WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT? THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA Comes to Stage Door Theatre Tonight

WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT? THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA the popular Michael Leeds/Kevin Black musical compendium of the music of the 1960s will return to Stage Door Theatre beginning tonight, February 19th, and run through March 27th.

"We've had so many requests to bring back the show, not only from people who didn't get to see it, but from those who want to see it again!" Michael Leeds explains. "For this go round we've hired six very talented actor/singer/dancers from New York. Actually, the three guys were in the show we just did, Pompadour, and we were so impressed, we asked them to stick around! Kevin and I are having a great time re-visiting the 60s and hearing these new voices sing those incredible songs. How can you get tired of songs like "Yesterday", "Dancing in the Street", and of course, "What's New, Pussycat!""

The idea for WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT? THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA was born when Stage Door Theatre's artistic director Derelle Bunn mentioned to Leeds and Black that she had an open time slot for a show in the summer of 2014, and asked them if they'd be interested in 'doing something'. They jumped at the chance. "Kevin and I had wanted to work together for a while, and this was a terrific opportunity," Leeds said. "And then, of course, the question became - what should we do?!"

WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT? THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA, the result of their collaboration, opened at Stage Door Theatre in August of 2014 and was an immediate hit with audiences and critics alike.

"What's New, Pussycat? was originally going to be a revue of just Burt Bacharach songs," Leeds explained at the time. "But as Kevin and I started listening to Bacharach's music, we kept being distracted by other great songs of the same era. So we decided to expand the show to include The Mamas & The Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Etta James, Ray Charles, The Righteous Brothers, The Fifth Dimension and all those Motown greats like The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Ronettes, as well as incredible composers and writers like Henry Mancini, Michel LeGrand and of course, Burt Bacharach!

"Creating the piece took careful deliberation, Leeds continued: "From past experience, both Kevin and I learned that though there are no "rules" to creating a musical revue, there are some guidelines. First, of course, is what songs are the most popular; the songs the audience is coming to hear."

Leeds and Black will revisit their roles as the show's director and choreographer, and Carbonell Award-winner Eric Alsford will once again serve as What's New Pussycat's musical director/arranger.

WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT? THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA's cast consists of Jessica Bennett, Brandon Godfrey, Preston Grover, Caitlie Moss, Dana Reminsky, and Jay Wilkinson.

Although he is primarily recognized as one of South Florida's finest and busiest directors, Michael Leeds has also had great success as a playwright, screenwriter, and choreographer. He co-wrote and directed the Broadway musical Swinging on a Star which received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical as well as a Drama Desk Award nomination and a Theatre World Award. Off-Broadway Leeds directed and choreographed Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah - The Songs of Allan Sherman, starring Tovah Feldshuh & Mary Testa, for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Best Director and Best Choreographer. His production of the European premiere of Arthur Miller's Playing For Time won a Festival Fringe First Award. For film, he choreographed End of Summer, starring Jacqueline Bisset and Peter Weller and co-wrote The Simian Line starring William Hurt and Lynn Redgrave, and The Last Film Festival, starring Dennis Hopper and Jacqueline Bisset. Leeds' plays include The First Step, and The Gift. His many South Florida productions include Mack and Mabel (Carbonell Award Best Musical), The Light In The Piazza, and A Little Night Music, (both nominated for Best Musical, and a Silver Palm Award for Direction for Night Music). As Associate Artistic Director for Island City Stage, his production of The Timekeepers garnered six Carbonell Awards including Best Direction and Best Production of a Play. The Island City Stage production of his play, Who Killed Joan Crawford, opened to rave reviews on January 14th, and is currently playing to sold out houses. Michael also teaches a weekly adult acting class. http://leedsworkshop.net

Kevin Black is the owner and artistic director of Kevin Black Productions. His expertise, experience, and creativity in directing and choreography, as well as in set, costume, and lighting design have built him a solid reputation as one of the top 'go-to guys' in South Florida. Kevin's most recent work includes 8 Track, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and Rags at The Plaza Theatre in Manalapan. He directed and choreographed Spamalot, Tommy, and The Rocky Horror Show for Entr'Acte Theatrix performing at The Crest Theatre in Delray Beach. Kevin has also produced South Florida tours of La Cage Aux Folles, The Jazz Singer, Smokey Joe's Café, Funny Girl, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret and Dreamgirls. He recently directed The Jazz Singer at The Willow Theatre in Boca Raton, which sold out every performance. Kevin's work can currently be seen at the Villa de Palmar Resorts in Cabo, Mexico; Kevin is also the Artistic Director for CAST (Career in the Arts, School of Talent) located in Miramar, Florida. www.kevinblackproductions.com

WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT? THE SOUNDTRACK OF AN ERA will run from February 19 through March 27 at The Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, in Margate. Tickets for What's New Pussycat? are $38 - $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoorfl.org.

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