SHOWTUNE

Off-Broadway opening: February 27 th, 2003

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Conceived by Paul Gilger

Directed and Choreographed by Joey McKneely
Musical Direction by James Followell - Piano and Vocal Arrangements by James Followell & Paul Gilger

Starring: Sandy Binion, Paul Harman, Russell Arden Koplin, Tom Korbee, Karen Murphy, Bobby Peaco, Martin Vidnovic

The plot: Showtune (New York production 2003) is a popular musical revue celebrating the words and music of Jerry Herman, the composer and lyricist of the Broadway musicals Milk and Honey (1961), Hello, Dolly! (1964), Mame (1966), Dear World (1969), Mack & Mabel (1974), The Grand Tour (1979), and La Cage aux Folles (1983). Herman also contributed songs to Ben Franklin in Paris (1964) and A Day in Hollywood, a Night in the Ukraine (1980).

 

The 40 Broadway songs featured in SHOWTUNE are juxtaposed into thematic scenes and song cycles, placing a strong emphasis on Jerry Herman's lyrics and his optimistic messages. The song juxtapositions also create sub-texts which give dramatic thru-lines to the show, making SHOWTUNE unique among musical revues.

Conceived by California Architect Paul Gilger, SHOWTUNE premiered as the cabaret revue TUNE THE GRAND UP in 1985 in San Francisco.Subsequently, the revue was produced in London in 1998 by Jennifer Strome with a new title THE BEST OF

TIMES, first at the Bridewell Theatre and then at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End theatre district . In 2003, the revue, now titled Showtune, opened off-Broadway at the Theatre at St Peter's Church. Once again it was produced by Jennifer Strome and in partnership with film producer David Brown. SHOWTUNE is licensed by Music Theatre International in the United States, by Josef Weinberger in England, and by Hal Leonard in Australia.

in Wikipedia

The Pictures:

1 - Sandy Binion as Mame and Karen Murphy as Dolly sing “Bosom Buddies” in the Off-Broadway production

2 - Martin Vidnovic and Donna McKechnie in the pre-NY Production at the Helen Hayes Theatre, Nyack, NY

3 - Tom Korbee, Russell Arden Koplin, Martin Vidnovic, Karen Murphy, Paul Harman and Sandy Binion sing “Mame” in the Off-Broadway production

4 - The cast sings “The Best of Times” in the Los Angeles production at the Pasadena Playhouse

5, 6 - The cast sings the finale in the University of Miami production at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre