New Irving Berlin Musical Premieres in LA on June 21

By: BWW News Desk Jun. 01, 2005

The Melody Lingers On: The Songs of Irving Berlin, a new musical about the life and music of the great songwriter, will premiere at LA's El Portal Theatre on June 21st, for 20 performances to July 10th.

The show stars Kathryn Crosby Todd Murray, Melina Kalomas and David Engel. The Music Lingers On is presented by Tripp Hornick in association with Edward Sayegh (who provides the musical supervision), and is staged by Jamie Rocco with musical direction by Colin Freeman.

The musical, which is New York bound, relives important musical history featuring 43 of Berlin's hit songs and is based on the biography, Irving Berlin, A Daughter's Memoir, by his daughter, Mary Ellin Barrett. In a life that spanned more than 100 years, and with a creative output of more than 1,000 songs, Berlin epitomized Jerome Kern's adage that 'Irving Berlin has no place in American Music. He is American Music.' From Tin Pan Alley to Broadway, from Hollywood to tours of duty throughout Europe and the Pacific, the story of Irving Berlin is the story of the 20th American Century," states a press article.

With an on-stage orchestra and a cast of 11, the production will feature such favorite Berlin classics as "God Bless America," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up In the Morning," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "White Christmas," "Easter Parade," "Always," "I Love a Piano" and many more.

Crosby, who plays Berlin's daughter Mary, last appeared on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre in 1996 in Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair The widow of Bing Crosby, she met the crooner while on the set of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, for which she interviewed him for her hometown newpaper She has performed in the title roles in Sabrina, Peter Pan, Mary, Mary, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and in Same Time Next Year, Guys and Dolls, I Do, I Do, Arms And The Man, The Guardsman, Oh Coward, State Fair and The Seagull. She appeared on many of her husband's television Christmas specials as well as on her own Kathryn Crosby Show.

Murray (The Secret Garden, first touring company, many Paper Mill shows) takes on the role of Berlin, while Engel (Putting it Together, LA Ovation winner for Forever Plaid and Crazy For You) portrays Fred Astaire. Kalomas (Les Miserables national tour) plays Mrs. Irving Berlin.

Previews of the limited run show are on June 21, 22 at 8 PM, with a Gala Celebrity/Press Opening on Thursday, June 23.

The El Portal Theatre is located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. For tickets and information call 818-508-4200 or Theatremania 866-811-4111. For more information on The Melody Lingers On, visit www.elportaltheatre.com

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New Irving Berlin Musical Premieres in LA on June 21

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