The Journey of a Bombshell: The
Ina Ray Hutton Story will premiere at the
United Solo Festival at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) October 4th and 9th at 9:00 pm. Written and performed by Melissa Ritz, the one-woman play with music and tap dancing explores the incredible life of one of entertainment history's most dynamic women.
Julie Kline (Magdalen) directs.
Ina Ray Hutton was the most successful female bandleader of the Big Band era. She conducted The Melodears, an all-girl band, was the first woman to conduct male bands of the 40's and 50's, and the first woman to have her own TV show. At the age of eight, a Vaudeville producer arranged for her to perform in his children's show in NYC, which led to a successful 30-year career in entertainment. However, her success in the spotlight was threatened by a secret she couldn't afford to reveal.
The creative team includes Tony Coppola (choreographer) and Barry Best (music arranger). Video footage is provided courtesy of
Paramount Pictures.
2014 United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, celebrates its 5th anniversary season and its dynamic expansion in scope and popularity. For more information, visit
http://unitedsolo.org/us/.
Performances of The Journey of a Bombshell: The
Ina Ray Hutton Story will be October 4th and October 9th at 9:00pm. Tickets are $19.25 and may be purchased in advance at
www.telecharge.com or call
212.239.6200. For more information on the show, visit
http://www.journeyofabombshell.com.
Melissa Ritz (Writer/Performer) received a BA in Dance and an MFA in Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, after an accomplished career in the United States Air Force. She completed a world-wide tour as a vocalist and dancer in Tops In Blue, a division of Air Force Entertainment.
www.melissa-ritz.com.
Julie Kline (Director) developed and directed Erin Layton's award-winning solo show Magdalen, produced at the NYC, Santa Cruz Fringe Festivals and United Solo 2013, where it was Huntington (Judson Memorial Church Magic Time),
Kristen Palmer'sThe Stray Dog (Rising Phoenix Rep CINO Nights) and numerous new play readings and workshops. She is a Literary Manager at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Artistic Associate of Rising Phoenix Repertory, and Program Director for Roots&Branches Theater, where she leads inter-generational theater workshops across the five boroughs.
www.juliekline.com
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