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Photo Coverage: Valarie Pettiford at the Upright Cabaret

Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant was filled to the brim with two sold-out star-studded audiences as Valarie Pettiford took to the stage with her new show inspired by the things she is thankful for in her life; including her well deserved Tony Nomination in 'Fosse', her family whom she said "filled her life with music" and of course, her fans who have supported her on her journey from her first job in the legendary film "The Wiz" to her work in UPN's 'Half and Half.'

Supported by legendary piano man Ron Abel and his band, Pettiford under David Galligan's astute direction carried the audience on a journey which included showstopper 'All That Jazz', the heartfelt 'Willow', 'Me and My Shadow', a dazzling performance with special guest CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA who brought the audience to their feet and of course, her signature song 'Life Is Like a Bowl of Cherries'.

Scene in the audience were such notables as Shoshana Bean, Matt Zarley, Vicky Lewis, Keith David, Lea Michele, Tony Winner John Lloyd Young, Rachel York, Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry, The Oscars producer and Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Gil Cates and his wife Diane, Producer Jonas Nielsen, Valerie Harrell (Hairdresser to the Stars), Newscaster Rolanda Watts, Fame's Erica Gimble, Original NINE cast member Camille Saviola, Starsearch Grand Champion Jake Simpson, Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez, Motown's legendary songwriters Brian Holland and Edward Holland.

Pettiford started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series 'House of Payne' as Sandra Lucas. Last year, she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with the Pasadena Pops conducted by Rachel Worby. She was also thrilled to play the role of Deanna Rivers in the pilot for HBO's 'Anatomy of Hope,' directed by JJ Abrams. She guest-starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in 'CSI: Miami' (2006), as Ellen Laskow in 'Bones' (2007) and Susan Latham 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2007). She also portrayed Aunt Jackie in the #1 film for 3 weeks and now the #1 DVD, 'Stomp the Yard,' a 2007 Sony Screen Gems production. In February 2006, Valarie completed her fourth season with the hit TV series 'Half & Half,' which is now in syndication and earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne.

Her widely successful one-woman shows have been performed to sold out audiences at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre, the Gardenia Room, the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Room in New York City (where she received the 2007 Backstage Bistro Award) and most recently at New York's famous BIRDLAND supper club where "Valarie Pettiford - Thankful" first debuted. Her Broadway and tour credits include FOSSE, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, the Dora Mavor Moore Award and was recognized by the Drama League; CHICAGO (opposite Chita Rivera) for the London West End debut; SOPHISTICATED LADIES, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison. She also appeared in GRIND, DANCIN, BIG DEAL, SHOW BOAT (NAACP, LA's Robby, and the Vancouver Sun Reader's Choice Awards). She received nominations for the Ovation and the Jessie Richardson Theater Awards. She performed in Des Mc Anuff's production of The Wiz, and THE WILD PARTY (NAACP Theatre and The Garland Awards for Best Actress in a Play, Ovation nomination). Highlights in TV and film including THE DISTRICT, FRASIER, THE WEST WING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, THE WIZ, THE COTTON CLUB and GLITTER.

Valarie continues to lend her support and talents to many charities annually and is thrilled to have fulfilled a lifelong dream of recording an album entitled HEAR MY SOUL, being sold at www.cdbaby.com

Created by producing partners Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, UPRIGHT CABARET, L.A.'s famed "new generation cabaret" has quickly become the place for cabaret and live performance in Los Angeles. After only three years, the Upright stages in West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Catalina Island and Santa Barbara have been home to performers from over 75 Broadway shows as well as stars from Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, How I Met Your Mother, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, House, Nip/Tuck and countless other film and television productions. At Mark's Restaurant in West Hollywood, Upright is more than an inventive cabaret, Proprietors Chris Diamond and Chef Wayne Elias along with a welcoming staff dish out charm, class and California cuisine at its finest.

For more information about Upright Cabaret, please visit: www.uprightcabaret.com

Valarie Pettiford