September 28, 2009 - IRVING BERLIN’S I LOVE A PIANO comes to the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium for one performance only Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m. IRVING BERLIN’S I LOVE A PIANO is an enchanting new musical revue that spans over seven decades of American history as seen through the insightful and earnest eyes of Irving Berlin, a man whom Jerome Kern described by saying, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music…he IS American music!” Tickets, starting at $21.50, are on sale now at the American Bank Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more by calling 361-826-4754.
Using 64 of Berlin’s enduring and popular favorites, I LOVE A PIANO captures the spirit of America from the ragtime era of the early 20th century through the swinging elegance of the 1920s and 30s. From the songs that inspired a nation through the Great Depression to the innocent optimism of the 1950s, I LOVE A PIANO embarks on an enduring journey through musical heaven. Timeless classics, such as, “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Change Partners,” “How Deep Is The Ocean,” “God Bless America” and “White Christmas,” do more than identify the music of a generation; they define the music of our country. The tour will be presented by Eva Price of Maximum Entertainment, Off-Broadway Booking, and Lawrence Toppall.
Beginning September 13th, I LOVE A PIANO will bring its exuberant show-stopping song and dance numbers to audiences across the nation. This fall marks the start of its third touring season. Under the direction and choreography of Ray Roderick (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang National Tour), who co-created the show with Michael Berkely, the magic of each song brings new life to the material for a contemporary audience. This revitalized production brings today’s audiences into the lavish musical world of Irving Berlin while holding true to its nostalgic nature.
Tour stops include 40 cities across the United States from Brooklyn, New York to San Francisco, California. After opening at The Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts, the tour will hit dozens more stops across the United States including Wichita, Kansas; Durham, North Carolina; Clearwater, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Cupertino, California.
The talented cast of 8 triple threat singer/dancer/actors includes Jackey Good, Crystal Kellogg, Ryan Lammer, George Papas, Haley Swindal, Ashley Wallace, Jason Weitkamp and Joshua Woodie.
The Los Angeles Times raved: "When asked where Irving Berlin ranked in American music, fellow giant Jerome Kern famously said, 'Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is American music.' The enduring truth of Kern's assessment underpins the showbiz panache of 'I Love a Piano,' ...as invigorating a song-catalog revue as any since Ain’t Misbehavin.”
Variety reviewed it by saying: “Ray Roderick may love a piano, but his heart truly belongs to Irving Berlin. Roderick directed and choreographed this tribute revue and co-wrote it with Michael Berkeley. His affection for Berlin's songs has resulted in an energetic, animated presentation of nearly 60 of Berlin's tunes, ranging from 1911's "Alexander's Ragtime Band" to selections from 1950's "Call Me Madam."
The Boston Globe called it “A spectrum of brilliant Berlin… It captures both the astonishing range of Berlin's musical styles and the cleverness of his simple rhymes, which makes it easy to understand why the songwriter remains a national treasure.”
Jam Theatricals (www.jamtheatricals.com) and the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium are proud to announce the Broadway in Corpus Christi 2009-10 Season, sponsored by Caller Times and KRIS-TV. For information about subscription renewals or becoming a new subscriber of the Broadway in Corpus Christi 2009-10 Season please call the Jam Theatrical’s Subscription Hotline at (800) 714-5331.
About Jam Theatricals
Jam Theatricals is a Chicago-based entertainment company that presents and produces Broadway engagements throughout North America. Founded in 1997 by Arny Granat, Jerry Mickelson and Steve Traxler, Jam Theatricals manages subscription seasons in more than 30 cities. Jam has presented notable national touring productions including CATS, The Producers, STOMP, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Miss Saigon and Riverdance. Jam Theatricals and its principals are the recipients of five Tony Awards® for producing on Broadway: including Glengarry Glen Ross (Best Revival of a Play- 2005), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Best Musical- 2005), The History Boys (Best Play- 2006), August Osage County (Best Play - 2008), and Hair (Best Revival of a Musical - 2009). Additional Broadway credits include: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, The Retreat from Moscow, The Wedding Singer, Talk Radio, Rock ‘N’ Roll, The Seafarer, The Homecoming, November, Sunday in the Park with George, Speed-the-Plow, reasons to be pretty, 9 to 5 and Blithe Spirit. Please visit www.jamtheatricals.com for more information.
|
