L.A.'s Next Great Stage Star competition launched

Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, LA’s newest and most critically acclaimed supper club dedicated to presenting the best of Broadway Stars, Musical Theatre Performers and Nightclub Artists on a weekly basis, is seeking 18 "experienced" amateur and/or professional "legit" singers between 16 and 40 years of age - to compete for the title of LA's Next Great Stage Star II.
If selected, a one time entry fee of $60 applies. This second annual, six-night, American Idol-type competition will be judged by audience members and a panel of entertainment industry professionals inclusive of theatrical agents, directors, and casting directors. The competition’s finale will culminate in the selection of one winner who will receive a cash prize of $1000 and a headlining debut at Sterling’s Upstairs. Competitors must bring a minimum of 3 guests to each competition. Guests attending the competition will be subject to a nominal cover charge and drink and/or food minimum.
Upon the winner’s debut at Sterling’s Upstairs, he or she will also receive a percentage of the club's entertainment cover charges. The competition and debut of the winner will be supported by local and national publicity executed by Michael Sterling & Associates.
Auditions are by appointment only and may be made by calling Tony Monsour at Michael Sterling & Associates (818) 385-0007, Ext. 2. Auditions will be held between 6:00 and 10:00 pm Monday, November 12, 2007 at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, 4349 Tujunga Ave. Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 769-0905 (north of Ventura Blvd. and South of Moorpark Ave.) Bring a photo and resume and prepare 32 bars of a ballad and up-tempo song from the Great American Songbook, a Broadway musical, a classic retro pop song, or a “melodic” contemporary pop song. An accompanist will be provided for the audition and competition.

Competition time and dates: 7:15 – 9:45 pm on November 26, 27; December 3, 4, 10. and 6:30 – 9:30 pm on Dec. 11, 2007.

Since its June 9, 2006 opening, Sterling's Upstairs has presented such Broadway stars as Rachel York, Kevin Earley, Tam Bernier Evans, Kathy Buckley, Eydie Allyson, Mary Gutzi, Amick Byram, Tony Award winning composer Jeff Marx (“Avenue Q); Three of a Kind (Gelo Francisco, Annie Nepomuceno, and Broadway star Bonifacio Deoso); Musical Theatre, Nightclub, Television and Recording Stars Kyle Puccia, Ana Ortiz (co-star of “Ugly Betty”), Alistair Tober,”), Sylvia Brooks, Emmy Award nominee Stepfanie Kramer; Grammy nominee, Television Star and Broadway Star Ilene Graff, Joan Ryan, Sandy Zacky and Mike Clifford, Maura Knowles, Scott Dreier, Perry Wood, Robert Townsend, Erika Amato, Julie Dixon Jackson, Kelby Thwaits, Bernadette C. Peters and many others.

Merissa Haddad, winner of LA’s Next Great Stage Star I in 2006, was immediately signed by one of the top two theatrical agents in Los Angeles; had a sold-out debut engagement at Sterling's Upstairs; and is now enjoying a professional career in theatre. Additionally, five of the top competitors from 2006 were also immediately signed to the most prestigious agencies in Los Angeles and are also enjoying professional theatrical careers.

STERLING’S UPSTAIRS at Vitello’s is produced by Michael Sterling, John Peters and Tony Monsour of Michael Sterling & Associates, the Sherman Oaks-based entertainment public relations company. Since 1980, Sterling has represented such stellar clients as Elizabeth Taylor, Lance Armstrong, Scott Hamilton, David Copperfield, Joan Collins, Alan Thicke, David Brenner, Andy Gibb, and Robert Goulet. Aside from his celebrity clientele, Sterling has represented various national theatre and arena tours, Los Angeles theatre productions, Emmy Award-winning television specials, celebrity books, albums and CD’s. Sterling is also a critically-acclaimed director of musical theatre in Los Angeles, and has produced various theatrical events and productions throughout southern California.