Photo Flash: Klea Blackhurst Tributes Ethel Merman in EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW at Birdland

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Klea Blackhurst in her return to the Birdland stage with EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW, on Monday, August 24. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW is Blackhurst's loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Not an impersonator and not an impressionist, Blackhurst offers a paean to the great Broadway legend that serves as a potent and happy reminder of Merman's sheer, undeniable importance to both the history of 20th century entertainment and the iconic composers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Jerry Herman, who wrote songs just for her.

Accompanied by the Pocket Change Trio, led by Michael Rice, Klea Blackhurst brought bright new interpretations of Merman's signature songs such as "I Got Rhythm," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "There's No Business Like Show Business," as well as rarely-performed obscurities including "Just A Moment Ago," "I've Still Got My Health," and "World Take Me Back."

Klea Blackhurst has received accolades for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW. Her other acclaimed shows are Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway and Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael, in collaboration with Billy Stritch. All are available on the Ghostlight Records label. She recently workshopped a new musical based on the iconic maid Hazel, with music by Ron Abel and lyrics by Chuck Steffan, and was directed by Lucie Arnaz.

Klea recently starred in The Goodspeed Opera House's 50th anniversary production of HELLO, DOLLY! Previously she starred in the premiere of the Marvin Hamlisch/Rupert Holmes musical, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, directed by Jerry Lewis, in Nashville. Her other regional credits include Rose in GYPSY at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, CALL ME MADAM at 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco, and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Glimmerglass Opera. Klea's radio and television credits include "Onion News Network," "Sesame Street" and "A Prairie Home Companion."

Photos by Kevin Alvey