I’m a bit of a theatre geek (yes, theatRE, not theatER. There is a difference). And yes that is me in the picture above (I’m quite a looker, right?) playing “Kim” in Bye, Bye, Birdie. I grew up in a theatrical household- both of my parents were theatre majors in college and even met at in the University of Georgia’s undergraduate theatre program. Even my grandmother took a theatrical path in college, graduating with a BA in theatre.

All about the Outfits

So no one in the family was the least bit surprised when I dressed more often in my Halloween costumes as a child than my street clothes. Nor were they shocked when I concocted elaborate stories and made my brother act them out with me for my parents’ enjoyment.

The real shocker came when I began auditioning for real, legit theatre in Atlanta and I actually began getting cast. Because despite my long theatre lineage no one had ever actually been any good at the acting part…until I came along.

The Magic of Theatre

And I loved being onstage. Becoming another person. Learning their hopes and their dreams. And playing out a small part of their life. There just happened to be an audience around while I was doing it. That’s the beauty of theatre. The audience is basically intruding on the lives of characters, but it’s not an unwelcome intrusion. Actors need the audience; playwrights need the audience. Without you, our character’s stories remain untold. And that would be truly tragic.

Show Time!

About now, you may be wondering why I’m telling all of this. Its because this weekend you have the chance to learn about some of musical theatre’s greatest characters at Showtune: The Musical Theatre Revue. This revue by Huntsville Community Chorus brings together the shows and characters of musical theatre genius Jerry Herman. Not sure who Jerry is? You probably are and just don’t realize it, so I’m going to give you a crash course in the shows of Mr. Herman AND a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the revue (see below for details)!

Hello, Dolly!

Plot: Perhaps Herman’s most famous show is Hello Dolly! about matchmaker Dolly Levi.

Show Trivia: The first to play Dolly was broadway superstar Carol Channing. Though I’d wager most know “Dolly” as Barbra Streisand from her portrayal in the 1969 Academy Award winning film.

Herman’s songs from Hello, Dolly! became instant classics in both the musical theatre arena and popular culture, remaining so to this day. The song “Hello Dolly” was a #1 hit in the US for Louis Armstrong, knocking The Beatles from #1 in 1964. You may also remember a certain adorable robot named WALL-E who had a thing for Dolly’s songs.

Songs:

• Put On Your Sunday Clothes
• Ribbons Down My Back
• It Takes A Woman
• Before The Parade Passes By
• Hello, Dolly!

Mame

Plot:  This show focuses on eccentric bohemian, Mame Dennis. Mame’s fabulous lifestyle with a collection of wealthy friends is disrupted one day when her brother passes away and leaves his young son in her charge. Spaning the Great Depression and World War II, Mame and her new young charge find a way to turn The Great Depression into a series of adventures.

Show Trivia: The musical opened on Broadway in 1966, starring Angela Lansbury (of Murder She Wrote fame) and Bea Arthur (you know her as one of the Golden Girls). The show later became a movie with Lucille Ball in the title role and Arthur reprising her supporting role.

Songs: 

• The Man In The Moon
• Open A New Window
• We Need a Little Christmas
• That’s How Young I Feel
• If He Walked Into My Life
• Mame

La Cage aux Folles

Plot: Georges and Albin are a gay couple living in Saint-Tropez. Georges manages a nightclub that features drag entertainment with Albin as the star attraction. One day their peaceful existence is disrupted when Georges’ son Jean-Michel brings his  fiancée’s ultra-conservative parents home to meet the couple.

Show Trivia: This show was based on a play of the same name. You might be familiar with a 1996 big screen adaptation of the play called The Birdcage, which starred Hollywood notables Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Hank Azaria, and Christine Baranski.

Songs

• Little More Mascara
• I Am What I Am
• The Best of Times

Mack and Mabel

Plot: The plot involves the tumultuous romantic relationship between Hollywood director Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand a waitress who became one of his biggest stars in the early 1900’s.

Show Trivia: This show is Jerry Herman’s personal favorite, even though it is not one of his most successful shows. The original Broadway production featured Bernadette Peters in one her first starring roles. Though Mack and Mabel was nominated for eight Tony Awards it did not win any of them. A notable slight during the award’s season was the lack of recognition for Herman’s score.

Songs

• Big Time
• I Won’t Send Roses
• Wherever He Ain’t
• Time Heals Everything
• Movies Were Movies

And Scene

So now that you know all about Jerry Herman’s amazing shows (and I bet you knew more than you thought-be honest!) I fully expect to see you at Showtune! I’m so convinced you’ll enjoy the show, that I’m giving away a pair of tickets to Saturday’s Cafe Matinee Show (the 2pm performance). Enter to win below.

I’ll close my post in true theatre geek fashion (bonus points if you get it):

“It’s the day of the show y’all!!”

Event Details

Dates and Times: 
Thursday, June 7th at 7pm: Evening Cafe Show
Friday, June 8th at 6pm: Evening Dinner Show
Saturday, June 9th at 2pm: Cafe Matinee Show
Saturday, June 9th at 6pm: Evening Dinner Show

Cost: Evening Dinner shows- $30; Cafe Shows- $20

Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, Wesley Hall

Reserve Your Space: Call 256-533-6606

Ticket Giveaway

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