Kaye Ballard, Liliane Montevecchi Star in DOIN IT FOR LOVE, 3/9-10

Hollywood and Broadway award-winners Kaye Ballard, Liliane Montevecchi, and Lee Roy Reams are to star in "Doin' It For Love," a Broadway-style tribute to the standards and the stories behind the music.  Celebrating the finale of its Southwest Tour in Los Angeles on March 9 and 10, "Doin' It For Love" features a 10-piece orchestra conducted onstage by David Geist, the show's music director.  Hilary Knight, the internationally renowned artist and illustrator, designed the poster art and collectables for the show.  The profits from "Doin' It For Love" will go to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Investigation and Rescue Fund supporting undercover investigations and animal rescue efforts.

"Doin' It For Love" is a two-act show that opens with a one-of-a-kind rendition of "There's No Business Like Show Business."  Following the opening number, Montevecchi and Reams each will take a star turn with newly staged performances of their most memorable musical numbers.  After a short intermission, Ballard opens the second act.  Her stage presence peppered with laugh-out-loud one-liners and heartfelt emotion brings to life the emblematic routines and songs of the Great White Way.  All three stars return to the stage for the show's grand finale.

Starring alongside Ballard and Montevecchi, Reams will stage the show.  "I am honored to perform and work with two of show business' most celebrated performers.  'Doin' It For Love' tells the personal stories behind the music by Kaye, Liliane, and myself.  Not only do we perform the music, but we entertain the audience with stories about the entertainment world then and now," said Reams.  "We are bringing the show to Los Angeles to give audiences a glimpse of what is sure to become a hit, and working to promote the ethical treatment of animals is very important to each of us."

"PETA is thrilled to benefit from this incredible show that will offer Los Angeles-area audiences a chance to experience the timeless acts and performances from some of the most beloved entertainers in show business, all while benefitting a great cause," said Ingrid Newkirk, president and co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.  "The Investigation and Rescue Fund is one of the most important parts of our work to stop animal suffering and abuse.  Our brave undercover investigators are able to expose – and ultimately stop – the cruelty that animal abusers try so desperately to hide. The Investigation and Rescue Fund also makes it possible to provide immediate veterinary treatment, transport, and humane shelter to animals in emergencies."

"Doin' It For Love" completes its Southwest Tour at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, located at 4401 W. 8th Street in Los Angeles, on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and shows begin at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets range in price between $35 and $500, plus applicable service fees, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by telephone at (800) 745-3000, or online at ticketmaster.com.

The exclusive, Friday night-only, $500 "Doin' It For Love" VIP package includes prime orchestra seating, an autographed collector's edition commemorative poster, "Kaye Ballard Sings Fanny Bryce" CD, and access to the post-show reception with the performers.  Saturday night's limited, $250 "Doin' It For Love" VIP package includes prime orchestra seating, an autographed collector's edition commemorative poster, and "Kaye Ballard Sings Fanny Bryce" CD.  Both VIP packages can be purchased by calling Kris Ziazie at (323) 513-5590.

During the intermissions and post performances on both nights, the commemorative "Doin' It For Love" theater posters created by Knight, show programs, and CDs can also be purchased at the show with the proceeds raised from the collectables going to the Investigation and Rescue Fund.

Kaye Ballard
Ballard starred on Broadway in "The Golden Apple," "Carnival," "Molly," "Pirates of Penzance," "Gypsy," "Funny Girl," "Nunsense," and Stephen Sondheim's "Follies."  She has been in numerous films, including "The Girl Most Likely," "A House Not A Home," "Freaky Friday," "Which Way To The Front," and "The Ritz."  Ballard has guest-starred in television programs as well, including "The Doris Day Show," "The Muppet Show," "Match Game," "The Tonight Show," "The Carol Burnett Show," and the live telecast of Rodger & Hammerstein's "Cinderella."  In addition, she co-starred with Eve Arden in the NBC sitcom "The Mothers-in-Law," which was recently re-released on DVD.

Liliane Montevecchi
The recipient of a Tony Award for her portrayal of Liliane La Fleur in "Nine," Montevecchi began her career as a prima ballerina.  Inspired by dance, she started a film career in the 1950s and starred in "King Creole" with Elvis Presley, "Meet Me in Las Vegas" with Cyd Charisse, "The Sad Sack" with Jerry Lewis, and "The Glass Slipper."  She left Hollywood for a leading role in "Folies Bergère."  Montevecchi's Broadway credits include starring in "Nine," "Grand Hotel," "La Plume de Ma Tante," and Stephen Sondheim's "Follies."  She also appeared in the films "Wall Street" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."  Montevecchi recently starred in "Love, Chaos and Couture" and is currently performing at Teatro ZinZanni in the critically acclaimed "Bonsoir Liliane!," directed by nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune.

Lee Roy Reams
Nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the original Broadway production of "42nd Street," Reams has starred in several Broadway shows including "Show Boat," "Hello, Dolly!," "Oklahoma!," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Producers," and others.  He has also directed several shows including "An Evening with Jerry Herman."  Reams made his Broadway debut in 1966 in "Sweet Charity" and was most recently featured in the 2011 documentary "Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age."

Hilary Knight
Knight designed the art for "Doin' It For Love."  Among his other theater posters, he created "Gypsy," "Irene," "Hallelujah Baby!" "From Broadway with Love," and "Sugar Babies."   Knight has illustrated more than 60 books and worked for a variety of clients, including Neiman Marcus, for which he designed the cover of the 2010 Christmas catalog.  Also in 2010, he created a mural for Dee and Tommy Hilfiger's apartment in New York's Plaza Hotel, home of the illustrious Eloise, the creation of Knight and author Kay Thompson.  His work can also be seen in art galleries throughout New York City.

David Geist
Geist has starred in several Broadway shows including "Cats," "Les Misérables," "Wicked," and "The Lion King."  He has performed alongside and coached Hugh Jackman, Sarah Brightman, and Michael Crawford, among other top performers in the music industry, and worked with composing legends Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Matt Berman is the show's lighting and sound designer and Rocky Noel is the stage manager.  "Doin' It For Love's" orchestrator, Larry Blank, was twice nominated for both the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for his orchestrations in "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Irving Berlin's White Christmas."  Patrick O'Neil is also working on the orchestration for the show.

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