Sterling's Upstairs Presents Ilene Graff in 'First You Dream' at The Federal, 8/26

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal presents television and Broadway star Ilene Graff in First You Dream on Sunday, August 26.  

Perhaps best known to television audiences as Marsha Owens on the long running ABC hit TV series Mr. Belvedere, as well as her current, recurring guest starring role on the CW Television Network series Hart of Dixie, Ms. Graff's concert combines a perfect selection of melodies from Broadway and the Great American Songbook with exciting vocals beautifully enhanced by the unique arrangements of husband and musical director Ben Lanzarone. Ilene and Ben will be joined on stage by their special guest, their daughter Broadway musical theatre performer (Women on the Verge, Chicago) Nikka Graff Lanzarone.  

Also a Grammy nominated recording artist, Ilene Graff made her professional debut on Broadway in Promises Promises. The Neil Simon, Burt Bacharach/Hal David hit, in which she began as understudy for the leading lady while singing backup vocals from the orchestra pit, ultimately led to performing the co-starring role of "Fran Kubelik" on Broadway numerous times before starring in the show's National Tour.  Though Ms. Graff went on to play "Sandy" for two years in the Broadway production of Grease, her biggest Broadway triumph was creating the role of "Cleo" in the Cy Coleman/Michael Stewart musical comedy hit I Love My Wife, directed by Tony Award winner Gene Saks. Other theatre credits include: Charley's Aunt with Charles Grodin, Cabaret as "Sally Bowles," Annie Get Your Gun as "Annie Oakley," and Over Here directed by Mr. Belvedere himself, Christopher Hewett. She has also starred as "Mama Rose" in a Los Angeles revival of Gypsy. In addition to playing the role of former baseball star and commentator Bob Uecker's wife on Mr. Belvedere for five years, Ms. Graff starred in two other series, several pilots, and guest starred on many episodic TV shows, movies of the week and mini-series.  She had the distinct pleasure of co-starring in the ABC/Disney Movie-of-the-Week, South Pacific with Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Glenn Close and Grammy Award winner Harry Connick, Jr. Ms. Graff and her husband Ben Lanzarone met while working in the Broadway production of Grease for which Mr. Lanzarone played the piano and conducted the band. He continues to serve as her Musical Director, as well as arranger, co-producer and accompanist. Their 2003 Grammy-nominated CD, Baby's Broadway Lullabies is a collection of beautiful music for baby's "sleepy time." www.ilenegraff.com  

Located in the heart of North Hollywood's trendy NoHo Arts District and featuring a cutting edge interior design, Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal is the epitome of present meets past (circa. 1926).  On a culinary level, The Federal's creativity in California cuisine keeps patrons more than delighted in multiple dining areas; each of which are highlighted by their own, individual and ingratiating bars, thus adding buzz to what has already become one of the hottest go-to- entertainment-destinations in all of Los Angeles.  

As guests arrive at Sterling's Upstairsby staircase or elevator, they are greeted by the club's Maître D's and escorted to their tables which accommodate approximately 100 guests. The club's cool sense of chic is further enhanced by state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and video technology; a proscenium stage and an adjacent outdoor patio overlooking the NoHo surroundings.  

Previously located at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City, CA between June  9, 2006 and March 18, 2012,  Sterling's Upstairs opened at The Federal on April 1, 2012.  

Reservations for Ilene Graff's First You Dream are available by calling 818 754-8700.  VIP Preferred Seating at $38 per person includes the entertainment cover and a $10 food or drink minimum.  Non-reserved General Admission Seating is $28 per person and also includes the entertainment cover and a $10 food or drink minimum.  Sunday dinner seatings are between 5:30 and 6:00 pm, followed by a 7:00 pm, one hour performance.  There is no service during the performance.  For further information about attendance and parking, visit www.msapr.net. 

Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal is produced by Michael Sterling and Tony Monsour of Michael Sterling & Associates (MS&A), the Studio City-based entertainment Public Relations and Production Company.  Since 1980, Sterling has represented such stellar clients as Elizabeth Taylor, Lance Armstrong, Scott Hamilton, David Copperfield, Joan Collins, Alan Thicke, Carol Lawrence, David Brenner, Andy Gibb, and Robert Goulet, Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager to name but a few.  Aside from his celebrity clientele, Sterling has represented Broadway musical theatre, various National Theatre and arena tours, Los Angeles theatre productions, Emmy Award-winning television specials, celebrity books, albums and CD's.  Mr. Sterling is also a critically-acclaimed director of musical theatre in Los Angeles, a co-producer and co-host of the State of the Arts Radio series presented by Breakdown Services and broadcast by the LA Talk Radio.com Network; and co-produces and hosts video packages of select Los Angeles theatre for Broadway World TV.  He has also produced various theatrical events and productions throughout southern California.  

Tony Monsour has been associated with MS&A since 1999.  He was a former actor/singer who (in Los Angeles) starred as the "Pharaoh" with Tony Award nominee Bill Hutton in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; as "Danny Zuko" in Grease.  He most recently appeared as "Conrad Birdie" in Bye Bye Birdie; and as "Ben" in The Scarlet Pimpernel.   He has served as Associate Producer of Sterling's Upstairs since 2006.

 

 

 

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