Andrea Marcovicci to Star in 42nd St. Moon's 'Coco'

Cabaret and concert star Andrea Marcovicci brings her own captivating high style to the role of the magnificent and mercurial fashion doyenne, Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel in 42nd Street Moon's upcoming production of Coco. Alan J. Lerner and Andre Previn's musical memory play - unseen anywhere since the early 1970s -- will preview April 24 and 25, open on April 26, and run through May 11.
 
"Set in 1954 when Chanel was considered a has-been, Coco focuses on the French designer's amazing comeback -- as well as her battles with a jealous rival designer and the boyfriend of her protege.  This is the first production of Coco in over thirty years.  Songs include 'Always Mademoiselle,' 'The World Belongs to the Young,' 'When Your Lover Says Goodbye,' 'Fiasco,' and 'Coco,'" press notes state.
 
Renowned as both an actress and a singer, Andrea Marcovicci began on the daytime television series "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing." She debuted on Broadway in Ambassador, the musical adaptation of the novel by Henry James, and last appeared in Frank D. Gilroy's play Any Given Day with Sada Thompson. Her numerous appearances off-Broadway include The Wedding of Iphigenia, Variety Obit, and The Seagull. She performed Ophelia to Sam Waterston's Hamlet for Joseph Papp's Shakespeare in the Park. She received rave reviews for her performances in A.C.T. productions of St. Joan (1989), Burn This (1990) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1991). In Los Angeles, she appeared opposite Anthony Newley in Chaplin, portraying all the legendary actor's wives.
 
Her film credits include: The Front (nominated for a Golden Globe Award) with Woody Allen, The Hand with Sir Michael Caine, The Stuff with Michael Moriarty, Spacehunter with Peter Strauss, The Canterville Ghost with Sir John Gielgud, Henry Jaglom's Someone To Love (featuring Orson Welles in his last film appearance), and Jack the Bear, as Danny DeVito's wife. 
 
As a noted cabaret artist, Andrea Marcovicci has appeared from coast to coast touring her numerous critically acclaimed shows. She has enjoyed sold-out houses at the Oak Room of New York's legendary Algonquin Hotel, the Empire Plush Room in San Francisco, and the Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia, among others. She has seventeen CDs to her credit. Her most recent releases, "How's Your Romance? Andrea Marcovicci Sings Cole Porter" and "If I Were A Bell - The Songs of Frank Loesser," debuted on her own record label, Andreasong. She is the recipient of two Lifetime Achievement Awards, one from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs and the other a Backstage Bistro.
 
Coco will be directed by Los Angeles-based writer-director, Mark D. Kaufmann, who helmed several shows during 42nd Street Moon's first two seasons (Sweet Adeline, Hollywood Pinafore, The Cat & the Fiddle, and Oh, Lady Lady).  Kaufmann is returning to the Moon for the first time since 1994.  Music Director will be Michael Horsley, who last conducted Andrea Marcovicci for her appearance in 42nd Street Moon's production of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.  

Horsley previously worked on Goldilocks, Something Sort of Grandish, Peggy-Ann, and Darling of the Day at Moon.  He was the musical director for Bingo! at Center Rep in Walnut Creek last year, and has conducted on Broadway and on national tours of Show Boat, Chicago, and White Christmas.  Costumes for the show will be designed by Louise Jarmilowicz, with the Fashion Show Choreography by Jayne Zaban.

Nina Josephs, who has received accolades for leading roles in several recent 42nd Street Moon productions, appears as Coco Chanel's protegee, Noelle.  Noelle's interfering boyfriend Georges is played by C.J. Blankenship, with Michael Patrick Gaffney as Louis Greff and Sandy Schlechter as Pignol. The upstart designer Sebastien Baye is played by Tom Orr.

Portraying the various men in Coco's past are Sean Patrick Murtagh, Randel Hart, Coley Grundman, Steve Vaught and Tom Reardon.  The Chanel models are portrayed by Lisa Hensley, Beverly Viljoen, Casi Maggio and Heather Gordon.

Upcoming:
New this season, 42nd Street Moon will present a world premiere revue, Peddling Rainbows, celebrating the songs and poetry of E. Y. Yip Harburg from May 15 - 25.  The revue includes hits like "It's Only a Paper Moon," "April in Paris," "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," "Over the Rainbow," and "Down with Love."  Peddling Rainbows is not part of subscription series, but subscribers will receive a 15% discount.

Another golden age classic concludes 42nd Street Moon's fifteenth season: Cole Porter's exuberant Out of This World (1950). Darlene Popovic, Steve Rhyne, and Stephanie Rhoads return, with a new supporting cast, singing Porter's great songs including "From This Moment On," "Use Your Imagination," "Nobody's Chasing Me," "They Couldn't Compare to You," and "Cherry Pies Ought to Be You."  Out of this World runs June 5-29.
 
Tickets ranging from $22 - $38 are available through the 42nd Street Moon Box Office at (415) 255-8207 (Open Tues. - Fri. from noon to 5 p.m.), or through the website www.42ndstmoon.org. All performances are presented at San Francisco's intimate Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St. in San Francisco.

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