Jeff Coon to Bring Summer Club to Venice Island Performing Arts Center in 2017

Get ready to kick off your Monday nights with the sounds of some of the region's most popular musical theater stars, accompanied by a 17-piece big band orchestra. Philly's favorite musical theater star Jeff Coon is bringing his Summer Club to Manayunk's Venice Island Performing Arts Center for a series of swinging shows throughout 2017.

The Summer Club is also pleased to announce all-star actress Monica Horan, best known for her award-winning turn on Everybody Loves Raymond, is the company's new Presenting Sponsor. Monica has been featured on The Bold and the Beautiful, Hot in Cleveland, and in the film Pee Wee's Big Holiday; has appeared onstage in Los Angeles at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in different words for the same thing and Off-Broadway in the cult classic Vampire Lesbians of Sodom with Charles Bush (also LA production); wrote and performed in the sketch comedy show, B.F.'s with (beloved Philadelphia favorite) Judy Toll. B.F,'s was performed in Los Angeles, directed by husband and Everybody Loves Raymond creator, Phil Rosenthal.

Big band and theater fans are invited to come swing with the Summer Club back to an era when life was cooler, music was snappier, and everyone drank their martinis straight up and their bourbon neat. This swinging evening of singing, dancing and fantastic fun features Jeff Coon and some of his most talented and entertaining friends from Philadelphia and New York along with an incredible 17-piece, live big band. It is an evening of live entertainment that you simply can't get anywhere else.

The entire season of shows is listed below, and features a host of Philadelphia and New York's hottest musical theater talent, including Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, Ben Dibble, Ben Michael, Kenita Miller, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Rachel Brennan, Shavey Brown, Elena Camp, Rachel Camp, Krissy Fraelich, Joilet Harris, Erin Maguire, and Tony Braithwaite. The team will be under the baton of Music Director Larry Lees, with Music Supervision by Amanda Morton.

Tickets and more information about the 2017 season can be found by visiting the Summer Club website at www.summerclubshows.com.

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THE SUMMER CLUB 2017 SEASON:

All shows at 8pm at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127. Tickets $49.

Monday, February 6, 8pm: "Valentine's Day Special" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, Ben Dibble, and Ben Michael

Monday, March 6, 8pm: "Ladies Night" featuring Kenita Miller, Rachel Camp, Elena Camp, Krissy Fraelich, Joilet Harris, Jeff Coon, Michael Philip O'Brien, Rachel Brennan, and Erin Maguire

Monday, April 3, 8pm: "Spring Fling" featuring Jeff Coon, JP Dunphy, Ben Dibble, Michael Philip O'Brien, Shavey Brown, and Tony Braithwaite.

Monday, May 1, 8pm: "May Day" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Shavey Brown, Rachel Brennan, and Erin Maguire.

Monday, June 12, 8pm: "Summer Club Kicks Off Summer '17" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Ben Dibble, Kenita Miller, and Krissy Fraelich.

Monday, July 10, 8pm: "Hot Summer Nights" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Shavey Brown, Rachel Brennan, and Erin Maguire.

Monday, August 7, 8pm: "Dog Days" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Tony Braithwaite, Ben Michael, Ben Dibble, Michael Philip O'Brien, and Shavey Brown.

Monday, October 2, 8pm: "Summer Club Celebrates Philadelphia" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Ben Dibble, Tony Braithwaite, Krissy Fraelich, and Joliet Harris.

Monday, November 6, 8pm: "Summer Club Gives Thanks" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Shavey Brown, Rachel Brennan, and Erin Maguire.

Monday, December 4 and Monday, December 18, 8pm: "Summer Club Holiday Extravaganza" featuring Jeff Coon, Fran Prisco, JP Dunphy, Michael Philip O'Brien, Shavey Brown, Rachel Brennan, and Erin Maguire.

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Jeff Coon is a 1988 Graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School. He attended University of Pennsylvania, and, during the summer months, returned home to Cape May to work at Carney's, Restaurant Maureen (now M'Ocean), Summers and EsTaTi (now Cabanas). He has been a professional actor and singer based in the Philadelphia area since 1993. Called by Philadelphia Weekly "one of Philadelphia's most talented and vocally gifted musical performers," Jeff has appeared in over 100 professional productions, and been nominated for 10 Barrymore Awards (Philadelphia's theatre awards), winning once. He appears frequently at Walnut Street Theatre and Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, and has performed nationally with Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Kennedy Center, The Prince Music Theatre, Houston's Theatre Under the Stars and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, among others. He has performed as Jean Valjean (LES MISERABLES), Harold Hill (THE MUSIC MAN), Che (EVITA), and Gaston (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), in addition to numerous other notable roles. Mr. Coon has also worked as a producer for Zakarak Productions of Wallingford, PA and produced live corporate events. www.jeffreycoon.com

JP Dunphy is proud to be a member of this extraordinary show with such amazingly talented colleagues! A Villanova, Pa resident, recently seen in Media Theatre's production of SUNSET BOULEVARD as Manfred, Favorite roles include Frankie in FOREVER PLAID and Corny Collins in HAIRSPRAY. Other regional works include MAME, ANNIE, RENT, JEKYLL & HYDE, The Who's TOMMY, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and SPAMALOT. Proud member of SAG/AFTRA/AEA.

Fran Prisco: A Philadelphia native and resident, he has developed a reputation as one of his hometown's favorite performers! His resume boasts over 20 productions at the Walnut Street Theatre that include two Barrymore Nominations. He also has performed for most of Philly's excellent theatre companies including The Arden, The Wilma, Philadelphia Theater Company, 1812 Productions, 11th Hour, and Delaware Theatre Company, among others. Last summer had had the honor of returning to his college campus to portray Ali Hakim in OKLAHOMA! for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. His performing career has taken him all over the country, including two National Tours of FOREVER PLAID, and a six month gig in Denver, CO for a production of MY WAY! A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Frank Sinatra. He is also a respected cabaret artist, Cabarets he's created and performed include TRIBUTE TO JOHNNIE RAY and AN EVENING OF BREAK UP SONGS FOR STUPID VALENTINE'S DAY.

Michael Philip O'BRIEN is a native Philadelphian and graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He is a four-time Barrymore Award Nominee, winning the award for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical in 2009. New York Credits: The York Theatre, Greenwich Street Theatre and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Regional Credits: Walnut Street Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, NJPAC, Milwaukee Rep., The Arden, Prince Music Theatre, Bristol Riverside, and many more. Michael is also the Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of 11th Hour Theatre Company, Philadelphia's Boutique Musical Theatre Company. Now celebrating it's 11th Anniversary Season, 11th Hour has received over 30 Barrymore Award Nominations and produced 16 musicals, including 9 Philadelphia Premieres. www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org

Ben Dibble: An award-winning actor, Ben's roles range from Batboy to Candide, from Anthony Hope to Leo Frank, for which he won the Barrymore Award in 2014 for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Ben's approach to work is equal parts powerful and playful. An accomplished musician, Ben also has a private voice studio where he teaches singers how to unlock their sound and enliven their vocal performance. Find out more from Ben at www.brownanddibble.com.

Ben Michael: A native of Hatboro, PA, Ben is ecstatic to be joining his good friends at the Summer Club. Ben has recently played Giorgio in the Arden Theater Company's production of "Passion," Fyedka in the national tour of "Fiddler on the Roof," Cinderella's Prince and the Wolf in Theatre Horizon's production of "Into the Woods," and Billy Bigelow in "Carousel" at the Theatre at Monmouth. Many thanks to Jeff, Joey, and the entire Summer Club team. Check out more from Ben at www.benmichael.net.

TONY BRAITHWAITE is a 3-time Barrymore Award-winning actor, comic, director, emcee, writer, and teacher based in Philadelphia who has been hailed by the Philly press as, "The Funniest Man in Philadelphia." Braithwaite's professional career began at 13, when he became the youngest stand-up ever to appear at NYC's legendary Comedy Club, The Improv. As an adult, he has performed at numerous theatres: in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Chicago, and D.C. He is currently the Artistic Director of Act II Playhouse in Ambler. His work ranges from stand-up to Shakespeare, from modern classics to musical comedy. All the while, he has managed to find time to teach and direct at local educational institutions such as Curtis Institute, University of Pennsylvania, and his beloved alma mater, St. Joe's Prep.

Rachel Brennan has performed all over the country, even at the White House, but she will always be partial to the Philadelphia area and its natives, especially having grown up just down the street in Jeffersonville. Rachel holds a degree in music from The Catholic University of America, where she studied musical theatre. Aside from being a performer, she is a mom to a three-year-old son, a theatre teaching artist, certified yoga instructor and also runs a small reclaimed-wood business with her husband. Credits include: The Three Maries (Little Marie)- The Prince Theatre; Becky Shaw (Suzanna Slater)- Montgomery Theatre; Factory Girls (Abigail), Lizzie (Bridget Sulivan) and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Rachel Jackson) - 11th Hour Theatre Co., Treasure Island (Jamie Hawkins), The Three Musketeers (Henrietta) and Snow White (Frannie) - Peoples's Light and Theatre, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Lana Sherwood) - The Prince Musical Theatre, Willy Wonka (Charlie's Mother) and (Cindy)- The Kennedy Center and National Tours.

Shavey Brown is ecstatic to be joining The Summer Club! Recently, he was seen at Walnut Street Theatre where he performed in South Pacific. Off-Broadway: The Fantasticks (El Gallo). National Tours: Swing!, The Pajama Game, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Regional: The Scottsboro Boys (Ahmanson, American Conservatory Theatre, The Old Globe). Film/TV: The Only Living Boy in New York (currently filming) and HBO's Vinyl. Training: Wright State University. Thanks to God, Joey and Jeff for having him feel like Nat King Cole for a night, and my amazing friends and family.

ELENA CAMP is an actor, singer, and teaching artist in the Philadelphia area. Recent credits include Forbidden Broadway at Act II Playhouse, Ensemble and Dance Captain in Ragtime at Bristol Riverside Theater and Cinderella in Into the Woods at The Eagle Theatre. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Rider University's Westminister College of the Arts where her favorite roles included Luisa Contini in NINE and Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer. Se was honored to win 3rd Place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in Boston, judged by Andrew Lippa, Sheri Sanders, and Kate Baldwin. Joining this team and performing alongside her beautiful sister, Rachel Camp, is a dream come true. www.eleanacamp.com.

Rachel Camp is a Philadelphia-born actress, singer, dancer, and teaching artist. Her most recent performances onstage have been with the Philadelphia Artists' Collective (FAIR MAID OF THE WEST), Theatre Horizon (INTO THE WOODS), Team Sunshine Performance Corporation (THE SINCERITY PROJECT), the Walnut Street Theater (GREASE), Riverside Theatre in Florida (HOW TO SUCCEED...), and the Arden Theatre Company (PARADE, NEXT TO NORMAL). Rachel won the 2011 Barrymore for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for her work as Olive in Theatre Horizon's THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Rachel teaches action adventure dance classes with Zoom Dance; voice and dance at the University of the Arts Pre-College Summer Program; and coaches young aspiring performers throughout the Philadelphia area. www.rachelcamp.com

Krissy Fraelich was seen as Diana in NEXT TO NORMAL at Arden Theatre Company and at The Eagle Theatre. Other credits include Emily Hobbs in ELF, Eva Peron in EVITA (Walnut Street Theatre), Dot/Marie in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, Nurse Betty Gow in BABYCASE, SWEENEY TODD and Jacques Brel...PARIS (Arden Theatre Company), and Lowdermilk and Kerrigan's FLASH OF TIME at the Kimmel Center. Krissy made her Broadway debut in Frank Wildhorn's THE CIVIL WAR and was the Narrator in the First National Tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. She had the amazing opportunity to perform under the music direction of and be conducted by Jason Robert Brown in his SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD at Symphony Space in NYC. As a member of the Broadway Gospel Choir, Krissy has performed alongside Linda Eder at Carnegie Hall in the concert CHRISTMAS STAYS THE SAME. Recent roles include Bristol Riverside Theatre's "THE NEW RED HOT MAMAS" and Alice in THE ADDAMS FAMILY at the Media Theatre.

Joilet Harris: Joilet, a multi-talented mezzo-soprano and actress, affectionately and aptly known as "Joi", has accomplished more in 32 years as a professional entertainer than many do in a lifetime. Joi has lent her remarkable talents to an impressive array of acclaimed recording artists such as Patti LaBelle, Kenny Lattimore, Melba Moore and a host of others. She has toured Europe extensively singing gospel and even enjoyed recurring three-month engagements at a theme park in Italy. Joilet has graced the stage in innumerable theatre productions across the USA. She currently performs the role of "Ella" in the tour of the show by the same name. Her TV credits include LAW & ORDER, SVU, NEW YORK UNDERCOVER, HACK, PHILLY, and for two seasons she played the role of Detective Caroline Massey on the HBO series THE WIRE. She has appeared in major motion pictures such as ANIMAL FACTORY with Willem Defoe, 12 MONKEYS with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, BELOVED with Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, MAXIMUM RISIK with Jean Claude VanDamme and ROCKY V with Sylvester Stallone, and numerous others. Joi won the Barrymore Award, "Best Actress in a Musical" for her auspicious performance as "Caroline" in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia. Joilet has been celebrated as "One of Philly's Best". She is an active member of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church where she serves as a soloist choir member and assistant Choir Directress. "For all that I've accomplished in my life, I give all the credit, praise, honor and thanks to God. It's been through no goodness of my own, but by His grace and mercy. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!"

Kenita Miller: B'way/ Off B'way/Regional: Lord Tom (Eliza), How Water Behaves( Ayutunde), Saturday Night ,Propaganda!( Agent X/Outstanding Individual Performance NYMF 2014 Award), Parade ( Minnie McKnight, Angela/2014 Barrymore Award Outstanding Featured Actress)Langston In Harlem (Zora Neale Hurston -Drama Desk Nom./ Audelco Award), Working(Drama Desk Award), Xanadu(Erato/Kira Cover), Color Purple(Celie), Avenue Q, Dessa Rose( Dessa ),Once On This Island(Timoune/ Mama Euralie), Ragtime(Sarah) Film/TV:Sesame Street, Hostages, Odd Mom Out. Follow me on Twitter! @miller_kenita

Erin Maguire most recently starred Off Bway in the Drama Desk nominated TIl DivoRCE DO US PART. Other NY credits include Forbidden Broadway SVU, FIVE COURSE LOVE (Minetta Lane), FLIGHT OF THE LAWNCHAIR MAN (37 Arts) and 101 DALMATIANS (MSG, national tour, dir. Jerry Zaks) Other national tour credits include SEUSSICAL with Cathy Rigby, and NEWSICAL. Regionally, she appeared in HOW TO SUCCEED...(Goodspeed, Smitty), CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Mae, Flat Rock), CHICAGO (Roxie, Maine State), EMMA (Mrs. Elton, Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Rep), THE BOY FRIEND (Maltz Jupiter, Carbonell nom) and many more. Erin is now doing standup and appearing at Comedy Clubs the ought the city and NJ. Follow me on Twitter @emagscomedy or on Facebook for up to the minute details on appearances. And check out www.erinmaguire.com if you want to see a website in desperate need of updating. Enjoy!

Larry Lees is a composer, lyricist, arranger, orchestrator, and conductor, working primarily in the Philadelphia and New York City areas. Major works include the original musicals: Jonestown, 16 Days, and the forthcoming Wonder Pig; as well as the operatic work, Obesa Cantavit: The True Tale of a Music Legend and the Sandwich Who Loved Her. Additionally, he has written incidental music for several plays, including The Magic of Mrs. Crowling (2007 Innovative Theatre Award nomination), The Colonel's Holiday, The Blood Brothers Present..., and The Birth, Adoption and Death of Dorothy Dutchess. Apart from his theatrical works, Larry's compositions and arrangements have been featured in some of NYC's most renowned music venues -including 54 Below, Birdland, Joe's Pub, and The Metropolitan Room. In recent years, Larry has had the pleasure to be welcomed into the world of the circus, having created original scores for several seasons with the world-famous Circus Vargas, contributing original songs to the acclaimed clown duo Steve and Ryan, and now serving as the resident composer for Venardos Circus Productions. Among other things, he was the conductor and orchestrator for We Tell The Story: The Songs of Ahrens and Flaherty (Lucille Lortel Theatre), and recently completed a return NY engagement of Carole Bufford's cabaret hit, Speak Easy, which he co-created, orchestrated, and conducted - and which featured the talents of the legendary Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks. Visit www.larrylees.com for more information.

AMANDA MORTON is music director, vocal coach and teacher who has recently worked on ANDY: A POPERA, a collaboration between the Bearded Ladies Cabaret and Philadelphia Opera. Other select credits include: MALPRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (York Theatre Company), PARADE (Arden Theatre Company), SRING AWAKENING (Theatre Horizon), A DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF (Classic Stage Company, York Theatre Company), PETER & I (American Theatre of Actors), THE COOPER CLAN: UP TILL NOW (Joe's Pub), EXIT MUSIC (York Theatre Company) and WE TELL THE STORY: THE SONGS OF AHRENS & FLAHERTY (Lucille Lortel Theatre). She has lent her piano skills to the Dramatists Guild Awards and Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards (Kennedy Center). Recordings: Sheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures, A Doctor In Spite of Himself (demo featuring Brian D'Arcy James, Kate Baldwin, Christopher Fitzgerald).

Joey Abramowicz (General Manager): A New Orleans Native, Joey now resides in Springfield, PA. Joey spent nine years in New York City as a dancer and actor. Pre-Broadway: THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN' (Old Globe Theatre/Twyla Tharp). Regional and National Tours: CATS (National Tour '02-'03), The Walnut Street Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, Maine State Music Theatre, The Fulton Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre. Commercial and Industrial Credits: TD Bank, Harrah's Philadelphia, US Open, and Zakarak Productions. He has Dance Captained over 20 shows, and has taught Master Classes in Musical Theatre at Temple University and The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Joey also served as an Assistant Casting Director for the Maine State Music Theatre from 2006-2010. Thank you to all of our supporters, donors and sponsors. To our Family, Friends and community of artists, we would not be here without you. And to Jeff Coon: you're a class act, my friend!

Monica Horan (Presenting Sponsor): hails from "Delco" and Upper Darby Summer Stage. She is best known for playing "Amy MacDougal" on the Emmy-winning sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, for which she won the 2006 Gracie Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress-Comedy Series. Monica has been featured on The Bold and the Beautiful, Hot in Cleveland and in the film Pee Wee's Big Holiday; has appeared onstage in Los Angeles at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in different words for the same thing and Off-Broadway in the cult classic Vampire Lesbians of Sodom with Charles Bush (also LA production); wrote and performed in the sketch comedy show, B.F.'s with (beloved Philadelphia favorite) Judy Toll. B.F,'s was performed in Los Angeles, directed by husband and Everybody Loves Raymond creator, Phil Rosenthal. As a producer, Monica brought Michael Ogborn's The Three Maries to the Prince Theatre for a limited run in 2015, and is currently a Presenting Sponsor of The Summer Club presents Mondays in Manayunk. Monica serves on the board of The ?Arden Theatre Co. in Philadelphia, as well as the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles; she and her husband founded the Rosenthal Family Foundation with a primary focus of advocating and providing programing for quality arts education in all public schools in Los Angeles, as well as the Flourish Foundation (www.theflourishfoundation.org) with friend and former Summer Stage alum Dr. Kevin Kane.

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