Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C.

Classic Whitney, Live from Washington, D.C., were special live concerts by Whitney Houston featuring many of her greatest hits, as well as gospel favorites and songs saluting some of her influences including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. The concerts were held at historic DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. on October 3 and 5, 1997. 2nd night concert was broadcast live via HBO, which was her third HBO special. (First was "Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston" in March, 1991 and second, "The Concert for A South Africa" in November, 1994.) Whitney and The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children donated the proceeds, over $300,000 from ticket sales to the Children's Defense Fund, a national non-profit organization devoted to providing a voice for all children of America, particularly poor, minority and disabled children.^[1] Houston said her one-woman show was especially significant because it was occurring during the 100th anniversary of acclaimed opera singer Marian Anderson's birthday. Houston dedicated her performance to Anderson's memory and her historic attempt to perform in 1939 at Constitution Hall, where she was banned by the Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR).^[2]

History

Whitney Houston performed more than 20 songs in these concerts, including such hits as "I Will Always Love You", "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and "Greatest Love of All". She was backed by a 35-piece band and orchestra with an entire string section. DAR Constitution Hall seated more than 2500 people for the performance, which employed 14 cameras. In addition, the backdrop featured images projected on five screens, setting an elegant and understated tone. Houston's special was the first performance since the renovation of the legendary hall.^[3]

Set list

1. "I Will Always Love You"
2. "I Know Him So Well" (with Cissy Houston)
3. Dionne Warwick Medley:
   1. "Walk On By"
   2. "A House Is Not A Home"
   3. "I Say a Little Prayer"
   4. "Alfie"
4. Aretha Franklin Medley:
   1. "Baby I Love You"
   2. "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
   3. "Ain't No Way"
5. "Mr. Bojangles" (Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.)
6. "Abraham, Martin and John"
7. Diana Ross Medley:
   1. "God Bless The Child"
   2. "Endless Love" (duet with Gary Houston)
   3. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
   4. "The Boss"
   5. Missing You"
8. Tribute to George Gershwin Medley:
   1. "I Loves You, Porgy"
   2. "Summertime"
9. "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" (BeBe Winans, Monica and Shirley Caesar joined in ad-lib of song's finishing part in 2nd night concert.)
10. "I Love The Lord"
11. "I Go to the Rock"
12. "Greatest Love Of All"
    Encore
13. "Amazing Grace" (saxophone solo by Kirk Whalum)
14. "Step By Step"
15. "I'm Every Woman"

Personnel

• Marty Callner - Director
• Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
• Marty Callner - Producer
• Bill Brigode - Co-Producer
• Randall Gladstein - Co-Producer
• Laurie Badami - Associate Producer
• Rickey Minor - Associate Producer
• Jeff Thorsen - Line Producer
• Tony Bulluck - Tour Manager
• Jimmy Searl - Road Manager
• Nick Jeen - Production Manager
• Risa Thomas - Script Supervisor
• Sara Fung Niimi - Script Coordinator
• Doug Barry - Technical Supervisor
• Keith Winikoff - Technical Director
• Randall Gladstein - Stage Manager
• Gary Natoli - Stage Manager
• Cheryl Teetzel - Production Coordinator
• Erik Jensen - Production Coordinator
• William Hadley - Production Manager
• Rocky Danielson - Camera Operator
• David Eastwood - Camera Operator
• Tom Geren - Camera Operator
• Robert L Highton - Camera Operator
• Dave Hilmer - Camera Operator
• Lyn Noland - Camera Operator
• Wayne Orr - Camera Operator
• Kenneth A Patterson - Camera Operator
• Bill Philbin - Camera Operator
• David Plakos - Camera Operator
• Manny Rodriguez - Camera Operator
• Scott Johnson - Camera Operator
• Bruce Solberg - Videotape Operator
• Bill Lorenz - Videotape Operator
• Paul Ranieri - Video
• Susan Noll - Video
• Greg Brunton - Lighting
• Sam Drummy - Camera Operator
• Ron Sheldon - Camera Operator
• Rickey Minor - Music
• Alan Fitzgerald - Music
• Victor Rodriguez - Music
• Mellios Papaterpou - Music
• Joseph Dorose - Performer
• Whitney Houston - Song Performer
• Victor O Hall - Music
• Joe Wolfe - Music
• Joseph Dorose - Music Performer
• Valjean Leiker - Music
• Dirk Vanoucek - Music Supervisor
• Bruce Ryan - Production Designer
• Kent McFann - Art Director
• Caren Reiser - Executive
• Norm Levin - Consultant
• Carolyn Ensminger - Hair Stylist
• Roxanna Floyd - Makeup
• Ellen White - Wardrobe
• Ellin LaVar - Hair Stylist
• Rose Sellers - Wardrobe
• Michael Murray - Wardrobe
• Jeff Fecteau - Audio
• Debbie Kelman-Fecteau - Audio
• Peter San Filipo - Audio
• Don Worsham - Audio Mixer
• Mark Bradley - Sound
• Michael J White - Sound
• Philip Miranda - Sound
• George Strakis - Audio
• Harry Netti - Audio
• Roy Simmons - Sound
• Ishai Ratz - Sound
• Lisa Gilhausen - Lighting Technician
• Greg Hoffman - Key Grip
• Vicki Brenner - Gaffer
• Russell Morris - Best Boy
• Irv Gorman - Best Boy
• Donny Arrows - Dolly Grip
• Kurt Schupp - Carpenter
• Wendell Jones - Carpenter
• Elisa Arden - Graphics

References

1. ^ "Classic Whitney Concert". http://www.whitneyfan.com/nr/misc/97/cw/01.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-22. 
2. ^ Whitney Houston Performs Exclusive HBO Concert To Benefit Children. Jet. October 20, 1997. http://books.google.co.kr/books?id=OjsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58&dq=whitney+houston&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=1&as_pt=MAGAZINES&cd=40#v=onepage&q=whitney%20houston&f=false. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
3. ^ http://www.classicwhitney.com/newsfile/reports/classicwhitney/cw03oct1997.htm