Roxanna Ward

Roxanna is a beloved member of the Olivia family. Her debut with Olivia was on an Alaska cruise in 1992. Since then, she's joined us several times a year! Her brilliant comedy, writing, musicianship and singing endears her to audiences everywhere. A woman of many talents, Roxanna is a mother, high school teacher, producer, writer and director. Her past credits include work with Dolly Parton, Kirk Douglas and many others. The late Phyllis Hyman, and more recently, Suede, have both recorded Roxanna's song "Remember Who You Are." Whether you are seeing Roxanna for the first time or tenth time, she always makes you laugh and warms your heart.

Poppy Champlin

Poppy Champlin is a veteran comic whose sharp wit and intuitive jokes can penetrate the heart of any discerning audience's funny bone. Poppy erupts onto the stage with a hip, fearless and in your face style of comedy that can persuade any crowd to come along for a ride that is highly personal and completely relatable. Rapid fire jokes mixed in with her skewed take on life, topped off with a few short comedic songs, keeps her audiences laughing and coming back for more. Poppy is not a sadist, but she is most happy when she leaves her audience screaming, crying and doubled over in pain...from laughter.

Her stand-up pedigree is flawless; from VH-1, to A&E, Oprah Winfrey and The Joan Rivers Show to her latest gig on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen and traveling with Olivia Cruises where she has earned a reputation of being one of the fastest witted female comediennes on either coast.

Graduating from The University of Rhode Island with a BFA in theatre, Poppy set out for Chicago where she attended the famed Second City Comedy Troupe. She refined her chops in Chicago opening for such comics as Ray Ramano, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Bill Hicks and Rosie O’Donnell.

When Poppy hit tinsel town, she continued to study acting at the Larry Moss studios and has since put up her critically acclaimed One Woman Show, "A Chocolate Sandwich."

She was a staff writer for FOX’s Show Me The Funny.

She wrote, starred in and produced, a comedy pilot called News you Can't Use–think Tracy Ulman takes on the News.

Poppy currently can be seen performing her comedy, in the HBO Documentary “All Aboard Rosie’s Family Vacation” as well as, hosting her own popular comedy show; “Cocktails and Comedy” at the infamous GirlBar in West Hollywood.

Ever increasing her visibility, she performed for over 25.000 people in the closing ceremonies of the Gay Games in Chicago. She has performed for troops in both Japan and Korea. She was invited to perform in South Africa, at The Cape Town Comedy Festival. And, Poppy produces her own touring troupe called, Queer Queens of Qomedy, now in it's third year.

Poppy tackles tough subjects with ease. In this comedienne’s hands we can laugh at life’s most formidable perils... and laughter that ravages fear is the best kind of all.

Sweet Baby J'ai

Few entertainers can command a stage like the indefatigable, Sweet Baby J'ai. She is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and actress who has toured the world with her distinctive sound. Although J'ai is known for her energetic stage presence and powerful vocals, some critics describe her as a "jazz singer", a "soul singer", others as a "blues singer” but all agree that this versatile singer-songwriter is a "storyteller". She can't be contained by one genre of music. Talented both as a vocalist and musician, she takes unconventional instruments, the washboard and spoons, and claims them as her own special sound. As one critic pointed out, “This ain't no backyard hoe down…she will have you swooning before the concert is over.”

When your mom gives you such a memorable name as “Sweet Baby,” odds are you’re gonna end up in the entertainment industry. Sweet Baby J’ai continued the family business after sneaking into Kansas City jazz clubs as a kid. With an uncle who worked as a bassist for Billie Holiday and a cousin who played guitar with Dizzy Gillespie, J’ai was constantly surrounded by the music that would become her career. She’s shared the stage with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Tom Waits, Jill Scott, and Melissa Etheridge, her velvety vocals gracing jazz, soul, and R&B songs. You can check out a dose of her latest cd, Introducing J'ai Michel on this trip with a cd release celebration.

Here's a sampling of what critics are saying...
"Her voice is part cream, party honey and all soul." - New York Times
"Sweet Baby J'ai will no doubt be considered a legend in her own time...She is by any critic's opinion, the real deal!" - LN Magazine
"Introducing J'ai Michel is Sweet Baby J'ai's most impressive cd to date...5 of out 5 stars!" - Arts & Entertainment
"Extraordinary....a stunning performer." - Jazz Now
"Swinging....powerful....and haunting." - Los Angeles Times