Photo Coverage: Lea Salonga Makes Her Cafe Carlyle Debut

Last night, March 9, the famed Cafe Carlyle welcomed Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon) in her New York cabaret debut.  Salonga will play her show, "The Journey So Far," in an exclusive three-week engagement through Saturday, March 27. Attending Lea's debut on March 9 Stars such as Lynn Cohen, Sandy Duncan, Rebecca Luker, Paolo Montalban, Leslie Uggams, Andrea McArdle, Flower Drum Song alums Jose Llana, Paolo Montalban and more came out to enjoy the show.

From her beginnings in the recording industry, television and musical theater in her native Philippines, Lea Salonga was catapulted to international stardom with her Olivier and Tony Award-winning turn in Miss Saigon. From Saigon to Les Misérables to the voices of Disney's Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and the title character in Mulan, for Lea, this is just The Journey So Far. Her much anticipated debut at the Cafe Carlyle will feature songs that cross the genres of Filipino music, musical theater and the Great American Songbook, including "Let's Fall in Love," "On My Own," "A Whole New World," and "The Journey." Ms. Salonga will be supported by a quartet led by her Musical Director and pianist Larry Yurman. The evening will be directed by Daniel Kutner.

In her 30-year career, Salonga has performed for five Philippine presidents (from Ferdinand Marcos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), three American Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush), and for Diana, Princess of Wales and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Please visit www.leasalonga.com.

"The Journey So Far" will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:45 P.M. with an additional show at 10:45 P.M. on Saturdays. Dinner seatings at 6:30 P.M., 7:00 P.M., & 7:30 P.M. There is a music charge of $75 (Tuesday-Friday), $85 (Saturday) & $45 at the bar.

The Café Carlyle is located in The Carlyle Hotel - 35 East 76th Street at Madison Avenue, and is what Liz Smith calls the "favorite of all New York nightspots." For reservations please call 212-744-1600. For additional information please visit www.thecarlyle.com.

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes