Carol Channing To Make Music Circus Debut 8/31 At Wells Fargo Pavilion

Carol Channing, star of stage and screen for most of the 20th century, will finally make her Music Circus debut in a benefit performance Monday, August 31, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. "Carol Channing and Friends," a benefit in support of her Foundation for the Arts and for the nonprofit California Musical Theatre. Channing is expected to announce the event in person to Music Circus patrons on July 7 at the opening night performance of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Tickets for "Carol Channing and Friends" are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, or by calling (916) 557-1999.

One of the most unforgettable scenes in musical comedy would probably be the moment when the curtains part atop the stairs of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant and Channing as Dolly Levi appears in her red Freddy Wittop gown, beginning her descent to "rejoin the human race." As both an impersonator and the impersonated, the name Carol Channing has worldwide recognition for her trademark ditzy persona, poofy wigs, gargantuan glasses and smear of bright red lipstick. Channing is famous as a thoughtful and highly engaging storyteller. An extroverted performer, her kooky, chatty and very engaging style starts out more or less chronological, but often digresses into a series of stories and anecdotes of the rich and famous with whom she has worked, including Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, George Burns, Gower Champion, Neil Simon and the Kennedys. She lingers over backstage stories from her hits, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Lend an Ear" and "Hello, Dolly!"

In the August 31 performance, Channing will be joined by Carole Cook and Joyce Aimée. Comedienne Jo Anne Worley will emcee. Cook, a protégé of Lucille Ball, was only the second actress to star as Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!," replacing Channing. Cook's career on television and in film includes dozens of roles, including one as Molly Ringwald's chain-smoking grandmother in "Sixteen Candles," making her recognizable to younger generations. Aimée was dubbed "The Chanteuse Dangereuse" by Josephine Baker. Worley, best known to many for her zany antics on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," was Channing's stand-by in the original Broadway production of "Hello, Dolly!" Worley, who's most recent Broadway production was "The Drowsy Chaperone," is familiar to Music Circus audiences, where she has starred in productions of "Hello, Dolly!," "Mame" and "Nunsense."

Proceeds from the "Carol Channing and Friends" will support the Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts and California Musical Theatre. The Channing Foundation supports the return of teaching of the arts in the State of California, and calls for the reevaluation, reexamination and rethinking of the benefits to be derived from a complete and adequate education that includes exposure to the arts as part of the regular curriculum. For more information, please visit www.ChanningArts.org

California Musical Theatre is the presenter of Music Circus, Broadway Sacramento and The Cosmopolitan Cabaret. As the largest nonprofit arts organization in the region, California Musical Theatre operates an education program that supports teaching artists in the schools, encourages and trains students to pursue careers in the performing arts, and educates teachers to incorporate the arts into their curricula.

"Both California Musical Theatre and The Channing Foundation share a commitment to a stronger future for our nation through giving our youth a well rounded education that includes a foundation in music and the arts," CMT Executive Producer Richard Lewis said. "We are honored to be able to host such an outstanding entertainer and advocate for the arts as Carol Channing at our theatre."
Tickets for "Carol Channing and Friends" will be $75 (not including $5 facility fee and applicable handling charges). A limited number of $250 VIP packages will be available, which will include a premium seating locations and a post-show reception with Carol Channing.

Tickets for "Carol Channing and Friends" are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or by calling (916) 557-1999.