Photo Coverage: Broadway's Billy Porter's 'THE STANDARD' Sings at Upright Cabare

This past weekend, Broadway and recording star Billy Porter brought his new hit one man show 'The Standard' to Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant for two sold-out SRO engagements.
 
Upright Cabaret producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in association with Lenny Beer and Suzi Dietz proudly presented Porter to Los Angeles audiences, with those in attendance including Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and "Dreamgirls" film director Bill Condon. 
 
The Standard, which was first debuted at Joe's Pub in NYC in Dec 2008, is an exploration of The Contemporary American Standard. With songs made famous by Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Oleta Adams, John Legend, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, India.Arie and others - Mr. Porter illuminates a new generation of "song" that stands the test of time.
 
Porter first came to national attention through his portrayal of R&B legend Little Richard in the CBS mini-series, Shake Rattle & Roll.  He has since appeared in over a dozen films and TV shows, including The Broken Hearts Club, Intern, Noel as well as a recurring role on NBC's Another World.  His Broadway credits include: Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe's Café, Dreamgirls, Miss Saigon and Hair.  Porter's recordings include two solo CDs,"Untitled" (A&M Records) and "LIVE from Joe's Pub - At The Corner of Broadway & Soul" (Sh-K-Boom Records).
 
Upright Cabaret, which is produced by Hollywood impresarios Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, seeks to celebrate old style cabaret while simultaneously turning it on its ear, bringing young Broadway and young Hollywood together in a live setting.  Billy Porter was recently named Artistic Director of Upright Cabaret.  
 
Upright Cabaret is redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences.  Founded by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in 2005, Upright boasts a roster of artists and cast members from over 75 Broadway productions, including Wicked, Rent, Jersey Boys and Spamalot, to name a few! Upright performers run the gamut from Tony-award winning divas to chorus boys and up-and-coming recording artists, as well as TV stars such as Neil Patrick Harris (CBS's How I Met Your Mother  & ABC's Doogie Howser, M.D.), Hunter Parrish (Showtime's Weeds), Michael Urie (ABC's Ugly Betty), Vicki Lewis (NBC's NewsRadio), Busy Phillips (NBC's Freaks & Geeks, ER) and Adam Lambert (currently appearing on American Idol 8)
 
Upright Cabaret, born and bred in West Hollywood, and has been taking Southern California by storm, with shows in Palm Springs, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Avalon.  Upright will soon be taking its act on the road outside of the Golden state, with a planned concert tour slated for Spring, 2009.  For more information, please visit www.uprightcabaret.com or www.youtube.com/uprightcabaret.

Photos by Tony DiMaio for www.ipartypix.com