ACTORS FUND Presents MUSICAL MONDAY: Billy Barnes & Friends 5/9

ACTORS FUND
presents
MUSICAL MONDAY -
Billy Barnes & Friends
In The Historic Pantages Lobby

WHAT: The Actors Fund is hosting another Musical Monday at The Pantages, celebrating the life and career of beloved composer and lyricist, Billy Barnes with a special evening of "Billy Barnes and Friends." Joining Billy will be Eileen Barnett, Carole Cook, Nancy Dussault, Jane A. Johnston, Karen Morrow, Barry Williams and Joanne Worley with others to follow. Don't miss this opportunity to pay homage to the man who became affectionately known as "the Revue Master of Hollywood". He has worked with Barbra Streisand, Lucille Ball, Bette Davis and Angela Lansbury. He wrote for Laugh-in, The Sonny and Cher comedy hour, Cher, and The Carol Burnett show. Billy Barnes was the musical director for Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In" television show in the 1960s, and he is famous for composing "special material" - comedic and topical songs, for many of show business's greatest personalities.

WHEN: Monday, May 9th - 7:30pm Cocktail Reception and 8:30pm curtain
Program to be followed by dessert and coffee reception with the performers

WHERE: The Pantages Theater Lobby, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

TICKETS: $125 by calling 323.933.9266 ext. 59

EDITORS/PRODUCERS: Billy Barnes is a composer and lyricist whose hit include "(Have I Stayed) Too Long at the Fair" recorded by Barbra Streisand (in her album "Color Me Barbra"), and "Something Cool", recorded by jazz vocalist June Christy. Barnes is best known for his theatrical revues, including The Billy Barnes Revue, Billy Barnes' People, Billy Barnes' Party, Billy Barnes' L.A., and Billy Barnes' Hollywood. Other productions with Barnes' songs include Movie Star, and Blame It on the Movies (1988). An assertive composer and skillful pianist, Barnes is affectionately known as the "Revue Master of Hollywood." Barnes started writing musical comedy sketches while still in high school, and continued while at UCLA. He started collaborating in college with Bob Rodgers, and their first professional revue, a Cabaret Concert Show, was staged in 1956 in Los Angeles. His revues were the springboard for many talented comics and singers, including Bert Convy, Ken Berry, Jo Anne Worley, Jackie Joseph, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Donald Ross, Dick Patterson, Dave Ketchum and Barnes' former wife, Joyce Jameson. On television he wrote special material and original musical production numbers for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Danny Kaye Show, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Cher and The Carol Burnett Show. He wrote opening production numbers for several Academy Awards telecasts. He has composed comedic and topical songs for many of show business's greatest personalities including Lucille Ball, Bette Davis and Angela Lansbury. He wrote the songs for the 1976 television musical adaptation of Pinocchio starring Sandy Duncan in the title role, Danny Kaye as Mister Geppetto and Flip Wilson as the Fox. Barnes had a recurring acting role on Mad About You in the 1990s as "Mr. Edlin", the musical director and pianist of a community theatre. Barnes received The Los Angeles Theatre Alliance Governor's Award for his lifetime achievement in the theatre.

THE ACTORS FUND is a national human services organization that helps everyone - performers and those behind the scenes - who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping nearly 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has - for over 125 years - been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit www.actorsfund.org.

Photo Credit: Bill Dow

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