Nelson Kole News

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.

The Actors Fund and Fraser Entertainment are very proud to announce the 5th annual presentation of CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN LOS ANGELES.  Conceived by renowned director David Galligan, this fifth celebration of Cabaret in L.A. will take place as a series of 3 concerts over 3 evenings at 3 different Los Angeles venues, Friday, October 12, Saturday, October 13, and Sunday, October 14.  Proceeds from all 3 shows will benefit The Actors Fund.

Two new Broadway-style stage shows offered to Princess Cruises guests are receiving rave reviews - 'Born to Dance,' the latest show to debut in the cruise line's Stephen Schwartz partnership and 'Encore,' based on the highly popular opera performance 'Bravo.'

Last night, January 18th, 2016, Theatre Now New York presented its 3nd Annual festival of new musicals, Sound Bites 3.0 (sponsored by Music Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Productions) to a sold-out house at the 47th Street Theatre. An after-party, sponsored by MTI, was held after at Hurley's Saloon where awards were given. Sound Bites showcases ten 10-minute musicals or musical excerpts in one evening. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Theatre Now New York proudly announces the ten musical finalists that will be featured in the Third Annual Sound Bites 10-Minute Musical Theatre Festival. This year's benefit festival will be performing on January 18, 2016 (Martin Luther King Holiday), at 7:00 pm at the 47th Street Theatre, 304 West 47th Street, in Manhattan. Tickets go on sale to the public on December 1st at www.tnny.org or by calling 855-254-SHOW [7469]. Sound Bites Musical Theatre Festival benefits the development of new musicals.

On Sunday evening January 18 the beautiful songstress Nita Whitaker brought her inimitable style and warmth to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal in a new show entitled All That Matters. Backed by musical director Nelson Kole at the piano and a three-piece combo, Whitaker spoke of the value of love and sang about it via a precious collection of songs both old and new. On hand were her two daughters Elyse and Skye LaFontaine, who joined their mother in a few of her original compositions.

On Sunday January 26 divine singer Nita Whitaker brought her brand new show Love 'n Stuff to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Looking positively stunning in a black and white pageant dress accentuated with sequins - she was Miss Louisiana in the Miss America Pageant some years ago - and displaying much more of her oh so glorious range than she has in the past, Whitaker gave an 80 minute knock out performance expertly accompanied on the piano by musical director Nelson Kole and on percussion by Walter Rodriguez. There were also a couple of exciting surprises in store for the packed house. In the audience were celebrity friends actress Jennifer Lewis and the one and only triple threat Ben Vereen, who came onstage and did a couple of unrehearsed but delicious duets with Whitaker.

ollowing its most lucrative successful January/February ever, Executive Producer Michael Sterling of Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA says 'We are blessed to have enjoyed the most lucrative beginning of any year since our 2006 opening. This success is largely due to the unprecedented advance sales of our annual 6-week musical theatre talent competition LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011, and a series of spectacular debuts by such outstanding Broadway/Nightclub headliners as Nita Whitaker, Jason Graae, Maxine Lapiduss, and Suzanne Petrela. Notable Southland Musical Directors such as James Lent, Nelson Kole, John Boswell, and Michael Orland (of American Idol) also contributed to our 2011 kickoff.'

ollowing its most lucrative successful January/February ever, Executive Producer Michael Sterling of Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA says 'We are blessed to have enjoyed the most lucrative beginning of any year since our 2006 opening. This success is largely due to the unprecedented advance sales of our annual 6-week musical theatre talent competition LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011, and a series of spectacular debuts by such outstanding Broadway/Nightclub headliners as Nita Whitaker, Jason Graae, Maxine Lapiduss, and Suzanne Petrela. Notable Southland Musical Directors such as James Lent, Nelson Kole, John Boswell, and Michael Orland (of American Idol) also contributed to our 2011 kickoff.'

ollowing its most lucrative successful January/February ever, Executive Producer Michael Sterling of Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA says 'We are blessed to have enjoyed the most lucrative beginning of any year since our 2006 opening. This success is largely due to the unprecedented advance sales of our annual 6-week musical theatre talent competition LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011, and a series of spectacular debuts by such outstanding Broadway/Nightclub headliners as Nita Whitaker, Jason Graae, Maxine Lapiduss, and Suzanne Petrela. Notable Southland Musical Directors such as James Lent, Nelson Kole, John Boswell, and Michael Orland (of American Idol) also contributed to our 2011 kickoff.'

ollowing its most lucrative successful January/February ever, Executive Producer Michael Sterling of Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA says 'We are blessed to have enjoyed the most lucrative beginning of any year since our 2006 opening. This success is largely due to the unprecedented advance sales of our annual 6-week musical theatre talent competition LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011, and a series of spectacular debuts by such outstanding Broadway/Nightclub headliners as Nita Whitaker, Jason Graae, Maxine Lapiduss, and Suzanne Petrela. Notable Southland Musical Directors such as James Lent, Nelson Kole, John Boswell, and Michael Orland (of American Idol) also contributed to our 2011 kickoff.'

Broadway's Ben Vereen will release a new live album entitled, 'Steppin' Out With Ben Vereen' on February 15. To be released with Sh-K-Boom Records, the album features Vereen's July 2010 performance at Hartford Stage.

On Sunday January 16, songbird Nita Whitaker returned to Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's for a joyfully rousing concert full of great singing and indomitable humor. I am always thrilled when a cabaret exceeds my initial expectations. I had heard Whitaker sing on her website, so I knew I was in for a pleasurable evening, but what I got was a star-stature talent that must be experienced first hand. She is beautiful, very funny and a helluva scintillating singer.

Broadway's Ben Vereen will release a new live album entitled, 'Steppin' Out With Ben Vereen' on February 15. To be released with Sh-K-Boom Records, the album features Vereen's July 2010 performance at Hartford Stage.

Cabaret at the Castle Proudly Presents Nita Whitaker in The Courage to Dream. The concert will feature Musical Direction by Nelson Kole.

Cabaret at the Castle Proudly Presents Nita Whitaker in The Courage to Dream. The concert will feature Musical Direction by Nelson Kole.

The near capacity performance of 'And The Award Goes To..' at the Alex Theatre celebrated Grammy, Oscar and, of course, TONY award-winning music as only the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles could.

The New York Pops led by Vincent Falcone and Eric Stern, celebrates its hometown on Friday, November 7, 2008 at 8 p.m. at Carnegie Hall in a program entitled 'A Love Letter to New York' featuring classic songs about New York City and the world premieres of original songs about the city by composer Kenneth Laub. Clint Holmes headlines the concert with special guests Ashley Brown, Laura Bell Bundy and Linda Hart. The program also includes songs by Stephen Sondheim and Cole Porter. Ms. Bundy, Ms. Hart, and Mr. Holmes will make their Carnegie Hall debuts.

Sterling's Upstairs in Studio City, CA is pleased to announce its March, 2008 roster of headliners Nick Palance, Jennifer Cetrone, Tricia Kelly and Kelly Meyersfield, and Jenna Gavigan.

Sterling's Upstairs, located at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City, CA., will celebrate its one year anniversary in June, 2007