La Mirada Presents CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' 7/10

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for its fifth and final show of their second season, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN', starring vocal powerhouse JAKE SIMPSON (2x "Star Search" Grand Champion, Oprah Winfrey Favorite), Broadway sensation JENNIFER LEIGH WARREN (Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Marie Christine, Big River, Regional: Having It All, The Buddy Holly Story, Diamonds Are Forvever, Cinderella - a Modern Musical Extravaganza), JULIE GARNYÉ, NATHAN SHRAKE and BROOKE TANSLEY, performing the music of The Mamas and The Papas, Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles. Expect to hear favorites like "Monday, Monday," "California Dreamin'," "Blue Bayou," "Don't Know Much," "Take It Easy," "Hotel California," - as well as their own selections, under the musical direction of Todd Schroeder in a one night only concert - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' which will perform on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 8:00PM at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

JAKE SIMPSON twice (2003 and 2004) won the top honors in the Adult Singer category on CBS-TV's "Star Search" with his powerful high tenor voice and three-octave range. Growing up in Crocker, Missouri, making music has been one of the most important driving forces in Jake's life. His sound has been influenced by Stevie Wonder, Steve Perry, Donny Hathaway, and the classic style of Sam Cooke. One of the highlights of Jake's life was when he was invited to perform on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The show, which first aired on June 8, 2004, was one of Oprah's favorites, as she surprised Jake by bringing out his idol, the legendary Stevie Wonder, to duet with Jake on Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely." The surprise thrilled Oprah so much that she included it on her 20th anniversary DVD box-set. In 2006, Jake produced and recorded an all new CD, the holiday themed "Star of Wonder." To bring his holiday music to the masses, Jake then went on to a holiday tour with pianist, Jim Brickman. The concert tour received rave reviews, and Jake specifically being singled out for his "blue-eyed soul" and his "Amen"-inducing rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful." Since then, Jake has gone on to write, produce, and record a brand new album of his very own! The CD prophetically entitled "My Song" has garnered positive reviews and is gaining radio airplay throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 2008, Jake recorded vocals with American Idol Finalist, David Archuletta on Archuletta's new album due to released in November 2008. In 2009, Jake recorded various tracks with songwriter Desmond Child for Adam Lambert, another American Idol. In Aug 2010, Jake Simpson opened for 3x Grammy nominee Taylor Dayne at Summer Concert Series at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA. Check out Jake's new music at www.cdbaby.com and www.itunes.com

JENNIFER LEIGH WARREN is a chosen favorite of songwriters from Roger Miller, who
personally wrote her a show-stopping gospel song for the Broadway musical Big River to Bolshoi Ballet composer, Rodion Schredrin, who, after seeing her in Japan, singing in Japanese, wrote her a song for the first Russian-Japanese-American collaboration of a new musical. Jennifer was the original Crystal in the Alan Menken/Howard Ashman hit, Little Shop Of Horrors and was featured on the Grammy-nominated cast albums of Little Shop, Big River as well as Lincoln Center's, Marie Christine. Jennifer also sang, "Stranger to the Rain" on the "Stephen Schwartz Album," performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Rose Hall) honoring Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Marcia Gaye Harden, opened for Steve Tyrell at the Americana at Brand and was the "Fairy Godmother" in the Lythgoe Family ("So You Think You Can Dance," "American Idol") British Panto production of Cinderella, as well as the recent critically-acclaimed, smash-hit production of the original musical Having It All. Jennifer also performed in the concert "Making Good" starring Stephen Schwartz at the Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, sang at the NAACP Theater Awards, sang voice-overs for "The Tonight Show" with Conan O'Brien and sang the theme song for " The Black Commercials" on "Conan." She garnered rave revues for her performance as Shelia in the Reprise production of Hair (with a special arrangement for her by the great Peter Matz) and also for Kismet and The Most Happy Fella.

She originated the title characters in both Abyssinia at Cleveland Playhouse and Venus written by Chan Poling (the Minneapolis music legend from the seminal punk rock group, The Suburbs) and performed in Sir Peter Hall's Shakespeare repertory at the Ahmanson Theater. Jennifer performed in "The Magic Of Motown," a tribute to Motown founder, Berry Gordy, with Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. In Denmark, Jennifer sang with Al Jarreau on a Live TV Special of songs from "Princess & the Black-Eyed Pea" broadcast throughout Europe.

Her feature film work includes, Garry Marshall's "Valentines's Day," "The Other Sister," "Dear God," "Grace Of My Heart" (produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by Allison Anders), Sean Penn's "The Crossing Guard," and "Sour Grapes" written and directed by Larry David. Television appearances include "Lipstick Jungle," "Dirt," "ER," "Scrubs," "The Game" and "All My Children."

An Ovation Award-winner, A Garland Award-winner, and a NAACP award-nominee, she is a proud graduate of Dartmouth College, where she received the Heiman Award for Excellence in the Arts and served for two terms on the Board of Overseers for the Hopkins Center for the Arts and Hood Museum. She proudly performed at the inauguration concert for Jim Yong Kim the new President of Dartmouth. The Go Campaign, The Trevor Project, What A Pair Foundation and Broadway Cares are charitable organizations that Jennifer lends support. Recently, Ms. Warren was seen performing in the critically acclaimed new concert/revue Diamonds Are Forever: The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey at the Renberg Theatre in Hollywood.

JULIE GARNYÉ is a singer, actress, voiceover artist, host and producer. As a performer, she most recently appeared in the Disney animated film "Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure" as the singing voice of the fairy Lyria, Les Miserables at The Hollywood Bowl (directed by Richard Jay-Alexander), Chess in Concert at the Ford Amphitheatre and starred with Tony-winners Alan Cumming and Alice Ripley in Open All Night: The Music of Lance Horne. In New York, she recently appeared in the reading of Lance Horne's new musical The $trip and, in 2007, she was distinguished as the only female performer to be invited from outside New York to appear in the all-star Stephen Schwartz tribute concert at Town Hall. Other credits include Broadway: HAIR in Concert (last minute replacement for Tony Award winner Idina Menzel), CHESS in Concert, The Easter Bonnet Competition.

New York: Broadway By The Year 1978 (Town Hall), Children Of Eden in Concert (New York Premiere), Pippin in Concert, NAMT Songwriters Showcase 2005 and dozens of readings and workshops, from new developmental musicals done in a composer's living room to Legally Blonde at 42nd Street Studios. National Tours: Cats (Grizabella, Jennyanydots), It's Not Where You Start... through AMTSJ. Regional/L.A.: An Evening with Stephen Schwartz (The Ford Amphitheatre), Bat Boy The Musical, West Side Story, George M, Fiddler On The Roof, Bye Bye Birdie. Film: "Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure" (Disney Animation Studios), "The Little Richard Story," "The Ultimate Auction." Recordings: "Wicked" (as Elphaba [guide vocals] - Stage-Stars Karaoke), "Hair" (Sh-K-Boom Records), "Longing For A Place Already Gone" (Laura Bell Bundy's debut album), "Fine and Dandy" (PS Classics), "Folkzinger" (with Christine Lavin), "Last Day On Earth" (for composer Lance Horne), "The Water" (for composer Georgia Stitt) and "Broadway By The Year 1978" Original Cast Album (soon to be released). Julie has sung in concert with some of the greatest artists on earth, from prolific composer Stephen Schwartz to pop great Neil Sedaka, to singer/songwriter Josh Groban and jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Julie graduated from Santa Clara University with a double B.A. in Theatre and English and has been studying voice with famed vocal teacher Edward Sayegh for 15 years. She is currently workshopping four new musicals in Los Angeles and New York.

NATHAN SHRAKE is an experienced performer originally from St. Paul, Minnesota now residing in Los Angeles, California. In performing in over 25 musical theatre productions including High School Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, The Sound of Music, and Urinetown, Nathan has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Jodi Benson, Patti Austin, John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys), Sherie Rene Scott (The Little Mermaid) and Broadway musical director Gerry Sternbach. Nathan has been featured in numerous regional and national Television commercials including spots for NHSTA (currently airing), Febreze, Subway, Taco Johns, Coca-Cola, and Best Buy. You can currently see him singing Tenor as a Dapper Dan of Disneyland.

BROOKE TANSLEY was last seen on television as serial killer Belle on "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" and last seen on Broadway as a Belle of a sweeter sort in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. She made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Hairspray, eventually playing sidekick Penny Pingleton.

Films include "Music and Lyrics" (with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore), "My Sassy Girl" (with Elisha Cuthbert and Jesse Bradford), "Who's the Top"? (with Steve Buscemi), "Take Care," and "Moving Mike." Brooke made her Los Angeles stage debut as Anne Frank in the West Coast Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's Little Fish (with Alice Ripley and Gregory Jbara) and can be heard on the Original Los Angeles Cast Recording (Ghostlight Records). She followed that with the Los Angeles Regional Premiere of her favorite piece, The Light in the Piazza, as Clara Johnson, a performance and production much loved by both audiences and critics, with Brooke receiving a Best Performance by a Leading Actress acknowledgment from Stage Scene LA. Other television appearances: "The 57th Annual Tony Awards," "Regis and Kelly," "The Today Show," "The Wayne Brady Show," "Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon," "VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards," "Broadway on Broadway," "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," and "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." Brooke performs at Upright Citizens Brigade with her sketch team, "Oh Brother!." Her Upright Citizens Brigade credits include Maude Night (with The Space Program and Oh, Brother!), Comedy Death Ray Sketch, Quick and Funny Musicals, Sketch Cram, Not Too Shabby, When Harold Met Maude, and an appearance with A Kiss From Daddy. Brooke also appeared at The 2011 Chicago Sketch Festival and at SketchFest NYC 2011.

TODD SCHROEDER (Musical Direction) started playing piano at the age of four. Growing up in a musical family, he was introduced to everything from Claude Debussy to Neil Diamond, from Ray Charles to Elton John, but what he remembers most is discovering, at the age of eight, the rock and roll piano playing of Jerry Lee Lewis. For Schroeder, this variety of musical influences has produced a variety of musical accomplishments as a composer, producer, arranger, musical director and performer. Playing piano remains Schroeder's first love. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House, with the Boston Pops and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has appeared on numerous television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show. As an accomplished composer, his original music has been featured in film and television. His production of "Roter Mond: The Braveheart Musical" is set to open in Duisburg, Germany in November 2011. He composed music and lyrics with his writing partner, Kevin Fisher, for the new hit musical "Unbeatable: A Bold New Musical". He has also recorded four of his own CD's including the critically-acclaimed "Songs My Father Taught Me".

Along with writing and producing, Schroeder has conducted and arranged for such artists as Angela Lansbury, Nell Carter, Jason Alexander, Rita Coolidge, David Burnham and Sam Harris. He also serves as the vocal director for Disney's "Aladdin, A Musical Spectacular" and for "Wicked" at Universal Studios Japan. And finally, he is the proud founder of the Todd Schroeder Young Artist Grant, an annual scholarship presented to graduating High School students wanting to pursue careers in the arts.

ABOUT CHRIS ISAACSON AND THE "UPRIGHT CABARET" SERIES

Returning for a second year, this series will perform the first Sunday night of each of La Mirada Theatre's mainstage productions as UPRIGHT CABARET, the pre-eminent Los Angeles hot spot for the next generation of world-class entertainers, brings its unique brand of cabaret entertainment to La Mirada!

Chris Isaacson has created, produced and promoted over 450 events since forming his company in 2004. From small clubs to major theatres, Isaacson has produced some of the most influential stars of his generation including Adam Lambert (American Idol), Lea Michele (Glee, Spring Awakening), Neil Patrick Harris (CBS's How I Met Your Mother & ABC's Doogie Howser, M.D.), Grammy Nominee Natasha Bedingfield, 3x Grammy Nominee Taylor Dayne, Grammy-winner Paula Cole and more. His concerts have been featured on Access Hollywood, EXTRA, ABC's On The Red Carpet, KTLA 5 Morning News, the L.A. Times and New York Post.

Isaacson is also creator/founder of LA's renowned Upright Cabaret which has been redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences in Los Angeles since 2005. Upright Cabaret seeks to celebrate old style cabaret while simultaneously turning it on its ear, bringing young Broadway and young Hollywood together in a live setting. Isaacson produces concerts and events under the "Upright Cabaret" banner including his annual summer concert series at the Ford Amphitheatre, the successful "American Icon Series" which plays at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and Palm Springs, as well as, his critically acclaimed concerts "Shoshana Sings Streisand" starring Shoshana Bean, "Stephen Schwartz: Making Good" featuring Wicked creator/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and "Eden Espinosa: Me" starring Eden Espinosa. 

In Summer 2011, Chris Isaacson will present Broadway sensation Jennifer Leigh Warren in "Diamonds Are Forever: the songs of Dame Shirley Bassey" at the Renberg Theatre, Saturday Night Live alum and Broadway star Ana Gasteyer in "Elegant Songs from a Handsome Woman" at Catalina Jazz Club and "New York's Finest (The Leading Men of Broadway)" at the Ford Amphitheatre featuring an all-star cast including Tony Award-nominee Sam Harris set to direct.

He also returns to produce the 9th Annual Summer Concert Series at The Grove in Los Angeles featuring concerts by singer and guitar phenomenon Orianthi, NBC's The Voice star Frenchie Davis, Grammy Award-winner Richard Marx and Country Supergroup Lonestar.

Chris is committed to his humanitarian and social causes including The Trevor Project and AIDS Project Los Angeles. Visit Chris Isaacson at www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com.

Ticket prices for UPRIGHT CABARET Single Shows $45 (VIP)/ $35 / $25 / $15

Tickets to these extraordinary shows are now available by calling the Box Office at 562-944-9801 or 714-994-6310 or online at www.lamiradatheatre.com.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, Parking is free.

To schedule press interviews, photos, press comps or for additional information, please contact David Elzer/DEMAND PR at 818/508-1754 or by e-mail at davidelzer@me.com or visit www.demandpr.com. Photos and press information also available at lamiradatheatre.com. For more information about Upright Cabaret, Please visit: www.uprightcabaret.com.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, now in its fourth decade, has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California." This beautiful state-of-the-art theatre has been producing quality productions for its Southern California audiences since 1977. The theatre has produced several national tours and is the recipient of many accolades including Ovation and Emmy Awards and Tony Award nominations. Brian Kite is the theatre's Producing Artistic Director. The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, California, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. Parking is theatre-adjacent and free. For further information call 562-944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.

 

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