The Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, opens its 2011 "A La Carte Series" on Sunday, March 6, at 2:00 p.m. with Hooray for Hollywood: Celebrating the Golden Years at the Movies! with Broadway veteran Gay Willis.
The incomparable Gay Willis has starred in Broadway's Showboat, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, and on PBS' From Galway to Broadway. She has performed to sold-out houses all over the world and has been universally heralded by critics: "As Christine (in The Phantom of the Opera), Willis' voice has an almost ethereal quality...transporting the audience to unexpected heights emotionally as well as vocally." Variety. Gay will be joined by noted baritone, James Michael, and accompanied by David Maiullo on piano.
Growing up in North Carolina, Miss Willis received her musical education from the movies and will share her great love of Hollywood's Golden Years by saluting film greats such as Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Mario Lanza, and even Carol Channing! Audiences can expect to hear such favorites as "I Could Have Danced All Night," "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Over the Rainbow," "A Spoonful of Sugar," and more!
The A La Carte Series continues on Sunday, March 13, at 2:00 p.m. with A Tribute to Gershwin featuring The David Leonhardt Jazz Group and the Shelly Oliver Tap Dancers. Please Note: this performance is completely sold-out.)
The Series concludes on Sunday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m. with Before the Crash: America in the 1920's, a fascinating and entertaining look at the dance, music, and words from this remarkable period in America's history. The controversy of Sacco & Vanzetti, the Charleston dance craze, unguarded optimism, the plight of the immigrants, and finally the crash will be all brought to life by director Daniel P. Quinn and choreographer Heather Johdos, collaborators of the Bickford's previous A La Carte Series success, After the Ball.
Hooray for Hollywood replaces the previously announced Carol Channing in Concert due to a scheduling conflict on the part of its star, Richard Skipper.
Tickets for all A La Carte Series performances are $30 General Public, $28 for Museum/Guild Members and Seniors 65 & up, $26 for Groups of 10 or more, and $20 for Students (18 & under or with valid college ID)
Tickets may be purchased online 24/7 at www.bickfordtheatre.org, by phone at (973) 971-3706 or in person at the Bickford Box Office. The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
