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42nd Street Moon's Artistic Director, Greg MacKellan, today announced that the Company will present Klea Blackhurst in her highly-acclaimed one-woman show, Everything the Traffic Will Allow: The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman for five performances only at the Eureka Theatre from April 21 - 25. Blackhurst, who appeared as Sally Adams in 42nd Street Moon production of Call Me Madam earlier this season, is a firm favorite with audiences in the Bay Area.
Everything The Traffic Will Allow is Blackhurst's loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Not an impersonator and not an impressionist, Blackhurst offers a paean to the great Broadway legend that serves as a potent and happy reminder of Merman's sheer, undeniable importance to both the history of twentieth century entertainment and the iconic composers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Jerry Herman, who wrote songs just for her. "I'm so delighted that we have the opportunity to bring Klea back to San Francisco this spring," said MacKellan. "She's been performing with us in our galas since 2002, and played two Merman roles for us in Madam and in Red Hot and Blue! in 2005. This engagement is a rare chance for West Coast audiences to experience Klea's crackling wit and powerful vocals as she performs her savvy valentine to one of American theatre's greatest stars."
Everything The Traffic Will Allow took New York by storm in 2001. Both Broadway aficionados and newcomers to the American musical found Blackhurst to be the most informed and engaging tour guide to the life and work of Ethel Merman imaginable. Hailed by critics as "incandescent, sensational, sophisticated, warm, funny, audience-savvy and an all-around entertainer," she continues to charm audiences around the country. The show is currently in residence at New York's Snapple Theatre Center where it seems positioned to become a New York theatre institution. David Hurst wrote in Cabaret Scenes: "Everything the Traffic Will Allow easily remains one of the very best cabaret shows I've ever seen ... It's about the power of personality and how it can change your life forever which Blackhurst, certainly one of the most gifted and versatile performers working today, has used to come into her own as a singer, a Merman acolyte and a woman who creates her own opportunities. I've no doubt that Ethel would love it!"
Accompanied by the Pocket Change Trio, Klea Blackhurst brings bright new interpretations of Merman's signature songs such as "I Got Rhythm," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "There's No Business Like Show Business," as well as rarely-performed obscurities including "Just A Moment Ago," "I've Still Got My Health," and "World Take Me Back."Blackhurst has performed with symphonies, orchestras and in theatrical productions across the country and abroad. Concert appearances include the recent London Palladium presentation of Jerry Herman's Broadway with Angela Lansbury, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall with Michael Feinstein in celebration of composer Jule Styne and the BBC Proms concert telecast of Oklahoma! from London's Royal Albert Hall.Klea's theatre credits include 42nd Street Moon's Call Me Madam and Red Hot and Blue; the Off Broadway productions of Bingo, By Jupiter, Radio Gals and Oil City Symphony. Regional appearances include Mama Morton in Chicago, The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Anything Goes. On radio and television, Klea has appeared on "Sesame Street," "Law and Order: SVU," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and "A Prairie Home Companion."
Among many accolades, Everything The Traffic Will Allow won the inaugural Special Achievement award from TimeOut New York Magazine and its recording was named one of the Top Ten show albums of 2002 by TalkinBroadway.com. Klea has performed the work of composer Vernon Duke in Autumn in New York at Joe's Pub and the Café Carlyle. Most recently, Klea has teamed with Billy Stritch. Their collaboration, Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael was awarded the MAC and Backstage Bistro Awards. The release of their album was celebrated with a sold out engagement at Birdland. Her live CD recording of Everything the Traffic Will Allow - in addition to Autumn in New York and Dreaming Of A Song - are available through Ghostlight Records. Other recordings include Jule Styne in Hollywood, Lost in Boston IV and Unsung Irving Berlin and the original cast recordings of Radio Gals and Bingo.
Everything the Traffic Will Allow will play at 8 pm Weds. - Sat (April 21 - 24) with a Sunday matinee at 3 pm on April 25. Tickets ($44) are available through the 42nd Street Moon Box Office at 415/255-8207 (Open Tues. - Fri. from noon to 5 p.m.), or through the website http://www.42ndstmoon.org. All performances are presented at San Francisco's intimate Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St.
