Valarie Pettiford News

Upright Cabaret, L.A.'s premier theatrical showcase featuring an eclectic mix of artists from stage, screen and recording, announces the complete cast for its third and final of its wildly successful 'WICKED' Summer Night at the Ford, featuring the man who has given the world such musical theatre treasures as Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, The Baker's Wife and many more, STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: MAKING GOOD, featuring the West Coast premiere of songs from his new opera Séance on a Wet Afternoon, with musical direction by Chris Bratten, directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director Billy Porter and performing ONE NIGHT ONLY, Sunday, August 23 at 7:30pm at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood.

Upright Cabaret, L.A.'s premier theatrical showcase featuring an eclectic mix of artists from stage, screen and recording, presents its third and final of its wildly successful 'WICKED' Summer Night at the Ford, featuring the man who has given the world such musical theatre treasures as Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, The Baker's Wife and many more, STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: MAKING GOOD, featuring the West Coast premiere of songs from his new opera Séance on a Wet Afternoon, with musical direction by Chris Bratten, directed by Upright Cabaret Artistic Director Billy Porter and performing ONE NIGHT ONLY, Sunday, August 23 at 7:30pm at the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood.

On Sunday, Aug 9 at 5pm - The City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division kicks off the 4th annual free 'Jazz on the Lawn' series at City Hall with a free concert from L.A.'s renowned Upright Cabaret featuring Tony Award-nominee Valarie Pettiford, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Leslie Odom, Jr, and Brenna Whitaker, and Music Director Brett Ryback.

The production played 3 nights - July 31, August 1 and August 2 to cheering crowds, but the crazy part is - the final dress is done at 10am, in broad daylight and is open to the public, as the venue is a county-owned facility. People showed up in droves, for the run-through and cheered on the actors, the Hollywood Bowl orchestra and conductor Kevin Stites, who you will see is wearing a black, casual shirt for the rehearsal. The show's director, Richard Jay-Alexander, made a brief speech before the run, welcoming everybody, and in this exclusive footage, I was also able to catch him, in his dressing room, before the Opening Night performance.

If you're on the Internet today, it's all abuzz with last night's debut of what appears to be a dazzling production of Guys & Dolls in Concert at the legendary Hollywood Bowl. Weekend attendees will list like a 'who's who' of Hollywood and theatre folk. Lots of stars and celebrities have already attended, as well as industry insiders. Abe Burrows' daughter, Laurie Burrows Grad, with her husband Peter, visited rehearsals and Jo Loesser will be attending as well - with MTI head honcho Freddie Gershon.

Big screen star is hard at work in rehearsals for the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of beloved musical 'GUYS AND DOLLS' this summer. The young star talked to ABC7 News about her Hollywood Bowl stage debut in this special adaptation of the Tony-award winning musical.

If you're on the Internet today, it's all abuzz with last night's debut of what appears to be a dazzling production of Guys & Dolls in Concert at the legendary Hollywood Bowl. Weekend attendees will list like a 'who's who' of Hollywood and theatre folk. Lots of stars and celebrities have already attended, as well as industry insiders. Abe Burrows' daughter, Laurie Burrows Grad, with her husband Peter, visited rehearsals and Jo Loesser will be attending as well - with MTI head honcho Freddie Gershon.

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jessica Biel, Scott Bakula, Ellen Greene, and Beau Bridges star in Guys and Dolls in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. There will be three performances only, Friday and Saturday July 31 and August 1 at 8:30 pm and Sunday, August 2 at 7:30 pm.

Scott Bakula has been preparing for the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of beloved musical 'GUYS AND DOLLS', which begins performances tonight. The actor dropped by 'Good Day LA' to talk about this special adaptation of the Tony-award winning musical.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to present RON ABEL, one of New York's hottest theatrical composer/arrangers, in a return engagement to the Broadway at Birdland series. This very special concert will take place on Monday, July 29 at 7pm. Joining Ron will be some of his fabulously talented friends (Lucie Arnaz and Valarie Pettiford) for a fun 'raising the roof' evening of entertainment. Abel is hosting this gala for longtime close friend, Richard Aborn, who is running for the office of District Attorney for Manhattan. (Richard is a leading advocate for the gun control movement, police brutality, and many other important issues.)

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jessica Biel, Scott Bakula, Ellen Greene, and Beau Bridges star in Guys and Dolls in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. There will be three performances only, Friday and Saturday July 31 and August 1 at 8:30 pm and Sunday, August 2 at 7:30 pm.

In honor of the first anniversary of 'Extraordinary EBay' packages, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is proud to announce an online auction item that 'lady luck' is sure to be smiling on. We've got the horse right here!

On Saturday, July 4th, Upright Cabaret presents 'American Anthem, a celebration of American song' starring Broadway's Jennifer Leight Warren and a all-star cast at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, which will weave a tapestry of American song with great stories and classics that you know and love!

On Saturday, July 4th, Upright Cabaret presents 'American Anthem, a celebration of American song' starring Broadway's Jennifer Leight Warren and a all-star cast at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, which will weave a tapestry of American song with great stories and classics that you know and love!

Reprise Theatre Company presents Broadway Under The Stars for one night only, on Saturday, June 27 at 8:30 pm at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, starring six favorite Reprise performers -- Jason Graae, Lucas Grabeel, Dorian Harewood, Jean Louisa Kelly, Vicki Lewis, and Valarie Pettiford. The production is directed by Lee Martino, with music direction by Mary Ekler.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to present RON ABEL, one of New York's hottest theatrical composer/arrangers, in a return engagement to the Broadway at Birdland series. This very special concert will take place on Monday, July 29 at 7pm. Joining Ron will be some of his fabulously talented friends (Lucie Arnaz and Valarie Pettiford) for a fun 'raising the roof' evening of entertainment. Abel is hosting this gala for longtime close friend, Richard Aborn, who is running for the office of District Attorney for Manhattan. (Richard is a leading advocate for the gun control movement, police brutality, and many other important issues.)

Over the years, Broadway star and recording artist Shoshana Bean has become synonymous with the word 'soulful'. Equipped with the effortlessness of Mariah Carey, the power of Whitney Houston, and the attitude of Beyoncé Knowles, it's no wonder her first solo album 'Superhero' went to #5 on iTunes' R&B charts (making it the only independent album to make the top 100).

While the world's eyes were focused on the TONY Awards in New York on Sunday June 7th, a crowd of almost 500 theatre patrons gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate by watching the ceremony live via satellite and to honor seven time nominee and two time TONY Award-winner Chita Rivera at the 13th Annual TONY Awards® Benefit presented by The Actors Fund.

Reprise Theatre Company presents Broadway Under The Stars for one night only, on Saturday, June 27 at 8:30 pm at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, starring six favorite Reprise performers -- Jason Graae, Lucas Grabeel, Dorian Harewood, Jean Louisa Kelly, Vicki Lewis, and Valarie Pettiford. The production is directed by Lee Martino, with music direction by Mary Ekler.

Join Jason Alexander, Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger, Valarie Pettiford, Carol Lawrence, Dick Gautier, Mitzi Gaynor, Susan Watson and host Dick Van Dyke (along with his musical group The Vantastix) as the THE ACTORS FUND honors Chita Rivera at their 13th Annual Tony Awards Party with the Julie Harris Award for Lifetime Achievement. The gala features the only live feed in Los Angeles of the Tony Awards as they happen in New York. Marc Cherry, creator/producer of 'Desperate Housewives' and David Rambo, producer/writer is 'CSI' will produce and write this event.