Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward At Eureka Theater Opens 4/5

42nd Street Moon takes pride in presenting "Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward," a tribute to writer, actor, director, composer and bon vivant Noel Coward, for four performances only at 7 pm on April 5, 7, 8 and 12 at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street. Jessup will be accompanied by acclaimed Bay Area pianist, Ken Muir.

Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward will run concurrent with 42nd Street Moon's production of the sassy 60s musical High Spirits based on Coward's sparkling comedy Blithe Spirit presented from March 19 through April 12.

Jessup created this show to honor the centennial of Noel Coward's birth, and it has received the highest critical acclaim. The San Francisco Examiner called it "A grand show ... a real treat," while the Bay Area Reporter declared it "superbly rendered ... Jessup effortlessly evokes the vulnerability behind Coward's sardonic mask."

Consisting primarily of Coward's own words, extracted from diaries, interviews and his many hit songs and comedies, the show includes some of Coward's best-loved songs: "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," "Mad About the Boy," "Sail Away," and the telling "There Are Bad Times Just Around the Corner."

Jessup has been playing theatres, cabarets and concert halls throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe for over 25 years. In 1977 he teamed with Ruth Hastings and Barry Lloyd to form Ruth Hastings & Co. The trio played nearly every cabaret in San Francisco including Le Domino, Chez Jacques, Gordon's, Fanny's, Trinity Place and the Plush Room, culminating in a sold-out concert at the Geary Theatre which was recorded live.

A highly successful run of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at Chez Jacques, resulted in an invitation to perform the acclaimed musical revue in Brussels, Belgium just after Brel's death.

On his own, Jessup has appeared in many musical revues such as By George! (Gershwin), He and She (Rodgers and Hart), ...And What, Give Up Show Biz? and The Big Broadcast. He originated the role of Fritz in Joe Landon's musical, Fanny at Chez Panisse, and appeared in Io, Princess of Argos with Artstreet Theatre and in the title role in Song for Vanya at Sonoma Rep.

Rohnert Park's Pacific ALLIANCE THEATRE Company audiences have seen him in roles such as Melvyn P. Thorpe in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Burl Sanders in Sander's Family Christmas, Karl Brezner in Ben Elton's Popcorn. DePinna in You Can't Take It With You, Electric Bill in Mad Bros. and Rose, and Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof. Broadway by the Bay (San Mateo) roles included Mr. MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie and Jacob/Potiphar/Pharoah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

At 42nd Street Moon he played Sen. Rawkins in Finnian's Rainbow, Gravvins in Cabaret Girl, C. Gordon Bennett in Miss Liberty, and Sir in The Roar of the Greasepaint the Smell of the Crowd.

Tickets to Craig Jessup Sings Noel Coward are priced at $25, and may be purchased at 415/255-8207 or www.42ndstmoon.org

Craig Jessup SINGS NOEL COWARD
Sunday, April 5
Tuesday, April 7
Wednesday April 8
Sunday, April 12
All performances at 7 pm

Tickets: $25
Venue: Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St.
Box Office: 415/255-8207 (Open Tues. - Fri. Noon to 5 pm and Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm during production) or www.42ndstmoon.org

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