Carlos De Oliveira Joins Pettiford's 'Thankful' at Upright Cabaret

Direct from New York, Valarie Pettiford - THANKFUL, the smash hit solo show starring Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford makes its west coast debut at Upright Cabaret at Mark’s Restaurant, 861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069. Her show will debut Friday and Saturday - November 14-15, 2008 at 9pm

Tony Nominated Valarie Pettiford will be joined by Brazilian percussionist CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA as her special guest.

Set to join the Award winning singer/actress as her special guest is CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA, who one of the world's most influential Brazilian percussionists of the past 40 years. De Oliveira was only 14 when he appeared in the classic film 'Black Orpheus' playing pandeiro. He went on to become the music director of the Mangueira samba school, the winner of Brazil's first 'Golden Pandeiro' competition, and has performed worldwide as a featured performer with artists such as Sergio Mendes, Herbie Mann, Toots Thielemans, and many others.

Stage Veteran and television star Valarie Pettiford gives you the reasons why she is thankful, as she puts her thoughts to music in her new show entitled "Valarie Pettiford - Thankful" presented by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel at Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood. Written and directed by David Galligan, the Tony-nominated actress blends a mixture of jazz, classic standards and musical theatre, accompanied by a stellar band musically directed by Ron Abel.

Pettiford started 2008 with a recurring role on the hit comedy series 'House of Payne' as Sandra Lucas. Last year, she opened the 2007 Summer Concert Series with the Pasadena Pops conducted by Rachel Worby. She was also thrilled to play the role of Deanna Rivers in the pilot for HBO's 'Anatomy of Hope,' directed by JJ Abrams. She guest-starred as Dr. Lana Whitford in 'CSI: Miami' (2006), as Ellen Laskow in 'Bones' (2007) and Susan Latham 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2007). She also portrayed Aunt Jackie in the #1 film for 3 weeks and now the #1 DVD, 'Stomp the Yard,' a 2007 Sony Screen Gems production. In February 2006, Valarie completed her fourth season with the hit TV series 'Half & Half,' which is now in syndication and earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal as Big Dee Dee Thorne.

Her widely successful one-woman shows have been performed to sold out audiences at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre, the Gardenia Room, the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Room in New York City (where she received the 2007 Backstage Bistro Award) and most recently at New York's famous BIRDLAND supper club where “Valarie Pettiford - Thankful” first debuted. Her Broadway and tour credits include FOSSE, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, the Dora Mavor Moore Award and was recognized by the Drama League; CHICAGO (opposite Chita Rivera) for the London West End debut; SOPHISTICATED LADIES, original cast and understudy for Judith Jamison. She also appeared in GRIND, DANCIN, BIG DEAL, SHOW BOAT (NAACP, LA's Robby, and the Vancouver Sun Reader's Choice Awards). She received nominations for the Ovation and the Jessie Richardson Theater Awards. She performed in Des Mc Anuff's production of The Wiz, and THE WILD PARTY (NAACP Theatre and The Garland Awards for Best Actress in a Play, Ovation nomination). Highlights in TV and film including THE DISTRICT, FRASIER, THE WEST WING, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, THE WIZ, THE COTTON CLUB and GLITTER. 

Valarie continues to lend her support and talents to many charities annually and is thrilled to have fulfilled a lifelong dream of recording an album entitled HEAR MY SOUL, being sold at www.cdbaby.com

Created by producing partners Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, UPRIGHT CABARET, L.A.’s famed “new generation cabaret” has quickly become the place for cabaret and live performance in Los Angeles. After only three years, the Upright stages in West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Catalina Island and Santa Barbara have been home to performers from over 75 Broadway shows as well as stars from Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Cold Case, How I Met Your Mother, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, House, Nip/Tuck and countless other film and television productions. At Mark’s Restaurant in West Hollywood, Upright is more than an inventive cabaret, Proprietors Chris Diamond and Chef Wayne Elias along with a welcoming staff dish out charm, class and California cuisine at its finest.

Show Tickets: $15-25 Main, Patio & SRO, available in advance online at www.uprightcabaret.com/events or at door on day of show. Dinner Reservations required with all Main & Patio Seating. Table minimums apply.

For more info including show times, tickets and scheduled performers please visit us at www.uprightcabaret.com.

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