The Show Palace Dinner Theatre kicks off its 2010 Spring/Summer season with an exciting production of The Bob Fosse classic SWEET CHARITY. Based on Federico Fellini's screenplay Nights of Cabiria, SWEET CHARITY was originally choreographed and conceived by Bob Fosse, with music by Cy Coleman. This classic musical is a tender, poignant, and consistently funny look at the adventures, or rather the misadventures, in the ways of love encountered by the gullible and guileless lady known as Charity Hope Valentine. Charity is a dance hostess who always gives her heart and her dreams to the wrong man. Her luck starts to change when she meets a suave Italian movie star, but things really start to look up when she runs into a shy but sweet guy in a night-school elevator. Could this finally be her Prince Charming? Broadway standards "Big Spender," "If They Could See Me Now," and "The Rhythm of Life" are among the songs in this spirited and fun-filled classic. The musical also features lyrics by Dorothy Field and a book by Neil Simon.
"We are thrilled to present this exuberant and stunningly choreographed musical to the Show Palace stage," said
Matthew McGee*, Show Palace's Artistic Director. "At Show Palace, our mission is to celebrate and perpetuate the art of musical theatre and with SWEET CHARITY, we are proud to present this classic musical and reinvigorate it for today's audiences."
Samantha McKinnon Brown* (Charity Hope Valentine) And
Christopher Swan* (Oscar/Vittorio) will headline the upcoming Show Palace production of SWEET CHARITY. The show, directed by Resident Musical Director Michael Ursua* (star of THE PRODUCERS and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Director of 2009's THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE) and choreographed by Shanna and Chris Sell (THE PRODUCERS, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS), is set to open on April 23. Samantha McKinnon Brown* was recently seen in American Stage Theatre Company's production of DOUBT and has performed regionally in roles like Roxie in CHICAGO and Betty Haynes in
Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS. Award-Winning actor
Christopher Swan* is well-known to Florida audiences in numerous productions at American Stage Theatre Company, The Golden Apple, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and The Hippodrome in Gainesville. Christopher is the recipient of Sarasota Magazine's 2009 Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at The Golden Apple.
The supporting cast includes Lauren Gemelli as Nickie (Broadway National tour of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE), Ayana Wright as Helene (Busch Garden's KATONGA), Thomas Mothershed as Herman (Andre in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS) and Scott Daniel as Daddy Brubeck (CIRQUE DREAMS National Tour). The 17 member cast also includes Alex Jorth*, David Tanciar*. Matthew Glover, Troy LaFon,
John Henderson, Patricia James, Lacey Vazquez, Kristen Sweeney, Ann Ehnes, Adrienne Bergeron and Ashley Ellenburg.
The creative team for SWEET CHARITY includes Michael Ursua* (Musical Director), Chris & Shanna Sell* (Choreographers),
Tom Hansen (Scenic and Lighting Designer), Angela Hoerner (Costume Designer), Scott Daniel (Original Wig & Hair Design), Susan Haldeman* (Production Stage Manager), Patricia James (Dance Captain), and
Matthew McGee* (Casting).
This Show Palace premiere featuring an energetic cast of singers and dancers and fresh direction and choreography is destined to become the sleeper hit of the 2010 season. Make your reservations now!
The show opens on April 23rd and runs through June 13th at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson, Fl, 34667. Doors open two hours before each show for dinner and cocktails. On Sundays, the doors open at 1 p.m. and show starts at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 8 p.m., and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 6 p.m. Matinees are available on select Wednesdays & Thursdays and most Saturdays and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $48, plus tax, for dinner and show. Show only is $36.95 plus tax. Call 727-863-7949 or 888-655-7469 to reserve tickets.
*Indicates member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
