STAGE TUBE: Watch Performances from LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA at the Royal George Theatre

Ai Ai Ai from Chris Sato on Vimeo.

Just a Gigolo / In the Mood for Love from Chris Sato on Vimeo.

I Can't Believe from Chris Sato on Vimeo.

Hey Boy Hey Girl from Chris Sato on Vimeo.

Angelina from Chris Sato on Vimeo.

Old Black Magic from Chris Sato on Vimeo.

Continuing in a tradition of storytelling and music, Hershey Felder presents the Chicago stage premiere of Academy Award winning director Taylor Hackford's LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA. Hackford, best known for his films An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Devil's Advocate, and cinematic musical events such as La Bamba, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail Rock n'Roll and his epic musical film RAY, has decided to bring his latest award winning musical stage production to Chicago, where Louis Prima and Keely Smith created sold-out musical magic in the '50s & '60s. The production is in a limited engagement at Chicago's Royal George Theatre, 1641 North Halsted Street. The play is co-written by Vanessa Claire Stewart (who originated the role of Keely Smith,) along with Hackford, (co-writer, director & Producer) and Jake Broder (who originated the role of Louis Prima), and will feature some of the duo's greatest hits including "That Ol' Black Magic," "Hey Boy, Hey Girl," "What Is This Thing Called Love," "Night Train," Ai, Ai, Ai," "I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me," and more. Frank Sinatra also appears in a pivotal role in this musical love story. LOUIS & KEELY, 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA features a hot seven-piece live band that is guaranteed to bring down the house.

LOUIS PRIMA was one of the great musical innovator/entrepreneurs of the 20th century - from his beginnings in New Orleans Jazz, to becoming the toast of New York's 52nd St in the '30s, to appearances in Hollywood feature films in the late '30s & his scandalous love affair with Jean Harlow, to leading one of the most popular Big Bands of the '40s Swing Era, However, by the early '50s, his star seemed to be fading ... until he discovered teenager, KEELY SMITH, in a tiny Virginia Beach dive. In Pygmalion-like fashion Prima finessed Keely's stage fright and then molded her natural singing talent into a totally unique stage presence. Together they turned a two week gig on the floor of the Sahara Hotel's Casino in Las Vegas, into one of the most influential music acts of the '50s & 60s - 10 years later, Sonny & Cher basically copied their act. Prima & Smith's hot act on stage inevitably grew into a hot love story, and this musical play reveals their joy, thrills & chills, and ultimately their heartbreak. LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA is an American Love Story that not only packs an emotional wallop, but also features incredible music, staggeringly performed, that will have you dancing all the way home.

"My mother was a rabid Keely Smith fan, so I grew up listening to her records," Hackford recalls. "I first saw Louis & Keely on the Ed Sullivan Show in the late '50s, and I immediately became a Louis Prima devotee ... imitating his "That Old Black Magic" vocal style at my Junior High School talent show. Forty years later when I staged LOUIS & KEELY 'LIVE' AT THE SAHARA, it was like everything had been pre-ordained."

Having enjoyed a 7 month sold-out engagement at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse, and multiple Ovation Award wins including BEST MUSICAL, LOUIS & KEELY LIVE AT THE SAHARA is pleased to launch it's national debut in the great musical city of Chicago. The Chicago cast and live orchestra will be announced in January of 2015.

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