Photo Coverage: Leslie Uggams Opens at the Cafe Carlyle

Tony Award-winner Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!) opened her exclusive three-week engagement - her first New York cabaret appearance in 18 years - at the Cafe Carlyle last night, March 30. "Leslie Uggams: Uptown Downtown" will play through Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the famed night spot.  BroadwayWorld was on hand for the opening night celebration, as were friends Celisse Henderson, Capathia Jenkins, Chuck Cooper, Tommy Tune, Karen Akers and more.

In the show, Uggams offers an unforgettable evening of songs from her legendary career and the Great American Songbook, including such memorable tunes as "My Own Morning," "Summertime," "If He Walked Into My Life" and "Stormy Weather," among others. Conceived and directed by Michael Bush, "Leslie Uggams: Uptown Downtown" will feature a five-member band led by Music Director Don Rebic on piano, Aaron Heick (woodwinds), Steve Bargonetti (guitar), Ray Kidlay (bass) and Buddy Williams (drums).

Leslie Uggams won a Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical for her Broadway debut in Hallelujah, Baby! and received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Ruby in August Wilson's King Hedley II. Her most recent Broadway appearance was co-starring with James Earl Jones in the acclaimed revival of On Golden Pond. Other Broadway performances include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, Jerry's Girls, Blues in the Night, and Her First Roman. Her recent off-Broadway performances include The Old Settler, Keb' Mo's Thunder Knocking on the Door, and First Breeze of Summer, which were all honored with critical plaudits and Audelco Awards. Her theater career began at the age of nine with regular appearances at the Apollo Theater, and she has continued to appear across the country in such productions as Master Class, Play On, Into the Woods, Call Me Madam, The Old Settler, and Blue. Most recently, she starred in the pre-Broadway run of Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Story for the Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles. On television, she appeared at the age of six with the TV series "Beulah." At 15, she appeared on "Name That Tune," which led to her series role on "Sing Along with Mitch." Other television credits include "Kizzy in Roots" (Critics Choice Award, Emmy and Golden Globe nominations), "Backstairs at the White House," "Sizzle," HBO's "Christmas at Radio City Music Hall," co-host of "Fantasy" (Emmy Award), and "The Leslie Uggams Show." Her film credits include Black Girl, Skyjacked, and Sugar Hill.

"Leslie Uggams: Uptown Downtown" will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:45 P.M., with an additional late show at 10:45P.M. on Saturday. 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 for all performances. For reservations please call 212-744-1600. For additional information, visit www.thecarlyle.com.