RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 1, 2010, Theatre , Local Arts News
Playhouse celebrates 15th Anniversary with tribute to lyricists
Quality Hill Playhouse enters its 15th year of producing cabaret entertainment in downtown Kansas City with a season dedicated to talented lyricists. "Say It With Music: The American Lyricist Series" honors songwriting legends Sammy Cahn, Johnny Mercer, Yip Harburg and Cole Porter, men who penned the words to some of the best songs in the American Songbook. In addition to these original cabaret revues, the season includes a musical revue written by Broadway songwriters Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire.
2010-2011 Season Productions
The season opens with Come Fly With Me: The Lyrics of Sammy Cahn, featuring Julie O’Rourke, Julie Shaw and James Wright. The swingin’ cabaret revue dedicated to the man with more Best Song Academy Award nominations than anyone else (26) features jazz standards (and Best Song Academy Award winners) “All the Way,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Three Coins in the Fountain” and “High Hopes.” A jazz combo, led by J. Kent Barnhart at the piano, includes Ken Remmert on drums and Brian Wilson on bass. September 17 – October 17, 2010.
Christmas in Song, touted by The Pitch as “Kansas City’s most consistently stirring Christmas show for 15 years,” has become a Kansas City holiday tradition. This year’s production features rousing piano music and soul-filled gospel performed by Karen Errington, Katie McCreary and Cary Mock. November 19 – December 26, 2010.
The Lyricist Series continues with a revival of our wildly popular cabaret revue, Blues in the Night: The Lyrics of Johnny Mercer. Robert Trussell of The Kansas City Star wrote, “It’s classy, slick and rather coy and shows unimpeachable dedication to the integrity of the music.” Original cast members Lauren Braton, Melinda MacDonald and Tim Scott return to sizzle again on songs like “One for My Baby,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Skylark” and “Dream.” With Julian Goff on drums and Brian Wilson on bass. January 14 – February 13, 2011.
Look to the Rainbow: The Lyrics of Yip Harburg pays homage to the man who wrote the lyrics to the songs in The Wizard of Oz and Finian’s Rainbow. The son of Russian immigrants, Harburg worked with a variety of composers to write quintessential American songs like “Over the Rainbow,” It’s Only a Paper Moon” and the Great Depression anthem “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime.” Izzie Baldwin, Ken Remmert and Julie Shaw star. March 11 – April 10, 2011.
Another critical and audience favorite returns for the lyricist celebration. Originally produced in 2005, the revival of Let’s Do It: The Lyrics of Cole Porter features Melinda MacDonald and Cary Mock in a uniquely scripted show that weaves together songs and stories that tell the life of the sophisticated songwriter. Includes such classics as “Begin the Beguine,” “Night and Day,” “I've Got You Under My Skin” and “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall In Love.” Julian Goff (drums) and Brian Wilson (bass) complete the ensemble. April 29 – May 29, 2011.
The season concludes with the off-Broadway musical revue Closer Than Ever by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire. The show is a collection of wise and witty songs, each its own short story, about facing life’s challenges – dealing with unrequited love, reconnecting with old friends, taking care of aging parents, evaluating life decisions and preparing for new ones. Featuring some of Kansas City’s finest musical theatre talent – Alison Sneegas Borberg, Jon Daugharthy, Seth Golay and Molly Hammer. Rick Truman will stage direct. June 17 – July 17, 2011.
Playhouse Executive Director J. Kent Barnhart will serve as pianist and emcee for the cabaret revues, and he will perform in the company of Closer Than Ever.
Season and single tickets for all six shows are on sale currently. For tickets, call 816-421-1700. To purchase tickets online or for more information, visit www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com. Quality Hill Playhouse is located at 303 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
Special Engagement
In a season dedicated to lyricists and lyrics, it is particularly fitting that Kansas City jazz legend Marilyn Maye returns to the Playhouse for a limited-run special engagement this fall. Ms. Maye is one of the great all-time song interpreters, not just singing songs but telling the stories within them. The New York Times critic raved about her recent engagement at Feinstein’s in Manhattan, saying “Her warm, rich voice is as strong and supple as it was during the years she appeared on Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show.’” Ms. Maye will offer 12 performances, from October 29 through November 7, 2010.
About Quality Hill Playhouse
Quality Hill Playhouse is dedicated to preserving the art of the popular song through the live performance of songs from musical theatre and the American Songbook. Since Executive Director J. Kent Barnhart secured the lease on the Playhouse in 1995, the company steadily has gained a following for its unique cabaret revue format, growing to annual attendance of nearly 30,000. In 2009 the company completed the first two phases of its first renovation and expansion, providing improved surroundings and additional amenities for patrons. Quality Hill Playhouse will celebrate its 15th Anniversary with Encore!, its first annual gala benefit event to be held October 23, 2010, at the Intercontinental on the Plaza.
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