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 Mamaroneck, NY - Westchester’s The Emelin Theatre, Michael Bush Artistic Director, presents the world premiere of Ruth Williamson’s Pure Heaven: A Party With Kay Thompson Thursday, May 1 through Sunday, May 18.
During this musical evening, Ruth Williamson, star of stage (La Cage Aux Folles), screen (Evan Almighty) and television (“Nip Tuck”), portrays Thompson as she imagines her returning from her “home sweet heaven” to set the record straight. Pure Heaven celebrates and examines Thompson as an under-rated yet key part of the American cultural landscape.
Written and performed by Ruth Williamson and featuring John Robert Armstrong, Cole Burden, Dan Maceyak and David Perlow, Pure Heaven is directed by the Emelin’s own Michael Bush. Design by Tony Ferrieri (Set), Daniel James Cole (Costume), Josh Bradford (Lighting) and Bryan McPartlan (Sound). Music by Clint Edwards (Arrangements/Orchestration) and Steven Watkins (Music Director), along with Choreographer Kelli Barclay. Casting Director is Stephanie Klapper.
Kay Thompson, one of Hollywood’s most respected and eccentric legends from its golden age, was an artistic genius, with talents ranging from composing and arranging to performing and writing. While working as the musical director at MGM, she was instrumental in the success of such stars as Judy Garland and Lena Horne. She also helped bring jazz rhythms into MGM musicals with her vocal arrangements. Career highlights include having the most successful nightclub act in American history with Andy Williams and The Williams Brothers and co-starring in the revered film Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. After Funny Face, show business lost an icon as she retired from the public eye and disappeared to Rome. With some convincing from friends, Ms. Thompson turned one of her memorable characters into a children’s book, and the classic Eloise series was born. In the early 1960s, she returned to the United States where her fame bad been eclipsed by Eloise.
Michael Bush (Director) was last year appointed the new artistic director at the Emelin Theatre. Most recently, he was the director of artistic production for Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City. He was associated with MTC for over 25 years and helped artistically guide more than 150 new plays and musicals, including the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Proof, and Doubt, and the Tony Award winning Love! Valour! Compassion! At MTC, he most recently directed Based On A Totally True Story. He was instrumental in the rebirth of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s Cabaret & Performance Conference, and has served as its artistic director since 2005. Last year, Mr. Bush directed The Story Of My Life at Toronto’s CanStage, and Murderers for The Philadelphia Theatre Company and at Pittsburgh’s City Theatre. Last season, he directed Stormy Weather starring Leslie Uggams for The Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia. Mr. Bush directed the New York Music Theater Festival productions of The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde (2005), and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Marcus Hummon’s Warrior (2006) and The Piper (2007). During his tenure as producing artistic director at Charlotte Repertory Theatre (2002-2004) he presented Hilary Swank in The Miracle Worker, Penny Fuller in The Glass Menagerie, and the 20th Anniversary production of Pump Boys and Dinettes. He also directed and co-wrote the book for the musical Let Me Sing, which was co-produced with George Street Playhouse and Charlotte Repertory Theatre.
Performance Schedule and Tickets:
May 1-18, 2008
Thursday-Saturday 8:00 P.M., Saturday & Sunday 3:00 P.M. Matinee
Opening Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30 P.M.
$32 Matinee / $35 Evening
The Emelin Theatre 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck, NY
(914) 698-0098
www.emelin.org
About The Emelin Theatre
The Emelin Theatre is non-profit institution dedicated to enriching the lives of Westchester residents with a full range of performing arts programs. Since 1972, established artists with international reputations, young rising stars, community performers and children have all graced our stage and become a part of the Emelin family. Our work is made possible by audience support, public and private grants, special benefits and contributions, and Friends of the Emelin.
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