Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT), the professional producing arm of the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, continues its Nutmeg Summer Series with the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller musical revue, Smokey Joe's Café, playing June 24 through July 4, 2010 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. The Nutmeg Summer Series will conclude with Endurance, a world premiere play presented by movement theatre artists, Split Knuckle Theatre, running from June 24 through June 27 in the Nafe Katter Theatre. Tickets are now available for both productions by calling the Jorgensen Box Office at 860-486-4226 or visiting www.crt.uconn.edu.
THE PRODUCTION
Smokey Joe's Café - The Songs of Leiber & Stoller
Words & Music by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
June 24 - July 4
Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre
One of Broadway's smash hits, Smokey Joe's Café is full of stunning song-and-dance performances of show-stopping tunes such as "Yakkety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Hound Dog," "Love Potion #9," "Jailhouse Rock" and many more.
Smokey Joe's Cafe is a musical revue showcasing 39 pop standards, including rock and roll, and rhythm and blues songs - all written by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. After a Los Angeles tryout, the production opened on Broadway in 1995, running for 2,036 performances, and had a London run in 1996. The Original Broadway cast recording won a Grammy award in 1995.
Caption for photo provided with press release: CRT's production of Smokey Joe's Café
Cast members Rachel Rosado and James Frisby from Connecticut Repertory Theatre's production of Smokey Joe's Café. The Broadway song-and-dance revue begins performances June 24 and plays through July 4 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs. For tickets and information call 860-486-4226 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu. Photo by Bob Copley.
Smokey Joe's Café performances will take place in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Single ticket prices for Smokey Joe's Café range from $15 to $37. The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and offers air-conditioned comfort and convenient free parking in Lot 9 and X Lot. Paid parking is available in the North Garage. Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. Not all productions are suitable for young children; please call 860.486.1629 for more information. CRT's Corporate Sponsors for the Nutmeg Summer Series are Hamilton Sundstrand, Tim Hunter Design and Leyland Alliance. CRT's Community Partners for the Nutmeg Summer Series are Mansfield Community Center, Nathan Hale Inn, UConn Dairy Bar, WHUS 91.7FM and Willimantic Chronicle.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
B. Peter WestERHOFF (Director/Choreographer) is a Professor at Oklahoma State University, where he is Head of Performance and Graduate Advisor. During his tenure at OSU, he has directed over 70 productions including Our Town, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Urinetown, The Visit, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Crazy for You, Comedy of Errors and Into the Woods. He has directed and choreographed over seventeen musicals for Connecticut Repertory's summer season, including the 2002 Smokey Joe's Café, Over Here!, Bye, Bye Birdie, 1940's Radio Hour, Forever Plaid, Sweet Charity, Lady Be Good!, Tintypes and Pirates of Penzance. In New York City, he recently directed the Kennedy conspiracy play, Why We Shot John for Cinna Productions at the 29th Street Repertory and Table Manners for the ACC, the Amateur Comedy Club, the oldest continually producing theatrical organization in the country. He directed the American Premiere of Exchange by Yuri Tifanov, translated by Michael Frayne for the Blue Heron Theatre, NYC.
Michael Anania (Scenic Designer) has Broadway credits that include Laughing Room Only starring Jackie Mason, A Change in the Heir, Run for Your Wife, Canterbury Tales, The View From Here, and The Gathering starring Hal Linden. He also designed New York City Opera productions of H.M.S. Pinafore, The Merry Widow, La Boheme, A Little Night Music, and The Desert Song (all 'Live from Lincoln Center'), as well as Wonderful Town, 110 in the Shade, The Most Happy FeIIa, Pajama Game, and The New Moon. Michael has worked on national tours of Applause, Heartstrings and The Wizard of Oz (star ring Mickey Rooney). He was nominated for Australia's Tony Award, the 2002 Helpmann Award for Singin' in the Rain and Dallas Theater League's Leon Rabin Award for My Fair Lady.
THE CAST
Curtis Wiley (Victor) is a member of Actors' Equity Association and was last seen in NYC as Bill in The Last Word, and also played in The Wild Party (Columbia Stages), The Dudley's and the new musical, Sunfish. Regional roles include Wig Out (Sundance), Aida, Miss Saigon, Ragtime, Five Guys named Moe, The Hot Mikado and Ain't Misbehavin', as well as the National Tour of Disney's The Lion King. Curtis has also been seen in numerous concerts including Sondeim: The Birthday Concert at Lincoln Center.
JAMAl Lee HARRIS (Ken) is a member of Actors' Equity Association and originally from Los Angeles. Now living in New York City, Jamal's favorite credits include Once On This Island, The Wiz, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Big River. He is also experienced working on the creative side of the process, serving as Director and/or Choreographer for many regional productions including Les Miserables (Northern Stage) and The Full Monty (Circa 21). He has a BFA from Ithaca College.
Nicholas Ward (Frederick) is a member of Actors' Equity Association. He was born in Oakland CA, raised in Niceville, FL and currently resides in New York City. Nicholas recently returned from the Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jade where he performed while cruising the Mediterranean and all of Europe for two years. He has performed in the national tour of Show Boat, as well as the European tour of Porgy and Bess. Other favorite roles include Booker T. Washington in Ragtime, and the Voice of the Plant in Little Shop of Horrors.
KAITLIN MONTE (Pattie) is a member of Actors' Equity Association, a native of Rochester, NY, and currently resides in New York City. Her credits include The Seagull, High School Musical 2, Rent, The Hole, and Little Women. Most recently, she co-hosted New Year's Eve in Times Square for the international webcast. Kaitlin graduated the University of Tampa at age 19 with a B.A. in Performing Arts and with secondary studies in Public Relations and Visual Analysis. She worked at Busch Gardens Tampa as part of the original cast of Critter Castaways as a vocalist and trainer. Kaitlin is a former Miss Tampa and currently tours with the USO Liberty Bells performing for our men and women in uniform.
