Billy Porter leads a parade of Broadway stars headlining the 2016-17 Trust Cabaret Series.
The Pittsburgher and Tony winner for "Kinky Boots" opens the season Oct. 17 in the Cabaret at Theater Square. The lineup -- including Karen Mason, James Monroe Iglehart, was announced during this season's finale with Tommy Tune at the intimate Downtown venue that typically sells out for the Trust Cabaret's series of six Monday performances.
2016-17 TRUST CABARET SERIES:
Oct. 17, 2016: Billy Porter — The singer, actor and playwright who is currently starring in Broadway's star-studded "Shuffle Along" will present "Broadway and Soul," an evening of songs and stories, accompanied by his music director James Sampliner. Their concert translates iconic Broadway music into African-American idioms, including soul, gospel, hip-hop, funk and R&B.
Nov. 14, 2016: Karen Mason — She has starred on Broadway, off-Broadway and television, and her cabaret acts have earned 10 Manhattan Association of Cabaret Awards. Broadway credits include "Wonderland," "Hairspray," "Mama Mia" and "Jerome Robbins’ Broadway," and she has performed in concert with orchestras around the world.
Feb. 13, 2017: James Monroe Iglehart — You ain't never had a friend Mr. Iglehart, winner of the 2014 Tony Award as the Genie in "Aladdin." He also originated the role of Bobby in the Tony-winning musical "Memphis" and has a recurring role on the Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," among other series appearances.
March 13, 2017: Judy Kuhn — Tony-nominated for the Broadway hit "Fun Home," Ms. Kuhn also received nominations for the 1993 hit revival of "She Loves Me," "Chess" and "Les Miserables," and was in the original cast of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." She has a long list of award-winning regional credits and earned an Olivier Award nomination for London's "Metropolis."
April 3, 2017: Lea Salonga — The powerhouse singer and actress best known for her Tony Award-winning role in "Miss Saigon" most recently appeared on Broadway in "Allegiance" with Telly Leung and George Takei. Ms. Salonga played Eponine in "Les Miserables" on Broadway and later portrayed Fantine, in the 2006 revival. The voice of Disney's Mulan and Jasmine, she also is a judge on the Philippines version of “The Voice."
Subscription packages for $250 or $300 are on sale starting Tuesday and single tickets at $55 or $65 go on sale Aug. 19. For details, call 412-456-6666 or visit trustarts.org/cabaretseries.
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The Trust also announced Monday that husband-and-wife stage and screen actors Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally bring their show "Summer of 69: No Apostrophe" to the Benedum Center for one night only, at 8 p.m. Aug. 21. The onscreen couple of Ron and Tammy on Parks & Recreation" have created an act described as "exposing the salacious details of their fiery union for all the world to enjoy." Ms. Mullally has two Emmy wins for her role of Karen on the sitcom “Will & Grace.”
The comic duo launches their tour Aug. in North Carolina Aug. 10. Tickets in Pittsburgh go on sale May 6 at trustarts.org or 412-456-6666.
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.
First Published: May 3, 2016, 12:29 a.m.