Bacharach Themed S.T.A.G.E. Benefit set for March 8 & 9

The 24th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E-will present Blame it on Bacharach!, a celebration of the magic that is composer Burt Bacharach, on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9 at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills.  S.T.A.G.E. is the world's longest continuously running AIDS benefit in the world.  Net proceeds from the annual event benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), an organization now in its 25th year of providing direct services and HIV/AIDS prevention education throughout Los Angeles County.

Each year, names in theater, television, film and cabaret donate their time and talent to the star-studded benefit.  David Galligan, recipient of LA Stage Alliance's 2005 Ovation Award for Career Achievement, will direct the productions as he has since the event's inception in 1984. Musical direction will be provided by Mary Ekler.

The first half of the program, according to press notes, will feature a special abridged adaptation of Promises, Promises.  The second act will present performances of some of the composer's best-loved songs from a catalogue that includes "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "Alfie," "Walk on By," "I Say A Little Prayer," "The Look of Love," "This Guy's in Love With You," "Do You Know The Way to San Jose?," "That's What Friends Are For," "One Less Bell To Answer" and "What's New Pussycat?"

Some 70 of Bacharach's songs have appeared on the U.S. Top 40 charts, and he has received three Academy Awards and seven Grammy Awards, including one for the cast recording of the hit Broadway musical Promises, Promises.

Since 1996, S.T.A.G.E. has recognized performers, philanthropists, businesses, organizations and individuals for their dedicated work in the fight against AIDS with the "S.T.A.G.E. Producers Award."  Stephen Sondheim was the first recipient, and last year S.T.A.G.E. honored actress Judith Light.  In March, the 2008 S.T.A.G.E. Producers Award will be presented to award-winning actress Doris Roberts and to community activist Brenda R. Freiberg for their long-standing personal commitment to worldwide battle against HIV/AIDS.

Performances of Blame it on Bacharach! are set for Saturday, March 8 at 8PM and Sunday, March 9 at 3 PM at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills.  Cast members will be announced shortly.  For ticket information, please call (866) 679-0958 or visit www.stagela.com.

Photo of Burt Bacharach.

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