It was announced today that members of the original AMERICAN BAND STAND will be joining Radio Broadway Presents "The Radio Hits of 1958," on Monday, June 30 at 8 p.m. at The Town Hall, Times Square's landmark concert venue. The show will feature a cast of Broadway stars and American Idol's Constantine Maroulis performing songs that topped the Billboard charts in the year 1958.
In a unique twist, the cast will be joined onstage by some of the most celebrated "Regulars" from The Philadelphia Years of American Bandstand, including CARMEN JIMENEZ, MARLYN BROWN KERNAN, DIANE IAQUINTO CELOTTO and the longest-reigning Regular on the program (October 1956 to August 1961), JOYCE SHAFER ROTH. During the Philadelphia Years, there were twelve national dance contests and most winners received hundreds of thousands of votes from across the nation. These winners were, in effect, the American "idols" of their day. Also participating will be EDDIE KELLY, who was not only a prominent figure and quite famous in the nation at the time but has many "Bandstand" credentials over the years. He and his partner were the only Regulars to make cameo appearances on the successful television series, American Dreams, and has made significant contributions over the years in keeping the memory of American Bandstand alive.
Principal singers will include
Max von Essen (Dance Of The Vampires, Jesus Christ Superstar,
Les Miserables),
Jennifer Hope Wills (The Phantom Of The Opera, Wonderful Town, The Woman In White),
Nancy Anderson (Wonderful Town, A Class Act),
John Treacy Egan (
The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde,
The Little Mermaid), and LAWRENCE CLAYTON (The Civil War, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dreamgirls) with additional performers to be announced. The evening will be hosted by
Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Drama Desk Award nominee – Wonderful Town).
American Idol's
Constantine Maroulis will be a special guest star. Since his memorable stint on Season 4 of American Idol, Constantine has starred in Broadway's
The Wedding Singer as well as off-Broadway productions, released his own solo album, toured the country, and held a recurring role on CBS' daytime soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. Most recently, Constantine was host of this season's American Idol EXTRA on the Fox Reality Channel.
Presented in the spirit of American Bandstand, complete with back-up singers, dancers and live band, this brand-new concert event will be a fun and energetic journey back to yesteryear that is sure to shake your bones and rattle your brains. Songs will include "Yakety Yak," "Who's Sorry Now," "At The Hop," "Great Balls of Fire,"
Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" and many more.
Tickets, priced $40 and up, are available by calling (212) 307-7171 or in-person at the Town Hall box office. The Town Hall box office is open from 12:00-6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The $200 "VIP" tickets include premium seating and a private cocktail reception with the stars following the show.
The Town Hall is located in Manhattan at 123 West 43rd Street between Broadway and Avenue of the Americas. Nearest subways are as follows: 1, 2, 3 - Times Square-42nd Street (7th Ave.-Broadway). A, C, E - 42nd Street-Port Authority (8th Avenue). B, D, F, V - 42nd Street-Bryant Park (6th Avenue). N, Q, R, W - Times Square-42nd Street (Broadway). 7 & S - Times Square-42nd Street (Broadway-7th Avenue).
Radio Broadway was co-founded by
Raymond Jaramillo McLeod, Deborah Kym and David Weitzer. Following the June 30 premiere, the company plans to present various incarnations of the show – featuring a variety of Broadway stars and radio hit songs spanning all decades – in venues throughout the country.
Collaborating with Radio Broadway is American Bandstand authority Charles W. Amann III. Mr. Amann is the author of The Princes and Princesses of Dance, a book to be published on The Philadelphia Years of American Bandstand, with particular focus on the dancers on the show, the "Regulars" and their fame, and how it influenced their lives. Recently, Mr. Amann was one of the foremost contributors and advisors to the Fiftieth Anniversary of American Bandstand and the unveiling of a mural held at the old Studio. He also has amassed one of the largest collections of American Bandstand Memorabilia existing today.
BroadwayWorld.com is the official media sponsor of Radio Broadway.
For more information, visit
www.radiobroadwaylive.com.
