Michael Hughes, Callandra Dendias & More Set for DEFYING GRAVITY: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ at Jazz Bistro Tonight

Vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, Mickey & Judy) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's Mamma Mia!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concert "Unexpressed" at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz tonight, June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro. With performances by special guests, including multiple East Coast Music Award nominee, John Connolly, Lindsey Frazier (star of Neptune Theatre's Legally Blonde), singer/songwriter Kritty Uranowski (Patti Cake), newcomer Joel Cumber, and accompanist Mark Selby.

Defying Gravity is a tribute to the music of Academy Award-winning composer, Stephen Schwartz, who celebrated his 65th birthday earlier this year. Featuring music from his Broadway musicals: Pippin, Wicked, Godspell, The Baker's Wife, The Magic Show, the West End's Children of Eden, and his songs from the movies: The Prince of Egypt, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocahontas, and Enchanted.

Michael Hughes is an award-winning singer, actor and writer. Most recently, Hughes appeared at the 11th Annual Cabaret Festival in Long Island, New York and the 5th Annual Global Cabaret Festival in Toronto. In 2012, Hughes toured his Canadian Comedy Award nominated one-man show Mickey & Judy to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (MTM: UK Award nomination), London's Leicester Square Theatre, and New York City's The Duplex Theatre, where he was nominated for a Broadway World Cabaret Award and awarded the 2013 New York City Bistro Award for Outstanding Debut. Other credits include Mickey & Judy (Best of Toronto Fringe 2011, NOW Magazine's Outstanding Production and Outstanding Performance, Broadway World Toronto Award nomination), The National Ballet of Canada's West Side Story Suite, Theatre North West's All Shook Up, and Gilbert Blythe in Anne and Gilbert. Michael was a featured guest of 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster on his sold-out concert tour, David Foster & Friends. His self-titled album was a 2010 Toronto Independent Music Award nominee for Best Adult Contemporary Album. www.mickehughes.com

London native, Callandra Dendias has performed all over the world but is best known to Toronto audiences for her role as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia! at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Theatre credits include: Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (KWCP), Country Sunshine (Victoria Playhouse) Diana Barry in Anne of Green Gables, and A Christmas Carol (The Grand Theatre). www.callandradendias.com

Featured Artist Bios:

John Connolly is a singer, songwriter, musical director and record producer. He is the recipient of five PEI Music Awards and two East Coast Music Award nominations. His latest album, The Wind, was recorded in Nashville with Producer Brian Ahern, who is noted for his classic albums with Emmylou Harris, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. It is available on iTunes. John has spent five seasons with the Charlottetown Festival and is currently developing a highly anticipated folk musical based on the life of Terry Fox. www.johnconnolly.ca

Lindsey Frazier was last seen starring as Elle Woods, in Neptune Theatre's production of Legally Blonde. Prior to that she appeared in A Miracle On 34th Street, and Hair (both for the Grand Theatre), West Side Story (Vancouver Opera), Peter Pan, and Cinderella (both for Ross Petty Productions), as well as six seasons with the Charlottetown Festival. The multi-talented Frazier has also appeared in television and film, a medium for which she now writes and produces.

Kritty Uranowski is a singer, actor, writer and director. Stage credits include the Dora Award winning Parfumerie (Soulpepper), The Wedding Singer (Stage West), Charlotte inFalsettos, and The Queen in Sleeping Beauty. Film and television credits include Hairspray, Til Death Do Us Part, The Firm and Patchtown. Kritty is the National voice of Home Hardware's television and radio advertising and performs regularly with her soul-inspired rock group, Patti Cake. Her album is available at www.patticake.bandcamp.com.

Accompanist, Mark Selby is a TV and online producer, writer, and researcher (mostly for live and live-to-tape network comedy series, variety specials, talk shows, and more). For the theatre, Mark is also a producer, composer, and director, recently staging the Canadian premiere of the musical High Fidelity and assistant directing Jerry Springer the Opera. He has also contributed theatre reviews for Canada's largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, and accompanied Michael Hughes for his award-winning performances of Mickey & Judy in New York City.

Defying Gravity: The Music Of Stephen Schwartz will take place tonight, June 18th at 9pm at the Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria Street (one block east of Dundas & Yonge). Music charge: $15. Reservations are strongly encouraged and available by calling (416) 363-5299 (J-A-Z-Z) or by visiting us online at www.jazzbistro.ca.

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