Tonoccus McClain and Nita Whitaker Launch Winter Season at Sterling's Upstairs At The Federal

Television and Broadway Musical Theatre performer Tonoccus McClain debuts his first ever cabaret concert LIVING A WHY NOT LIFE with Musical Director Rob Woyshner on Sunday, January 20th at Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood, CA. McClain has hosted television such TV shows as FOX Family's California Summer Countdown, reporting and anchoring Channel One News; and performed in Beauty and the Beast live at the Hollywood Bowl, Game of Thrones live at the LA Forum, numerous shows at the Disneyland Resort, and multiple performances at the Academy Awards. He also traveled North America touring in over 400 performances of The Lion King (Banzai u/s) for six years. He's crossed the globe singing in countries like South Korea, Spain, Germany, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Canada, Australia, and across the Caribbean and back.

McClain was also featured in LA Opera's Porgy and Bess at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Music Center and in the LA Master Chorale, performing at Walt Disney Concert Hall for almost a decade. He has also sung on almost 50 television and film soundtracks and commercials including The Lion Guard theme song, Glee, The Good Wife, Once Upon A Time, King Kong, Avatar, A Wrinkle in Time, and Smallfoot.

On Sunday January 27th, Sterling's Upstairs welcomes back the critically acclaimed Nita Whitaker who stars in her all new show FINDING MY VOICE featuring Nelson Kole as Musical Director. Known for her diverse vocal attributes, Ms. Whitaker sings with essences of soul, sprinkled with pop, jazz and gospel flavoring. Having performed on stage as well as big and small screen, her expansive talent and humor continues to find new avenues to be expressed. Recently adding producer to her list of credits, Nita produced a limited run of the plays Dog Sees God, and Rent the Musical; along with having co-produced four independent CD's, including her 2014 end-of year-holiday offering: Keep a Little Christmas.

The first ever and former Miss Louisiana and Hall of Fame Star Search Grand Champion Winner is comfortable singing in any setting from an intimate club, to the arena stages as well as stage, television, and movies. She has been the guest performer at The Freedom Awards honoring Oprah Winfrey, President Bill Clinton and actress Ruby Dee, sang duets with Andrea Bocelli during a Winter Tour, and also has performed with Josh Groban, Michael Buble and Chris Botti. With record producer David Foster as one of her mentors, she has performed and shared the stage with countless celebrities including Barbara Streisand, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Richard Marx, Stevie Wonder and Yolanda Adams.

Nita continues to hone her skills as well as other creative ventures and recently added author to her resume'. Finding My Voice: My Journey through Grief to Grace is available on the world wide web.

TONOCCUS McCLAIN in Living the Why Not Life Sunday January 20, 2019; Doors, Dinner and Drinks: 5:30 pm; Performance: 7:00 pm. 

NITA WHITAKER in Finding My Voice. Sunday, January 27, 2019. Doors, Dinner and Drinks: 5:30 pm; Performance: 7:00 pm

TICKETS:  Brown Paper Tickets: Web address:  brownpapertickets.com.  Or Call (800) 838-3006 (24/7 Live Customer Service, 

LOCATION: Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal  5303 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601

Established in 2006, Sterling's Upstairs is the most critically acclaimed, award-winning cabaret venue in the greater Los Angeles area. Produced by live performing arts entrepreneur Michael Sterling, such Broadway notables as Rachel York, Ramin Karimloo, Derek Klena, Faith Prince and Jason Graae, Dean Butler, Cortes Alexander with Liza Minnelli and Allison Janney. Since 2014 Sterling's Upstairs has also presented 36 record breaking concert appearances with Jersey Boys Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young.

Since 2009, Sterling himself, has served as Producer and on-air Host for BWW TV Los Angeles. Additionally, in 2010, he conceived State of the Arts - a cool, entertaining, and slightly irreverent weekly podcast dedicated to the live performing arts in Southern California and beyond. The fifty minute program presented by Princess Cruises airs live each Thursday between 1:00 and 1:50 pm. Pacific time on the LA Talk Radio Network and continues to be the number one radio broadcast of its kind terrestrially and on the Network. In its 8 ½ year tenure, the show is rapidly approaching 2 million downloads.

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