Tag Archives: Musical Revue

The Pompano Players’ JERRY’S GIRLS Opens January 10th

09 Monday Dec 2024

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The Pompano Players’
Jerry’s Girls
Openns January 10
at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center

“Jerry’s Girls is a delectable smorgasbord of show tunes that offers samples from a range of Mr. Herman’s productions, including “Mame,” “Hello, Dolly!,” and “La Cage aux Folles.”“
Leah D. Frank ~ The New York Times

For Immediate Release
Contact: Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

December 9, 202
POMPANO BEACH, FL: The Pompano Players third offering in their inaugural season is Jerry’s Girls, a musical revue that honors the life and work of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman.  The production will open at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center on January 10th and run through January 19th.

Jerry’s Girls has been described as a ‘celebratory two-hour musical entertainment of glamour, optimism, love, melody, and women’ (The Guide to Musical Theatre).  It is a thoughtfully constructed musical revue that celebrates Herman’s music and lyrics, highlighting the broad spectrum of material he wrote specifically for female performers.

More than most Broadway composers, Jerry Herman showcased ‘larger-than-life’ women in his iconic musicals. From Dolly Gallagher Levi of Hello, Dolly!, to Mame Dennis of Mame, or Countess Aurelia of Dear World, Mabel Normand of Mack and Mabel, and female impersonator ZaZa of La Cage Aux Folles, Herman’s women were center stage – strong, key personalities that drove the shows’ plots, led musical numbers, and sometimes even determined the fates of the plays’ other characters.

The production, directed and staged by multiple Carbonell Award-winner Michael Ursua, will feature 35 of Herman’s songs:

“Jerry Herman is my favorite composer,” Ursua says. “He had tremendous musicality and wit.  His gift was to musicalize the resilience of the human spirit.  We’re presenting Jerry’s Girls with a 6-piece live band, beautiful costumes, energetic choreography and staging, great vocals, and an amazing cast.”

Jerry’s Girls will star Lourelene Snedeker, Patrece Bloomfield, and Abbey Alder, and feature Cassidy Joseph, Caroline Macchiarola, Jacqueline Rose, Alexandra Van Hasselt, and Lauren Wickerson.  

David Nagy will serve as the production’s Musical Director; Choreography will be by Alex Jorth.  Claudia Smith is the show’s Scenic Designer, Stevie Bleich will create the Lighting Design, and Penny Williams is the Costume Designer. 

Jerry Herman (1931-2019) has the distinction of being the only composer/lyricist in history to have had three musicals that ran more than 1,500 consecutive performances on Broadway. His first Broadway show was Milk and Honey (1961), followed by Hello, Dolly! (1964), Mame (1966), Dear World (1969), Mack & Mabel (1974), The Grand Tour (1979), La Cage Aux Folles (1983), Jerry’s Girls (1985), and Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) a CBS television special.

His string of awards and honors includes multiple Tony Awards, Grammys, Olivier Awards, Drama Desk Awards, the Johnny Mercer Award, the Richard Rodgers Award, the Oscar Hammerstein Award, the Frederick Loewe Award, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Theatre Hall of Fame and The Kennedy Center Honors. For more information about Jerry Herman, visit www.jerryherman.com.

Jerry’s Girls will run January 10 – 19 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center.  The theatre is located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard, in Pompano Beach (33060)

Tickets for Jerry’s Girls range in price from $45 to $65.  Tickets may be purchased online at https://pompanobeachculturalcenter.com or by calling 954-501-1910.

For more information about Jerry’s Girls, to speak with anyone involved in the production, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

~

Jerry’s Girls
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Concepts by Larry Alford, Wayne Cilento, and Jerry Herman
January 10 – 19, 2025Tickets:  $45 – $65
For tickets:  https://pompanobeachculturalcenter.com/events/jerrys-girls or
Call:  954-501-1910
Performances:
Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm
All performances will take place at
The Pompano Beach Cultural Center
50 West Atlantic Blvd.,
Pompano Beach, FL  33060

Abbey Alder
Patrece Bloomfield
Lourelene Snedeker
Patrece Bloomfield
Abbey Alder
Cassidy Joseph
Caroline Macchiarola
Jacqueline Rose
Alexandra Van Hasselt
Lauren Wickerson
Michael Ursua

IRVING BERLIN SALUTES AMERICA at the PGA Arts Center – November 30 – December 24

01 Wednesday Nov 2017

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Irving Berlin Salutes America
at the PGA Arts Center
A Musical Tribute and Patriotic Celebration
November 30 – December 24

“Music is so important.  It changes thinking, it influences everybody, whether they know it or not. Music knows no boundary lines.” ~  Irving Berlin

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

November 1, 2017
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL:  No one’s music better exemplifies the culture, mood, history, and patriotism of America than Irving Berlin.  Long considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history, his works comprise a major part of the Great American Songbook.

Irving Berlin Salutes America, which will open at the PGA Arts Center on November 30th, is a compendium of Berlin’s most patriotic pieces – a musical tribute to Berlin, and to America itself.  The production will run through December 24th.

The show was written by Alan Jacobson, the creator of the popular WaistWatchers – The Musical, which has had several successful runs in South Florida, and is now on tour through the U.S.  Irving Berlin Salutes America debuted in 2002, but has been tweaked and updated to be as relevant today as it was fifteen years ago.

Alan Jacobson

“I revisited this show for three reasons,” Jacobson explains. “First and foremost is that we are living in difficult times, geopolitically and climate-wise, and our own country has seen politics overtake our lives and create tremendous polarization amongst our citizens, friends and family included. I wanted to use the power of the theatre, and live music, to take people’s minds off the daily stresses, and to remember that we must fight against the divisiveness and bring back a sense of unity and patriotism.

“Second was the music,” he continues. “Who better to look to for this kind of upbeat and moving music than Irving Berlin?! This show also exemplifies the tremendous contributions of immigrants; Mr. Berlin was one, and one who proudly served in the American armed services.

And the third reason? “I wanted a real feel good, patriotic show – something that will lift peoples’ spirits.  Irving Berlin Salutes America has all the ingredients of a show that makes us all proud to be Americans.”

Top South Florida cabaret performers Melissa Jacobson, John Lariviere, and Carbonell Award-winner Leah Sessa will star in Irving Berlin Salutes America, which will be directed by Jacobson with musical staging by Andy Fiacco.  Mark Galsky will provide the production’s musical direction.

 “Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He IS American music!”
~ Jerome Kern

Irving Berlin

One of the most prolific composers in American history, Irving Berlin’s music has entertained millions since his first song, “Marie from Sunny Italy” was published in 1907.  His first big hit was “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, which was published in 1911. “His music served as a social barometer for much of the 20th century. It offered hope to a nation in bleak times, and rejoiced in the good things embodied in the American way of life. It also provided anthems for American culture, including such standards as “White Christmas”, “Easter Parade”, “God Bless America”, and “There’s No Business Like Show Business”. (From Broadway, The American Musical – PBS).

Berlin’s music has also served as inspiration to U.S. military personnel for generations; he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1918, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1919.  His musical revue, Yip Yip Yaphank, written while he served, produced the timeless classic, “Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning”. Another classic, “This is the Army”, was written in 1942 for the film of the same name; proceeds from performances of that song totaled over 10 million dollars, and were donated to the Army Relief Fund.

The PGA Arts Center will honor Berlin’s dedication to the armed forces by offering specially priced tickets to Irving Berlin Salutes America to Veterans. (ID and roof of Veteran status must be provided in order to qualify for these tickets).

Among the songs included in Irving Berlin Salutes America are “This is a Great Country”, “Blue Skies”, “Cheek to Cheek”, “Always”, “Heat Wave”, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, Steppin’ Out With My Baby”, Puttin on the Ritz”, and of course “Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning”, and “This is the Army, Mr. Jones, and “God Bless America.”

Tickets for Irving Berlin Salutes America are on sale now and can be purchased on line at www.pgaartscenter.com or by calling 1-855-448-7469.  For group sales (10+), call 561-808-3446.

Ticket prices and performance times:
Thursday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Saturday at 2 pm – $45 ($39 for groups of 10 or more) Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm – $48 ($42 for groups of 10 or more)
Special price for Veterans – $40 (must show ID and proof of Veteran status)

For more information about Irving Berlin Salutes America, or The PGA Arts Center please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

The PGA Arts Center is located at 4076 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. Ample parking is available within close proximity to the theatre.

~

Irving Berlin Salutes America
November 30 – December 24
Created and compiled by Alan Jacobson
Tickets:  $45 – $48
Tickets:  1-855-448-7469 / www.pgaartscenter.com
Group Sales:  561-808-3446
Performances:
Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 2 pm
Thursday: 7:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 8 pm
PGA Arts Center
4076 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, FL  33410
www.pgaartscenter.com
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From left to right: Melissa Jacobson, John Lariviere, & Leah Sessa

Kevin Black’s SWING! SWING! SWING! Returns to Stage Door Theatre – June 16 – July 30

01 Thursday Jun 2017

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Back by Popular Demand!

Stage Door Theatre
presents
Kevin Black’s
Swing! Swing! Swing!
June 16 – July 30

“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!” Duke Ellington

“From the opening drum riffs, rippling bass and piano fanfare, you are put on notice:  This show is going to … blow out the roof.”
Bill Hirschman – FloridaTheaterOnStage.com

June 1, 2017
MARGATE, FL:  Last fall Stage Door Theatre’s Theatre 2 jumped and jived with Kevin Black’s exuberant production of Swing! Swing! Swing! The Carbonell Recommended musical revue was so popular with Stage Door audiences, that the theatre’s Executive Producer Dee Wilson-Bunn decided it would be the perfect vehicle to ‘jazz up’ Stage Door’s 2017 summer season.  Swing! Swing! Swing! will open once again on June 16th in the ever-popular venue’s Theatre 2, and run through July 30th.

Kevin Black

“Swing music has its roots in Jazz, beginning in New Orleans and Kansas City then eventually moving its way across the nation.” Black explained last October.  “Once it reached New York City, the phenomenon quickly became the pop music of its day. Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller took the jazz infused sounds of George Gershwin and Louis Armstrong and invented a genre that featured a strong drum and bass line, creating that unmistakable rhythm that lead to the high energy dance styles of the jitterbug and the jive.

“Swing! Swing! Swing! pays tribute to these Jazz and Swing classics, told through various thematic groupings of songs and artists,” he continued. “That Big Band sound, normally created by a 20 plus piece swing band, will be reimagined by utilizing live piano, bass and drums, while incorporating the cast as the brass section through rhythmic vocals and harmonized scatting. The show is set in an Art Deco style club, masterfully envisioned by Michael McClain. We are certain the more senior patrons of Stage Door will thoroughly enjoy reliving these timeless classics. Our hope is to bring this magnificent musical style to a new generation of audiences.”

Just a few of the classic pieces that will be revisited include ‘Tuxedo Junction’,’In the Mood’, ‘Stardust’, ‘Stormy Weather’, ‘I Got Rhythm’, and of course ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing.’

Three of the show’s original cast will return for this production of Swing!:  Alexandra Van Hasselt, Sharyn Peoples, Elijah Word have all signed on to reprise their roles.  They will be joined by Pasqualino Beltempo, Rebeca Diaz, and Christopher Patterson.

Kevin Black is the owner of Kevin Black Productions, a global company providing entertainment to cruise lines, corporate events, resorts, musical theater productions, ,and tours. Kevin’s extensive cruise line work includes costume design, choreography, production, and direction on Norwegian, Saga, Royal Caribbean and Asuka Cruise Lines. Corporate clients include HP, Motorola, Muvico, and Giorgio Armani; tours include original works – Cirque style shows, as well as musical theater productions including La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe’s Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret, and Dreamgirls. Kevin’s work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico. His most recent work includes Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts; 8 Track, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan, Florida; What’s New Pussycat?, On The Radio, A Chorus Line, Promises, Promises, Pompadour, Evita, and The Soul of Motor City at The Stage Door Theatre in Margate, Florida. He also recently directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, The Rocky Horror Show, and Into The Woods for Entre’Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach, Florida. Kevin is the producer, director and choreographer of an original children’s show, The Adventures of Bella & Harry, and is the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Cooper City, Florida.

Swing! Swing! Swing! will run from June 16 – July 30 at Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate.

Tickets for Swing! Swing! Swing! are $48. (Student prices are also available with valid ID). Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoorfl.org.

For more information about Swing! Swing! Swing! and/or Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoorfl.org, or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

Swing! Swing! Swing!
June 16 – July 30
Conceived and Directed by Kevin Black
Choreographed by Kevin Black and Ben Bagby
Assistant Choreographer Isabel Trelles
Musical Direction by Ben Bagby
Assistant Musical Director Michael Friedman
Costume Design by Jerry Sturdefant of Carousel Theatrical
Scenic Design by Michael McClain
Lighting Design by Ardean Landhuis
Sound Design by Paul O’Donnell
Band Leader / Pianist – Michael Friedman
Bassist – Rupert Ziawinski
Percussionist – Roy Fantel
Tickets:  $48
Phone:  954-344-7765
On line: www.stagedoorfl.org
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, &  Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
The Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoorfl.org
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World Premiere! Kevin Black’s VEGAS: A NIGHT ON THE STRIP at Stage Door Theatre – December 9 – January 22

28 Monday Nov 2016

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Stage Door Theatre
presents
The World Premiere of
Kevin Black’s
vegas-eblastDecember 9 – January 22

“Las Vegas looks the way you’d imagine heaven must look at night.”
– Chuck Palahniuk, in “Invisible Monster”

November 29, 2016

MARGATE, FL:  From Soul to Swing, Kevin Black’s recent productions – created exclusively for Stage Door Theatre – have had audiences on their feet and dancing.  The Soul of Motor City, his tribute to the music of Motown, which was extended several times over this past summer, and Swing! Swing! Swing! his lovingly assembled compendium of Jazz and Swing classics were both recommended for Carbonell nominations.

Black’s newest creation, Vegas: A Night on the Strip will premiere at Stage Door on December 9th, and run through January 22nd.

Vegas: A Night on the Strip dives into the rich history that made the city of Las Vegas a hot destination for entertainers from around the world.  Featuring music from some of Vegas’ most memorable icons – from the Rat Pack and Elvis to the modern-day Cirque-type spectacles; from showgirls to headliners; from high-rollers to high-flying acrobatics…  “with maybe a Vegas wedding thrown in!” says Black.

Kevin Black

Kevin Black

“When most people think of Vegas, they immediately remember the likes of Frank, Sammy, and Dean…The Rat Pack,” Black continues.  “However, Vegas: A Night on the Strip is so much more. I decided to tell the history of ‘The Entertainment Capitol of The World’, through the construction and implosion of those iconic hotels on The Strip, and the entertainment that graced their stages. Our six vocalists pay tribute to this great city with nods to numerous Vegas icons – not only the Rat Pack, but legends like Celine Dion, Elton John, Tom Jones and Wayne Newton, and the lavish cirque -style shows that dominate The Strip today.

“The creative “workshop” process is my favorite,” Black explains when asked about the evolution of the production. “Arranging new ways to present some old classics and seldom heard gems is so satisfying. Our Musical Director/Arranger Ben Bagby is a master at this and you’ll see his work shine more than ever in this show.”

The six vocalists Black has chosen to bring his vision of Vegas to life are Daniel Bourgoin, Jar’Davion Brown, Arlene Coutee, Chantal Deshaies, Gabrielle Graham, and Brad Rakushin.  Brown and Graham both wowed audiences in The Soul of Motor City.  Brad Rakushin was featured in Stage Door’s recent productions of Sisters of Swing and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.  Specialty artists Cherrise Pawlak and Derick Pierson round out the cast of eight.

Vegas: A Night on the Strip will run from December 9 – January 22 at Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate.

Tickets for Vegas: A Night on the Strip are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available.  Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at  www.stagedoorfl.org

For more information about Vegas: A Night on the Strip and/or Stage Door Theatre, please visit www.stagedoorfl.org, or contact Derelle Bunn Executive Producer/Artistic Director, at DerelleBunn@yahoo.com / 954-344-7765 or Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).

Vegas – A Night on the Strip
December 9, 2016 – January 22, 2017
Conceived, directed, and choreographed by Kevin Black
Musical Director:  Ben Bagby
Musical Arrangements:  Ben Bagby
Costume Design:  Jerry Sturdefant
Lighting Design:  Ardean Landhuis
Scenic Design:  Michael McClain
Sound Design and Stage Manager:  Paul O’Donnell
Tickets:  $38 – $42
Phone:  954-344-7765
Showtimes:
Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2 pm,
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
The Stage Door Theatre
8036 W Sample Rd
Margate, Fl 33065
www.stagedoortheatre.com
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Please Note:  Vegas:  A Night on the Strip will move to the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton on February 3, 2017, and play there through February 12.

vegas-1

The cast of Vegas: A Night on the Strip