BEEF AND BOARDS DINNER THEATRE, MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, DAME EDNA...AND MORE!

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Presents HELLO DOLLY 3/25-5/2
(Source: BROADWAYWORLD.COM)


Love is in the air this spring as Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents the famous matchmaking musical Hello, Dolly!
The beloved Broadway show, which won 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is live on stage March 25 through May 2.
Based on the play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder, Hello, Dolly! is the story of Dolly Levi, who is filled with personality and an agenda. A turn-of-the-century matchmaker, Dolly is supposed to be arranging a match for the wealthy Horace Vandergelder - but she'd much prefer to keep him to herself.
Horace has his sights set on a pretty young widow, but Dolly doesn't give up on getting her man.


Award-winning composer Jerry Herman's score includes such great songs as "It Takes A Woman," "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," "So Long Dearie," "Ribbons Down My Back," "It Only Takes A Moment," and of course, "Hello, Dolly!"

Renowned Chicago actress Iris Lieberman stars as the meddling title character, while Mark Goetzinger of Indianapolis reprises the role of half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.
There are 43 performances of Hello, Dolly! scheduled in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.
Tickets range from $35 to $58, and include Chef Odell Ward's specially prepared buffet with a fruit & salad bar, unlimited coffee and tea. Ample free parking is available.

For reservations, call the Box Office at 317.872.9664. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays.

Hello, Dolly! is sponsored in part by Indianapolis Woman magazine.

For complete show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, located on the Northwest side of Indianapolis, has been providing food and fun for everyone since 1973.



Feinstein and Dame Edna are B'way's new odd couple

By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic



In this theater publicity image released by Jeffrey Richards & Associates, Michael Feinstein, left, and Barry Humphries as Dame Edna are shown in "All About Me," playing at Broadway's Henry Miller's Theatre in New York.





Not since Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison moved in together has Broadway had such an odd couple on the boards.

But there they are: Michael Feinstein, cabaret sophisticate with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Great American Songbook, and the purple-coiffed Dame Edna Everage, that audacious Australian housewife channeled by Barry Humphries, sharing the stage at the Henry Miller's Theatre.


Their 90-minute show, which opened Thursday, has the feel of a glossy Las Vegas revue, well put-together but unsurprising, especially if you have seen both performers before.

Feinstein, dressed in a spiffy tuxedo, gets to demonstrate his formidable musical-theater expertise, particularly in a lovely rendition of the classic Rodgers and Hart tune "My Romance." He caresses the lyrics, making each word count. And when the lyricist is of the caliber of Lorenz Hart, the words are straight from the heart, pure and truthful.

Other songs are given more of a hard sell, from the Burton Lane-Alan Jay Lerner "What Did I Have That I Don't Have?" to the Charles Strouse-Lee Adams "A Lot of Livin' to Do." Both numbers are pumped up to maximum volume by the on-stage orchestra under the athletic direction of Rob Bowman.


The conceit for the show, which was written by Feinstein and Christopher Durang, is that each performer doesn't know the other will also be appearing.

After an argument — and a solo turn by Dame Edna — they agree, under the mediation of the revue's stage manager (Jodi Capeless) to become a double act.

Dame Edna, in a splendid array of gaudy costumes by Anna Louizos, knows how to interact with an audience. It's a unique skill, and Dame Edna is a master practitioner. Deftly peppering them with questions, she can extract information from even the most recalcitrant theatergoer and then use the material to get laughs.

There are other performers, too. When both Feinstein and Edna are in the wings, Capeless delivers a gutsy rendition of "And the World Goes 'Round," the John Kander-Fred Ebb anthem closely associated with Liza Minnelli.
And both stars are ably assisted by a couple of well-built chorus guys, Gregory Butler and Jon-Paul Mateo.


"All About Me" has been directed by Casey Nicholaw, one of Broadway's most savvy showmen. He's schooled in old-fashioned razzmatazz, and his knowledge of making a musical move comes in handy as the show builds during its final half-hour and celebrates the stars' more-or-less peaceful coexistence.

Here we get an idiosyncratic and often funny rendition by Dame Edna of Stephen Sondheim's "The Ladies Who Lunch," even after Edna had previously proclaimed that the show would be a "Sondheim-free zone."
And the section includes some of the show's more original material, including an outrageous little ditty (penned by Feinstein and Humphries) called "The Dingo Ate My Baby," and sung, of course, by Dame Edna.

Feinstein also has written a number celebrating Edna's signature flower, the gladiola. It wouldn't be a Dame Edna show without those posies being thrown into the audience at the finale and getting theatergoers on their feet. Talk about a ready-made standing ovation.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/03/18/entertainment/e150514D01.DTL#ixzz0iZzXqzcg


On Monday, March 15th, The Actors Fund presented the next in their series of Musical
Mondays in the lobby of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. This time offering
audiences a chance to get Up Close and Personal with Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The
evenings special guests included the incomparable talents of Maureen McGovern and
Lari White with the evenings moderation by Michael A. Kerker, ASCAP. The truly
enchanting evening was produced by John Bowab and Martin Wiviott. The, oh so very
important, Sponsors included Continental Airlines, Sunset Marquis and the
Nederlander Organization.

Among those in attendance for this evening of reflection upon music we grew up with
were Ilene Graff, Florence Henderson, Jane A. Johnston, Roslyn Kind, Patricia Kelly,
Kate Linder, Rose Marie, Donna Mills, Patricia Morrison, Eve Plumb, Stefanie Powers,
and Charlotte Rae.

Alan and Marilyn Bergman are two of the most distinguished figures in music today.
Nominated for sixteen Academy Awards, they have won three Oscars, four Emmys, two
Grammys and a Cable Ace Award. Patrons were heard to say more than once ... "I
remember where I was when I first heard ..." as they listened in rapt attention to
songs such as “The Way We Were”, “The Windmills of Your Mind”, “Papa, Can You Hear
Me?” from “Yentl”, “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”, “Nice 'n' Easy”,
“That Face”, “It Might Be You”, “The Summer Knows”, “Where Do You Start?”, “How Do
You Keep the Music Playing?”, among many others. The audience was stunned to hear
that Ms Barbra Streisand had in fact recorded 50 of their songs. For television,
they won Emmys for “Sybil' and for the TV musical “Queen of the Stardust Ballroom”
which was later adapted for the Broadway stage as “Ballroom”. Television theme songs
include "Maude," "Good Times," "Alice" , "Brooklyn Bridge" and “In the Heat of the
Night.” Their first collaboration with Cy Coleman, “Portraits in Jazz: A Gallery of
Songs” was commissioned by and performed in 2002 at The Kennedy Center in
Washington, D.C. and received widespread acclaim. The show, expanded with text by
Larry Gelbart, ran for a sold-out, limited engagement at the Mark Taper Forum in Los
Angeles. Now titled “Up Close and Musical”, it is being prepared for Broadway. Alan
and Marilyn are currently working on several projects with Michel Legrand and Marvin
Hamlisch. Their musical “Queen of the Stardust Ballroom” with music by Billy
Goldenberg, new music by Marvin Hamlisch, book by Jerry Kass, directed by Jerry
Mitchell and starring Tyne Daly is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2010. Their
current film Steven Soderbergh's “The Informant!” starring Matt Damon, includes
their song “Trust Me”, with music by Marvin Hamlisch. They are also working on
“Visions of America” - a photo symphony celebrating the sights and sounds of America
- for which they have written four new songs with composer Roger Kellaway. It had
its premiere performance in January 2009 with the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra.
“Lyrically, Alan Bergman” a CD of their songs sung by Alan with the Berlin Radio
Orchestra is in current release on Verve Records. Other collaborators of Alan and
Marilyn's are Dave Grusin, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mandel, Quincy Jones, John Williams
and James Newton Howard, collaborations which have resulted in countless important
works for film, television and recordings. Their many awards and honors include
induction into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame and its Johnny Mercer Award, the
Clooney Foundation Singers Salute to the Songwriter Award, the Songwriter's Guild
Aggie Award, the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award, the
first Johnny Mercer Award by the Johnny Mercer Foundation and ASCAP's Founders
Award. Marilyn served as President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society
of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for fifteen years and continues to
serve on the ASCAP Board. She is also the Chair of the Library of Congress National
Sound Recording Preservation Board. Alan serves on many boards including the
Library of Congress National Film Preservation Board, the National Academy of
Songwriters, the Johnny Mercer Foundation, the Artists’ Rights Foundation and the
Jazz Bakery Board of Directors. They both serve on the Executive Committee of the
Music Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. They were born in the
same hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Marilyn was a music major at New York's High School
of Music & Art, going on to study Psychology and English at New York University.
Alan holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina,
continuing study toward a Masters Degree at UCLA.

The only complaint for the audience members was that there wasnt enough time to hear
more from Maureen McGovern and Lari White.
Two brilliant performers who captivated
the audience.

Taking control of the evening from the stage was Michael A. Kerker. Kerker has been
Director of Musical Theatre for ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers) since 1990. In addition to coordinating ASCAP's Musical Theatre Workshop
in New York (which is led by composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz), he works with
Disney Theatricals to produce the ASCAP/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Los
Angeles (also led by Stephen Schwartz). Together with Michael Feinstein, Kerker
produces a regular series of concerts at Carnegie Hall highlighting the catalogue of
both legendary and contemporary songwriters. Michael is also producing a regular
series of interview programs entitled “Broadway: Up Close and Personal” for the
Kennedy Center. Michael's on stage conversations with some of our nation's most
prominent songwriters have included evenings with Jerry Herman, Alan and Marilyn
Bergman, Charles Strouse, Sheldon Harnick, Marvin Hamlisch, and Stephen Schwartz.
Michael produces an annual songwriter's cabaret as part of the Chicago Humanities
Festival. (Source: Harlan Boll)

Liza Minnelli to Offer Chicago Concert in June

By Adam Hetrick
17 Mar 2010

Award-winning entertainer Liza Minnelli will perform a one-night-only concert June 6 at the historic Chicago Theatre.


Minnelli, who was most recently seen on Broadway in her Tony-winning show Liza's at the Palace, will be joined by a quartet of performers and musical director Billy Stritch for the 7:30 PM concert. Tickets go on sale March 20.

An Oscar winner for her performance in the film "Cabaret," Minnelli has also earned Tony Awards for her performances in Flora, the Red Menace and The Act, as well as a special 1974 Tony. She presented a tribute to her late father Minnelli on Minnelli at the Palace, and has appeared in the films "The Sterile Cuckoo," "Arthur," "New York, New York" and "Stepping Out." The singer is also a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress.

For tickets visit TheChicagoTheatre.


Support THE ARTS! LIVE THEATRE! Go see a show this week! Send me your reviews and suggestions and I will put them in my next blog coming out next Friday! Here's to an ARTS-filled week! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm

With grateful XOXOXs for your support!

Richard Skipper

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper

HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK:
Thank you for a lovely and festive St. Patrick's Day show at the Iguana! You and Dana were visions in green. :)
Sally Swallow





Dear Richard and Dana,
Last week's show was terrific! I have been away for a few weeks and I really missed the wonderful friendly atmosphere, comfortable surroundings, and fabulously talented entertainers. Keep up the great work. You have both created a place to "make mention about," and I mention it whenever I can.
Marlene Sampson






Hi Richard! Thank you again for a wonderful and entertaining evening at The Iguana on Wednesday night! You and Dana are so terrific and truly a delight to watch and hear. What an interesting line-up of singers, as well! Lots of fun! I thoroughly enjoyed the variety and the positive energy in the room. Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday! Best Always, Lisa Raze






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NYC Now a night out in NY to see a show at a VERY AFFORDABLE price!
Dana Lorge and I have put our OWN spin on the variety show format and are now hosting every Wednesday night in NYC at The Iguana VIP Lounge (http://www.iguananyc.com) in the heart of NYC (240 West 54th Street 8-11PM/with an intermission).



Cover: $12 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great!
This is a nice night out with the family!

For more info, please call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_
RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!!
212-765-5454.
No one admitted before
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March 24th, Jackie Draper Marquee Five, and Diana Templeton returns!


March 31st: Frank Basile (seen here with Celeste Holm) , Deb Berman, Annie Dienerman, Stearns Matthews, Allegra Thieman ...


April 7th: Esther Beckman Group, Sina Lewis, Cindy Marchionda, RJ Shaw, Susan Winter


April 14th: Naomi Miller, Karen Oberlinjoins us!George Stella returns!

April 21st: Anaiza, Henry Dee, Rita Ellis Hammer, Jim Speake, Susan Eichhorn Young

April 28th: Kecia Craig and Frank Stern!

May 5th: Anton Van Der Merwe

May 19th: Adrienne Haan


May 26th: Michelle Collier

June 2nd: D'Yan Forest and Tod Hall





June 16th: 2010 Julie Reyburn


May 19th: Michelle Collier, Barbara Gurskey
TILL NEXT MONTH...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL SPRING!