Laura Benanti, Betty Buckley, Telly Leung and More Set for Feinstein's at the Nikko This Month

Feinstein's at the Nikko is proud to announce the upcoming lineup for November 2014. Performers include Tony Award winning actress and singer Betty Buckley; Tony Award winner Laura Benanti; jazz legend Freddy Cole; acclaimed performance artist Jeffrey Johnson; star of stage and screen Telly Leung; Award-winning cabaret singer -- and Bay Area native -- Carly Ozard. Additional performers for November 2014 will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.
Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom.

JEFFREY JOHNSON · "SPECIAL AGENT GALACTICA"

Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 2 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $35 - $50

Fresh from performances in New York City and Washington D.C., acclaimed performance artist Jeffrey Johnson brings his pink-haired, super assassin alter ego Special Agent Galactica to Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only. Featuring songs from the golden age of jazz, the bawdy blues of burlesque, the classic standards of Hollywood -- as well as a few rock and roll favorites from today -- Special Agent Galactica, along with critically acclaimed jazz/classical guitarist Peter Fields, will weave together an intimate evening of songs, stories and a good ol' laugh or two. Hailed as "intoxicating" by the Washington Post, Galactica enchants with tales about her past missions, her love life, her time as a cadet, important people she's met along the way, and other anecdotal gems from her life as a hired galactic assassin for the privately owned underground organization referred to only as "The Agency."

Special Agent Galactica is a mix of sultry songstress, retro-rock chick, jazzy vocalist and a dash of secret agent spy. She electrifies the stage with her swelling interpretations of the music that we love while weaving momentary glimpses into the larger stories that make up her top-secret career. Living a life that takes her on missions spanning both space and time, she finds an evening of intimate cabaret on her down time helps keep her in check.

Outside of being an immediate sellout at the amphitheater in ancient Pompeii, in this day and age the Pink-Haired One not only holds court in her home town of Washington D.C., but can be seen taking a trek up to the prestigious The Duplex Cabaret Bar and Theatre in New York City.

In 2013 she began collaboration with the critically acclaimed jazz/classical guitarist, Peter Fields and together developed a continually changing theatrical cabaret that brings a more intimate, one on one storytelling/musical experience with the Pink Haired One. Never one to stop creating...always inspired by the stories of her time and space traveling special agent lifestyle...forever searching for her next favorite song, Special Agent Galactica has, quite literally, the universe waiting for what she has next to offer!

Jeffrey Johnson hails from Washington, D.C. where he has appeared in such productions as: Hair at the Studio Theatre; Much Ado About Nothing at Folger Shakespeare Co.; Entertaining Mr. Sloane, The Maids, Troilus and Cressida and The Life and Times of Galileo all at Avant Bard (formerly WSC). In 2003 he began his eight season run as the Artistic Director of the LGBT theatre company, Actors' Theatre of Washington, later changed to Ganymede Arts. Some of his credits during his time at the helm included: conceived and appeared in an amazingly successful all-male version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses; staged a punk rock version of The Rocky Horror Show at one of DC hottest nightclubs; staged the east coast premiere of Lilies; staged a critically acclaimed, standing-room-only run of Boston Marriage; re-imagined the play Never the Sinner; and began the Ganymede Arts Fall Arts Festival. The Fall Arts Festival was a one of a kind event in DC and included participation of over 100 LGBT artist each year from all genres of the arts (dance, music, written word, play writing, performance). In addition, each festival featured performances by such LGBT icons as Karen Black (who, at Mr. Johnson's request, wrote and debuted a one-woman show as the opener of the very first Festival), Justin Vivian Bond (who used the festival as a starting off point for V's successful solo career outside of Kiki and Herb), Warhol transgender superstar, Holly Woodlawn (in her first theatre cabaret appearance of her career), and the incomparable Charles Busch and Julie Halston. While at Ganymede Arts he also helped shape, produce, co-direct and star in an original piece, Edie Beale LIVE at Reno Sweeney, a performance that authentically recreates the Reno Sweeney appearances of "Little" Edie Beale who was using her Grey Gardens fame to save her beloved home from being sold out from under her. Jeffrey has toured as Edie with two stops at the legendary Joe's Pub in New York City where he opened for Sandra Bernhard, at Show at Barre in Los Angeles, and, most recently, two separate appearances at the prestigious 54 BELOW in New York City. Since his closing of Ganymede Arts in 2011, in addition to Edie Beale, Mr. Johnson has focused on brushing off his music chops through the use of Special Agent Galactica, a character he created during his tenure as artistic director. You can see this critically acclaimed galactic assassin in her popular cabaret show in Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Richmond and New York City.

For additional information on Jeffrey Johnson, visit: www.pinkhairedone.com.

LAURA BENANTI · "IN CONSTANT SEARCH OF THE RIGHT KIND OF ATTENTION"

Friday, November 7 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, November 8 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $40 - $55

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti (pictured above) will bring her acclaimed show In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention to Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only. The evening will feature not only her favorite theater num bers, new versions of contemporary hits and original songs, but also personal anecdotes and revealing stories about her life and career.

When In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention first opened in New York, Laura was praised for her "funny zingers," "hilarious mugging" and "bright, full soprano" by The New York Times and her "pristine vocals" from the New York Daily News. Upon its debut in the nation's capital, her show was hailed as "a smart, funny, tuneful evening" by The Washington Post. Laura's own compositions - such as "The Ukulele Song," on which she accompanies herself on the titular instrument - showcase her humor, musicianship and deft songwriting skills. A haunting medley of Ellie Goulding's "Starry Eyed" and Lana Del Ray's "Video Games," called "sultry" and "infectious catchy" by the New York Daily News, brings out subtle new colors in her voice. She reprises songs from two of her most celebrated Broadway roles: the sensuous "Unusual Way" from Nine and the zany "Model Behavior" from her show-stopping Tony Award nominated turn in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. In addition, Laura highlights a trio of new selections from an upcoming musical from Todd Almond, her Music Director and arranger. For this show, Laura was named "Outstanding Major Vocalist" at the 2014 Nightlife Awards and "Best Female Celebrity Vocalist" at the 2013 BroadwayWorld.com Awards. The CD version of the concert - recorded live at the New York nightclub 54 Below and released by Broadway Records - was recently a USA Today Playlist "Pick of the Week."

Laura Benanti has brought her unique abilities to comedies, dramas and musicals since she took Broadway by storm at the age of 18, when she began her multifaceted career as Maria in The Sound of Music opposite Richard Chamberlain.

She received a Drama Desk award, Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Nomination for her starring role in the Broadway production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown for Lincoln Center, where she also starred in Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play. Ms. Benanti also demonstrated her comic flair in the Public Theater's production of Christopher Durang's Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them.

Ms. Benanti earned the 2008 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her revelatory portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy opposite Patti LuPone and directed by Arthur Laurents. Her other Broadway roles include her Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominated performance of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods and her sultry Tony nominated turn in Swing! She also starred opposite Antonio Banderas as his muse in the celebrated revival of Nine.

Most recently Benanti received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella at City Center Encores, directed by Casey Nicholaw. Other distinguished theater performances include Perdita in The Winter's Tale at the Williamstown Theatre Festival opposite Kate Burton; Anne in A Little Night Music at the L.A. Opera opposite Victor Garber; Eileen in City Center Encores' Wonderful Town opposite Donna Murphy.

Ms. Benanti completed a week-long engagement at the popular New York cabaret club, 54 Below, for which The New York Times hailed her as a "supremely confident" performer whose "bright, full soprano, with its semi-operatic heft, can go almost anywhere." The show won a 2014 Nightlife Award for Outstanding Major Cabaret Vocalist as well as a 2014 Broadway World Award for Best Female Celebrity Vocalist. In September 2013, she released her debut album, "In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention: Live at 54 Below" on Broadway Records to ecstatic reviews.

On television Ms. Benanti recently received raves for her performance as Baroness Elsa Schrader in NBC's "The Sound of Music Live!," starring Carrie Underwood. She starred in the NBC series "The Playboy Club"; "Go On" opposite Matthew Perry; and in the FX comedy series "Starved." She has appeared in recurring roles on "Nurse Jackie," "Royal Pains," "The Big C," "Law & Order: SVU," and "Eli Stone," and as a guest star on "The Good Wife," "Elementary" and "Life on Mars." On the big screen, she appeared in "Falling for Grace," "Meskada," and "Take the Lead" alongside Antonio Banderas.

For additional information on Laura Benanti, visit: www.laurabenanti.com.

CARLY OZARD · "MIDLER ON THE ROOF -- ONE SINGER'S JOURNEY OF DIVINE INTERVENTION"

Sunday, November 9 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $25 - $40

Award-winning cabaret singer -- and Bay Area native -- Carly Ozard, makes her debut at Feinstein's at the Nikko with her hit show, Midler on the Roof -- One Singer's Journey of Divine Intervention, for one performance only. To Carly Ozard, Bette Midler was always there, throughout life's journey. In Midler on the Roof, Carly, recalls her childhood and adolescent years as a young performer. The show narrates growing up through bullying and finding self acceptance through Bette Midler's music. Featuring O zard's powerful vocals, Midler on the Roof features a selection of some of Bette Midler's greatest hits, including "From a Distance", "Friends," "Married Men" and more. Directed by Broadway performer and comedian Kristine Zbornik, Midler on the Roof features musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins and back-up vocals by The Coker Sisters.

Since launching her career in 2005 Ozard, the Bay Area native, has been connecting with her audiences through humor while also astonishing them with her powerful vocals. Using her talents Ozard has created unique one-woman shows, including, Shift Happens, Somebody to Love: My Musical Tribute to Freddie Mercury, and Bewitched, Bothered and Bipolar.

In 2011, Ozard made her New York City debut with her tribute to Freddie Mercury, Somebody to Love. Since then, she has taken the stage in distinguished cabaret venues at Don't Tell Mama, 54 Below, The Cranky Cabaret, The Iriduim, The Duplex, the Laurie Beechman Theater and more. With each show, Ozard delivers an unforgettable and entertaining performance to everyone in the audience. Carly has shared the stage with Ann Hampton Callaway, Bruce Vilanch, Debby Boone, Tim Hockenberry, and Sharon McNight among other music and comedy luminaries.

Favorite musical theatre roles include Diana in Next to Normal and Nettie Fowler in Carousel. Carly originated the role of "Elyse" in Toulouse! The Musical with the New York Theatre Barn and portrayed "Tailgate" in Dragula, an original reading. Ms. Ozard has participated in benefits for Zani's Furry Friends at the Laurie Beechman and at Birdland! She is currently releasing her first EP of Electronic Dance Music, with producer Chris Young at Global Groove Records.

For additional information on Carly Ozard, visit: www.carlyozard.com.

BETTY BUCKLEY · "THE LYRICIST"

Thursday, November 13 at 8 p.m.

Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, November 15 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 16 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $65 - $80

Following a sold-out two-week engagement last December, Tony Award winning actress and singer Betty Buckley returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko with her new acclaimed show, The Lyricist, for four performances only. The Lyricist is an evening of song celebrating some of the greatest writers of Broadway songs and the American Songbook. Ms. Buckley especially celebrates lyricist Oscar Hammerstein and also pays homage to contemporary writers including Stephen Sondheim and Mary Chapin Carpenter. It is a collection featuring new arrangements of some of Ms. Buckley's favorite songs, as well as songs from Ms. Buckley's new recording, "Ghostlight" produced by T Bone Burnett.

Called "The Voice of Broadway," Buckley is one of theater's most respected and legendary leading ladies. She is an actress/singer whose career spans theater, film, television and concert halls around the world. She most recently was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame for 2012.

Buckley won a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. She received her second Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a musical for her performance as Hesione in Triumph of Love, and an Olivier Award nomination for her critically acclaimed interpretation of Norma Desmond in the London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, which she repeated to more rave reviews on Broadway.

Her other Broadway credits include 1776, Pippin, Song and Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Carrie. Off-Broadway credits include the world premiere in 2013 of Horton Foote's The Old Friends at the Signature Theatre for which she received a Drama Desk Nomination, White's Lies, Lincoln Center's Elegies, the original NYSF production of Edwin Drood, The Eros Trilogy and Juno Swans. Regional credits include Gypsy, Threepenny Opera, Camino Real, Buffalo Gal and Arsenic and Old Lace. She starred in the London production of Dear World in 2013 and Promises, Promises.

She co-starred in M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening" released in June 2008. Other films include her debut in Brian de Palma's screen version of Stephen King's "Carrie," Bruce Beresford's "Tender Mercies," Roman Polanski's "Frantic," Woody Allen's "Another Woman" and Lawrence Kasden's "Wyatt Earp."

On television, Buckley appeared in "The Pacific" for HBO and on the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006 and 1983. She also starred for three seasons in the HBO series "Oz" and as Abby Bradford in the hit series "Eight is Enough." She has appeared as a guest star in numerous television series, miniseries and films for television including "Evergreen," "Roses for the Rich," the CBS series "Without a Trace," Law & Order: SVU" for NBC and ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars."

Buckley has recorded 16 CD's, including the recent release of "Ghostlight" produced by T Bone Burnett on Palmetto Records. Among her other CD's is "Ah, Men! The Boys of Broadway" also on Palmetto Records and the Grammy Nominated "Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar." She received her second Grammy Nomination for the audio book "The Diaries of Adam and Eve."

For over forty years Ms. Buckley has been a teacher of scene study and song interpretation, giving workshops in Manhattan and various universities and performing arts conservatories around the country. She is a faculty member at the T. Schreiber Acting School in New York City and currently teaches at The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX.

In April of 2009, Ms. Buckley received the Texas Medal of Arts Award for Theater and was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2007.

For additional information on Betty Buckley, visit www.bettybuckley.com.

FREDDY COLE ·

Thursday, November 20 at 8 p.m.

Friday, November 21 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $40 - $55

Considered one of the most influential singers in jazz music throughout the world, Feinstein's at the Nikko is honored to welcome Freddy Cole for two performances only! Freddy Cole grew up in a musical household and remembers influential visitors at his home including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. Freddy doesn't apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat "King" Cole, there are several similarities with his music style. Freddy's voice is raspier, smokier, and perhaps even jazzier. His vocals are suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate. Freddy plays the piano, sings, and performs with guitar and upright bass- just like his bother Nat.

For additional information on Freddy Cole, visit www.freddycole.com.

TELLY LEUNG · "{i'll cover you]"

Saturday, November 22 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 23 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $35 - $50

After playing to sold-out venues in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo, star of stage and screen, Telly Leung, will make his San Francisco concert debut at Feinstein's at the Nikko with his one-man show, TELLY LEUNG: {i'll cover you}.

Telly Leung most recently appeared in the Broadway in the revival of Godspell. His other Broadway credits include Flower Drum Song (2002 revival), Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures (2005 revival) and the final company of Rent. He originated the role of 'Boq' in the Chicago company of Wicked.

Favorite credits include Sammy in Allegiance, also starring Lea Salonga and George Takei (world premiere, The Old Globe Theater), Angel in Rent, directed by Neil Patrick Harris (Hollywood Bowl), Song Liling in M. Butterfly (Philadelphia Theatre Company), Give It Up! aka Lysistrata Jones (world premiere, Dallas Theater Center), Godspell (Paper Mill Playhouse), Bernstein: Mass (Baltimore Symphony, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall), Harold Bride in Titanic and Barnaby in Hello, Dolly! (The Muny), Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar (Music Circus), Thuy in Miss Saigon (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera) and Lun Tha in The King and I with Lou Diamond Philips (orth Carolina Theatre).

His television and film credits include "Glee" (Wes, Dalton Academy Warblers), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway." Mr. Leung has been featured on the recordings for Godspell (Sh-K-Boom Records), Flower Drum Song (DRG Records), Pacific Overtures (PS Classics), Wall to Wall Sondheim (Live from Symphony Space), Dear Edwina (PS Classics) and the Grammy Award-nominated "Bernstein: Mass" with Marin Alsop (Sony/Naxos). His first solo album, {i'll cover you}, is available on the Yellow Sound Label. Mr. Leung holds a B.F.A. from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama.

For additional information on Telly Leung, visit www.tellyleung.com.

ABOUT FEINSTEIN'S AT THE NIKKO - All seating at Feinstein's at the Nikko is cabaret style and available on a first-come, first-served basis within the section purchased. Guests who purchase the prix-fixe dinner at Restaurant Anzu will receive a complimentary section upgrade (subject to availability) and get to choose their exact seat locations within the upgraded section.

Guests of Feinstein's at the Nikko can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options before performances. Kanpai Lounge, located in Hotel Nikko's lobby, offers light cuisine, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko's intimate restaurant located on the second floor, serves sustainable California cuisine enhanced with Asian flavors. Restaurant Anzu will also offer Feinstein's at the Nikko guests a special three-course prix-fixe dinner ($45 per person) prior to all performances. Reservations can be made by calling (415) 394-1100. For additional information on Feinstein's at the Nikko, visit: www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins. For Hotel Nikko San Francisco room specials, visit www.hotelnikkosf.com. Code: FEIN.

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