Leslie Jordan
"Full Of Gin And Regret"
June 30 – July 5

In 1982, Leslie Jordan stepped off a Greyhound bus from the hills of Tennessee, said “hello” to Hollywood and has never looked back. With hundreds of television shows, films and commercials to his credit, he has become a familiar face on the entertainment scene. 

Leslie is the 2006 Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his delicious portrayal of “Beverley Leslie” on “Will and Grace.”  Television audiences will also remember him for his recurring roles on “Privileged,” “Ugly Betty,” “Boston Legal,” and “Reba.”

Feature film audiences will recognize Leslie from his performance as “Brother Boy” in Del Shores’ adaptation of his play “Sordid Lives’” with Olivia Newton-John, Delta Burke and Beau Bridges.  He is reprising the role in the television series based on the play and film for the cable network Logo.  Other upcoming feature film appearances include “Love Ranch” in a wonderful scene with Helen Mirren directed by Taylor Hackford. 

On stage, Mr. Jordan won the Ovation Award, The Garland Award and The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his portrayal of “Preston Leroy,” the aging, sodden barfly in Del Shores hit play “Southern Baptist Sissies.”
                                                                     
Mr. Jordan has enjoyed considerable success as a writer.  His book My Trip Down the Pink Carpet for Simon and Schuster is currently in bookstores.  Material from the book formed the basis of a 90-minute one-man show, which had a successful 45 city book-signing/performance tour in 2008.  A dvd of the show shot during performances in Atlanta will be released.

Leslie’s autobiographical one-man show “Like a Dog on Linoleum” performed to sold-out audiences at the Elephant Asylum Theater in Los Angeles, the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, the Bailiwick Theater in Chicago, the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta and the Lorraine Hansberry Theater in San Francisco.

Mr. Jordan’s play “Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far” ran to sold-out houses in Los Angeles and had a successful seven month run Off-Broadway at the Playhouse on Van Dam in New York City.  His screenplay “Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel” won the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival’s Production Grant Award, winning the competition from over 600 other scripts. Subsequently, it was made into an independent feature film distributed by Northern Arts Entertainment.                                                            

scott alan
"Just Me ...And Them: The Songs of Scott Alan"
July 3 • 11pm

Composer and Lyricist Scott Alan has sold out concert halls and theatre venues in New York, Chicago and London and on July 3rd, will take the stage in San Francisco for the very first time. This one night only, intimate concert, will feature  many guest surprise performers from the casts of Spamalot and Wicked.  

The concert will feature the talents of Spamalot's Merle Dandridge and Wicked's Alexa Green, Celisse Henderson, Vicki Noon and Eddy Rioseco.

Expect songs from Alan's recordings "Dreaming Wide Awake" and "Keys" as well as tunes from his musical Piece.

Scott Alan wrote the book, music and lyrics for the musical Detour, which was seen in Los Angeles. His current theatre projects include Piece, which was featured at the 2003 Palo Alto TheatreWorks festival, the 2005 NAMT festival and the 2007 Festival of New Musicals at Village Theatre; and the song cycle The Warmth of the Womb. He also produces the monthly Monday Nights, New Voices concert at the Duplex.  Alan's music is available on his website and at iTunes.

MARGA GOMEZ  (SF Bay Guardian’s “Best Comedian 2008) is an award winning standup comic, playwright and actress. She tours internationally as one of the first openly gay comediennes and can soon be seen on the LOGO TV network as well as on HBO and PBS specials. She is also the writer and performer of eight solo plays which have been performed internationally. She will be going joke to joke with Michele, two hilarious comics, with something for everyone.  

MICHELE BALAN was one of the four finalists on NBC's Last Comic Standing and she is The Last Woman Comic Standing! She recently opened for The Smothers Brothers and is a brash, New York Stand-up comic who has performed on Comedy Central as well as in top comedy clubs, theatres, festivals all over the country.

BRYCE JONES is a 14 year old comedian from the bay area he started comedy when he was 11 years old and began to do it more professionally when he was 14. In 2007 and 2009 he was a finalist in the Rooster T Feathers comedy competition. He has performed at some of the bay area's top comedy clubs and venues and was a featured comedian at one of the Mark Pitta and Friends shows at the Throckmorton Theatre. 

the zapp band
July 10, 2009 • 10pm

One of the most underrated funk groups of the 1980s, Zapp revolutionized the computer pop of electro with their trademark vocoder talk boxes and bumping grooves, emulating the earthier side of Prince and Cameo , with a leader in Roger Troutman who was more than efficient at polished production. The family group, with brothers Roger , Lester , Larry , and Tony Troutman, grew up in Hamilton, OH, influenced by hometown heroes the Ohio Players as well as Parliament and other funk groups. Tony was the first to begin recording, with an obscure single for Gram-O-Phon Records, "I Truly Love You," which scraped the R&B charts in 1976. Joined by his brothers (with Roger on vocals and guitar, Lester on drums, Larry on percussion, and himself contributing bass) and christened Zapp, the group played around the Midwest and gradually picked up backing vocalists (Bobby Glover , Jannetta Boyce), keyboard players (Greg Jackson , Sherman Fleetwood) and a horn section (Eddie Barber, Jerome Derrickson , Mike Warren).

Zapp's following quickly gained notices, and Bootsy Collins himself was hired on to work with the group on their debut album. Released in 1980, Zapp hit the Top 20 on the pop charts, thanks to the single "More Bounce to the Ounce." The following year, Roger worked on Funkadelic 's The Electric Spanking of War Babies and released his solo debut album, The Many Facets of Roger. His special cover of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," complete with vocoderized talk box, pushed the album into gold territory (as Zapp had done). Zapp II appeared in 1982 and proved just as popular as the group's first, including Zapp's only number one R&B single, "Dance Floor."

"The famously private legend, Doris Day, refuses to speak about her remarkable career. Mary is one of the few people to have interviewed her: she wrote and produced the highly acclaimed PBS documentary, 'Doris Day: A Sentimental Journey.'  Mary did extensive interviews with Day herself, as well as with some of the star's friends and fans: actor Tony Randall, film critic Molly Haskell, writer John Updike and Day's son Terry Melcher. For her show at The Rrazz Room, Mary will not only sing Doris's praises, but will recount the time she spent with the star," explains press notes.

Mary will be performing songs from such films as The Man Who Knew Too Much ("Que Sera Sera"), Love Me or Leave Me ("It All Depends On You" and "Shakin' The Blues Away"), Jumbo ("Why Can't I") and April in Paris ("That's What Makes Paris Paree"), in addition to selections from the albums "Day by Day" ("I Remember You") and "Latin For Lovers" ("Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"). She will be joined by Musical Director Don Rebic.

After Hours with
Russ Lorenson
with Special Guest Alexandra Kaprielien
July 18, 2009 • 10:30pm

Russ Lorenson has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop, the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Jazz Review says that "Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick; he is his own man."

Nominated for a 2007 MAC Award by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, Russ Lorenson's passion for the stage started as a youngster, with a performing career that began at age seven in his home town of Philadelphia. As an actor he has appeared in award-winning musical productions with theatre companies throughout the US. As a vocalist he has toured the US, UK and Europe, appearing in concert with such luminaries as Broadway stars Karen Mason ("Hairspray", "Mamma Mia", "Sunset Boulevard"), Teri Ralston ("Company", "A Little Night Music"), and Dale Kristien ("Phantom of the Opera"), "Queen of Cabaret" Andrea Marcovicci, jazz diva Wesla Whitfield, and as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt.

The San Francisco Examiner said that "Lorenson is part of the neo-croonerism pack that includes Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, Jamie Cullum and Peter Cincotti", and Cabaret Scenes declares that Lorenson "possesses one of the great male voices in cabaret."

Alexandra Kaprielienis a favorite to local theatre audiences where she has appeared in multiple productions at theatres around the Bay Area, including two at San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon along with Russ.  Alexandra and Russ have also toured together in "Nunsense Jamboree" starring Lee Meriwether.   She recently completed the national tour of "Nunsense, the 25th Annivesary Tour" starring Sally Struthers, and has appeared regionally in "Nunsense" starring Cindy Williams, and "Nunsense 2: The Second Coming" starring Marcia Wallace.  She has been featured in concert with Broadway stars Rebecca Luker and Brent Barrett, and in Jason Graae's cabaret act. She appears on the recordings of "First Rose of Summer" and Russ Lorenson's holiday CD, "What I Want For Christmas," and is currently at work on her own debut CD.

KRXA Radio Host
KAREL Stands Up!
July 25, 2009 • 10pm

He’s one of the most listened to and published openly gay men in the country, so when a controversial off-air (so he thought) comment about a certain plumber got out, the Right went crazy and Karel suddenly became part of the most historic election news cycle of all time. The fallout was Karel losing his #1 show on the #1 station in the market, but it led him back to the stage where he is always live and uncensored. Biting wit, splitting comedy, painful truths and hysterical life stories make the stage show everything the radio show is and more. In March of 2009 Karel returned to radio in multiple markets and continues to tour on stage with Karel Stands Up. A new book is slated for release and TV appearances continue; proving when knocked down throughout the years, Karel Stands Up.

Karel (Charles Karel Bouley) is host of the syndicated "Karel Show" heard in Santa Cruz/Monterey on KRXA 1150 AM. He has had #1 talk shows at Citadel/ABC’s flagship station, KGO AM 810 San Francisco (#1 overall station) and for KFI AM 640 Los Angeles. He has been an entertainment reporter and film critic for KNX 1070 Los Angeles (CBS). Karel also has filled in for Bill Press on his national show on a regular basis.

He is a blogger for the HuffingtonPost.com and has been a columnist for the #1 gay/lesbian newsmagazine The Advocate at Advocate.com and IN Magazine Los Angeles, as well as Billboard and others. His book of essays “You Can’t Say That” is published by Alyson Press. His music is available at iTunes and other online stores and he maintains a blog, podcasts and message boards at radiokrl.com and can be reached at karel@crkb2.com.

Liz  Kennedy
and The Clean White Shirt Band
July 26, 2009

Liz Kennedy is a singer-songwriter from San Francisco.  At the piano, her blend of blues, folk rock, R&B, and 30s jazz suggests some of her influences (Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Paul Simon, and Cole Porter) yet she has her own earthy style.  Beautifully crafted melodies and lyrics create a mood of intimacy and intelligence seldom heard in today’s contemporary music.  She will perform songs from her three CDs with first class studio musicians:  Joel Jaffe, renowned producer/engineer of Studio D, (Ringo Starr, Maria Muldaur, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, and Carlos Santana), Eamonn Flynn on keyboards (The Commitments, Elvin Bishop), Billy Johnson on drums (Santana, Maze), Don Bassey (Volker Strifler Band) and Jim Rothermel on horns (Boz Skaggs, Van Morrison, John Prine). Background vocalists Keta Bill (Steve Miller, Van Morrison, and Kenny G) and Omega Brooks (Blackalicious, Dozie) keep the rhythms and harmonies vibrant.  
 
“Kennedy's supporters like to tag her as "Bonnie Raitt without the slide guitar," … (she) sings from her piano bench with the subdued tone of an artist not seeking attention but earning it.”
- Nate Seltenrich, East Bay Express
 
"Liz's smoky voice reminds us of hot sultry nights, a New Orleans bar at 3am, quietly reflecting life. Her piano driven songs are classic and enduring, packed with meaning. Poignant and reflective..."
- Cindy Badell-Slaughter, Heavy Hitters Music Group, Los Angeles

Margery Bailey is " Better Than You Think."
July 27, 2009

 Carol Burnett on acid is an accurate description of this rising talent... Razor sharp comedic timing . ..Soulful and polished voice spins stirring melodies. She inspires laughter that may cause loss of muscle control. Diapers optional. Kleenex provided.

Eve Marie Shahoian - CD Release Show!
July 29, 2009  
 
After a sold out Triumphant performance at The Rrazz Room  last February, Eve Marie returns to celebrate her CD Release Waiting For You, which marks her debut as a contemporary singer/songwriter, and features  well known  jazz and popular standards  with her unique styling and arrangements. 
 
Recognized nationally and internationally by age nine as a vocal prodigy, Eve Marie debuted on " The Tonight Show" and shared the stage with great legends such as, Michael Douglas, Liberace and Johnny Carson.  
"When Eve Sings, People Listen"- Lisa Levitt, Associated Press
 
Departing from the pint-sized Soprano image that made her famous, Eve Marie makes her re-entrance in the music scene as a singer/ songwriter with vocal virtuosity, and heart. She has sung under the Great Maestro Shostakovich, the Baton of the late Calvin Simmons, and Michael Morgan with the Oakland Symphony. Today she captivates audiences throughout the Bay Area and Internationally from The Bankhead Theatre in Livermore to the Banqueting House in Whiteball London once again revealing why she has stood with the stars.
 
"Influenced by Celine Dion, Shahoian has the same wide appeal"
- Liz Skow, Tribune
 
" 'Waiting For You' is my greatest dream, and  encapsulates my deepest longings, remembrances and reflections of the past and present".
–Eve Marie Shahoian
 
The show is led by Eve Marie's Producer, Bay Area Keyboardist, Tony Lufrano, who brings skills that have been seen and heard Internationally and shared with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Huey Lewis &The News, and Robben Ford. This is a  band of great distinction with Bill Belasco on drums, Tony Malfatti on sax, Paul Olguin on bass, and Ric Wilson on electric and acoustic guitar.
 
Please join us in a musical celebration featuring original music, Jazz, R&B, Popular and Broadway show tunes all wrapped up in  magical evening that will captivate your heart and rejuvenate your spirit.

Mark Nadler   "....His Lovely Wife, Ira"
Ira Gershwin with and without George
July 30-August 2, 2009 • 7:00pm

  Mark Nadler, who Robert Hurwitt of the San Francisco Chronicle hailed as "A commanding, energetic and inventive stylist ...very funny and musically enchanting", brings his dazzling talents to the extraordinary catalog of Ira Gershwin.  Ira Gershwin, who most famously wrote lyrics to the melodies of his brother, George Gershwin, also created classics with Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen and many others who are among the greatest tunesmiths of the Twentieth Century.  Nadler presents the most well-known and the most obscure of Ira Gershwin's work in fresh arrangements that range from poignant, to playful to thrilling.  Amusing and illuminating anecdotes round out this celebration of life and lyrics to create a show that is rich, absorbing and most of all, vastly entertaining.  

JOHN KELLY
Paved Paradise Redux – The Music of Joni Mitchell
July 30-August 2, 2009 • 9pm 

"It ranks as one of the most honest, tender and inherently theatrical moments of the year." - NY Post

 The extraordinary performance artist John Kelly is currently touring a new version of his legendary theatrical homage to the music of the great Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell.

The show’s concept is daringly simple: Joni in concert, with Kelly on vocals,guitar and dulcimer, backed by piano and bass. The “score” is an array of songsfrom the various stages of her career; the “book” of the show is her actual words, culled form interviews, and pirated concert recordings. The show can vary inlength from 90 minutes with no intermission, to 2 hours with an intermission; it can also include an interactive video component. It has successfully played in  venues ranging from intimate nightclubs and cabarets to more formal concert and museum halls.

In Paved Paradise Redux, John Kelly has created a work that is at once haunting and hilarious; his musicianship is at its finest in an event that satisfies even the most hardened Joni-phile; the original arrangements, from acoustic to electric, are utterly intact, and Kelly's spot-on original-key recreation of her vocals is uncanny. This is no ordinary drag show.

The New York Times said: " There's drag, and then there's transformation through spiritual osmosis, and that's what John Kelly accomplishes with this tribute to the queen of the singer-song writers. . . Magnificent." 

The Boston Globe had this to say: "No less a critic than Joni Mitchell herself has been surprised by the impact of Kelly's cabaret tribute. 'I was braced for a lampooning,' she told The New York Times after seeing "Paved Paradise" in Manhattan in 1997. 'I didn't expect to be so touched. I cried in two places.' Mitchell… is now one of Kelly's biggest fans ."

Freddie Jackson dominated the R&B charts during the latter half of the '80s. Freddie’s forte was sophisticated, romantic soul ballads aimed at adult audiences, but he was also capable of tackling urban contemporary dance fare and even the occasional jazz tune. The title track from Freddie's debut album Rock Me Tonight stormed the R&B charts, spending a whopping six weeks at number one, and made Jackson an instant sensation on urban contemporary radio. "You Are My Lady" gave him a second straight R&B chart-topper, and also proved to be his highest-charting single on the pop side, peaking at number 13. With "He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)" and "Love Is Just a Touch Away" also hitting the R&B Top Ten, Rock Me Tonight topped the R&B album charts and went platinum. Freddie Jackson wasted no time issuing a follow-up set; Just Like the First Time appeared in 1986 on the heels of a number one R&B duet with Melba Moore, "A Little Bit More" (from her album A Lot of Love). Another platinum seller, Just Like the First Time continued Jackson's incredible dominance of the R&B singles charts; "Tasty Love," "Have You Ever Loved Somebody," and "Jam Tonight" all hit number one, while "I Don't Want to Lose Your Love" went to number two.

EDIE recently made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated revival of “The ThreePenny Opera” starring Alan Cumming,Cyndi Lauper, Jim Dale, Ana Gastyer and Nellie McKay, at the legendary Studio 54. In addition to Broadway, EDIE has performed everywhere from the MTV Video Music Awards with Roseanne at Radio City Music Hall to the Rosie O’Donnell Show to Caroline’s Comedy Club for over a year with two-time Emmy-winner Judy Gold. She has performed at Wigstock, was featured twice at Broadway Bares, and in the Actor’s Fund benefit concert of "Funny Girl" with Bebe Neuwirth and Whoopi Goldberg. Edie is a regular performer on Atlantis, the largest gay cruise ever, and has toured the country with Lady Bunny in "Absolut Live!," having performed at the House of Blues in L.A. and at Disney Gay Days in Orlando as the opening act for Cyndi Lauper. EDIE lit up both the small screen and the big screen in the feature film, "Pot Luck," and on HBO’s Emmy-winning "Sex and the City."

Buddy Greco In Concert!
also starring Lezlie Anders
and featuring Buddy Greco, Jr. on drums
August 18 – 19, 2009
 
Known by his colleagues as a "singer's singer" and a "musician's musician," Buddy Greco has sold more than one million records. He is well-known for releasing songs from every genre, from jazz to country to pop music. He has performed on stage, on film and on television.
 
Fans of music from the 50s, 60s and the Ratpack era will recognise Buddy Greco as a jazz singer and pianist without peer.

He was the pianist with the Benny Goodman Orchestra before going on to top the charts with ‘The Lady is a Tramp’. He has played every major concert hall in the world, every hotel in Las Vegas, appeared in the Royal Command Performance, on the same bill as the Beatles and is one of the true legends from the golden era of entertainment.

Buddy Greco is still an incredible performer; perhaps the last from what many consider was the golden era of entertainment. Buddy’s voice, timing and distinctive style is a great example of an art form, which is disappearing, but has a following of millions.

Kim Nalley & Rhoda Scott
August 21, 22 • 10:00pm

Kim Nalley
"Nalley is the best singer, any style, I have heard in years. She's young, sharp and hip; looks great, enjoys singing and knows all the moves of a knockout performer."
Phil Elwood- San Francisco Examiner
Recently named one of the "Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area," Kim Nalley has an international reputation as one of world's best jazz & blues vocalists.

WITH

Rhoda Scott – World Famous Jazz Organist    
"A Great, A Very Great Virtuoso" - Arthur Rubinstein

Lorna Luft's acclaimed career spans all facets of the entertainment industry. A versatile performer, she has found success as a vibrant concert singer, recording artist, motion picture, theatre and television actor, best-selling author and producer. Born to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, she began her career at age eleven on her mother's TV show and has flourished ever since. Most recently Lorna has been touring with the stage show, Songs My Mother Taught Me, and released her debut CD of the same name, produced by Barry Manilow and Colin R. Freeman.

Phantazmic
An Intimate Evening of Magic and Ghosts
August 28-29, 2009

Award winning star of stage and screen (OUTfest "Best Actor" winner for the smash hit comedy ANOTHER GAY MOVIE), Michael Carbonaro has entertained audiences across the globe with his dazzling blend of wit, magic and comedic absurdity.  Venturing into the bizarre, this daring young brat hosts a rousing evening of dark magic, insane acts, and an honest to goodness séance demonstration that will send shivers up your spine and prove the existence of life beyond the grave.  But, don’t worry; it’s all in good fun… Right?
Maybe you shouldn’t sit too close…

LUA HADAR with TWIST in French Connection
September 13, 2009 • 3 pm

Just back from Paris, and following acclaimed performances in New York and Bangkok, Lua Hadar debuts a new show of “jazz without borders,” with her high-octane band, TWIST. The show features new arrangements of international standards, original songs, and of course, lots of French tunes.

Lua Hadar sings jazz influenced by pop, funk, Latin and international cabaret. This astonishingly talented, multi-lingual, Broadway-influenced performer has garnered raves around the world.

Hadar’s love for The Great American Songbook, her appreciation for new songwriting, and her fascination with world cultures influence her music. A unique and original vocalist with a soaring range, Lua interprets lyrics in several languages with a charming, swinging delivery.

Marilyn Maye
Long Awaited Return To San Francisco!
September 15- 20, 2009

The late Johnny Carson called her “Super Singer.” Ella Fitzgerald dubbed her “The greatest white female singer in the world” and the Smithsonian Institution chose her recording of “Too Late Now” for inclusion in its Best Performers of the Best Compositions of the 20th Century permanent collection, along with other greats such as Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Catch this living legend in a rare San Francisco appearance.

$35 • 40   Opening night special! – $30     PURCHASE TICKETS        www.MarilynMaye.comNew York Times Review

Lily Alunan
In Concert!
October 7, 2009 • 7pm

ABS-CBN International is proud to present acclaimed Bay Area vocalist Lily Alunan in concert as part of the “So In Love” tour. 

"Lily Alunan's voice is rich in quality and her music is very entertaining." – Mr. Pete Escovedo, legendary percussionist

"Lily Alunan has a clear, silky-smooth and confident voice; she is the perfect match for the songs on her new CD." - James Gardiner, Grammy-nominated sound engineer

Back by popular demand and fresh off her featured performances at Los Angeles’ Catalina Bar & Grill and the San Francisco Fil-Am Jazz Festival, San Francisco’s own Lily Alunan returns to the Rrazz Room, where her current CD tour began with a sold-out show in January 2009, bringing her trademark repertoire of jazz, Brasilian, R&B and Broadway standards.

“So in Love really is the soundtrack of my life, from my earliest childhood memories to the present.  The songs reflect the truly eclectic mix of musical influences that helped shape me, influences that include Jobim, Ella, Sergio Mendes, Stevie Wonder, and Broadway show tunes.  These are the influences that made me love music.” – Lily Alunan

Performing with Lily will be musical director/arranger, Kenny Penalver on piano, Ben Luis on bass, Raffy Lopez on guitar, Mio Timbalero Flores on percussion, Mark Foglia on drums and special guest, Melecio Magdaluyo on saxophone.

Please join us as this beautiful, graceful and critically acclaimed singer takes the familiar for a fresh and distinctly different spin with her classy stylings and imaginative arrangements.  Be ready to remember, rediscover, and re-enjoy some classic standards, as you’ve never heard them before.

Emmy-winning comedian Judy Gold returns with her outrageous stand-up comedy after last year's triumphant 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother. Bold, brass, and clocking in at 6'3", Judy is ready to divulge all the comic highs and lows of being a Jewish, lesbian, working mom raising two boys in New York City. Judy's electric humor and outlandish opinions are enough to keep anyone rolling in the aisle all night long.
Judy Gold's stand-up specials include "Comedy Central Presents Judy Gold," "Comedy Central Tough Crowd Stands Up" and a half-hour special on HBO, which received a Cable Ace Award. She hosts HBO's "At the Multiplex With Judy Gold", won an Emmy Award for her work on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," and was featured in the hit film The Aristocrats.

"Brady Bunch" star Florence Henderson, who bowed on Broadway in Wish You Were Here, brings her new cabaret act to San Francisco's Premiere Nightclub, The Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko starting October 20.

All the Lives of Me features songs from Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music and Annie Get Your Gun. The singing actress also offers anecdotes about "a life on the boards of Broadway and the Brady set."

On Broadway, Henderson was seen in Wish You Were Here, Fanny and The Girl Who Came to Supper, and she also starred in the national tour of The Sound of Music. Best known as Carol Brady on TV's "The Brady Bunch," Henderson's other screen credits include "The Love Boat," "Glitter," "Finder of Lost Loves," "Murder, She Wrote," "Roseanne," "Ally McBeal" and "For Heaven's Sake." She was a co-host of NBC's "Later Today," and was recently seen in the film "Venus and Vegas."

Musical Direction: Don Rebic
Directed By: Eric Michael Gillet

Karen Akers, one of America's most arresting and successful concert and cabaret stars, presents Simply Styne, an evening of music utilizing the well-known  melodies of Jule Styne, one of the worlds most popular and prolific composers , whose musical collaborations have yielded such familiar standards as “Just in Time,” “Make Someone Happy,” “Time After Time,” and “I Fall In Love Too Easily.” In addition, his melodies  for the Broadway scores of Funny Girl, Gypsy and Bells Are Ringing, have put songs including  “People,” “Everything's Coming Up Roses,” and “The Party's Over,” into the Great American Songbook. It's a match made in musical heaven  Stephen Holden of the New York Times calls “Simply Styne”  “Extraordinary” and “A moving, witty cabaret answer to “Scenes From a Marriage.”

It's MADAME With An E!
October 29 – 31, 2009 • 10pm

Diva of Decadence — She sings, swears and tosses around one liners that few comedians are brave enough to mention ...
It's Halloween Weekend and Madame is pulling out all the stops for her return to San Francsico!
It's MADAME With An E!

WING
November 2, 2009

Wing Han Tsang, the singer popularly known as Wing, has in a few short years achieved world-wide fame and a cult following that transcends borders and languages. When Wing sings, you cannot miss her sincerity and the pure joy she has for singing. With her unique voice and determined spirit, she has achieved what many singers can only dream of doing....

Wing's 16th CD " Beat It" is now available HERE and from CDBaby. It will soon be available at Apple iTunes.
Samples of tracks from Beat It are available HERE.

R & B Legends Ashford & Simpson make a very rare San Francisco concert appearance!
Famed as singers, performers, songwriters, and a successful production team, their careers span over 30 years with countless #1 hits, such as "Solid", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand", "The Boss", "I'm Every Woman", "Don't Cost You Nothing" and more.

Freda Payne’s prolific career began in the 60's, working with jazz legends such as Pearl Bailey, Lionel Hampton, Billy Eckstine, Quincy ]ones and many others. Freda went on to score with 2 million selling singles - Bring The Boys Home and Band Of Gold. In the 80s, Freda concentrated on acting and television, briefly hosting her own talk show, but never losing touch with her music. Her indelible mark on the music industry continues to be made. Whether singing pop, jazz, or R&B, there are few singers finer that Freda Payne.

Linda Purl & Lee Lessack
Too Marvelous For Words - The Songs Of Johnny Mercer
November 23 - 25

A true American treasure, Johnny Mercer's songs are woven into the fabric of this country's pop culture. Join award winning recording artist Lee Lessack and Broadway/television favorite Linda Purl in a tribute to Mercer's astonishing legacy.


2009 marks the 100th Birthday of American master Johnny Mercer and music lovers around the world will celebrate all year long. The Rrazz Room is proud to present Broadway and television star Linda Purl and Cabaret Legend Lee Lessack in a powerhouse evening as they sing their way through the heartwarming music of Georgia's favorite son. Lessack and Purl bring Mercer to life weaving  heretofore unknown stories with such timeless tunes as "Moon River", "Autumn Leaves", "Black Magic", "My Shining Hour", "Come Rain or Come Shine" and many more.

Equally at home on stage or on screen, award-winning actress Loretta Devine has created some of the most memorable roles in theatre, film and television. Devine first captured national attention in the role of Lorrell, one of the three original “Dreamgirls” in Michael Bennett’s classic award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. She followed that performance with a fiery portrayal of Lillian in Bob Fosse’s critically acclaimed stage production“Big Deal.” Subsequent work in George C. Wolfe’s “Colored Museum” and “Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill,” cemented Devine’s status as one of the most talented and versatile stage actresses.

Film roles soon followed including a poignant turn as a single mother opposite Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett and Gregory Hines in “Waiting to Exhale” which earned her a NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress. Devine also won an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Penny Marshall’s “The Preacher’s Wife.” Devine also received an IFP “Spirit” Award nomination for Best Actress for her work in “Women Thou Art Loosed.” Devine was featured in the Academy Award-winning film “Crash” and thehit movie of “Dreamgirls.” Additional film credits include appearances in the successful “Urban Legend” franchise, “I Am Sam” opposite Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Pean, “Kingdom Come,” “What Women Want,” “Punks,” “Hoodlums,” “Down in the Delta” and “Stanley and Iris.” Devine also appeared in “Sticky Fingers,” “Amos and Andrew,” “The Breaks,” “The Price of Kissing,” “Lover Girl,” “Class Act,” “Living Large,” “Caged Fear” and “Little Nikita.” Most recently Devine co-starred in two Sony Screen Gems films, “This Christmas” and “First Sunday”. Both films opened Number 1 at the box office. Rounding out her 2007 slate of films was the film festival favorite “Dirty Laundry” and the 2008 release of the animated feature “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” for Disney starring Drew Barymore. Ms Devine voices the character of Delta, the chocolate brown toy poodle.

On television, Devine can be seen in ABC’s sophomore series, “Eli Stone” , as well as her recurring role as Adele on the hit ABC medical drama series “Grey’s Anatomy.” She received three NAACP Image Awards for her role on David E. Kelly’s Fox series “Boston Public.” Additional credits include series roles in “A Different World” and Lifetime Television’s “Wild Card.” Devine also provided the voice of Muriel Stubbs on the beloved animated series, “The PJ’s.” Devine graduated from the University of Houston and later received a Master of Fine Arts in Threatre Arts from Brandeis University. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Drag superstar JACKIE BEAT has been entertaining audiences across the U.S. and in Europe for over ten years with her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies. Jackie not only warps hits by Britney Spears, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Cher and many others, but she flawlessly sings her twisted new versions LIVE – hitting every last note.

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY!

Fearless. Bold. Sparkly. Hilarious. That's Suzanne Westerhoefer in a nutshell. She made a career aout of telling the truth. And, the truth is, life is funny (and no one is off limits). From her sister's obsession with "Passion of the Christ" to her girlfriend's Herculean thighs, Suzanne tell stories that leave audiences in stitches.

An eclectic ride.  A varied songbook – from jazz tunes to Broadway to her hot Latin roots – Lucie weaves us through a fun tour of her life.  It's a celebration of all the good that can come of a forty-plus year long career of acting and performing.

Skip the Christmas caroling this year and spend a cozy winter's evening with Russ Lorenson and his special guests as they celebrate a jazzy Christmas, San Francisco style! With songs by such great composers and lyricists as Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, and Frank Loesser, there's something for everyone in this swinging evening of jingle jazz. Heard each year on "The Bay Area's Official Christmas Station - 96.5 KOIT-FM" with his recording of "Christmas in San Francisco," Russ has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Jazz Review says that "Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick; he is his own man." 
             
$30.00       PURCHASE TICKETS          www.russlorenson.com

Judy Butterfield - "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
December 26 • 8pm
December 27 • 5pm

Sweet, romantic, forward looking, and filled with various possible
emotions to explore.

"Someone to watch...preternaturally poised, Butterfield's sweet soprano is all her own.”
Time Out New York, June 2007

"Blessed with a stunning beauty and a lovely clear voice… This is surely one young lady “who can!”. "
Bonnie Weiss - Musical Theater Lovers United

"In short, Judy Butterfield is irresistible."
Robert Lee Hall - Piedmont Post

             
$35.00 ($17.50 Young Adult Price - Under 21)  PURCHASE TICKETS    JudyButterfield.com

Darlene Love
"LOVE For The Holidays"
December 30 – January 3, 2009

From her early career in the '60s with The Blossoms, to her first number one hit,"He's A Rebel," through her string of label hits with legendary producer Phil Spector, ("Da Doo Ron Ron," "He's Sure The Boy I'm Gonna Marry," and "Christmas Baby Please Come Home"), Darlene Love has blazed a trail of success in the music industry. She sang backup on countless songs for artists like Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, Cher and Aretha Franklin, and has been nominated to the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame. She has also proven herself a talented actress, on stage and screen, starring as Danny Glover's wife in all of the Lethal Weapon films and on Broadway in Grease and the Tony-award nominated Leader of the Pack. She has been featured in People magazine, on a CNN television documentary on her life, and on numerous national television programs, including TODAY, Rosie O'Donnell, Politically Incorrect, Donny & Marie and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She most recently starred as Motormouth Maybelle in Broadway's Hairspray. The Rrazz Room welcomes Darlene Love back to celebrate the New Year!

Thursday, December 31 2009 •10:30pm - The New Year's Eve Party of San Francisco! - $125.00 includes Party Favors, Countdown, Champagne Toast, Hot & Cold Buffet

$35.00 *Special Opening Night Price!  $45 • $75     PURCHASE TICKETS
DarleneLoveWorld.com    Darlene On MySpace    Darlene on YouTube

tyne daly
"Songs"
EXCLUSIVE WEST COAST PREMIERE!
Musical Director, John McDaniel
January 12 – 17, 2010

Ms. Daly has won six Emmy Awards, has been nominated for fourteen and is one of the industry’s most acclaimed and respected actors. She received for Emmys as outstanding lead actress in a Drama Series for her role in “Cagney and Lacey” on CBS television, a fifth Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in “Christy,” also on CBS. Her sixth Emmy was for Best Supporting Actress in a Drams in 2003 for her role in “Judging Amy,” appearing opposite Amy Brenneman, a role she also earned a 2001 and 1003 Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for, and five Emmy nominations before winning for an unprecedented sixth time.

Tyne’s other extensive television credits include starring roles in numerous movies including four Cagney and Lacey films, “The Perfect Mother,” “Kids Like These,” as well as “Intimate Strangers” for which she received an Emmy nomination, “The Entertainer,” “Larry” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” She has guest starred in many television series and starred in the CBS movie “The Wedding Dress.”

On Broadway, Ms. Daly has appeared in numerous productions including “Gypsy” for which she won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and “Mystery School” for which she received a nomination from the Outer Critics Circle for Best Solo Performance. She also won a DramaLogue Award for her performance in a Los Angels production of “Come Back, Little Sheba.” Her feature film credits include “John and Mary,” “Zoot Suit,” “The Enforcer,” “Telefon,” he Aviator,” “Movers and Shakers” and “The Simian Line.”

$45 • $50      PURCHASE TICKETS            Show Review from The New York Times

Andrea Marcovicci
Skylark, A Tribute to Johnny Mercer