April brought a shower of Upright Cabaret across Southern California as the Upright Boys celebrated their third-year anniversary by producing a star-studded re-grand opening, four solo engagements, and a benefit for The Trevor Project co-hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.
At the beginning of the month, Upright Cabaret kicked-off with a new lighting, sound and stage system at their original, and now permanent home at Mark's Restaurant in West Hollywood, which is destined to become a west coast entertainment staple.
A cavalcade of stars made their way to this intimate venue in the heart of West Hollywood for a string of engagements that Perez Hilton, Queen of Media stated "was such a fun night! We'll definitely do it again soon." Joining Perez on the red carpet, in the audience and on stage were Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton (2 Spice Girls), Josh Groban, Sara Ramirez, "Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie, "Heroes" star Zachary Quinto, Legendary songwriters Desmond Child & Marty Panzer, Tony Award winners Stephen Spinella, and Jeff Marx, Wicked alum Eden Espinosa, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Ty Taylor and many more!
The Upright Cabaret also holds court poolside each month at Viceroy Palm Springs, with a sampling of performers recruited from the LA stage. This month's two engagements included an evening with "Queer Eye for the Straight Guys'" Jai Rodriguez, Bare's Jenna Leigh Green, Top 5 selling international singer Nicole Lacy and Katy Mixon. Second, was a special benefit event for the Trevor Project with special co-host Neil Patrick Harris, and performances by Harris, David Burtka, Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford, Becky Baeling, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jake Simpson.
The Upright Boys continue moving forward throughout the summer with the review shows on the second weekend of every month with solo engagements with Broadway's Matt Zarley, and L.A. Singer-songwriters Jake Walden and Spencer Day on the schedule. For reservations, please call Mark's Restaurant at (310) 652-5252.
In Palm Springs, Broadway veteran Ken Page, Star Search Winner Nita Whitaker, Tony Nominated Brian Lane Green and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas writer Carol Hall will join Lee Leesack on stage May 15-16, 2008 at Upright Cabaret at the Viceroy Hotel. For reservations, please call the Viceroy Hotel: (760) 318-3016.
Also, look for Upright shows in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Avalon on the horizon. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret or www.uprightcabaret.com. And for more from James Sims visit www.simsscoop.com.
Photos by Tye Jakobs - www.tyejakobs.com and Tony Dimaio - www.tonydphotography.com.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Zachary Quinto and Jeff Marx
Jake Simpson, Chris Isaacson, Becky Baeling, Neil Patrick Harris, Shane Scheel, Mimi (Shoshana's doggie) and David Burtka
Chris Isaacson, Josh Groban, Jennifer Leigh Warren and Shane Scheel
Michael Urie, Trevor Project's Charles Robbins and Valarie Pettiford
Adam Lambert flanked by friends
Pia Glenn and Queen of Media - Perez Hilton
Chris Isaacson, Sara Ramirez and Shane Scheel
Ty Taylor, Jennifer Leigh Warren and Spencer Day
Valarie Pettiford
Chris Isaacson, Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Shane Scheel
Laura Dickinson and Gerald Sternbach
Matt Zarley and Ty Taylor
Leslie Odom Jr., Charles Robbins, Nicole Lacy and Jake Simpson
Desmond Child and Eden Espinosa
Julie Garnye, "Transformer's" Tom Lenk and Teresa Sanchez
Amanda Avila
Katy Mixon, Marty Panzer, Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel
Chris Bratten, Chris Isaacson, "Project Runway's" Christian Siriano and Shane Scheel
Chris Bratten and Jil Aigrot
Shoshana Bean, BroadwayWorld's James Sims and Megan Hilty
Shoshana Bean, "Reba's" Melissa Peterman, Megan Hilty and Bryan Perry
Leslie Odom Jr. and Reichen Lehmkuhl
Shoshana Bean
Becky Baeling and Neil Patrick Harris
Michael Urie
David Burtka, Jason Paige, Becky Baeling and Neil Patrick Harris
Michael Lanning, Dan Cooney and Andy Jobe
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris
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