Kevin Smith Kirkwood, who appeared on Broadway in the entire run of the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, returns to Joe’s Pub with Classic Whitney Alive!—The Rainbow Show, a special celebration of 2019 World Pride, on Monday, June 24 at 9:30 PM. The night features a special performance recreating Whitney Houston’s appearance at 1999’s Pride Dance and her live covers of tunes by the divas who inspired her and keep the LGBTQ community dancing (including Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Judy Garland).
In Classic Whitney Alive!—The Rainbow Show, Whitney Houston has come back to earth, reincarnated in the body of Kevin Smith Kirkwood, to deliver a retrospective concert and celebration of some of her iconic live performances. Here, Whitney is backed by a full band and back-up singers (who also play her mother Cissy Houston, brother Gary, and other key figures in her life) and musical director Drew Wutke. With a script constructed from bits of her live concert banter, and re-enactments of her live concert musical arrangements, it’s the ultimate Whitney tribute from the ultimate Whitney fan, kicking off 50 years of LGBTQ Pride with this one-night-only event.
Classic Whitney Alive! has played at The Cutting Room, around the world on Atlantis Cruises and even a command performance at Whitney’s estate. The show was written by Kirkwood and directed by Ray DeMattis, with musical direction by Drew Wutke (Into the Woods, Little Fish), featuring John Lucas as Gary Houston, Lacretta Nicole as Cissy Houston, and Kerry Flanagan as Bette Sussman, JaLeesa Beavers as Aretha Franklin, Fred Odgaard as George Michael and Natalie Joy Johnson as Judy Garland. Costume design is by Kurt Kielmann and Martha Smith, with wigs by Sabana Majeed (“Pose,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”).
Classic Whitney Alive!—The Rainbow Show will be presented on Monday, June 24 at 9:30 PM. Tickets are $30. For tickets call (212) 967-7555 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM or visit joespub.com, or visit in person at The Public Theater Box Office. There is a $12 food /two (2) drink minimum per person per show, unless otherwise noted
Joe’s Pub is located in The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th and Astor Place) NYC
Leave a Reply