Classic Whitney

• Released: 1998 (VHS)
• Date of concerts: Oct 5 and Oct 7, 1997
• Venue: DAR Constitution Hall, Washington D.C.

• Info: (AP news report, oct. 3, 1997) - Superstar singer Whitney Houston will light up the nation's capital with a special performance on the exclusive live HBO presentation CLASSIC WHITNEY LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., seen SUNDAY, OCT. 5 (9:00-10:30 p.m. live ET/tape-delay MT & PT). Her performance at historic DAR Constitution Hall will feature many of her greatest hits, as well as gospel favorites and songs saluting some of her influences, including Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin.

  Houston will perform more than 20 songs in her third HBO special, including such hits as "I Will Always Love You" and "Step by Step." She will be backed by a 35-piece band and orchestra with an entire string section. DAR Constitution Hall will seat more than 2500 people for the performance, which will employ 14 cameras. In addition, the backdrop will feature images projected on five screens, setting an elegant and understated tone. Houston's special will be the first performance since the renovation of the legendary hall.

  Whitney and The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children will donate the proceeds 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. The private organization is supported by corporations, individuals and foundations, and has never accepted government funds. HBO and Time Warner will also make a substantial contribution to the CDF, which is marking its Silver Anniversary with a year-long celebration beginning in October.

  Houston's previous HBO specials are "Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston," a homecoming concert for the troops of Desert Storm, presented in March 1991, and "Whitney -- The Concert for a New South Africa," celebrating a new dawn for the country and its leader Nelson Mandela, presented from Johannesburg in November 1994.

  CLASSIC WHITNEY LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. is produced and directed by Marty Callner, who directed the recent hit HBO special "Garth Live from Central Park." His credits also include acclaimed, award-winning videos for Aerosmith, and HBO specials starring Bette Midler and Whitney Houston, among many others. CLASSIC WHITNEY LIVE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. is executive produced by Whitney Houston Enterprises.

• Setlist:

  . I Will Always Love You
  . I Know Him So Well
  

  Dionne Warwick medley:
  . Walk On By
  . A House Is Not A Home
  . Say A Little Prayer
  . Alfie

  Aretha Franklin medley:
  . Baby I Love You
  . (Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone
  . Ain't No Way
  . Amazing Grace
  

  As a tribute to Sammy Davis Jr:
  . Mr Bojangles

  Tribute to the nation's great men:
  . Abraham, Martin and John

  Diana Ross medley:
  . God Bless The Child
  . Endless Love
  . Ain't No Mountain High Enough
  . The Boss
  . Missing You

  From Porgy And Bess:
  . I Loves You Porgy/
  . Porgy I's Your Woman Now
  . Summertime

  . Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
  . I Love The Lord
  . I Go To The Rock
  . Greatest Love Of All

  Encores:
  . Amazing Grace
  . Step By Step
  . I'm Every Woman

• Audio samples:
  • Alfie
  • Abraham, Martin & John
  • Mr. Bojangles
  • Missing You
  • God Bless The Child