S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Blames Bacharach, with McKechnie, Maye, Cook

The 24th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event-S.T.A.G.E-will present "Blame It On Bacharach!", a celebration of the magic that is composer Burt Bacharach, on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9 at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills.  S.T.A.G.E. is the world's longest continuously running AIDS benefit. Net proceeds from the annual event benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), an organization now in its 25th year of providing direct services and HIV/AIDS prevention education throughout Los Angeles County.

Each year, names in theater, television, film and cabaret donate their time and talent to the star-studded benefit.  This year's show will feature some of the composer's best-loved songs performed by artists ranging from Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester, The Celebrity Apprentice" contender and star of TV and stage Marilu Henner, "American Idol" runner-up Justin Guarini, Oscar and Grammy nominee Stephen Bishop, R&B singer Deniece Williams, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" host Jai Rodriguez and cabaret star Marilyn Maye to S.T.A.G.E and Broadway veterans Betty Garrett, Carole Cook, Pat Marshall and Nancy Dussault. The original "Plaids" from the long-running Forever Plaid -Stan Chandler, David Engel, Roger Befeler and Larry Rabin-will reunite for the two performances.

"Blame It On Bacharach!" will also feature a special adaptation of Bacharach's Broadway hit Promises, Promises, featuring Vicki Lewis, best-known for her work in the television series "Newsradio," as Fran, and Daniel Gurwin, who appeared on Broadway in The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Full Monty" and Little Women, as Chuck. A Chorus Line star Donna McKechnie, who appeared in the original Broadway cast of Promises, Promises, will reprise the show-stopping "Turkey Lurkey Time" dance number, joined by Sandahl Bergman, Jane Lanier and Valarie Pettiford.  Also scheduled to appear are Ian Abercrombie, Catte Adams, Paul Ainsley, Cate Caplin & Gary Franco, Paul Del Vecchio, Alvin Ing, Dave Koz, Jon Maher, Jamie McMurray, Linda Michele and Stefanie Powers.  Ty Treadway, host of "Merv Griffin's Crosswords," will infuse excitement into the event's live auction, which will include two South African safaris.  The event will also feature an extensive silent auction containing travel packages, gift baskets and memorabilia, among other items.

Since his days at the legendary Brill Building in the late 1950's, Burt Bacharach has been a revolutionizing force in pop music.  Some 70 of his songs have appeared on the U.S. Top 40 charts, and he has received three Academy Awards and seven Grammy Awards, including one for the cast recording of the hit Broadway musical "Promises, Promises."  His catalogue includes such popular songs as "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "Alfie," "Walk on By," "I Say a Little Prayer," "The Look of Love," "This Guy's in Love with You," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?," "That's What Friends Are For," "One Less Bell to Answer" and "What's New Pussycat?"

David Galligan, recipient of LA Stage Alliance's 2005 Ovation Award for Career Achievement, will direct the productions as he has since the event's inception in 1984. Musical direction will be provided by Mary Ekler.

Since 1996, S.T.A.G.E. has recognized performers, philanthropists, businesses, organizations and individuals for their dedicated work in the fight against AIDS with the "S.T.A.G.E. Producers Award."  Stephen Sondheim was the first recipient, and last year

S.T.A.G.E. honored actress Judith Light.  This year's S.T.A.G.E. Producers Award will be presented to award-winning actress Doris Roberts and to community activist Brenda R. Freiberg for their long-standing personal commitment to worldwide battle against HIV/AIDS.

Doris Roberts has been involved with S.T.A.G.E. since its inception, chairing the event several times in the 1980's.  In the early 1990's, she worked with Joe Cristina in the founding of the Children Affected By AIDS Foundation (CAAF) and sits on the organization's Executive Advisory Board.  She has been untiring in her efforts in support of that organization and in working with youth worldwide in her role as Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Through the efforts of Brenda Freiberg, and with support from the MAC AIDS Fund, APLA has partnered with the Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE) in Chennai, India to empower women and families in Southern India who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.  Their pioneering program, the APLA/YRG CARE Women's Project, provides treatment, psychosocial support and economic opportunity to poor women and/or their family members with HIV/AIDS.

S.T.A.G.E. has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS organizations throughout Southern California since its inception 24 years ago.  One hundred percent of the net proceeds from "Blame It On Bacharach!" will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles.  One of largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, APLA provides bilingual direct support services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation.  Founded by four friends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach.

Performances of "Blame It On Bacharach!"are set for Saturday, March 8 at 8 PM and Sunday, March 9 at 3 PM at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills, located at 8440 Wilshire Blvd.  For ticket information, please call (866) 679-0958 or visit www.stagela.com.

Donna McKechnie