"BABALU-CY!"- the popular new musical starring Greg Purnhagen as Desi Arnaz, resumes performances at The Actors Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th Street (west of 8th Avenue) on Saturday, November 1st at 3 PM. The musical, subtitled "The Art of Desi Arnaz," began previews on August 23rd and, after a brief hiatus, resumes performances this weekend playing on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3 PM. Tickets at $55 and $30 are available through www.Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200.
Greg Purnhagen, who conceived, wrote and stars as
Desi Arnaz, won the Backstage Bistro Award for his earlier tribute to the beloved Cuban bandleader and singer. Directed and choreographed by
Gene Castle, "BABALU-CY!" features Emily
Anne Smith as Lucy plus a seven piece Latin band under the direction of Roy Dunlap with musical arrangements by David Cook. The musical has lighting by Charles R. Gigantiello, sets by Jana Mattioli and costumes by Rosemary Ponzo.
"BABALU-CY!" looks at
Desi Arnaz' career from his tremendous success as a singer/bandleader to his relationship, on screen and off, with America's favorite red head. Songs include many of Arnaz' signature numbers from his career as a bandleader as well as selections from "I Love Lucy."
Greg Purnhagen said "As an adopted half-Cuban child growing up in a non-Latino household, I had no role models, so
Desi Arnaz became my link to Cuban culture and music. I was drawn to the wide variety of music he performed from Tin Pan Alley to the Great American Songbook plus, of course, his Latin hits. He also bridged the gap between vaudeville, nightclubs and television - always performing before a live audience. After learning about his incredible life story, the story beyond his role as Ricky Ricardo, I was inspired to create a show that would share my admiration for Desi's music and immense accomplishments with new audiences."
Greg Purnhagen, who has toured the US, Europe, the Far East, Russia and Australia working with avant-garde artists
Philip Glass,
Mary Zimmerman,
Robert Wilson,
Meredith Monk and
John Kelly, has also appeared off-Broadway and in cabaret. In addition to debuting "BABALU-CY!" at The Metropolitan Room in 2007 (winning a Backstage Bistro Award for ‘Best Theme Show'), Greg was in the cast of "Rendezvous" (at Feinstein's) and has recorded commercially in many genres: Original Cast albums, New Music, Early Music, Avant-Garde opera. He was a guest vocalist on Bjork's CD "Medulla." For more info on Greg visit www.gregpurnhagen.com.
Director
Gene Castle began his Broadway career as a ‘Newsboy' in the original production of
GYPSY, subsequently appearing in FLOWER DRUM SONG, HIGH SPIRITS, HENRY, SWEET HENRY and GEORGE M!. He has directed and choreographed ON THE TOWN for the San Jose Civic Light Opera winning the Bay Area Theatre Critics Award for Best Director, Best choreography and Best Musical. Other directing credits include MOVIN' ON, STRIKE UP THE BAND, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, OH COWARD!, the film "Kiss Me Goodbye" and the TV special "Bonnie and the Franklins."
Musical director/Arranger DAVID COOK has worked with
Jennifer Hudson,
Marianne Faithful,
Billy Porter, Darius DeHaas and
Shoshana Bean and has toured with such hugely popular acts as NSYNC, JC Chasez, American Idol and Disney's ‘High School Musical.'
EMILY
Anne Smith, who plays
Lucille Ball, appeared in THE REALLY BIG pirate SHOW at 411 Theatre and has toured with Missoula Children's Theatre. She is also a composer and member of the band "Emily and the Swedes."
The "BABALU-CY!" orchestra, conducted by Roy Dunlap, includes Ravi Best, trumpet; Elizabeth Pupo-Walker, Latin percussion; James Hirschfeld, trombone; Chad Hochberg, drums; Kurt Stockdale, sax, and Yoshi Waki on bass.
For more information on "BABALU-CY!" visit
www.actorstempletheatre.com.
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