Francesca Amari, Cabaret Singer

Francesca Amari

has been making a name for herself in the Midwest and New York City, and now Southern California, where she recently moved.

Francesca made her cabaret debut in 2007 at the famed Metropolitan Room in New York City; and her Los Angeles debut in November, 2010 at the famed “The Gardenia” in West Hollywood. Her shows have garnered great reviews & attention, in NY, L.A. and in the Palm Springs music scene.

Last year, she performed in the Arizona premiere of the hit musical, “Midlife! The Crisis Musical” by Bob & Jim Walton, and appeared in concert in New York with Broadway star Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia) and cabaret legend Andrea Marcovicci. In 2008, she performed at the prestigious Lyrics and Lyricists Concert Series in New York; and has appeared twice in NYC to critical acclaim with her one-woman cabaret show, “Secretly Square: Guilty Pleasure Songs!” She’s performed her cabarets at The Metropolitan Room in New York , The Gardenia in West Hollywood, Palm Springs, San Diego; & in Chicago at Davenport’s Cabaret & Piano Club & The Bailiwick Theatre, among other venues in the Midwest.

She performed with popular folk singer Christine Lavin at Birdland Jazz Club in NY & appears on Ms. Lavin’s album, “FolkZINGER,” & has appeared in concert with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary. Francesca was a 2006 & 2005 quarterfinalist in the prestigious American Traditions Vocal Competition for Savannah Music Festival & has numerous national & regional theatre credits. She originated her role in the Arizona, Florida & Pennsylvania non-equity premieres of “MIDLIFE! The Crisis Musical!” She is part of the prestigious Touring Artist Roster for Michigan Humanities Council, & is a member of Manhattan Association of Cabarets, Cabaret West, Chicago Cabaret Professionals, Cabaret Hotline & Positive Music Association. Her 2008 CD release, “Better Days,” received a national honorable mention in the national webzine, Cabaret Hotline; & 4 Jammie nominations from WYCE Radio in the West MI area, for Best Jazz CD, Best Jazz Vocalist & Best Jazz song.

In addition to performing her cabaret shows, Francesca tours the Midwest with her trio, Boogie Woogie Babies, with three shows she created, Boogie Woogie Babies - the 1940s Revue, Boogie Down Broadway & their newest, Boogie, Beehives & Beyond! She performs with several other groups, including her own jazz combo; has been featured vocalist for The Rhythm Section Jazz Band; performs a cabaret show with popular Palm Springs jazz vocalist & Judy Garland impersonator Michael Holmes, entitled, “Michael & Francesca: Together Again (For the Very First Time)"; has been featured vocalist with The Fabulous Eastones, a 50/60s classic pop & Motown band; & created & is featured in the musical revue, “Not for Women Only."

She's appeared in national & regional theatre productions & trained in Colorado, Chicago & New York City. Shows include “MIDLIFE: The Crisis Musical,” A…My Name is Alice,” “Pump Boys & Dinettes,” “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” & “Beehive.”

For 10 years, Francesca was an adjunct teacher for Aquinas College, Western MI University & Grand Valley State University, teaching Drama in Education & Storytelling; for more than 20, has taught &/or directed children’s theatre at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Kalamazoo Civic Theatre & Thornapple Arts Council.

Francesca is now a Teaching Artist for McCallum Theatre Institute in Palm Springs, & directs & researches audiobooks for Brilliance Audio, Books On Tape & ScottBrick Presents.