Upright Cabaret Presents THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI 1/15/2011

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their second "American Icons" concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. Grammy Award-nominee and American Idol finalist Frenchie Davis (American Idol Season 2, Broadway: Rent, Ain't Misbehavin,' Dreamgirls), Ty Taylor (CBS' Rockstar INXS, Broadway: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Grease; Pippin at the Mark Taper Forum, Chess at Reprise Theatre Company, front man of raw soul band "Vintage Trouble") and Von Smith (American Idol Season 8) as UPRIGHT CABARET expands their unique, one-of-a-kind cabaret experience to Thousand Oaks!

In this second show, THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI, performers will pay homage to film and music icon's Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley and the artist formally known as PRINCE! Expect to hear favorites like Hello Dolly, What A Wonderful World, Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, How Come You Don't Call Me, Purple Rain, and more, in this very special, not-to-be missed, one night only concert! THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI will perform on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 7:30PM.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Frenchie Davis first made her mark on Season 2 of the mega-hit reality-television show "American Idol" where judge Simon Cowell predicted "Frenchie Davis could win the show!" During the filming of AI, Frechie's stage presence, charismatic performances and power-house vocals cemented her as an audience and critic favorite nationwide.

After "Idol," Frenchie headed straight to The Great White Way where she starred in the hit Broadway Musical "RENT" written by Jonathan Larson. Originally only contracted for a six-week run, Frenchie again wowed audiences with her vocal prowess, and show producers quickly extended her contract where she starred for the next four years! Frenchie has also starred in the West Coast tour of "Dreamgirls" playing Effie White, "Sing, Mahalia, Sing" playing Gospel great Mahalia Jackson, and in the 30th Anniversary National Revival production of "Ain't Misbehavin'" (opposite American Idol winner Ruben Studdard) playing the role which won Nell Carter the Tony Award. Frenchie and the cast were honored with a 2009 Grammy Award-nomination for Best Cast Recording. This past summer, Davis performed along-side fellow Grammy-nominees Natasha Bedingfield and Taylor Dayne at the Americana At Brand's Summer Concert Series in front of an audience of over 10,000. Ms. Davis recently starred in "Cinderella" playing the Fairy Godmother at Berkeley Playhouse in Berkeley, CA and was a special guest performer at the 2010 Christmas Tree Lighting event in Sacramento for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ms. Davis was educated at Howard University in Washington DC. For more info, please visit: www.FrenchieDavis.org

Von Smith - First introduced to the world when his version of "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)" became a sensation on YouTube, Von Smith has garnered a legion of fans and performed on some of the most celebrated stages in the U.S. including ABC's The View (by personal invitation of Rosie O'Donnell), and perhaps the biggest stage, American Idol Season 8 with fellow Upright Cabaret alum Adam Lambert. The Kansas City native and recent Los Angeles transplant brings his Signature Sound to the Upright Cabaret stage which he describes as "Soul/Pop" encompassing "all facets of soul music in a pop realm." From Nina Simone to George Michael, Prince to Dreamgirls, as well as, new original material; Smith's song selections celebrate his past successes and set the tone for an artist who is coming into his own.

Ty Taylor is an artist whose soulful rock style is a compilation of singing at the age of five in St. Paul's Baptist Church, listening to 8 track tapes of JAmes Brown, Bill Withers, and Tina Turner as a child, and his love for The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Born and raised in Montclair, NJ, Ty began playing in n nightclubs in Manhattan while still underage.

His previous band, DAKOTA MOON, recorded two albums, toured the world twice over and had two Top 10 hits in the U.S. and internationally. His intoxicating and electro-magnetic stage performances have also given him the honor of sharing stages with Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Dave Navarro, Jerry Cantrell, Slash, Scott Weiland, Rob Zombie, Fiona Apple, and Macy Gray to name a few. Best known for his rise to fame as a finalist on Mark Burnett's CBS mega-series ROCKSTAR:INXS He can be heard on the original cast recording of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World. Ty is also a very accomplished stage performer. Broadway: Joseph, Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Concert, Cats, Grease. Taylor recently starred alongside Ken Page and Lillias White in the Reprise! Production of DAMN YANKEES directed by Jason Alexander, CHESS at the Ford Amphitheatre and most recently portrayed the Lead Player in the Def West production of PIPPIN directed by Jeff Calhoun at the Mark Taper Forum. His raw soul band, Vintage Trouble, just released their debut album entitled "The Bomb Shelter Sessions" which is now available on iTunes!

ABOUT THE "AMERICAN ICON" SERIES

L.A.'s renowned Upright Cabaret brings their brand of "new generation cabaret" with its smash-hit "American Icon Series." The American Icon Series first debuted to sold out audiences at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Now on tour, the series features Broadway stars, T.V. stars and up-and-coming local artists performing their own selections while highlighting the music of each shows American Icon's.

This brand new series features songs that are strongly associated with "American Icons" as well as songs that the performers choose to highlight their unique gifts. Three to four rising stars of stage and screen will pay homage to musical idols like Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell. Their soulful interpretations of American classics will change the way you think about cabaret. 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 Thousand Oaks!

With celebrities in attendance, Upright Cabaret has become a hip and contemporary social swirl of young Broadway and Hollywood, performing with a level of excellence, authenticity and intimacy that brings the crowds back time after time. Upright Cabaret boasts one of the most extensive and diverse rosters of talent in the country. Broadway divas, talented troubadours, cabaret legends, Hollywood notables, pop sensations and many future sensations have all found their way to the Upright stage.

ABOUT Chris Isaacson & UPRIGHT CABARET

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.) and more. 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 the his 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 the Ace Hotel in 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 Aug 2010, Chris Isaacson and Upright Cabaret began a relationship with The Grove in Los Angeles and The Americana at Brand in Glendale. Chris Isaacson produced Summer Concert Series with headlining acts Grammy winners Steve Tyrell, Grammy winner Paula Cole, 3x Grammy Nominee Taylor Dayne and Grammy Nominee Natasha Bedingfield. Broadway veteran Jennifer Leigh Warren, Grammy winning songwriter Matt Morris, Broadway star & Grammy nominee Frenchie Davis and WB's "One Tree Hill" star Tyler Hilton.

Recently, Isaacson produced 2x Grammy winner Peabo Bryson with DWTS star Mark Ballas in the 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at The Americana at Brand which are currently being featured on EXTRA for December, 2010.

Chris Isaacson is currently developing Broadway Veteran Jennifer Leigh Warren's new project entitled "Little Woman/Big Voice: the songs of Dame Shirley Bassey" with Dir. Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters) set to direct, "Star Search" Grand Champion Jake Simpson, and Broadway star and American Idol Semi-finalist Frenchie Davis.
Upright Cabaret is also currently working with the City of West Hollywood to find a permanent home for Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood. Isaacson is committed to his humanitarian and social causes including The Trevor Project and AIDS Project Los Angeles. Visit Chris Isaacson at www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com.

THE FIRST SEASON'S UPCOMING SHOWS INCLUDE:

THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI • January 15, 2011 • 7:30PM
Music of Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley and Prince

COUNTRY ROADS • April 9, 2011 • 7:30PM
Music of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash

CITY OF ANGELS • July 9, 2011 • 7:30PM
Music of Doris Day, Joni Mitchell and BrIan Wilson

ABOUT THE PRICING

Ticket prices for UPRIGHT CABARET shows at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza are:
General Admission for all performances Single Tickets - $25.00 - $40.00
Subscribe and SAVE 20%! Buy three shows at the Season Price for only $96 ($120 Value)
For subscription info and pricing, please contact the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Subscriber Services department at (805) 449-2775 (Tuesday through Sunday from 12 noon to 5:00 PM).

Tickets to these extraordinary shows are now available by calling the Box Office at 805-449-2787 or online at www.civicartsplaza.com. Subscription tickets are available by calling (805) 449-2775, Tuesday thru Sunday, noon to 5:00pm. THOUSAND OAKS CIVIC ARTS PLAZA is located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

To post a comment, you must register and login.