BCPA is a magnificent modern showplace along the romantic Riverwalk saturated with taverns and superlative dining establishments. BCPA has served the community by providing something special for everyone. It may be the best thing since Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey brought
the circus to town. The theatrical magic of the BCPA should
be credited to the powerful prowess of President Robert Pittman of the Florida Theatrical Association and Charlie Cinnamon and Jennifer Sierra-Brobbelaar of Clear Channel Entertainment. They have announced their new 2004/05 schedule, which should tickle the tummy of theatregoers.
The smorgasbord of festive delights includes the road shows of bountiful Broadway musicals such as my all-time favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The King and I (Nov. 2-14), created for Gertrude Lawrence as Anna.
(Yul Brynner’s King was originally secondary to Anna.) This production stars darling Sandy Duncan (Peter Pan). The 60s musical version of John Water's outrageous cinema creation Hairspray (Jan. 5-16), revival of Lionel Bart's British classic Oliver (Feb. 9-20) and Disney’s out of town tryout of a new musical On The Record (Apr. 19-May 1)
round out the season.
On The Record is a collage of tunes from Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tarzan, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dumbo, Cinderella, Snow White and
many more in a once in a lifetime recording session to preserve the polished popular songs of a past era. This prom- ises to be the
first-class family en-
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tertainment of the season.
The Broadway Series is fare
for the entire family geared for the glorious smiles of the younger set —
except for a stage revival of The Graduate (March 15-27), based on the fickle frivolous film originally starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman. The play could capture older theatregoers attending for curiosity and chitchat about
the nudity.
It’s my pleasure to take a
bird’s eye view of the recommended musicals to renew your acquaintance with never-to-forget gems
of a lifetime. The pleasures of everlasting charms are opulent in one
of the world’s greatest musicals
created by Rod- gers & Hammerstein. Based on the autobiographic
Anna and the King of Siam, The
King & I shines.
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Then there is Oliver with Dickens’ memorable characters (Young Oliver, nasty Fagin, sweet Nancy and that bloody chap Bill Sikes) along with the prominent persona of devious lad Dodger. The score is sensationally sumptuous with ditties such as Food Glorious Food, the devastating romantic song
As Long As He Needs Me, the uplifting Oom Pah Pah and my favorite Consider Yourself at Home.
The crazy cult film Hairspray by John Waters meshed marvelously into a Tony Award winner on Broadway with numerous awards. It’s a
tremendous turn-on for teenagers and baby boomers reminiscent of Grease, Footloose, Saturday Night Fever and the acclaimed Rent. A
festive frivolity with a fresh flavor. Don’t forget to
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book the new Disney production of On The Record
headed for Broadway. Call BCPA 954-462-0222 for tickets
and groups.
There’s good news on the horizon! One of the best
musicals of the century is returning to Miami’s Jackie Gleason Theatre March 23-April 3, 2005 after sold out
performances at the BCPA in Fort Lauderdale this season. Mel Brook’s The Producers (12 Tony’s) is everything anyone can expect in this best of all possible worlds. It’s GREAT putting comedy back into musical comedy. Go enjoy already! A HIT is a HIT is a HIT.
Fred Diekmann, an actor, director and producer, is founder of the Curtain Up Theatrical Awards and a member of the Carbonell voting committee and the South Florida Theatre League.
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