Cape May Stage Presents Lee Roy Reams Tonight, 7/16

Cape May Stage, South Jersey's premiere Equity theatre, is thrilled to welcome another Broadway legend into their ranks: Lee Roy Reams in Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance. Tonight, July 16th at 8 pm, Reams brings his inimitable talents to the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in beautiful downtown Cape May.

Hailed by columnist Liz Smith as "Broadway's Darling", Lee Roy Reams won critical acclaim as Roger DeBris on Broadway and in the First National Company of Mel Brooks' musical hit, The Producers. His hilarious portrayal of the protean director earned him a Carbonell Award, Washington DC's prestigious Helen Hayes Award, and the Las Vegas Life Award.

Called by the New York Times "Broadway's song-and-dance man nonpareil," after his Broadway debut in Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity starring Gwen Verdon, Reams has played some of Broadway's greatest roles to critical acclaim. As Billy Lawlor in David Merrick's legendary 42nd Street, he earned Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his work. He's gone on to play Lumiere, the amorous candlestick in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Albin/ZaZa in La Cage aux Folles, Cornelius Hackl in Hello Dolly! with Carol Channing, Duane Fox in Applause with Lauren Bacall, Will Parker in Richard Rodgers' Lincoln Center revival of Oklahoma!, and in An Evening with Jerry Herman.
A celebrated director, on Broadway he's directed Hello, Dolly! (Tony Nomination: Best Revival) and An Evening with Jerry Herman. He also directed Anything Goes starring Chita Rivera and productions of Hello, Dolly! starring Madeline Kahn, Joanne Worley, Michele Lee, Leslie Uggams, and, in Paris, Nicole Crosille.

In a career that's spanned over 45 years, Reams has had the honor of performing for four U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and Bill Clinton. Recently, he received the Friar's Club 2009 Thespian of the Year Award.

Part of Cape May Stage's acclaimed Second Stage Broadway Series, Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance, will run Monday, July 16th at 8pm at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $50, and include an after party at the Wine Bar at the Washington Inn, Cape May's new hip, relaxing, contemporary meeting place at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets. There, ticket holders will have a chance to mingle with Mr. Reams, while enjoying delicious complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a well-stocked cash bar. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org.

Cape May Stage's Second Stage Series is presented through the gracious support of Chris and Dave Clemans.