La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California 90638 (562) 944-7977

 

 

 

 

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE CELEBRATES THE MUSIC OF LEIBER AND STOLLER AT LA MIRADA THEATRE

Opens June 10, Press Night June 11

 

 

LA MIRADA, CA, June 1, 2005 -- "Smokey Joe's Cafe, the Music of Leiber and Stoller" the longest running musical revue in Broadway history, comes to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts June 10, presenting the memorable songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, "the Rodgers and Hammerstein of rock 'n' roll." Directed by Glenn Casale, "Smokey Joe's Cafe, the Music of Leiber and Stoller" features some of the best songs of the '50s and '60s, including "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," "Spanish Harlem," "Stand By Me" and "Fools Fall in Love."

 

The multi-talented ensemble cast includes DeLee Lively playing the Tony-nominated role she created in the original Broadway cast of "Smokey Joe's Cafe." She and the cast also received a GRAMMY® for the cast recording. She is joined by: accomplished singer, stage and TV actress Yvette Cason, who starred in the Broadway cast of "Dream Girls;" recording artist and actress Darlesia Cearcy who received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her role in the original Broadway cast of "Ragtime;" opera, pop and R&B singer and actor Lawrence Cummings, who recently finished a national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar;" and stage actor Hassan El-Amin who has starred in "The Lion King."

 

The ensemble cast also includes: accomplished stage and TV actor Brian Lane Green, who most recently appeared on Broadway in the Cy Coleman musical "The Life;" stage and TV actress Christa Jackson, last seen at La Mirada in the title role of "Evita" and recently with Val Kilmer in "The Ten Commandments;" TV and stage actor David Jennings who starred in the original as well as the 2005 Los Angeles production of "Ragtime;" and actor and recording artist Ron Kellum, who recently completed a national tour of "Aida."

 

Casale just finished directing La Mirada's critically acclaimed production of "My Fair Lady," and directed the national tour of "Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan" and the 1999-2000 Tony-nominated and Emmy-winning Broadway version of the show.

 

The McCoy Rigby production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe, the Music of Leiber and Stoller" employs a team of talented creative people, including: Dave Edwards, sound designer; Brad Ellis, musical director and conductor; Judi Lewin, makeup, wig and hair design; Larry Watts and Tom Phillips, costume designers; Gina Farina, technical director; Julia Flores, casting director; Jill Gold, production stage manager; Terry Hanrahan, production manger/prop supervisor; Jill Leatherwood, general manager; Jeffrey Polk, choreographer; Tom Ruzika, lighting designer; and Gary Wissmann, set designer.

 

Leiber and Stoller, two of the truly distinctive, defining creators in mid-century pop music culture, created some of the most enduring rock 'n' roll hits in the history of the genre, and wrote songs for some of the legendary musical artists of the 20^th century, including Elvis Presley, The Coasters, Isley Brothers, Peggy Lee, The Drifters, and Aretha Franklin.

 

"Smokey Joe's Cafe, the Music of Leiber and Stoller" runs for nineteen performances: Tues. - Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri. 8p.m.; Sat., 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 and 7 p.m. (no matinee performance on Saturday, June 11 or evening performance on Sunday, June 12). Tickets are $40 and $32 and seniors, student and children's discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased online at La Mirada Theatre's new Web site, www.lamiradatheatre.com. For more information, call the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.

 

The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue. Parking is free.

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Press materials at www.aldrichpr.com Press night is Saturday, June 11 (no reviews prior to this date). For press seats please RSVP to sandy@aldrichpr.com.

 

CALENDAR LISTING

"Smokey Joe's Cafe, the Music of Leiber and Stoller" the longest running musical review in Broadway history, June 10 - June 26 at La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, CA. Tuesday - Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 and 7 p.m. (no matinee Saturday, June 11 or evening performance on Sunday, June 12). Tickets: $40 and $32 at www.lamiradatheatre.com or the box office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.

 

Contacts:         Larry Aldrich/Sandy Smith                    Jeff Brown

                        Aldrich & Associates, Inc.                     La Mirada Theatre

                        larry@aldrichpr.com                              jbrown@lamiradatheatre.com

                        (562) 436-5156                                   (562) 944-7977