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Larry McKenna

Birth Place: Philadelphia

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Larry McKenna BIO

LARRY MCKENNA is an author, producer, and director out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He conceived and wrote the book for the musical comedy BURT & ME, featuring the music of Burt Bacharach & Hal David (www.BurtAndMe.com) To date, it has been produced at the following theaters: Act II Playhouse (Ambler, PA), Deertrees Theatre (Harrison, ME), Society Hill Playhouse (Philadelphia, PA), Hackmatack Playhouse (Berwick, ME), Gretna Theatre (Mt. Gretna, PA), and Broadway Palm Theatre (Fort Myers, FL). Future productions are scheduled for the Palm Theatre (Mesa, AZ) in April of 2014, Delaware Theatre Company in May of 2014, and Dutch Apple Theatre in 2015.

His other writing credits include the comedies THE NEXT REUNION (Society Hill Playhouse,Philadelphia, PA) and STRICTLY PLATONIC (Hedgerow Theatre (Rose Valley, PA). His newest comedy THE LAST MONOGAMOUS MAN is scheduled for a reading at Hedgerow Theatre on January 27, 2014.

He also produces Larry McKenna's NEW VOICES CABARET at the Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia, (www.NewVoicesCabaret.com), now in its 3rd season. This highly popular cabaret was just recently nominated by BroadwayWorld.com as the "BEST SPECIAL EVENT" in Philadelphia. With only one day left in the voting, it is currently in 1st place. NEW VOICES serves as a showcase for young talent and many theaters now use its website with headshots and performance videos to assist them in casting their shows.

McKenna has been fortunate to be asked to direct many of his original productions. "I thoroughly enjoy directing my own shows because that way I am certain to get the interpretation that I intended," states the author. He also worked with Broadway Producer Bud Martin on THE STORY OF MY LIFE at the Booth Theatre in NYC and also served as Martin's Assistant Director on Act II Playhouse's production of MAGNETIC NORTH and Delaware Theatre Company's production of THE OUTGOING TIDE, which starred Michael Learned (The Waltons) and Peter Strauss (Rich Man Poor Man) and later moved to 59E59 Theatre in NYC.

McKenna is also a performer and can be found singing and playing piano at the Jersey shore during the summers and at various locations in Philadelphia during the rest of the year. (www.LarryMcKenna.com)

McKenna's favorite productions include the four children that he has with his wife, Kathy. They are also thrilled with the four spinoff productions that their children have spawned.

Larry McKenna News


Gretna Theatre Reveals Summer 2024 Season


Single tickets and subscriptions are on sale now for Gretna Theatre's 97th season, including five mainstage productions and four Family Series presentations, most of which will take place this summer at the historic Mt. Gretna Playhouse.

Orrin Evans Drops New Single 'The Red Door'


What’s behind The Red Door? For pianist Orrin Evans, that question has come to symbolize the daring path his life and music have taken over the course of his three-decade career. On his latest album, he once again flings that door open, delighting in the collaborators, friends, inspiration, and history that he finds inside.

Chris' Jazz Café Hosts a Musical Tribute to Larry McKenna


Chris' Jazz Cafe is hosting a tribute to Larry McKenna, one of the world’s finest jazz saxophone players, on June 16 & 17 at 8 and 10 p.m. The tribute shows will feature some of McKenna’s closest and dearest friends, including musicians Victor North, Aidan McKeon, Tim Brey, Dave Brodie and Dan Monaghan.

New Jersey Repertory Company Announces A New Series Featuring Weeks & Peterson Quintet


New Jersey Repertory Company has announced the Weeks & Peterson Quintet will be performing two sets at NJRep on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7:00pm and 8:30pm.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Announces Fall and Holiday Jazz Series Featuring Musicians, Vocalists, Dancers & More


Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is offering a stellar series of jazz performances with more than two dozen musicians, vocalists, and dancers appearing in West Chester this September through December, hosted by local jazz and blues artist, Sara Michaels.

Celebrate April's Jazz Appreciation Month With Jazz Events For All Ages On The Kimmel Center


The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month throughout the month of April with a variety of events for all ages across the Cultural Campus, from brand new works produced as part of the Center's sixth annual Jazz Residency program, to educational opportunities for children below age 5, and more.

Art Of Sound Announces The Return Of Joanna Pascale To Kick Off Unplugged Series


Becoming known as one of Lambertville's leading, underground arts & cultural presenters, The Art of Sound is pleased to announce the return of Joanna Pascale, with her all-star ensemble on Thursday, April 18th, 7pm to perform for their ever-popular, yet best kept secret cultural series titled "The Art of Sound Unplugged. 

Ivoryton Playhouse Features BURT AND ME


The Ivoryton Playhouse opens its 2019 season with a dazzling parade of hits by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the musical comedy BURT & ME by Larry McKenna. This coming-of-age story is narrated by Joe who tells the story of his obsession with the music of Burt Bacharach alongside his high school romance with Lacey. The old story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl again, develops a new life in this nostalgic paean to the music and culture of America in the seventies.

The Ivoryton Playhouse Presents BURT & ME


The Ivoryton Playhouse opens its 2019 season with a dazzling parade of hits by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the musical comedy BURT & ME by Larry McKenna. This coming-of-age story is narrated by Joe who tells the story of his obsession with the music of Burt Bacharach alongside his high school romance with Lacey. The old story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl again, develops a new life in this nostalgic paean to the music and culture of America in the seventies.

Ivoryton Playhouse Stages BURT & ME


The Ivoryton Playhouse opens its 2019 season with a dazzling parade of hits by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David in the musical comedy BURT & ME by Larry McKenna. This coming-of-age story is narrated by Joe who tells the story of his obsession with the music of Burt Bacharach alongside his high school romance with Lacey. The old story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl again, develops a new life in this nostalgic paean to the music and culture of America in the seventies.

Ivoryton Playhouse Announces 2019 Season


On March 20th, 2019 The Ivoryton Playhouse opens its doors for a new season - a year full of exciting, affordable professional theatre. Plays for romantics and plays for cynics; shows for families and shows for sweethearts;  music from the movies and Broadway as well as zany comedies and classic dramas- the Ivoryton Playhouse 2019 season has something for everyone and more than you ever expected.

Burt Bacharach Musical Comes to Meadow Brook Theatre


In the musical Burt & Me, Joe and Lacey were high school sweethearts, but when they attended different colleges, they drifted apart. Years later, they meet again, and Joe decides to win Lacey back. All it will take is a clever plan, a little bit of luck and the songs of Burt Bacharach.

PEACE AND LOVE Concert Comes to Philadelphia Museum Of Art's Friday Nights


There's no time more appropriate for a PEACE AND LOVE concert than now, and on April 6, 2018, TJP (formerly known as The Jost Project) is proud to perform in the Great Stair Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of their Friday Nights series. TJP will perform two sets of music at 5:45 and 7:15 p.m. As the perfect complement to the Museum's exhibit -- Design in Revolution: A 1960s Odyssey - TJP's music and the exhibit have a similar focus on the 1960s, a time of tumultuous political and social change, when messages of "peace and love" were everywhere. The exhibit is in Perelman Building, located at 2525 Pennsylvania Avenue, across from the museum. The concert is free with museum admission.

Beth Leavel and Chad Kimball with Frank DiLella and More Coming Up at Birdland


Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for August 21-August 27, featuring Benny Green Trio, Lorin Cohen, Michelle Lordi, and more. Scroll down for details!

Daniel Reichard, Count Basie Orchestra and More Slated for August at Birdland


Birdland Jazz Club has announced its August 2017 lineup, featuring The Birdland Big Band, John Pizzarelli, Borislav Strulev, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Benny Green Trio, Michelle Lordi, Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Daniel Reichard, Count Basie Orchestra and More Slated for August at Birdland


Birdland Jazz Club has announced its August 2017 lineup, featuring The Birdland Big Band, John Pizzarelli, Borislav Strulev, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Benny Green Trio, Michelle Lordi, Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

BURT & ME, OLDER THAN DIRT, and More Playing This Week At Florida Studio Theatre


Burt & Me OPENS THIS WEEK in the Gompertz Theatre to kick off the Summer Mainstage series!

FST Announces 2017 Summer Season!


Florida Studio Theatre's Summer Mainstage and Cabaret Seasons kick off with music, mystery, and unforgettable characters.  The Mainstage Season opens on June 2 and runs through August 20 in the Keating and Gompertz Theatres. A subscription to all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39. The Cabaret Season opens on June 15 and runs through September 24 in the Court Cabaret. A subscription to all three shows can be purchased for as little as $39. All subscriptions and single tickets may be purchased at the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000 or online at www.FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Meadow Brook Theatre Announces 52nd Season


Meadow Brook Theatre is proud to announce its 2017-2018 season. The 52nd season promises to please with a Broadway preview, three joyous musicals and four Michigan premieres!

Act II Playhouse Announces Spring Spotlight Series


Act II Playhouse is proud to announce its Spring Spotlight Series, with a variety of great comedy and music events.

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