Center Theatre Group Celebrates Music of Loesser at Taper; Feinstein Hosts

The musical legacy of Frank Loesser, often called the most versatile of all Broadway composers, will be celebrated at Center Theatre Group's Salon XVI at the Taper, "Happy to Make Your Acquaintance," hosted by Michael Feinstein, Monday, November 17 at 8 p.m., at the Mark Taper Forum of the Los Angeles Music Center.

Robert Morse, who won a Tony Award in 1962 for his role in Loesser's Pulitzer Prize-winning "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," will make a special appearance.

A post-performance cast party in the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will immediately follow the Salon performance. Chaired by Ann and Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr. and produced by Susan Clines, the event will benefit Hot Tix, one of CTG's discount ticket programs.

Joining Feinstein and Morse in the performance, which is directed by Gordon Hunt, will be (in alphabetical order) George Ball, Roger Befeler, Theodore Bikel, Rod Gilfry, Jason Graae, Harry Groener, Kim Huber, Elissa Johnston, Michele Lee, Jo Sullivan Loesser, Amanda McBroom, Ken Page, Nita Whitaker and Wesla Whitfield.

The Salon will feature songs from such Loesser Broadway hits as "Where's Charley?," "Guys and Dolls," "The Most Happy Fella" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" include "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Happy to Make Your Acquaintance," "Heart and Soul," "I Believe in You," "Slow Boat to China," "Joey, Joey, Joey," "Standing on the Corner" and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."

"Happy to Make Your Acquaintance" is CTG's 16th annual Salon at the Taper, which honors the great lyricists and composers of American musical theatre and popular song. Created and led by Michael Feinstein, the Salon series is recognized as one of the premiere annual events in Los Angeles social circles. The program honors Nick Vanoff, a Tony Award-winning producer and ardent supporter of CTG. Previous Salons at the Taper have celebrated the work of Sammy Cahn, Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein II, Alan Jay Lerner, Lorenz Hart, Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Yip Harburg, Sir Noël Coward, Kurt Weill and Cole Porter, among others.

Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group is Los Angeles' leading not-for-profit theatre company and one of the nation's preeminent arts and cultural organizations. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, CTG offers audiences the greatest range of theatrical entertainment available from one theatre company. CTG presents productions year-round at the 739-seat Mark Taper Forum and the 1,600-2,000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center of Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

Tickets to the Salon at the Taper are $500 per person (with Section A seating and a post-performance cast party). A limited number of tickets to the performance only (Section B seating) will be available for $200 and are based on availability. For information and reservations, please call (213) 972-8056.

Photo: Michael Feinstein by Walter McBride

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