Hal Linden Will Star In IN THE MOOD At Bucks Cty. Playhouse

Hal Linden, one of TV iconic personalities, will join the internationally acclaimed attraction "In the Mood" when its 25th Silver Celebration Tour rolls into Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, from April 23-27. "In the Mood" is being presented as part of Bucks County Playhouse's Visiting Artists Series.

Linden is an actor-singer-musician who has earned three Emmys and Broadway's highest accolade, the Tony, for his lead role in the "Rothschilds." The versatile star easily shifts from roles in theatrical and TV films to projects for the legitimate stage and performances in the world's finest nightclubs. As a star on television, Mr. Linden created the iconic role of Barney Miller that was a staple on TV for eight years and is still seen in re-runs.

Some of Linden's other accomplishments include: 44 weeks on Broadway as a cantankerous octogenarian in "I'm Not Rappaport", critical kudos for his role as Alan Alda's sexy, shallow sidekick in the Paramount feature, "A New Life", a nine-city tour in "Man Of La Mancha" and concert dates ranging from performances with Dallas, St. Louis and Atlanta Symphonies (he plays Mozart on the clarinet) and The Philly Pops to appearances in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City.

The native New Yorker began his show business career as a clarinet player and later toured as a singer with Sammy Kaye, Bobby Sherwood and Boyd Raeburn bands. As a member of the U.S. Army band, he became involved in army revues. That piqued an acting career.

After his discharge, Linden enrolled at New York's American Theatre Wing. He later studied with Paul Mann and Lloyd Richards. His first major break came in 1958 when he was signed to understudy Sydney Chaplin in "Bells Are Ringing". Five days later, he made his Broadway debut. He starred opposite Judy Holliday on Broadway and on tour with the national company.

As part of "In the Mood," Linden will recall his early days with big bands and will join the In the Mood Singers & Dancers and the String of Pearls Orchestra.

The unique combination of the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, the In The Mood Singers and Dancers as choreographed by Broadway choreographer Alex Sanchez, will be the highlight of the season in a musically jam-packed performance. Treasures such as "Swingin' on a Star," "Tuxedo Junction," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy","Sing Sing Sing," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "I'll Be Seeing You," "La Vie En Rose," "Take the A Train" and "The Last Time I Saw Paris" are just a small part of a program that leave audiences cheering.

"In the Mood," a 1940s musical revue has been touring the world for a quarter century including four tours of Australia. Many of the music arrangements for the show were written by Hollywood arranger Vic Schoen (1916-2000). During his illustrious career, Vic furnished music for some of the most successful personalities in Hollywood, i.e. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, the Andrews Sisters and countless others too numerous to mention. "In the Mood" aspires to promote the memory of this most significant time in American history and continues to inspire audiences of all generations. For over two hours this big retro event will hold audiences enthralled with its singers, dancers and period costumes, fine orchestral arrangements, vocalists delivering songs from the '30s and '40s, choreographed dance routines and shear American pizzazz!

From the happy-go-lucky era before World War II to the start of the war when thousands of our youth were going abroad to defend our freedoms and longing for the end of the war when loved ones would be reunited. The show pays tribute to all veterans - from World War II to today's men and women in uniform.

"In the Mood" will play the following schedule:

Tuesday, April 23rd at 7:30 pm

Wednesday, April 24th at 2pm & 7:30pm

Thursday, April 25th at 2pm

Friday, April 26th at 2pm & 8pm

Saturday, April 27th at 2pm & 8pm

Tickets start at $65. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For full details, and to purchase tickets, please visit buckscountyplayhouse.org, call 215-862-2121, or visit the box office at 70 South Main Street, New Hope, PA.

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