BCCM's BELLS ARE RINGING Begins Tonight

BCCM's production of BELLS ARE RINGING, a hilarious slice of the mid-Twentieth Century world lost to voice mail and texting, opens at the Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, at 7:30 p.m., tonight, September 17, 2015; and continues for four more performances: 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 18; 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19; and two performances on Sunday, September 20, a matinee at 2:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.

Chesley Santoro and Charles Krohn will join Jennifer Gilbert and John Gremillion in the lead roles. "The Krohns are theatrical royalty in Houston," says BCCM Artistic Director Paul Hope, "and we are so delighted that they will playing Sue, the owner of Susanswerphone, and Sandor, who woes her to get his "record" business into the answering service's office. Chesley and Charles occasionally appear in the same show, but this is only the second time in their long careers they have actually played a couple."

Also joining the cast will be Houston favorites Joel Sandel as Dr. Kitchell, the songwriting dentist, Lydia Meadows as Gwynne, Jon L. Egging as Detective Barnes and David Harlan as his partner Francis. Richard Sabatucchi (as Blake Barton) and Josef Anderson (as Carl) will be making their BCCM debuts. In addition, famed Houston lawyer John Raley will play the role of producer Larry Hastings.

As previously announced, Jennifer Gilbert will play Ella, the role made famous by Judy Holliday. Ella can't seem to help getting involved in the lives of her clients, but when it comes to playwright Jeff Moss, played by John Gremillion, Ella takes it to the extreme with hilarious...and romantic...results.

Written by the legendary team of Betty Comden and Adoph Green, with music by Jule Styne at his best, BELLS ARE RINGING opened on Broadway on November 29, 1956, and ran for just shy of a thousand performances, much to the delight of everyone who loves great musical comedy. It was nominated for four Tony Awards and won two.

BCCM Artistic Director Paul Hope and Mitchell Greco will direct BCCM's production with musical director Michael Mertz and choreographer Melissa Pritchett. BCCM's Associate Artistic Director, Dr. Dominique Røyem, will conduct the orchestra.

Proceeds from Bayou City Concert Musicals' production of BELLS ARE RINGING will benefit the Tim Harris Memorial Fund, which supports local musicians who have suffered catastrophic illness or injury.

BCCM season tickets and individual tickets to BELLS ARE RINGING are available by phone at 713-465-6484 or on-line at www.bayoucityconcertmusicals.org. Single ticket prices range from $25 to $50.

Pictured: Jennifer Gilbert as Ella Peterson in Bayou City Concert Musicals' production of BELLS ARE RINGING. Photo by David de Hoyos.

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