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Vilanch, Pinkins, Garrett and More Headline LA Comden and Green Tribute in March
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 19, 2006
The starry cast will feature Tony Award-winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change, Jelly's Last Jam), Betty Garrett (Follies revival, film version of On the Town), Bruce Vilanch (Hairspray), Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard), Ann Morrison (Merrily We Roll Along), Christine Pedi (Forbidden Broadway), Valarie Pettiford (Fosse, Big Deal), Nancy Dussault (who co-starred in 1960's Do Re Mi), Lorenzo Lamas ("Falcon Crest," many films), Sally Struthers ("All in the Family," many regional musicals), Ruth Williamson (La Cage aux Folles, The Music Man), and Jo Anne Worley (On the Twentieth Century concert), as well as Wesla Whitfield, Neile Adams, Adam Lambert, Ian Abercrombie, Clay Adkins, Paul Ainsley, Jamie Anderson, Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, Cristalee, Bill Hutton, Rod McKuen, Linda Michele, Joan Ryan, and Mark W. Smith. The event will be directed by David Galligan while Gerald Sternbach will provide the musical directions and arrangments.
Betty Comden and Adolf Green (who passed away in 2002), worked with composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Jule Styne to create songs and libretti known for their irreverent wit and sophistication. The two penned the lyrics and/or book of On the Town, Wonderful Town, Bells Are Ringing, Do Re Mi, Subways Are for Sleeping, Fade Out-Fade In, Hallelujah, Baby!, Applause, On the Twentieth Century, A Doll's Life, and The Will Rogers Follies, as well as contributing songs to Peter Pan. They won three Tony Awards for their scores and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1991. Often busy in Hollywood, they also wrote the screenplays of Singin' in the Rain, It's Always Fair Weather and The Band Wagon, among others.
The S.T.A.G.E benefits annually tribute notable composers and lyricists--past ones honorees have included Stephen Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, The Gershwins, Stephen Schwartz, Frank Loesser, Andrew Lloyd Webber and most recently, Harry Warren.
For tickets, call (323) 656-9069 or visit www.stagela.com.
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