Illana Zauderer Parker, the beguiling singer who began her career as a stage actress, is spicing up the world of cabaret. Having earned the title of “Best Broadway Female Vocalist” in San Francisco and dubbed “flirtatious as any screen siren,” Illana brings audiences and critics to their feet with her juicy, elegant voice and her theatrical interpretations of American Song.
Illana began 2008 with the release of her solo recording, Hot in Here. Looking beyond her usual repertoire, Illana includes unique interpretations of jazz standards along with a few gems of the contemporary musical theatre, with works by Amanda McBroom, David Frishberg, Joni Mitchell, and Stephen Sondheim. She launched the CD in Northern California, performing selections from the recording along with her customary repertoire of show-stopping musical theatre songs.
In 2002, she debuted her cabaret show, Living in Color, matching her compelling storytelling skill with the great works of Broadway and emerging star composers.
On the theatrical stage, Illana Zauderer Parker’s Off-Broadway credits include the 1998 revival of Howard Korder's Boys' Life as 'Maggie the Runner,' for which she was hailed as one of “Off-Broadway’s Most Promising Talents” by Playbill Magazine. A California native, Illana has appeared with 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco as naughty 'Venus' in the acclaimed production of Cole Porter's Out of this World and as 'Charlotte Goodhue' in Leave it to Me! (Cast recording released in spring, 2002.) Illana also enjoyed a year-long run in 1994 as 'Prudence' in Christopher Durang's Beyond Therapy at the renowned Plush Room in San Francisco. Audiences on both coasts have cheered for Illana’s performances as 'Tzeitel' in Fiddler on the Roof for the Mountain Play, 'Margarita' in Miami Lights for TheatreWorks, 'Billie' in Born Yesterday, 'The Witch' in Into the Woods, 'Sally' in Cabaret, and 'Anita' in West Side Story.
Illana Zauderer Parker has also been honored to sing onstage at Alice Tully Hall in New York City and with the Arcadian Singers of Oxford University. Her film and television appearances include the indie films Phrenia and Dress Up, as well as One Life to Live. Illana studied with Ron Stetson at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, and with Tony Award-winner Betty Buckley. She earned her BA in Music and Voice at Stanford University.
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