly the Triad) tonight, November 11, 2013 at 7:00pm as the final artist in Motown The Musical director Charles Randolph-Wright's 'Three Voices' concert series, which has also featured Nita Whitaker and Dodie Pettit.

Broadway actress, writer and filmmaker Christine Toy Johnson will perform for one night only at Stage 72 (formerly the Triad) on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:00pm as the final artist in Motown The Musical director Charles Randolph-Wright's 'Three Voices' concert series, which has also featured Nita Whitaker and Dodie Pettit.

Singer, songwriter, actress, author and philanthropist Nita Whitaker will grace Stage 72 (formerly the Triad) to perform a mix of popular music and original compositions in a one night only concert on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 7:00pm. Musical direction is by Eugene Gwozdz.