Topically Yours Show - Avery Sommers and Shari Upbin

Host Deardra Shuler speaks with actress Avery Sommers and producer/director Shari Upbin about their spectacular theatrical presentation Broadway Live which features the best songs and juicy backstage stories.   Hollywood Live is slated to run next.

   Avery Sommers starred on Broadway in “Ain't Misbehavin" replacing Nell Carter. She was Jewel in “Showboat in Texas”  with Ann-Margaret.  In “Chicago” she played Matron Mama Morton with Chita Rivera and Joel Grey.  She was nominated for and won an Ovation Award for her portrayal.  Some of Avery’s other favorite roles include “Crowns” (Mother Shaw), “South Pacific” (Bloody Mary), “Big River” (Alice), and “The Hot Mikado” (Katesha).  Avery starred in “But Not For Me,” her one woman show.   She appeared on the CBS soap “As The World Turns” as well as on the ABC Mystery Movie Series, “B.L. Stryker" starring Burt Reynolds and Ossie Davies.   NY born actress Shari Upbin, directs/produces "Broadway Live." Shari produced and directed over 50 productions. Credits: Life with Father, Fiddler on the Roof, and Cabaret. She was asst.  dir. for the 1st Black/Hispanic production of Julius Caesar and Coriolanus starring Morgan Freeman. She co-produced Bojangles and One Mo Time.