August 1, 2005

The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
San Francisco

CAST DETAILS

PERFORMERS

Christine Andreas

Susan Anton

Debby Boone

Cate Caplin

Mary Jo Catlett

Nancy Dussault

Gary Franco

Ray Garcia

Betty Garrett

Dorian Harwood

Tim Hockenberry

Sony Holland

Christa Jackson

Sally Kellerman

Michael Lee

Lorna Luft

Meg Mackay

Jon Maher

Pamela Meyers

Mark W. Smith

Kevin Spirtas

Paula West

Ron Abel
Musical Director

David Galligan
Director

CHRISTINE ANDREAS

Ms. Andreas recent engagements at the Café Carlyle and the Algonquin’s Oak Room prompted the New York Times to extol: “The Carlyle has selected the most obvious candidate from the next generation of Broadway sopranos”…”She delicately kills with the sheer beauty of her voice ”…”She finds a blend of lyricism and sweet sensuality that only the finest Broadway voices can conjure.” Liz Smith was moved to write: “Christine Andreas is everything anyone who loves romantic pop music could want - simply sine qua non.” Her Carnegie Hall debut was hailed as ‘brilliant’, ‘delicious’ and ‘sexy’ in Variety.

Best known for her work on the Broadway stage, Ms. Andreas burst onto the New York theatre scene starring a Eliza Doolittle in the 20th Anniversary production of “My Fair Lady” opposite the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Ian Richardson and garnering the Theatre World Award.

Ms. Andreas received two Tony nominations for her work as Laurey in “Oklahoma!” at the Palace Theatre and as Frankie Frayne in “On Your Toes” directed by the legendary George Abbott. Other Broadway credits include “Words and Music” with the late Sammy Cahn, Nancy in “Angel Street” with Dina Merrill, Rebecca in “Rags,” the short-lived Alice in the short-lived “Legs Diamond with the late, great and wonderful Peter Allen, and the Broadway bound and derailed Erte production of “Stardust.” Ms. Andreas created the role of Marguerite St. Just on Broadway in the recent production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” opposite Douglas Sills and Terrence Mann. The last two months of 2002 Ms. Andreas received rapturous notices for her portrayal of Vera Simpson in the Prince Music Theater’s production of Rogers and Hart’s “Pal Joey” in Philadelphia. Philadelphia rewarded her performance with a 2003 Barrymore Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a sold-out three-week engagement of her one-woman show, “Here's To The Ladies…”

Television credits include: “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Cosby Show,” PBS’ “Musical Comedy Tonite,” the evil shrink Taylor Benson on “Another World,” and as Ava Gardner in Fox’s mini-series, “Mia, Child of Hollywood.” Regionally, she has embraced Shakespeare to Sondheim from Alaska to Washington, D.C. Ms. Andreas has appeared in concert with the Richmond Symphony with Charles Strouse, the Tulsa Symphony with Peter Nero, the Detroit Symphony and the Boston Philharmonic last month conducted by Benjamin Zander . She opened the spring season of ’02 at the renowned Caramoor Festival in Katonah, NY and the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, California.

Collaboration with composer Martin Silvestri led to Andreas’ West End debut starring in his musical “The Fields of Ambrosia at the Aldwych Theatre in London followed by concerts in London, Paris, Rome and The White House and culminating in the release of her CD “Love Is Good.” “Here's To The Ladies',” their second CD collaboration, recorded in London with a 45 piece orchestra, was released by PS Classics and selected by USA Today as one of the top 10 CDs of 2002. The following year, USA Today once again honored Ms. Andreas by choosing her latest recording, “The Carlyle Set,” a sophisticated new CD of contemporary standards recorded with a quartet of New Yorks' most oustanding musicians, as one of the top ten CD's of 2003. After the release of the CD she returned to The Cafe Carlyle in New York for a repeat performance and repeated it at The Catalina Grill in Los Angeles. The LA Times called her a "mesmerizing musical presence". She just returned from the Jazz Series at the Kennedy Center and six sold-out performances. This is Christine’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

SUSAN ANTON

It was over 30 years ago that Susan Anton first burst into public consciousness and, ever since she has been captivating theater, television, and film-going audiences with an ingratiating style and easy charm that is found among only a handful of performers. Her five and a half year tenure in Las Vegas as Special Guest Star with the Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular and its renowned Rockettes, preceded by a 2 year U.S. national tour of the same production, makes her not only one of the most popular and glamorous stars on the Las Vegas Strip, but a true veteran of the theatre. During time off from the Radio City show, Susan headlined her own one woman show to sold-out audiences for two months at the prestigious Desert Inn Hotel and brought back to Las Vegas a type of entertainment rarely found there today.

Far removed from the glamour and lights of Las Vegas, however, was Susan’s early life…a life that bore more than just a slight resemblance to television’s Walton’s. The daughter of a police detective and the eldest of five children, Susan was raised in the small town of Oak Glenn, California on an apple ranch. Susan attended high school in the neighboring valley of Yucaipa. And, it was there, that her life began to change dramatically. On a dare from her high school boyfriend, she entered the Miss Redlands beauty contest. Entranced with the charisma of such performers as Doris Day, Susan Hayward, and Ginger Rogers, Susan elected to sing the torch song, “Since I Fell for You.” The powerful performance, aside from her intellect and obvious beauty, left the judges with no decision other than to award her the Redlands title. Susan continued her success in pageants by winning the Miss California crown in 1969 and went on to become second runner-up to Miss America in 1970

Susan appeared in numerous television commercials as the Muriel Girl. Her co-stars in those spots often included other budding stars such as Treat Williams and Tom Selleck. The campaign, hugely popular with the American public, was the catalyst for many appearances on the Las Vegas Strip, the first in which she headlined a production called “Turn it On” with French heartthrob Jean-Paul Vignon at the Hacienda Hotel. From that point forward, she appeared frequently on “The Merv Griffin Show” and quickly became one of Merv’s favorite guests. Susan’s appearances on Merv placed her firmly in the national spotlight and served as a launching pad for her transition into theater, films and television.

Susan made her Broadway debut by replacing Candice Bergen in David Rabe’s Tony nominated play “Hurleyburly,” directed by Mike Nichols. The show not only featured Susan, but a cast of both established stars and newcomers, including Danny Aiello, Kevin Spacey, and Frank Langella. Preceding “Hurleyburly,” she starred in the U.S. national touring company of the Neil Simon/Marvin Hamlisch musical “They’re Playing Our Song” and toured the U.S. with Elizabeth Ashley in “A Couple of White Chicks Sitting Around Talking”. She returned to Broadway in 1991 to co-star with Keith Carridine and the original Broadway cast of Tommy Tune’s Tony award winning musical “The Will Rogers Follies.”

Susan returned to the stage when she starred in Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” at the Alcazar Theatre in San Francisco (June 2001), the Canon and Coronet Theatres in Los Angeles (August 2001) and the Cashman Center Theatre in Las Vegas (October 2002). She continues to perform in Las Vegas and around the country annually.

Susan first emerged on the big screen in the film “Goldengirl,” and went on to appear in such other films as “Making Mr. Right” (with John Malkovich), “Cannonball Run II” (with Shirley MacLaine and Burt Reynolds) and “New Jersey Turnpikes” (with Kelsey Grammer). And, as she has in every other medium, Susan has been a significant star on the small screen. For three seasons, she was part of the cast of the world’s most popular television series “Baywatch” playing the role of Jackie Quinn. She starred in the international series “Sail Away with Susan Anton”, as well as The Travel Channel’s “Las Vegas!” produced by Susan and her husband, Jeff Lester. She also hosted “Perfect Buns”, one of the most prominent exercise infomercials on television.
Susan’s other television credits include the Warner Brother’s series “Nick Freno, Licensed Teacher;” NBC’s “City Guys;” the critically acclaimed Steven Bochco series “Civil Wars;” as well as “Quantum Leap,” “Night Court,” and “Murder She Wrote.” She starred in ABC’s “Cliffhangers” as well as her own variety show on NBC, “Presenting Susan Anton.” She has displayed her comic abilities on Gary Shandling’s “Larry Sanders Show,” “The Ben Stiller Show” and “Blossom.” This is Susan’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. . TOP

Debby Boone became a household name after seven years of touring with her sisters and father, Pat Boone, when she made an unprecedented entrance to solo performing by recording "You Light Up My Life" which was #1 for ten weeks, outranking even the Beatles. The song won an Oscar as Best Song in a Motion Picture and Debby won a Grammy as Best New Artist. Even when music tastes began to change from pop to heavy metal, she continued her recording career in the contemporary Christian category winning two more Grammy's. Debby's stage career has included starring as Maria in “Sound of Music” for the Lincoln Center's 30th Anniversary production, garnering her a Drama Desk nomination. She next starred on Broadway in “Grease” as Rizzo, a character she loved doing because it was "so against type for me" as well as starring in the national tour of “Meet Me In St. Louis.” During the summer of 1998 she starred in a musical revue, “Pizzaz” for three months at the Palace Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Last Christmas, Debby took her live stage show to Branson, Missouri and performed with her father, Pat Boone, at the Andy Williams Theatre. She has made many guest appearances on television, in musical variety shows as well as the ABC hit series, “Step By Step.” She recently starred in the very successful ABC TV movie “Come On, Get Happy” about the Partridge Family playing Beth Aarons, David Cassidy's manager. She also stars with Jim Varney in the family comedy, “Treehouse Hostage,” for Porchlight Pictures on the Disney Channel.

Debby's most recent book, “Counting Blessings,” published in 1998, is the latest in a series of very successful children's books she has written in collaboration with her husband, Gabriel Ferrer, who created the illustrations. Harvest House Publishers published her previous five books. Debby resides in Los Angeles with her husband Gabriel, their four children, two cats and one dog. While Debby appeared in “Help is on the Way for the Holidays II” in 2000, this is her third appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

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CATE CAPLIN

Cate is a 34 times regional and international dance champion and is a
current "US OPEN" and World Champion in Theatrical ShowDance. She received an Ovation Award for her work in the Westcoast Premier of the Broadway show “SWING!” and won multiple gold medals in this year's World Performing Arts competition. Her work has been seen on film, television, Broadway, and in prestigious venues worldwide including the White House, Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Paris Opera House, Hollywood Palladium, Ford’s Theatre, House of Blues, LA Theatre Center, Orpheum Theatre, NYC's Metropolitan Opera House, Palace of Fine Arts, the Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland and Shanghai China as a guest artist for an International Ballroom Spectacular. Cate is also a published writer - Her production company, Night & Day Entertainment, co founded by Vernon Willet, custom designs entertainment for corporate events, private parties, and industrial trade shows. Cate has directed and choreographed over 75 productions including “Little Shop of Horrors”, “She Loves Me,” “Smokey Joe's Cafe,” “Dames At Sea,” “All Night Strut,” “South Pacific,” “Sylvia,” “Damn Yankees,” “Jake's Women,” “Cinderella,’ “Ragtime,” “Jeckyl & Hyde,” “Dancing at Lughnasa,” “Most Happy Fella,” “How To Succeed in Business…,” “Godspell”, “Grand Hotel”, “Jubilee,” “Dear World,” “Camelot”, “King and I,” “Matchmaker,” “Fahrenheit 451,” “House of Bernarda Alba,” “Taming of the Shrew” and “A Little Night Music.” This is Cate’s 4th appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

MARY JO CATLETT

A versatile actress and comedienne, Ms. Catlett's career has spanned film, television, Broadway and regional theater. Her film credits include "Serial Mom," "The Champ", "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "O'Hara's Wife" and "Semi-Tough." On television, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Mary Finnegan on "General Hospital", was a regular on "Diff'rent Strokes", and appeared in such shows as "Murder She Wrote," "MASH," "Mr. Belvedere," "Bob Newhart," "Night Court," "Matlock," "Gimme a Break," "Saved by the Bell", "Fantasy Island", "Maude", and "Kojak". On Broadway, Ms. Catlett was the original Ernestina in "Hello Dolly!", played Mabel in "Pajama Game," and appeared in "Canterbury Tales," "Lysistrata" with Melina Mercouri, "Fashion", "Different Times" (as six different characters), "Promenade", "Play Me a Country Song", and "Something's Afoot." In regional theater, Mary Jo appeared as Madame de la Grand Bouche in "Beauty and the Beast," as Lotte in "Lettice and Lovage", Lola in "Come Back Little Sheba" (for which she won a LA Drama Critics Award), Mama Rose in "Gypsy," Mother Superior in "Nunsense", Madge in "Philadelphia Here I Come" (another LA Drama Critics Award), Annie in "Annie Get Your Gun," and with Robert Morse in "How to Succeed in Business." Audiences may also recognize her from her over 30 national commercials. Ms. Catlett’s most recent role was that of Mrs. Puff in “Spongebob Square Pants.” This is her seventh appearance in "Help is on the Way." TOP

NANCY DUSSAULT

Nancy is the daughter of a Navy Captain/pilot. She graduated from Northwestern University receiving the Young Artist’s Award and was twice soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. By graduation, she had performed in over 20 musicals in summer stock. Once in New York, Nancy was cast in the revival of “The Boyfriend,” appeared at the Upstairs at the Downstairs and sang with the New York City Opera in “Street Scene,” “The Cradle Will Rock,” and “The Mikado.” She made her Broadway debut in the musical “Do Re Me,” receiving the Theatre World Award and her first Tony Award nomination. She inherited the role of Maria in “The Sound of Music,’ followed by “Bajour,” (for which she received her second Tony nomination,) “Carousel” and “Finian’s Rainbow” at the New York City Center. Later she starred in Joseph Papp’s production of “Trelawney of the Wells” and returned to Broadway to star in “Side By Side By Sondheim,” and toured in “I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It On The Road.” She then starred in the Detroit Opera’s production of “Follies,” and again, returned to Broadway to star as the Witch in Sondheim’s “Into The Woods.” More recently, she has starred in “Alone Together,”’They’re Playing Our Song,” “The King and I,” “Shirley Valentine,” “Love Letters,” “I Do, I Do,” “Mame,” and “Same Time, Another Year.” Miss Dussault has starred in over 200 Television shows, from “The Ed Sullivan Show,” to “Murder, She Wrote,” but is perhaps best known as Ted Knight’s wife on “Too Close For Comfort” and as the original co-host, with David Hartman, on “Good Morning, America.” She made her motion picture debut in the cult-classic, “The In-Laws,” starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. Miss Dussault has recently returned to the concert halls performing with symphony orchestras throughout the country, and has brought her cabaret concert to the Russian Tea Room and The Firebird in New Yrok City, The Plush Room in San Francisco, as well as The Cinegrill and the Gardenia in Los Angeles. Nancy received an Emmy Award for her PBS program, “Cabaret Tonight” and has been the recipient of Northwestern University’s, Woman of The Year Award. For the past five years Nancy headed the Ray Bolger School of Musical Performance at UCLA, and has just completed performing in Somerset Maughm’s “The Constant Wife” at The Coconut Grove Playhouse, Miami, and at the Walnut St. Theatre, in Philadelphia. This is Nancy’s fourth appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

GARY FRANCO

Gary Franco was a featured dancer with the Boston Ballet, Disney's Symphonic Fantasy and the American Folk Ballet. He performed as the "headwaiter" in the first and second national tours of "CONTACT" (the winner of 4 Tony Awards including best musical in 2000). Both Gary and the show received rave reviews in their 600 performances in 35 cities. Since leaving the tour in mid 2003, Gary has performed at the Colony Theatre in “Grand Hotel,” at the Music Center in "A Little Night Music" and in “Aida” with LA Opera. He was featured in REPRISE's "Brigadoon," danced with Huey Lewis and the News, participated in the American Choreographer Awards Show, and has appeared on ABC's "General Hospital." He was highlighted dancing with his partner Cate in S.T.A.G.E.’s “A Salute to Andrew Lloyd Webber” at the Luckman Theatre and they were Guest Artists with the Carmel Ballet. Other memorable credits include "The Mask" with Jim Carrey and playing secret agent Sam Fisher in the international hit video game sensation "Splinter Cell." Gary can be seen in a currently running commercial for SBC Global and he recently shot a spot for Wendy's. He has performed in prestigious venues in Russia, Japan, Taiwan, and throughout Europe and the United States and was a ShowStopper National Champion. Gary is a multiple gold medalist, "Emerald Ball" champion and a Performing Arts World Champion in Theatrical ShowDance with dance partner, Cate Caplin. He most recently was featured in the musical film version of "The Producers." This is Gary’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.TOP

RAY GARCIA

Ray Garcia - a native Texan, is proud to be part of this wonderful project. His Broadway credits include: “Rent” ( Angel/ swing) , “Peter Pan” with Cathy Rigby and, in LA, “The Ten Commandments” with Val Kilmer at the Kodak Theatre. Regional: “Pippin,” “Fame,’ “West Side Story,” “Evita,” “Annie Get Your Gun” ( Tommy Keeler) , “LA Cage Aux Folles” ( Hanna), “Tommy,” and Jesus Christ Superstar.” TV : “Son of the Beach” ( guestBE star). Ray was also a part of “Rent” the feature film out in November. Thanks to David and Dan and to all his family and friends. Much love to Syl and Brian! This is Ray’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

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BETTY GARRETT

Betty Garrett is known to television audiences as Irene Lorenzo, Edith’s friend and Archie’s nemesis in “All In The Family,” and Edna Babish De Fazio, the landlady who married Laverne’s father in “Laverne and Shirley.” In movies, she was part of the “Golden Era” of MGM Musicals, appearing in “On The Town,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” “Neptune’s Daughter” and “Words and Music.” She also was in a musical version of “My Sister Eileen” at Columbia Pictures.

Ms. Garrett’s first love has always been the stage. She trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, where she studied dancing with Martha Graham and acting with Sanford Meisner. Her first appearances on the New York stage were with Martha Graham’s dance group and Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater. She went on to understudy Ethel merman in “Something For The Boys,” was featured in “Jackpot” and then starred in “Call Me Mister,” for which she won the Donaldson Award (forerunner of the Tony). Other Broadway shows have been Olsen & Johnson’s “Laffing Room Only,” “Beg, Borrow, or Steal,” “A Girl Could Get Lucky,” “Supporting Cast,” “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “Spoon River,” which originated in Los Angeles at Theatre West, the 40 year old workshop of which she is one of the founding members. This past May she directed the 40th anniversary revival production of “Spoon River Anthology” at Theatre West in Los Angeles. It was at this workshop she developed her one-woman show “Betty Garrett and Other Songs,” winning her the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award and the Bay Area Critics Award.

In 2002, Betty returned to Broadway where she appeared in Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies,” singing “Broadway Baby.” She has appeared twice at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in Oliver Hailey’s “Who’s Happy Now?” and Barbara Damashek’s “Quilters.” All of these adventures are related in Ms. Garrett’s recently released autobiography “Betty Garrett and Other Songs.”

Betty is the widow of Larry Parks, of “Jolson Story” fame. She has two sons; Garrett, a musician/composer, and Andrew, an actor. Ms. Garrett is a grandmother to Madison Claire, daughter of her son Garrett and daughter-in-law Karen Culliver (singer/actress). Her fondest memory as a performer was when she and her husband Larry played the famous London Palladium.This is her third appearance with “Help is on the Way.”

DORIAN HAREWOOD

Dorian Harewood has had his dreams come true several times in his singing and acting career. He has sung on the same bill with the legendary Four Tops on a sold-out tour of Europe. He has had the opportunity to vocally jam on stage with the incomparable Stevie Wonder in the gospel production, "Mama Don't". And he has had the distinct honor of performing on the largest and most prestigious stage in Las Vegas: the Las Vegas Hilton, with the great Gladys Knight.

In the world of television, Dorian holds the unique distinction of having portrayed the two largest roles in the most widely seen network AND non-network mini-series in the history of television! In the role of Simon Haley (father of the author Alex Haley) in "Roots: the Next Generations", the three-time NAACP Image Award winner aged from 17 to 70 years old, creating the largest role in the combined 26 hours of "Roots" I and II. And he is probably most recognized from his award-winning portrayal of 1936 Olympic champion and American hero Jesse Owens, in "The Jesse Owens Story".

Dorian has starred in several television series, including most recently "Seventh Heaven" for Aaron Spelling, "Viper" for NBC, "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" with Sharon Gless (CBS), "Strike Force" with Robert Stack (ABC), "Trauma Center" (ABC), "The Hoop Life" (Showtime), "Glitter" (NBC) and the highly acclaimed NBC series "I'll Fly Away", for which he won the NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series. He has most recently starred in the soon-to-be -released "Walter & Henry", directed by Daniel Petrie and produced by Norman Jewison, "The Triangle" for TNT, "The Last Debate", directed by John Badham and "The Jimi Hendrix Story". He was the voice of baseball's Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron in the Academy Award nominated documentary "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream", narrated the 4 hour A&E special "Christianity: The Second Millenium" and has starred in numerous television movies and series guest appearances, including "Siege", "Foster and Laurie", "High Ice", "God Bless the Child", "China Beach", "Matlock", "Murder She Wrote", the Disney musicals "Polly" and "Polly: One More Time" and the CBS kidnap thriller "The Cradle Will Fall".

Dorian's feature film credits include Stanley Kubrick's phenomenal anti-war film "Full Metal Jacket", "Sudden Death" with Jean-Claude Van Damme, "Against All Odds", "Sparkle", "The Falcon and the Snowman", "Pacific Heights", "Looker", "Archibald the Rainbow Painter", "Sudden Impact" and "Tank". He starred in the prestigious remake of the 1957 Academy Award nominated MGM classic "Twelve Angry Men", directed by Academy Award winner William Friedkin and starring Academy Award winners George C. Scott and Jack Lemmon, and appears in Mariah Carey's feature film debut, "All That Glitters", which will be released in 2001 by Columbia/Tri-Star.

In the world of live theater, Dorian Harewood has performed before Broadway theater audiences as well as live theater audiences across the country, having starred in the Tony Award winning musicals "Kiss of the Spider Woman" with Chita Rivera, "Two Gentlemen of Verona", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Over Here" with the Andrew Sisters and most recently, "The Pajama Game" in Los Angeles, "Purlie" at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in Washington D.C., and "Crumbs From The Table Of Joy", for which he won his third NAACP Image Award. He has also starred in the Broadway dramas "Streamers" directed by Mike Nichols, "Don't Call Back", "The Mighty Gents" and the fateful musical "Miss Moffat", opposite the late great Bette Davis, the woman responsible for his decision to become an actor.. TOP

TIM HOCKENBERRY

While he predominately performs in both public and private with his swing band, Tim also works for numerous advertising agencies in San Francisco both as a commercial singer and music producer. This is Tim's second appearance in a "Help on the Way" production.

SONY HOLLAND

After falling in love with jazz while on a yearlong stay in Paris, this beautiful mid-western songbird landed in San Francisco where she started out by singing for tourists at Fisherman’s Wharf. Bay Area fans soon took note and after her debut at the North Beach hot spot Jazz At Pearls, Jane Ganahl of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Sony’s voice combines the pop-stylings of Nancy Wilson and the bell-tones of Streisand.” Recently returning from an extended engagement in Asia, Sony performed to sold-out houses at the Empire Plush Room and just recorded her third CD, appropriately titled “I Get Around.” This is Sony’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

CHRISTA JACKSON

Christa is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, she graduated from Northside School of Performing Arts. She has performed all over the world, sharing the stage with Sandy Duncan, Tommy Tune, Nell Carter and most recently Val Kilmer in “The Ten Commandments.” Her Southern roots have continued to be utilized playing Patsy Cline (2 time Ovation Nominee) in “Always, Patsy Cline” with her dear friend Sally Struthers. She was most recently seen in “sondheim’s 75th Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring Josh Groban, Barbara Streisand and many more. Other credits include: Broadway: “Grease;” National Tours: Sandy in “Grease,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “The British Rock Symphony Tour” with Roger Daltrey, and “Heartstrings.” Regional credits include: “Applause,” “Pippin,” Annie in “Annie Get Your Gun,” Eva in “Evita,” Narrator in “Joseph and the Amazing…” Erma in “Anything Goes,” Ann/Bunny u/s in “Babes in Arms,” “Hair,” Nurse in “Tommy” and Fatima in “Boys from Syracuse.” She can be seen in the independent feature “Get Your Stuff” and has two songs on the soundtrack. Christa has been featured on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and “Eye on LA.” She also can be heard on Country Music Artist Ty Herndon’s Christmas Album and in the upcoming Animated Feature “Hoodwinked.” She is thrilled to be back with “Help is On the Way”. Always color outside the lines! This is Christa’s second appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

SALLY KELLERMAN

If there’s one thing Sally Kellerman has never been guilty of, it’s playing it safe. The hard working actress and singer doesn’t believe in resting on her laurels, preferring instead to take creative chances. After receiving both the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her role as Hot Lips Houlihan in Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H*, Sally was, well, hot. After giving another signature performance in Altman’s widely hailed “Brewster McCloud,” she cut her first demo with the legendary Lou Adler then jumped straight into the recording studio with world class arranger/producer Gene Paige and his talented, songwriter brother, Billy, to cut “Roll With The Feeling,” a raw, blues/rock album that revealed her passion for contemporary music as well as an uncanny ability to make a song her own.
When conventional wisdom would have dictated a stay-at-home and work in Hollywood mentality, Sally chose to take her band on the road for an extended tour. “I just had to work on my music,” she recalls. Though the experience wound up costing her a cool fifty grand, Sally says, “Yeah but what fun we had at the cook’s house after the third show by the freeway.” Reflecting on that period she says, “I was a product of the 60s. You follow your bliss. I’d already spent a dozen years paying dues before Robert Altman cast me in M*A*S*H*, so spending some time concentrating on my music didn’t seem at all unreasonable to me.”

In fact, Sally has always lived both in the acting and music worlds, often combining the two disciplines. She’s sung in several of her movies, including performing two songs written for her by Burt Bacharach in the musical extravaganza, “Lost Horizon,” several more in the highly acclaimed PBS production of “Verna, USO Girl,” with Sissy Spacek and William Hurt and two completely produced tunes in the network television film, “Dempsey” with Treat Williams. One of her most inspired moments came when she sang an on camera blues rendition of “Black Coffee” for the film, “Limit Up” that immediately followed a performance by Ray Charles. Sally has worked with a number of highly respected producers including Bobby Womack, Paul Rothchild, Jerry Crutchfield, Barry Manilow, Adler and Muscle Shoals veterans Terry Crutchfield and Clayton Ivey in addition to the Paiges.
Refusing to be pigeonholed, Sally turned down the television role of Hot Lips and continued her acting career with a string of films that gave her a better opportunity to play different characters. She starred in “A Little Romance” with Sir Laurence Olivier and Diane Lane; Neil Simon’s “Last Of The Red Hot Lovers” with Alan Arkin; “Slither,” with co-star James Caan and “Rafferty And The Gold Dust Twins,” again with Arkin. She also helped propel “Back To School,” an engaging comedy with Rodney Dangerfield, past the $100 million box office mark. She also received a Best Actress nomination at the Monte Carlo Film Festival for her performance in the title role of PBS’ “Big Blonde” by Dorothy Parker. At the Genie awards (Canada’s Oscars) she received a Best Actress nod for he work in the independent film, “It Rained All Night The Day I left.” When Sally agreed to make a film, it drew immediate curiosity and interest from fans and journalists, eager to see her exploring new horizons. Much like musical artist, David Bowie, she was unpredictable and compelling.

Whether playing Jodie Foster’s mom in Adrian Lyne’s “Foxes,” creating sparks with Susan Sarandon and Shirley MacLaine in “Loving Couples” or energizing Alan Rudolph’s “Welcome To L.A.,” Sally displayed an almost uncanny ability to infuse a film with edginess and passion. Playing Julie Andrews eccentric neighbor in the Blake Edwards film “That’s Life” with Jack Lemon and produced by her husband, Jonathan Krane, Sally displayed just how far she could reach to give her role an extra dimension. Similarly, her performance in “Boris And Natasha” and her dry, understated presence in Altman’s 1994 “Ready To Wear/Pret-a-Porter” with Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren, Lauren Bacall and Stephen Rea proved that Sally has the ability to be completely at home in any genre—from adult drama to comedy.

If versatility is the hallmark of a performer’s career, Sally has also distinguished herself in a number of stage roles. She played the part created by Katherine Hepburn in “Holiday” opposite Kevin Kline, which enjoyed a three month run at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre, then abruptly switched gears to star in “Women Behind Bars,” an over-the-top camp smash that had crowds at the packed Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood on their feet. Sally was the standby for Mary Tyler Moore in the David Merrick/Abe Burrows musical Broadway production of “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” in which she also played the part of Meg and sang two songs. She’s done “Virginia Wolf” at Harvard, J.P Donlevy’s “A Singular Man” and played the title role in a much lauded production of “Mame.” In 2002, Sally appeared in “The Vagina Monologues” with Teri Hatcher and Regina Taylor at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills. In 2004, she played Madame ZinZanni in the San Francisco production of “Teatro ZinZanni,” eliciting rave reviews, including San Francisco Chronicle writer Jesse Hamlin’s declaration that she is”…Long Tall Sally…the Marlene Dietrich of rock and roll.” Sally tries to do at least one play every couple of years when her touring schedule permits and plans to return to the role of Madame ZinZanni in the summer of 2005.

When not making films or performing with her world class band, Sally is ubiquitous as the commercial voice for Hidden Valley, Woolite, Volvo, Clairol, ADM and Mercedes Benz, to name a few. Since debuting as a singer on the “Tonight Show With Johnny Carson” she’s made countless TV talk and variety show appearances (she was a regular guest on Merv Griffin’s show), including one as host of “Saturday Night Live,” in which she became the first host allowed to perform a musical number on the show. She also turned heads when she sang with Gladys Knight and the Pips on their special. It’s not surprising that she’s been offered several opportunities to do her own musical variety program both on US network television and Canada’s CBC.

In the past year Sally was guest of honor at the High Falls Film Festival in Rochester, NY, receiving the Susan B. Anthony Award and was a juror at the Hampton Film Festival on Long Island, NY. She’s enjoys lending her time, energy and instantly recognizable voice to a variety of causes including The Hereditary Disease Foundation, Planned Parenthood, AIDS research, the environment Ted Danson’s Oceana. She remains excited about the various film, TV and music offers that come her way, yet stays grounded, devoting as much time to raising Jack and Hanna, her teenage twins, as she does to the creative arts. As she looks ahead, Sally is excited about completing her recording project with legendary songwriter/producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and supporting the release of her current CD project, “Gratitude” as well as the long awaited album, “Body Parts.” She taped two Granada TV specials about M*A*S*H* which the UK company aired this spring and recently joined fellow cast member, Tom Skerritt for a satellite media tour promoting the 35th anniversary celebration of the film by AMC as part of its Memorial Day Weekend Movie Marathon. Sally is currently working on a book about her experiences in the film business and is about to begin promoting the release of the new Susan Seidelman film, “Boynton Beach Bereavement Club,” in which she stars. This is Sally’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

MICHAEL LEE

Michael has performed in theaters across the world, form Broadway to the Phillipines. After graduating from Stanford University, he went on to make his Broadway debut just prior to his 21st birthday as Thuy in “Miss Saigon.” Since then, he’s graced Broadway stages in “Rent” and the 2000 revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” as the political revolutionary Simon Sealotes. His went on to star in the Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Pacific Overtures.” In Los Angeles, his work includes: “The World Goes ‘Round,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Beijing Spring (Ovation Award Nominee for best actor in a musical), “Heading East,” “Pacific Overtures,” and “Sweeney Todd.” In San Francisco, he starred in “Pacific Overtures” which was nominated for a Bay Area Theatre Award for Best Production. In Seattle, he starred in “Making Tracks” and “The Wedding Banquet” and in Chicago, in “Could it be Magic?” and “The Barry Manilow Songbook.”

Internationally, Michael has performed the role of Vernon Gersch opposite Lea Salonga in Neil Simon’s “They’re Playing Our Song.” He has been seen in several guest-starring spots on television and a handful of independent films. Also an arduous writer in his own right, Michael is currently working on two screenplays of his own, a romantic comedy and a movie musical. This is his first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

LORNA LUFT

Lorna Luft has an extremely diversified career spanning more than 35 years in show business. The world first discovered her through a delightful appearance on the Christmas episode of her mother’s landmark CBS-TV series, “The Judy Garland Show.” In typical showbiz fashion, she soon joined her mom on a summer concert tour; the highlight being on Broadway at New York's famed Palace Theater. In this legendary month-long engagement Judy Garland shared the bill with 14 year-old Lorna. Soon after, Lorna made her talk show debut singing “Smile” on “The Mike Douglas Show” and since then has performed on just about every talk and variety show around.

At 19, she eagerly returned to Broadway starring in the Neil Simon hit musical “Promises, Promises.” She earned the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) "Rising Star of the Year" Award. Lorna continued on the NY stage as ‘Peppermint Patty’ in the musical “Snoopy” and then took a dramatic turn in” Extremities”. In addition to regional theatre and international productions of “The Boy Friend,” “Grease,” “Carnival,”” Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” “Girl Crazy,” “Mame” and “Gypsy,” she starred in national tours of “They're Playing Our Song,” Jerry Herman's Broadway Years, and as ‘Miss Adelaide’ in Jerry Zaks' world tour production of “Guys & Dolls.”

Concurrent with her theatrical career, Lorna is also a gifted concert performer. Her exuberant engagements have introduced her to the world’s most prestigious venues where she’s triumphed at The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, The London Palladium, and Prince Edward Theatre. She's had the honor of performing for the Royal Family in concerts honoring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ira Gershwin, both held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Throughout the years Lorna also stepped into the recording studio. She participated, at Ms. Ira Gershwin's personal request, in the highly praised Electra Records recording of the original soundtrack to George and Ira Gershwin's “Girl Crazy.” The next year she recorded the title song on an all-star benefit album entitled “The Christmas Album... A Gift of Hope.”

Lorna may be familiar to TV audiences for roles on “Love American Style,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Caroline In The City,” “The Nanny,” and for her supporting role as ‘Nurse Libby Kegler’ on the CBS medical drama, “Trapper John M.D.” She’s performed on the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” “Christmas at Rockefeller Center,” joined half-sister, Liza Minnelli, in an electrifying duet on “The Tony Awards” and performed on PBS’s Jerry Herman's “Broadway at the Bowl.” In 2004 she was the subject of a highly rated BBC documentary titled “Somebody's Daughter, Somebody's Son.” In movies, Lorna is most remembered as Pink Lady ‘Paulette Rebchuck’ in the camp classic “Grease 2” and for her humorous role in “Where the Boys Are '84.”

In 1998 Lorna added a new dimension to her multi-faceted career, that of NY Times best-selling author upon the release of her critically acclaimed memoir – “Me and My Shadows.” It was optioned by ABC-TV which broadcast a 4 hour miniseries starring Emmy winners Judy Davis and Tammy Blanchard. Lorna served as Co-Executive Producer on “Life with Judy Garland: Me & My Shadows.” Airing in February 2001 it garnered the highest ratings of the season and won 5 Emmy Awards.

Recently she began her most ambitious project to date, the highly acclaimed multi-media production of “Songs My Mother Taught Me--A Celebration of the Music of Judy Garland.” After decades of avoidance, Lorna finally approaches her mother's legendary songbook for the first time and the result is truly phenomenal. This newly staged theatrical extravaganza melds one of the world‘s most familiar songbooks with personal, often funny memories of mother and legend, Judy Garland. “Songs My Mother Taught Me,” which Variety called “a rousing, dramatically riveting musical event,” played 11 weeks at the historic Canon Theater in Beverly Hills and was awarded two LA Theatre Alliance Ovation Awards (Best World Premiere Musical & Best Musical Direction.) The LA Times said “Songs My Mother Taught Me” is “heart-stopping and thrilling… an incandescent revelation not to be missed.” In the summer of 2004, “Songs My Mother Taught Me” completed an 8 week season in London’s West End. Lorna is currently at work on the soundtrack of the show for a release in Fall 2005.

In addition to performing Lorna takes pride in her participation of various Children's and AIDS related charities including the Los Angeles AIDS Walk and The Children's Wish Foundation International. She's been an advocate for drug rehabilitation and a keynote speaker for The Council on Alcohol & Drugs. She was honored in 2001 with a Golden Achievement Award by the Roosters Foundation for her tireless humanitarian efforts. Lorna invites you to visit her online at www.lornaluft.com. This is Lorna’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

MEG MACKAY

Meg Mackay is thrilled to be back with “Help is on the Way.” She has been a fixture on the San Francisco cabaret and musical theatre scene for 20 years. Meg is the winner of 7 Drama-Logue / Dean Goodman Awards and 7 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for her work in “Hello, Dolly!,” “Roberta,” “The Grass Harp,” “A Karen Carpenter Christmas,” “And What, Give Up Show Biz?,” “Torch Song Trilogy” (National Tour), “And the World Goes Round,” “She Loves Me” and “Putting It Together.” She played Momma Rose in the TheatreWorks production of “Gypsy,” was Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls” for PASCo and starred in 42nd Street Moon's productions of “Dear Worl” and “Call Me Madam.” She also sings in cabarets nationwide with her husband, pianist Billy Philadelphia. They have recorded two critically acclaimed CD's, “So Many People” and “Legally Blonde.” This is Meg's tenth appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production.

JON MAHER

Jon is a versatile actor, performer and interpreter who has made a niche for himself within the entertainment industry. Recent theater work includes West Coat premiers of “The Language of Flowers,” “Hot Mikado,” and “ The Actor’s Fund.” Additional theatre credits include “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” performed before the opening of Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival, “Hoboland,” “She Had it Coming,” “The Gay 90’s…” and the West Coast premier of “F.L.O.W.” Jon is frequently referred to as The Sign Language Guy for his interpreted performances in productions such as “Self Defense,” “The Mysteries,” “The Exonorated,” “The Guys” “Spoon River Anthology,” “Master Class,” “Angels in America,” “Death and the Maiden,” “By Jeeves,” LosAngeles Master Chorale, Dream Foundation, S.T.A.G.E., and numerous other events. Film credits include “Baby Sitters Club,” “Carlton’s Death,” “Farce,” “Kiss Me Later,” and “June.” Television credits include “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Pretender,” “The Red Cross Christmas Special,” “Twice Tried,” “The Marilu Show,” The Mo Show,” and “Comedy Tonight.” He is also a past winner of the Great West Comedy Competition. This is Jon’s seventh appearance in a “Help is on the Way” performance.

PAMELA MEYERS

Pamela Myers first performed in New York in the last original revue "Weigh In - Way Out" at the famed cabaret Upstairs at the Downstairs. She made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s "Company" for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Additional Broadway appearances have included "The Selling of a President," "A Salute to Sondheim" and "A Celebration of Richard Rodgers." She has appeared on television in "Major Dad," "In Performance at the White House," "Alice," "Murder in Texas," "St. Elsewhere" and as a regular on "Sha Na Na." Cable viewers have seen her in "Perfectly Frank," "On Broadway" and "Swing with Steve Allen." Pam created the role of Peppermint Patty for the original San Francisco production of "Snoopy." In Los Angeles, she has appeared in "Perfectly Frank,"" Company," "Something’s Afoot," "Let Me Sing and I’m Happy," "Get Happy - The Music of Harold Arlen" and the Mark Taper production of "Brecht: Sacred and Profane." She appeared as Dot in "Sunday in the Park with George" at Long Beach Civic Light Opera and repeated her role at Portland Center for the Performing Arts. CLO audiences will also remember Pam as the Wicked Witch from "The Wizard of Oz." Atlanta has seen her in "Annie Get Your Gun" and "I Do! I Do!" at the Alliance Theater. She has starred with George Hearn in "Sweeney Todd" at the Cherry County Playhouse in Muskegon, Michigan and at Cincinnati Playhouse and St. Louis Rep. Pam has been seen frequently as a guest artist with the Cincinnati Pops and the Boston Pops orchestras. She is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where she is a member of the alumni board and the proud mother of a son now 20 years old. Pam recently starred as Mama Rose in "Gypsy" for Austin Musical Theatre. She teaches part time at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and at Xavier University. This is her second appearance with "Help is on the Way."
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JANE RUSSELL

Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell was born on June 21, 1921 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Her father was an US Army lieutenant and her mother had been a student of drama and an actress with a traveling troupe. The family was well-to-do and although Jane was the only girl among four brothers, her mother saw to it that she took piano lessons. In addition to music, Jane was interested in drama much as her mother had been and participated in high school stage productions. Upon graduation, Jane took a job as a receptionist for a doctor who specialized in foot disorders. Although she had originally planned on being a designer, her father died and she had to go to work to help the family. Jane modeled on the side and was very much sought-after especially because of her figure.

She managed to save enough money to go to drama school, with the urging of her mother. She was ultimately signed by Howard Hughes for his production of “The Outlaw,” (1943), the film that was to make Jane famous. The film wasn't a classic by any means, but was geared to show off Jane's ample physical assets. Although the film was made in 1941, it wasn't released until two years later and then only on a limited basis due to the way the film portrayed Jane's assets. It was hard for the flick to pass the censorship board. Finally, the film gained general release in 1946. The film was a smash at the box-office.

Jane didn't make another film until 1946 when she played Joan Kenwood in “Young Widow.” She had signed a seven year contract with Hughes and it seemed the only films he would put her in were those that displayed Jane in a very flattering light due to her body. Films such as 1951's “His Kind of Women” and “The Las Vegas Story (1952) did nothing to showcase her true acting abilities. Probably the pinnacle of her career was in 1953's “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” as Dorothy Shaw, with Marilyn Monroe. This film showed Jane's comedic side very well. Jane did continue to make films throughout the 1950s, but the films were at times not up to par, particularly with Jane's talents being wasted in forgettable movies in order to show off her sexy side. Films such as “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” (1955) and “The Revolt of Mamie Stover” (1956) did do Jane justice and were able to show exactly the fine actress she was.

After “The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown” (1957) in 1957, Jane too a hiatus from films, to dabble a bit in television, returning in 1964 to film “Fate is the Hunter.” Unfortunately, the roles were not there anymore as Jane appeared in only four pictures during the entire decade of the sixties. Her last film of the decade was 1967's “The Born Losers.” After three more years away from the big screen she returned to make one last film called “Darker Than Amber” in 1970. Her last play before the public was in the 1970s when Jane was a spokesperson for Playtex bras. Had Jane not been wasted during the Hughes years, she could have been a bigger actress than what she was allowed to show. This is Ms. Russell’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production..
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MARK W. SMITH

Mark is currently hosting the new live edition of the hit NBC seires “Fear Factor” at Universal Studios Hollywood. His orginal theatrical creation “Witchboy” ©2004, based on the music and folklore from his Appalacian roots, is in preproduction for a Fall 2006 opening.

Mark starred as Lancelot in the new musical “Madly in Love” at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles and performed as Patrick Dennis with Carol Lawrence and Sally Struthers in “Mame” for Colony Theatre, for which he was nominated for a Robby Award. He reprised his role of Phoebus, in “Notre Dame de Paris” on London’s West End after originating the role in the American premiere production. Mark created the lead roles of Nelson in the world premeire of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” and Mikey in “The Ballad of Little Mikey.” He has also performed in “Pippin,” “Hello Dolly!” “Godspell,” “Anything Goes,” “1776,” “Cinderella,” “Count to Ten,” and “Where’s Charlie.” His televison credits include: “General Hospital,” “Port Charles,” “Days of Our Lives,” and “The Young and the Restless.”

Besides regular charity performances throughout Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mark has starred in the most recent S.T.A.G.E. benefit in Los Angeles, celebrating the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen and Marvin Hamlish. He has performed as the lead singer and dancer in over 80 Disney productions and Disney Symphonic tours, including singing with the Metropolitan Opera Ochestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has been the Disneyland Goodwill Ambassodor to Canada. Mark was born and raised in Jonesborough, Tennessee, the storytelling capital of the world. This is Mark’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

KEVIN SPIRTAS

In September 2003, selected over hundreds of actors, Kevin made a huge ripple in the Broadway community when he was cast to be Hugh Jackman’s stand-by in the smash hit musical, “The Boy From Oz”. Before that, In August of 1997, Spirtas was cast on NBC's "Days of Our Lives" as the dashing and frolicking Dr. Craig Wesley. In 1999 Soap Opera Digest nominated Spirtas for Best Villain and TV Guide (12/25/99) touted him for a Best Supporting Actor Emmy. Not only achieving critical acclaim for his acting but also became a huge fan favorite in the process. In February 2000, Spirtas had the delightful opportunity to play his "Days" role of 'Dr. Craig Wesley' opposite Matt Leblanc's 'Dr. Drake Ramoray' on NBC's, Friends.

At age 18, after attending college at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas, Spirtas headed to New York City. Using the stage name Kevin Blair, he landed his first professional job on Broadway: the role of Mike ("I Can Do That") Costa, in “A Chorus Line.” Spirtas also appeared on Broadway in the role of Warren Sheffield in “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Other stage credits include: “Chess” (ANATOLY), “Company” (Robert), “Damn Yankees” (Joe Hardy), “No. 9 Rue D’Antin… The Legend of Camille” (Baron de Varville), “3 Naked Guys From the Waist Down” (Phil Kunin), “Into the Woods” (Rapunzel's Prince), “Bye-By Birdie” (Conrad Birdie), “Little Me” (George Musgrove) “Gypsy” (Tulsa), “To Sir With Love” (Denim).

Spirtas has guest starred on numerous television shows including “L.A. Heat,” “V.I.P.,” “Fired Up,” “Silk Stalkings,” and “Quantum Leap.” In 1996 Spirtas received a Los Angeles Drama-Logue Award (Best Actor) for the role of Nick Brenner in Chuck Ranberg's critically acclaimed comedy, “End of the World Party.”
Spirtas has starred in the films, “Embrace the Darkness,” “Striking Resemblance,” “Green Plaid Shirt,” and is featured with Sir Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro in Bryan Singer's, “Apt Pupil.” Kevin is also featured with Olympia Dukakis in the movie made for television, “A Match Made in Heaven,” and can also be seen in those fantastic cult classic slasher sequels: “Friday the 13th VII,” “Subspecies II,” and “Subspecies II”I & Wes Craven's, “The Hills Have Eyes II.” Kevin can be seen featured opposite Ben Affleck in Mark Steven Johnson's director’s cut: "Daredevil". He can also be seen touring the country and seven seas performing his musical concert: “Night & Days.” This is Kevin’s first appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP

Paula was fueled by a determination to find the best music and communicate it in her own way. Born into a Marine Corps family in San Diego, California, she was initially exposed to classical music. "My parents didn't have a lot of jazz records," remembers Paula "My father linked to listen to classical music." Paula began listening to jazz singers such as Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn while in college.

After college, Paula moved to San Francisco, unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. Buying old records from thrift shops, she studied them and then began singing classes. As she became more secure in her talent, she ventured into jam sessions, places where an open mike gave her a chance to perform before an audience. It was at one of these sessions that she met a pianist who would join her in the climb to her own musical identity and her musical success. His name was Ken Muir, and he continues as her accompanist today. Paula went on to study with Faith Winthrop, developing her unique tone and delivery. She learned how to sustain a note without a vibrato, which is now almost a Paula West trademark.

Paula worked as a waitress until pianists Muir and Larry Luckovich hired her to work with them at San Francisco's Ritz Carlton Hotel's Terrace Restaurant, and Dick Whittingham featured Paula at the Maybeck Recital Hall. Later she met Donald Smith, founder of the Mabel Mercer Foundation, which is the force behind the Cabaret Convention. In 1995 he included her in the Cabaret Convention, then arranged for her engagement at the Algonquin HOtel's famous Oak Room in 1996. This led to various bookings, allowing Paula to make a name for herself on the East Coast. Paula's cortically acclaimed CD, “Tempation,” was released in 1995, and includes old songs she loves such as "Temptation," "You'll See" by Carrol Coates and "Peel Me A Grape" by Dave Frishberg. It was followed by “Restless,” and her latest release is titled “Come What May.” Paula chooses songs she likes personally and can be as unconventional as "Don't Fence Me In" or the Pearl Bailey favorite "Tired."

Paula West has learned her craft and honed her talent, finding audiences far beyond her San Francisco home. She has played in New York and Philadelphia, has appeared on both European and American broadcasts, as well as appearing in Switzerland and Italy several times. In 1997, she had a sold-out deut at the Maison de la Musique in Paris. She has opened for Rosemary Clooney and Jimmy Scott. Her film credits include “Bicentennial Man” and “Teknolust.” This is Paula’s seventh appearance in a “Help is on the Way” production. TOP