B2: Productions & Gospel Uptown Present:
Ms. Elisabeth Withers
B2: Productions, producers of Black 2: Broadway, the acclaimed production
celebrating the contributions of performers of color in the arts, partners
with Gospel
Uptown the latest must stop dining destination in Harlem NYC to produce a
brand new monthly music series "Broadway Uptown". With the sole purpose
of melding two music scenes into one, Broadway & Harlem,
this series promises to be a must stop destination.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for pre-show dinner seating with showtime beginning
at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $12.00 Advance Purchase and $15.00
at door evening of event.
About Elisabeth Withers
It all starts with the voice. A soulful instrument that is both powerful yet
strikingly vulnerable; an engaging gift that transcends musical genres and
industry trends. For acclaimed performer Elisabeth Withers, that voice and
all-around talent garnered her a prestigious Tony Award nomination for her
role as the seductive scene-stealer Shug Avery in Oprah Winfreys Broadway
mega-hit THE COLOR PURPLE.
Upon graduating from BERKLEE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (Boston,
MA), the Midwest-born singer/songwriter set to conquer NYC! After much hard
work, numerous auditions and disappointments, she was hired to sing background
for MARY J. BLIGE, ERYKA BADU and JENNIFER LOPEZ. Shortly after, she was
asked to be one of the three featured background singers at The White House
for the 2000 Millennium Concert produced by QUINCY JONES and STEVEN SPIELBERG.
From there, she found herself in the studio singing on both R. KELLY and
CELINE DION’s albums. A string of studio back-up sessions followed
as Elisabeth began to cultivate a reputation as a first-rate vocalist. It
is not surprising then how Withers quickly caught the attention and respect
of producer, arranger and songwriter TONY MORAN (Janet Jackson, Beyonce’ Knowles & Cher).
So much so that Moran recruited her to co-write two dance club classic “Rising” and “Emotions” (2002),
tracks that reached the top 5 on the Billboard charts. Elisabeth Withers
was now going under the diva alias ELLE' PATRICE. Soon after, Elisabeth was
commuting monthly from New York to Boston to record the PBS special Between
The Lions. It was on the children’s literacy program that she played
one of the five “Vowelle”.
A Motown-type animated character that
encouraged children to sing songs through learning. In 2005 Elisabeth received
a call from industry friend and music legend Nick Ashford, who suggested
the vocalist audition for the OPRAH WINFREY-produced stage adaptation of
The Color Purple. She was more than up for the challenge as she won over
producers Quincy Jones and Winfrey. Elisabeth’s triumphant run on Broadway
soon attracted the interest of record labels. With its rich musical heritage
and underlining focus on the art, BLUE NOTE was the perfect home. Currently,
Elisabeth is working on her sophomore album with a few amazing male collaborators
and performing nationwide at conferences, galas and festivals for such clients
as HEALTHCORPS, VERIZON, The Uniworld Group, National Black Caucus, Odyssey
Network Group, The LINKS, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, ASCAP and the Grammy
Board for Grammy’s In Schools. Her single “Be With You” is
featured on the GRAND AUTO THEFT video game. As the beer company, CORONA
used her song “Simple Things for their six months nationwide campaign.
Still Elisabeth uses her time and success, encouraging students nationwide,
to stay healthy, focused and true to their dreams. She has also developed
an organization called TOO BEAUTIFUL. The organization focuses on the empowerment
of minority women. Encouraging and enhancing the moral and career building
through hands-on mentoring. Elisabeth’s future goals are to receive
sponsorship from Hanes, Verizon and Sears for her organization. For more
exciting news on Elisabeth Withers go to www.MySpace.com/ElisabethWithers,
www.YouTube.com/ElisabethWithers and www.ElisabethWithers.net
Reservations can be made by calling GU at 212.280.2110.